Simplest, most fool proof HT

[WRZK526]

On 11/30/2025 at 10:00 PM, Paul357 said:

I know there are dozens of threads asking which radio to get: best, cheapest, easiest to program, etc.

What I am look for is the most fool proof radio to operate. I don't even care if its a nightmare to program, so long as it's a cinch to use.

This is my scenario: Every year around this time we do a big Christmas tree cutting expedition with the family. We take 3 vehicles and around 8-10 people. We drive way up an old fire road and then hike around the forest. These are all my immediate family members so I pass out GMRS and a few FRS HT's to the group.  Even if I streamline all the features and lock the keypads, these folks still manage to render their radios useless. Wrong channel, volume off, pressing the wrong key for PTT, etc. That's assuming they remember to actually carry them. The FRS radios fare the best but there have been times where the range of FRS simply didn't cut it.

Radios with big batteries, big screens, lots of buttons, etc are great sometimes. But all those features make an HT bigger, bulkier, and confusing to operate.

So what I am looking for is the most basic, compact, stone simple, fool proof GMRS HT on the market. 

Taking people out in the woods that can't even manage to use a handheld? 

[WRTC928]

2 minutes ago, WRZK526 said:

Taking people out in the woods that can't even manage to use a handheld? 

"Can't use a handheld" and "can't use a complicated handheld" aren't the same thing. I hand out radios for some public events, and even for educated people, radios are usually far outside their experience and skill set. Even I have occasionally accidentally hit a button and couldn't figure out how to get back to where I was without consulting the manual. That's why I like the BF-888s and similar for events. One knob for on/off/volume, and one for channel. 

[Bogieboy01]

On 12/1/2025 at 9:59 AM, HHD1 said:

The Baofeng BF-888S  hands down

2 knobs.  1 to power on and adjust volume. The other to select channel.  And a voice lets you know what channel you're on.

They are lightweight so you don't even know it's on your belt.

So simple that even a granny that gets confused by a tv remote can use it with her eyes closed.

I was just gonna say this... and program all the channels to the same one.... that way they CANT screw up the channel. That leaves power/volume.

[Bogieboy01]

34 minutes ago, WRZK526 said:

Taking people out in the woods that can't even manage to use a handheld? 

Presumably with sharp implements no less....

[TNFrank]

The simplest, easiest HT to use would be something like the Retevis RB17V MURS radio. 5 channels at 2w, add a better antenna and you can talk license free for a mile or so depending on terrain. 

[Radioactive]

Retevis RT22. Program all 16 channels the same. 1 knob. Excellent sound quality and great range, phenominal actually especially with the small fixed antenna.

[SteveShannon]

Also, lock the radio after programming.  

[LeoG]

Was just going to say the same as Steve.

[WRUU653]

On 1/31/2026 at 4:13 PM, SteveShannon said:

Also, lock the radio after programming.  

Good advice!

[WRHS218]

On 1/31/2026 at 4:13 PM, SteveShannon said:

Also, lock the radio after programming.

I keep my radio locked the majority of the time and I know how to use it. My fingers do fumble occasionally.

[SteveShannon]

1 minute ago, WRHS218 said:

I keep my radio locked the majority of the time and I know how to use it. My fingers do fumble occasionally.

Exactly. I do that with my base stations even when I’m on a net. 

[AdmiralCochrane]

I have an Icomm mobile that is useless to me because it is too easy to fumble the multiple knobs and buttons when underway even as passenger and change a dramatic setting.  I could dedicate it as my shack 2/70 but I prefer my Yeasu 8900

[SteveShannon]

1 hour ago, AdmiralCochrane said:

I have an Icomm mobile that is useless to me because it is too easy to fumble the multiple knobs and buttons when underway even as passenger and change a dramatic setting.  I could dedicate it as my shack 2/70 but I prefer my Yeasu 8900

I wish the Yaesu 8900 was still available.  I know there are some knockoffs available but they aren’t the same quality. 

[WRTC928]

16 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

I wish the Yaesu 8900 was still available.  I know there are some knockoffs available but they aren’t the same quality. 

I'll just leave this here. 

[SteveShannon]

39 minutes ago, WRTC928 said:

I'll just leave this here. 

It’s probably worth the price.

[tweiss3]

The thing the FT8900 had that made it desirable is the inclusion of 6m and 10m. 

[Davichko5650]

On 11/30/2025 at 11:00 PM, Paul357 said:

I

So what I am looking for is the most basic, compact, stone simple, fool proof GMRS HT on the market. 

Baofeng MP-31 - No display, Volume/channel knobs and PTT are the only controls.  You can set PL tones on CPS or Chirp if you use those, otherwise, good to go right out of the box. $25 a pair. I have 2 and my wife, a non radio hobbyist in the extreme, has no problems using this around the spread.

[GMRSNetwork]

A single channel Motorola HT-220

[amaff]

[RoadApple]

 

1 hour ago, amaff said:

They must be experienced!  Notice that they are using the "RED STRING" privacy code 

[Paul357]

I didn't mean to neglect this thread, especially after all the great advice I've received.

I ended up buying two Wouxun KG805G's when BuyTwoWay was running a sale. They were nice enough to throw a programming cable into my cart which I didn't notice until after I checked out. Too bad its the WRONG cable and I already have this one for my KG-XS20G. 

So far, these radios are great. Still a little too bulky but that's what you get with big batteries and USB-C charging. A little fatter but overall smaller than my GM-30 Plus's. Not too hard to program by hand, primitive but functional programming software, CHIRP compatible. The lock button disables the channel knob but of course a luddite can still accidentally turn the volume off. These are a little spending compared to all the other cheap radios out there but I have become a fan of Wouxun.

On 1/31/2026 at 7:14 AM, WRZK526 said:

Taking people out in the woods that can't even manage to use a handheld? 

Believe it or not, some of these people have been roaming the woods even before cellphones were invented. With guns and fire and sharp objects, no less!