Wouxun KG-UV9G PRO or ???

[RIPPER238]

I have a simple Midland MXT275 for my truck. But i am looking for the "best" mobile radio with multiple capabilities like the Wouxun KG-UV9G PRO GMRS. However many suggest going on eBay (I hate eBay) and finding a used commercial Kenwood/Motorola or something like that. 

 

I don't mind overbuying and learning but it will mostly be used for GMRS communications. Something 5 watts with the flexibility of the KG-UV9G PRO. I believe i can listen to Ham and FM on the Wouxun which i would like to have. 

 

I'm not super versed in GMRS radios so any advice would be helpful. 

[WyoJoe]

The KG-UV9G is an HT (handheld transceiver), not a "mobile" (automotive style) radio. The used commercial Kenwood/Motorola type radios you can find on eBay are often mobile radios, although HTs can be found there as well. Many mobile radios offer higher wattage output than what an HT will deliver. Most HTs will put out 5 watts at the most.

Midland offers mobile radios (like your MXT275) that put out as much as 40 watts (MXT400) or as little as 5 watts (MXT105). Anytone has a small mobile radio (AT-779U) that puts out 20 watts. B-Tech and Wouxon offer 50 watt radios (GMRS-50X1 and KG-1000G, respectively).

A lot of what you decide should be based on how you plan to use the radio. If you'll just be using it to talk to other people in your family while you're out hiking, or while traveling in one car following a family member in another car, then you would likely be fine with just an HT (well actually, a pair of them). If you want to talk to other people while driving to work, for example, or talk over longer distances, then a mobile radio would likely give you an advantage due to both the higher power output and the better antenna that most mobile radios are paired with.

The KG-UV9G is probably the most feature rich GMRS HT available. In the mobile arena, the KG-1000G is probably the most feature rich GMRS mobile radio available. Both of these radios, as well as a number of others, allow you to monitor other frequencies, including some ham frequencies. There are a lot of choices out there, but what would be best will depend on how you want to use it.

[mbrun]

I have a simple Midland MXT275 for my truck. But i am looking for the "best" mobile radio with multiple capabilities like the Wouxun KG-UV9G PRO GMRS. However many suggest going on eBay (I hate eBay) and finding a used commercial Kenwood/Motorola or something like that. 
 
I don't mind overbuying and learning but it will mostly be used for GMRS communications. Something 5 watts with the flexibility of the KG-UV9G PRO. I believe i can listen to Ham and FM on the Wouxun which i would like to have. 
 
I'm not super versed in GMRS radios so any advice would be helpful. 

I own the KG-1000G, but I use it as a base within my home. I use HT’s in the car along with external antenna and speaker mic. If I were going to do an official install in the car, I would currently go with another 1000G. It is IMO the mobile equivalent of the UV9G. It does not do commercial FM like the 9G does, but that IMO is not needed since nearly every car on the road already has that.

While the 9G does have multi-band Rx capably, my 1000G is programmed exclusively for GMRS, and it handles it quite well in my environment. I do not use it to scan anything except GMRS, but admit on occasion I tune in NOAA, or enter a specific local amateur frequency I want to monitor.

I agree with WyoJoe, best is subjective. What is best for you may not be best for me and vice versa.

IMO Midland radios may be best when it comes to operational simplicity for GMRS. The 1000G may be best in terms of programability options. Commercial radios may be best from an RF performance and reliability standpoint.

Food for thought.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

[RIPPER238]

Thanks guys. I guess i meant HT since i already have a "mobile" unit for my truck (may upgrade later on). 

 

I do a decent amount of overlanding and use SW FM/AM and Airband on a portable radio for listening entertainment. So i was hoping i could get a HT that did it all including Ham that i could also use for my GMRS communication over distance.  

[mbrun]

Thanks guys. I guess i meant HT since i already have a "mobile" unit for my truck (may upgrade later on). 
 
I do a decent amount of overlanding and use SW FM/AM and Airband on a portable radio for listening entertainment. So i was hoping i could get a HT that did it all including Ham that i could also use for my GMRS communication over distance.  

For legal Tx on GMRS and Rx for everything the KG-UV9G is currently the flag-ship of consumer GMRS + True-Dual Receive multi-band scanners.

I own the KG-UV9P which is the identical radio without GMRS Tx capability and it performs quite well for its price in my semi-rural environment. At the same time, I dislike the fact that the screen is mostly unusable outdoors during daylight hours and it has features perhaps not relevant to most GMRS users. But we all end up buying what the manufacturers sell, even when it is less than what we ideally might want.

There are surely going to be more radios that find themselves on the market as more and more individuals purchase product and the market of license users grows.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM