WSKY897 Posted January 1 Posted January 1 Newbie here, looking for suggestions on handheld radios! What should I be looking for. Thanks Quote
SteveShannon Posted January 1 Posted January 1 21 minutes ago, WSKY897 said: Newbie here, looking for suggestions on handheld radios! What should I be looking for. Thanks Welcome! So much is subjective. I recommend you watch a bunch of YouTube videos that discuss the different interfaces, how easy each is to program either from the front panel or using software on a computer. Also, are you strictly interested in GMRS, or are you also interested in ham radio? If you’re strictly interested in GMRS the choice is easier; get a radio that’s certified for GMRS. They are already programmed with all the right frequencies and repeater offsets. You will still need to add the necessary tones or codes that limit access to repeaters, and that’s slightly different between different models. Personally I really like my Garmin Rino but I also like my Wouxun KG805. WSFN703 1 Quote
WRXX916 Posted January 1 Posted January 1 Tidradio H3, easy to program via bluetooth app on phone, easy for beginners. Quote
WRUE951 Posted January 1 Posted January 1 well,, do like most of us here,, get you a Baoufang for a few dollars. It's the cheapest way to learn and their radios are really not that bad. Latter as you go, you will figure out what radio(s) you want to put on your trophy case. WSFN703, HHD1 and RedFive 3 Quote
WSFN703 Posted January 2 Posted January 2 2 hours ago, WRUE951 said: well,, do like most of us here,, get you a Baoufang for a few dollars. It's the cheapest way to learn and their radios are really not that bad. Latter as you go, you will figure out what radio(s) you want to put on your trophy case. Hard to argue with this. For the price, they let you get your feet wet right now, learn how to do a little programming, and figure out what you want to do. Then, if you decide to move up, you can use them for friends or family or throw them in the vehicle or drawer for a backup. Amazon has them for $40/pair. You may be able to get them cheaper if they run a sale. Then follow Steve's advice and watch YouTube reviews. For me, the Baofengs have been more than enough. I don't need anything fancy. I can hit my local repeater from my house (18 miles), holds a decent charge, weren't hard to program, and they work. There's probably a hundred other radios that can do that. Do your research and know that as soon as you get what you think you need a new radio will come out next month and you'll think you need that one. Welcome to GMRS. HHD1 and WRUE951 2 Quote
WRUE951 Posted January 2 Posted January 2 9 minutes ago, WSFN703 said: Hard to argue with this. For the price, they let you get your feet wet right now, learn how to do a little programming, and figure out what you want to do. Then, if you decide to move up, you can use them for friends or family or throw them in the vehicle or drawer for a backup. Amazon has them for $40/pair. You may be able to get them cheaper if they run a sale. Then follow Steve's advice and watch YouTube reviews. For me, the Baofengs have been more than enough. I don't need anything fancy. I can hit my local repeater from my house (18 miles), holds a decent charge, weren't hard to program, and they work. There's probably a hundred other radios that can do that. Do your research and know that as soon as you get what you think you need a new radio will come out next month and you'll think you need that one. Welcome to GMRS. I have some Kenwood's and Hytera's and I still grab my favorite Baofangs now and then.. Mostly when I go out Kayaking our out fishing. Quote
HHD1 Posted January 2 Posted January 2 8 hours ago, WSKY897 said: What should I be looking for. How do you plan on using them? And, how much do you want to do with them? That will determine what you should look for. For me, I wanted something that would hold up well to outdoor activities no matter the weather. I also wanted to monitor other frequencies beyond GMRS. I wanted a radio that I could easily program on the fly without the use of a computer or cell phone. I was looking for GPS. I was looking for true dual watch. The Wouxun KG-Q10G checked all those boxes and more. SteveShannon 1 Quote
RedFive Posted January 2 Posted January 2 9 hours ago, WSKY897 said: Newbie here, looking for suggestions on handheld radios! What should I be looking for. Thanks Agree with others about starting with some affordable Baofengs then go from there. Just get some better antennas to use instead of the ones that come with the radios. WSKY897 1 Quote
Mrsig Posted January 2 Posted January 2 and enjoy the forum! I use Baofeng U-V 9R Pro on our ranch & firearms range! They work great for us. HHD1, Northcutt114 and WRUE951 3 Quote
WRZK526 Posted January 5 Posted January 5 Like everything else it depends on how much money you want to spend and what you want to use them for. Most people buy radio's get frustrated with them and they end up in a drawer. You need someone to talk to, more than one person or why just not use your cell phone? You didn't post what your intended use is. Is it to use with friends or family or emergency in case the cell towers go down? Remember these are line of sight with limited range unless you get repeater capable and then you have to be close enough to transmit to a repeater. I have spent a fair amount of money on several radio's and I enjoy them, learning about them and talking to people. Most suggest you buy cheap Chinese stuff and that is an option or you can go with an American owned company. Quote
OffRoaderX Posted January 5 Posted January 5 11 minutes ago, WRZK526 said: or you can go with an American owned company. Since he's a n00b, you should tell him which American owned companies sell GMRS radios that aren't made in China.. Quote
Northcutt114 Posted January 5 Posted January 5 On 1/1/2026 at 2:27 PM, WSKY897 said: Newbie here, looking for suggestions on handheld radios! What should I be looking for. Thanks Welcome aboard. A little more information would be helpful, as others have said. Intended use case, things of that nature. It's hard to argue with Baofeng entry radio. Or the TIDRadios. Too. Honestly, right now, my Quansheng K6 is my favorite HT. Some will scoff and say that they are just cheap, Chinese radios...and they would be correct. But, for me, and my use case, they do what I want them to do and I'm happy with them. Give us a little more info and we'll see if we can help out. Quote
WRYS709 Posted January 6 Posted January 6 3 hours ago, OffRoaderX said: Since he's a n00b, you should tell him which American owned companies sell GMRS radios that aren't made in China.. Here is some YouTube yakker making money off of YOU, his favorite viewer, watching commercials! TrikeRadio 1 Quote
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