WRXG894 Posted October 16, 2023 Report Share Posted October 16, 2023 Hello, new guy here first post. I have an FCC license for GMRS and want to buy two handhelds for my wife and I to use, and to use with friends when hunting or out in the woods, etc. I don't know much about radios and don't want to spend a ton, so was hoping to get some feedback on the BAOFENG GM-15 Pro radios? Also, would a better antenna help any? Should I get the programming cable as well? Thanks for any info and help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OffRoaderX Posted October 16, 2023 Report Share Posted October 16, 2023 Welcome to the exciting and dynamic GMRS lifestyle! The GM-15 Pro is a decent, low-cost radio. It has just as many farz as any other 5W handheld radio and dollar for dollar it's not a bad choice for a beginner The antenna that comes with it is fine, and based on the (much) testing I have done, it is doubtful that replacing it would make any difference that you would ever be able to notice, but definitely get the programming cable in you plan to program in a lot of repeaters or frequencies for monitoring. WRQC299 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRXG894 Posted October 16, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2023 Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRYS709 Posted October 16, 2023 Report Share Posted October 16, 2023 You can download the compatible Radioddity GM-30 CPS software from the Radioddity website and with a good USB cable (I recommend a FTDI chip based cable) it will work in Windows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRXG894 Posted October 17, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2023 I got the one recommended on Scamazon, the CH340 chip model. Will that work okay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRXG894 Posted October 17, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2023 Also, any idea why I am not getting email notifications of replies to this thread, even though I am subscribed to it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sshannon Posted October 17, 2023 Report Share Posted October 17, 2023 25 minutes ago, WRXG894 said: Also, any idea why I am not getting email notifications of replies to this thread, even though I am subscribed to it? Click on your icon, account settings. Then “Manage Followed Content” and adjust your preferences for how you wish to be notified. WRUU653 and WRXB215 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRYS709 Posted October 17, 2023 Report Share Posted October 17, 2023 5 hours ago, WRXG894 said: I got the one recommended on Scamazon, the CH340 chip model. Will that work okay? Yes, there are drivers available for Windows 10 and 11. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRYU810 Posted October 18, 2023 Report Share Posted October 18, 2023 I grabbed a couple off eBay (I'm ready new also) and mine ce with aftermarket abbree antennas. They've been great for me to learn on so far and have performed pretty well.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRYU810 Posted October 18, 2023 Report Share Posted October 18, 2023 You can download the compatible Radioddity GM-30 CPS software from the Radioddity website and with a good USB cable (I recommend a FTDI chip based cable) it will work in Windows. This is what I did. It worked.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk WRYS709 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRYZ926 Posted October 23, 2023 Report Share Posted October 23, 2023 I have a couple of Abree AR-771 antennas that came with my Baofeng UV-5R GMRS radios but I haven't tested them compared to the stock rubber duck antennas. I can say that an actual Nagoya 771 antenna is an improvement over the stock rubber duck on my Baofeng GT-5R dual band radio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRXB215 Posted October 23, 2023 Report Share Posted October 23, 2023 1 hour ago, WRYZ926 said: I haven't tested them compared to the stock rubber duck antennas. I can't testify to authentic Nagoya but the Abbree 771 is definitely an improvement to the stock antenna. I would like to get the "tacti-cool" antenna some day and try it out. I've heard that it is the best HT antenna for the Baofeng radios. WRYZ926 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRYZ926 Posted October 23, 2023 Report Share Posted October 23, 2023 2 hours ago, WRXB215 said: I can't testify to authentic Nagoya but the Abbree 771 is definitely an improvement to the stock antenna. I would like to get the "tacti-cool" antenna some day and try it out. I've heard that it is the best HT antenna for the Baofeng radios. Good to know. I didn't even bother with the rubber duck antennas since I put the Abbree 771 antennas on right away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRZF693 Posted November 14, 2023 Report Share Posted November 14, 2023 On 10/16/2023 at 1:00 PM, WRXG894 said: Hello, new guy here first post. I have an FCC license for GMRS and want to buy two handhelds for my wife and I to use, and to use with friends when hunting or out in the woods, etc. I don't know much about radios and don't want to spend a ton, so was hoping to get some feedback on the BAOFENG GM-15 Pro radios? Also, would a better antenna help any? Should I get the programming cable as well? Thanks for any info and help! I purchased one and I agree with OffRoaderX. It's a good radio. I was able to talk about 4.3 miles away with no problems at all. I did get the Abree 717 I think it antenna.. It came with the package.. The antenna and ear listening thing and separate mic, etc.. I've not used the accessories, but the radio itself is a dandy! I would easily recommend it.. I also purchased two tid radios, the cheaper one's and they work well, but I don't think the antenna's come off, or I can't see how they do, although they look like they have a small allen wrench screw that may need to be loosened, but I haven't tried. The GM15 would be the choice though if I could only have one of them.. Hope that helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRZF693 Posted November 14, 2023 Report Share Posted November 14, 2023 On 10/16/2023 at 1:00 PM, WRXG894 said: Hello, new guy here first post. I have an FCC license for GMRS and want to buy two handhelds for my wife and I to use, and to use with friends when hunting or out in the woods, etc. I don't know much about radios and don't want to spend a ton, so was hoping to get some feedback on the BAOFENG GM-15 Pro radios? Also, would a better antenna help any? Should I get the programming cable as well? Thanks for any info and help! Almost forgot.. You for sure want the programming cable. It makes it much easier to use.. I downloaded the radiodidity gm30 pro software and it worked great.. Added channels, named them, etc.. It's very easy to use software on my windows 10 machine! Very similar to chirp.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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