Best gmrs handheld radio?

[WRYZ926]

I'm going to be an enabler here, go ahead and get the 935G Plus.I have the KG-935G Plus and definitely like it. 

[brasda91]

11 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

I'm going to be an enabler here, go ahead and get the 935G Plus.I have the KG-935G Plus and definitely like it. 

damn it  

[WRUU653]

1 hour ago, brasda91 said:

What is the arguement for the 935G+ ?

It’s another radio and don’t you deserve it? Sorry, I’m also an enabler.

Seriously though some things you may like about the KG-935G plus…

More channels (999)

VHF/UHF receive as well as FM radio 

dual band

NOAA weather channels

Here is a comparison video Randy did from the KG-905G to the 935g and while it is not the plus model you’ll find the comparisons helpful in seeing the difference from your current radio.

 

[brasda91]

well, I hope all you enablers are happy! I just ordered the 935G+, lol

Honestly don't know why. One side of my brain kept saying "my 905G is perfectly fine", the other side was like "but it's newer and has a color display and everybody says it's great"

[brasda91]

On 1/2/2025 at 9:04 PM, WRUU653 said:

It’s another radio and don’t you deserve it? Sorry, I’m also an enabler.

Seriously though some things you may like about the KG-935G plus…

More channels (999)

VHF/UHF receive as well as FM radio 

dual band

NOAA weather channels

Here is a comparison video Randy did from the KG-905G to the 935g and while it is not the plus model you’ll find the comparisons helpful in seeing the difference from your current radio.

 

I think I've seen it

[WRCR724]

On 4/24/2024 at 10:25 AM, WSBT633 said:

I’m new to gmrs and curious to see what some of your more seasoned gmrs’ers think would be a decent radio? Right now I’m using the Tidradio TD-H3. 

Your title is "Best gmrs handheld radio?" Then you ask what we would "...think would be a decent radio". 

Do you want the best or do you want a decent radio? 

I think you have the best, decent radio. Now just use it. 

[RIPPER238]

Curious, why go with a KG-935G Plus when you can go with a KG-Q10G for only $50 more? 

[BoxCar]

Just now, RIPPER238 said:

Curious, why go with a KG-935G Plus when you can go with a KG-Q10G for only $50 more? 

To save $50.

[WRYZ926]

As of right now the KG-935G Plus is $149.99 and the KG-Q10G is $219.99 on Buy Two Way Radio.

Both are IP rated; 935G - IP66, Q10G - IP67

935G - SOC

Q10G - superheterodyne

Q10G has GPS functions - downside is it only works with other Wouxun radios.

I have a 935G Plus and a Q10H (quad band model) and I can't tell much difference in performance between the two. Both have good front ends that are not susceptible to front end over load. Both receive well and both sound good when transmitting.

So you have to ask yourself if the slightly better IP rating, superheterodyne vs SOC, and GPS function is worth the extra $70 or not.

PS: I went with the Q10H version since it is quad band and can be unlocked if I choose to do so. The Q10H covers the 2m, 1.25m, 70cm, and 6m bands out of the box and will also cover MURS and GMRS if unlocked.

[RIPPER238]

57 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

As of right now the KG-935G Plus is $149.99 and the KG-Q10G is $219.99 on Buy Two Way Radio.

Both are IP rated; 935G - IP66, Q10G - IP67

935G - SOC

Q10G - superheterodyne

Q10G has GPS functions - downside is it only works with other Wouxun radios.

I have a 935G Plus and a Q10H (quad band model) and I can't tell much difference in performance between the two. Both have good front ends that are not susceptible to front end over load. Both receive well and both sound good when transmitting.

So you have to ask yourself if the slightly better IP rating, superheterodyne vs SOC, and GPS function is worth the extra $70 or not.

PS: I went with the Q10H version since it is quad band and can be unlocked if I choose to do so. The Q10H covers the 2m, 1.25m, 70cm, and 6m bands out of the box and will also cover MURS and GMRS if unlocked.

Q10H/G can also be used as a repeater. Have you tried that yet? 

[radiozip]

3 minutes ago, RIPPER238 said:

Q10H/G can also be used as a repeater. Have you tried that yet? 

If I'm not mistaken it's just the Q10H that can do that? It's cross band repeat, like a VHF to UHF repeater. Would be quite impressive, if not impossible, to have GMRS repeater in a single handheld.

[WRYZ926]

2 hours ago, RIPPER238 said:

Q10H/G can also be used as a repeater. Have you tried that yet? 

Only the H model is capable of cross band repeat. It receives on 70cm and transmits on 2m. And yes it works well. But I do not use the cross band on the Q10H much since all of my 50 watt mobiles are capable of cross band repeat which works a whole lot better.

[brasda91]

On 1/6/2025 at 11:22 AM, RIPPER238 said:

Curious, why go with a KG-935G Plus when you can go with a KG-Q10G for only $50 more? 

For me, I did briefly look at the Q10G, but the 935G Plus uses my 905G battery and I had just ordered the cigarette charger for my 905G, so I know it will still work with the 935. I like the look of the 935 screen better and the 935 is $70 cheaper

[WRYZ926]

There is nothing wrong with the 935G Plus. The 935G Plus is my goto GMRS HT. And as you found out, your 905 accessories work with the 935G which is a bonus.

[WQAI363]

This comment probable should be under the FCC Rules & Regulations discussion. I think the best radios for GMRS have to be the Motorola Maxtrac series and HT 1250 or even most Kenwood radios. Of course, I realize the majority of these radios wouldn't be Part 95 A or E accepted, but those radios are excellent for GMRS.  I have to say the besides the well-known radio manufacturers, I do really like the BTECH GMRS PRO, which I own two of them. 

[WSGL775]

Why the Baofeng UV-5R of course! Everybody knows that!

[WRTC928]

On 1/13/2025 at 8:16 PM, WSGL775 said:

Why the Baofeng UV-5R of course! Everybody knows that!

I'll say this for the UV-5R...it works and almost anyone can afford it. Sometimes that's all you need. 

[WRYZ926]

Yes a UV-5R works and everyone can afford it. But there are definitely better radios. I have a Baofeng GT-5R along with two UV-5R GMRS radios. I stated out with the GT-5R as my first radio. Now they are regulated to spares to to hand out to others to use.

A lot of people have started out with a Baofeng radio and that is a good thing since it allows more to get involved in amateur radio or GMRS for little money. Most will upgrade to a better hand held though. The UV-5R is not the best and is veery susceptible to front end overload.

[WSGL775]

I got a set as an Xmas present, so I'm just going by what Notarubicon (Randy) has told me, because I'm his favorite subscriber! He told me that!

[RIPPER238]

On 1/10/2025 at 10:15 AM, brasda91 said:

For me, I did briefly look at the Q10G, but the 935G Plus uses my 905G battery and I had just ordered the cigarette charger for my 905G, so I know it will still work with the 935. I like the look of the 935 screen better and the 935 is $70 cheaper

Definitely seem to be great choices either way for quality. I'm thinking of getting the 935, or another Q10. Both seem to be the best of the best and have all the features you could ever want. 

[WRYZ926]

1 minute ago, RIPPER238 said:

Definitely seem to be great choices either way for quality. I'm thinking of getting the 935, or another Q10. Both seem to be the best of the best and have all the features you could ever want. 

I have to agree. I like my Q10H and 935G. I would seriously consider getting the 935H if I didn't already have the Q10H.

[RIPPER238]

7 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

I have to agree. I like my Q10H and 935G. I would seriously consider getting the 935H if I didn't already have the Q10H.

If you were to do it over would you rather have 2 Q10H's or a Q10H and 935H? Or just as you have it? 

[WRYZ926]

2 minutes ago, RIPPER238 said:

If you were to do it over would you rather have 2 Q10H's or a Q10H and 935H? Or just as you have it? 

That's hard to say since I had the 935G for a while before getting the Q10H. The Q10H has the advantage of being quad band versus the 935H being tri band. Both can be unlocked for use on MURS and GMRS.

The nice thing about the 935G is that I can give to a family member and not worry about them accidentally transmitting on the amateur bands.

Remember that the 935G and Q10G are GMRS only radios and can't be unlocked. Yes I tried and the unlock password will not work on the GMRS only radios.

[RIPPER238]

2 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

That's hard to say since I had the 935G for a while before getting the Q10H. The Q10H has the advantage of being quad band versus the 935H being tri band. Both can be unlocked for use on MURS and GMRS.

The nice thing about the 935G is that I can give to a family member and not worry about them accidentally transmitting on the amateur bands.

Remember that the 935G and Q10G are GMRS only radios and can't be unlocked. Yes I tried and the unlock password will not work on the GMRS only radios.

That's exactly my dilemma, thinking of family members (but i guess i can lock the radio). I also love that the Q10H can also double as a repeater. 

[WRYZ926]

The 935H also has cross band repeat. The Q10H is quad band and superheterodyne while the 935H is tri band and SOC. I have not noticed much of a difference between the Q10H or Q10G and the 935G as far as TX and RX. Both work well.

While you can cross band repeat from GMRS to 2m, I highly recommend that you never do that except for absolute life or death emergencies. You will be wrong cross band from GMRS to 2m even if you have both licenses. FCC regulations do not allow cross band between different services.