FRS radio recomendations for my non GMRS friends

[TrikeRadio]

I have a GMRS HT (TD-H3) and a GMRS license. I use the radio primary for simplex short range (1-3 miles) communications with one other friend who is also GMRS licensed. We have a group that goes recreational cycling and I lead the group. My friend stays at the back of the 10 or so riders to make sure no one gets lost.

The radios have worked out great for us to communicate from the front to the back of the line, but a few of our riders also want to be able to listen in (and sometimes talk) on our communications, but they don't need/want a full on GMRS license or the complications of understanding how to use the radios.

So obviously I want to recommend some FRS radios with decent quality, options, and not too costly. I would like them to at the very least to have the two-plug "Kenwood type" mic and earphone plug so that they have options to add a lapel mic or other earplug or other mic/headset options.

I have looked at a lot of those "bubble pack" FRS radios on Amazon and found a few that seem decent... but I am looking for any recommendations from people in this forum.

Main needs:
   * FRS only radio (no GMRS option)
   * Rechargable or recharagable/removable battery packs
   * lightweight as possible
   * two pin earphone/lapel mic "Kenwood" port
   * Simple interface (simpler the better)
   * Low cost (yeah I know most FRS radios will be low priced but... just saying)

Thank you.... Open to either "warning stay away from this radio... " or  "this is what you want." type recommendations.

 

 

[WRXB215]

47 minutes ago, nokones said:

Buying cheap is never cheap financially

I disagree. All my radios are cheap and serve me just fine.

[nokones]

Any Motorola Talkabouts. Very good quality radios. Midland is not bad either for FRS quality radios.

[TrikeRadio]

46 minutes ago, nokones said:

Any Motorola Talkabouts. Very good quality radios. Midland is not bad either for FRS quality radios.

4 minutes ago, WRXP381 said:

My grandson was given a pack of the small Motorola talk about radios. They are small light weight and work well.  They have a rechargeable option or aaa battery’s.  

Thanks

 

5 minutes ago, WRXP381 said:

I personally don’t see gmrs radios any more or less complicated then an FRS radio to use, set a pre programmed channel and push the button, but that’s just me. 

They really aren't, but I think the "displays" and "all the buttons" are intimidating to "some people".

and they don't really need the repeater functions, or the range, nor do they want to get a GMRS license so I am just trying to make it easy on them

[WRYS709]

Just be aware that FRS radios are set to Narrowband FM and most likely your GMRS radios are set to Wideband FM, so the FRS radios will have much diminished audio punch!

You could change the settings on your GMRS radios (the FRS radios do not have that option by Rule) and the audio quality for all will be much improved!

I liked the Pofung BF-T11s which used to be available on Amazon and eBay for about $25 per pair: 2 watts K-1 jack and even computer programmable. Fulfills all your other needs, too.

I see that AliExpress now has them!

[SteveShannon]

19 minutes ago, TrikeRadio said:

I have a GMRS HT (TD-H3) and a GMRS license. I use the radio primary for simplex short range (1-3 miles) communications with one other friend who is also GMRS licensed. We have a group that goes recreational cycling and I lead the group. My friend stays at the back of the 10 or so riders to make sure no one gets lost.

The radios have worked out great for us to communicate from the front to the back of the line, but a few of our riders also want to be able to listen in (and sometimes talk) on our communications, but they don't need/want a full on GMRS license or the complications of understanding how to use the radios.

So obviously I want to recommend some FRS radios with decent quality, options, and not too costly. I would like them to at the very least to have the two-plug "Kenwood type" mic and earphone plug so that they have options to add a lapel mic or other earplug or other mic/headset options.

I have looked at a lot of those "bubble pack" FRS radios on Amazon and found a few that seem decent... but I am looking for any recommendations from people in this forum.

Main needs:
   * FRS only radio (no GMRS option)
   * Rechargable or recharagable/removable battery packs
   * lightweight as possible
   * two pin earphone/lapel mic "Kenwood" port
   * Simple interface (simpler the better)
   * Low cost (yeah I know most FRS radios will be low priced but... just saying)

Thank you.... Open to either "warning stay away from this radio... " or  "this is what you want." type recommendations.

 

 

My first thought was to see if Wouxun has an FRS radio.  They have an FRS version of their 805. 
https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-805f-two-pack.html?fee=5&fep=5285&utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=product_ppc&matchtype=&keyword=&device=c&adposition=&network=g&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAC4SJ1idKy2EUZLQOnDFF8I9Rl-z1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-5y1BhC-ARIsAAM_oKnUq5DVMsuZesWEiOFTuP0NgNb_x5-y_uFyqh7IXHCv-CiS1rDtpQQaAlTxEALw_wcB

[TrikeRadio]

29 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

My first thought was to see if Wouxun has an FRS radio.  They have an FRS version of their 805.

Hmm thanks... probably more than most or our riders would want to spend.

but I can put it on the recommendation list.

Thanks

Edited July 29 by TrikeRadio
added missing info

[Guest]

38 minutes ago, nokones said:

Any Motorola Talkabouts. Very good quality radios. Midland is not bad either for FRS quality radios.

My grandson was given a pack of the small Motorola talk about radios. They are small light weight and work well.  They have a rechargeable option or aaa battery’s.  
 

I personally don’t see gmrs radios any more or less complicated then an FRS radio to use, set a pre programmed channel and push the button, but that’s just me. 
 

[BoxCar]

May want to look at these as well

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088GQMX45/ref=sspa_dk_detail_5?pd_rd_i=B088GQMX45&pd_rd_w=r4YEl&content-id=amzn1.sym.8c2f9165-8e93-42a1-8313-73d3809141a2&pf_rd_p=8c2f9165-8e93-42a1-8313-73d3809141a2&pf_rd_r=3C3KC236XPPDDN7V1KMN&pd_rd_wg=Qc0NA&pd_rd_r=b398c3c2-7b4b-4606-a036-c1f7ada2134b&s=car&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw&th=1

[gortex2]

I use the motorola T series for my friends and while off roading. Solid little radios and are durable and simple. 

[TrikeRadio]

I did find a few options for Simple low cost FRS radios with N1 external speaker/mic options on Amazon. I think I have a decent selection for my friends to look over now. Thanks for all the suggestions!

BTW.. I also found a Baofeng FRS 2 radio set on Amazon for $17.96... model BF-888S
Anyone know if that is decent? I didn't know that Baofeng even made FRS radios
 

[BoxCar]

13 minutes ago, TrikeRadio said:

BTW.. I also found a Baofeng FRS 2 radio set on Amazon for $17.96... model BF-888S
Anyone know if that is decent? I didn't know that Baofeng even made FRS radios
 

The BF-888s have been around for years. I picked up a pair about 6 years ago and gave them away. My thoughts, stay away.

[TrikeRadio]

29 minutes ago, WRYS709 said:

Just be aware that FRS radios are set to Narrowband FM and most likely your GMRS radios are set to Wideband FM, so the FRS radios will have much diminished audio punch!

You could change the settings on your GMRS radios (the FRS radios do not have that option by Rule) and the audio quality for all will be much improved!

Oh... hmm that is good to know. So far we have not had any FRS radios in the mix but I will keep that in mind when people start getting them. I didn't realize that narrrow or wide would make a difference between an FRS and GMRS radio

[TrikeRadio]

1 hour ago, BoxCar said:

The BF-888s have been around for years. I picked up a pair about 6 years ago and gave them away. My thoughts, stay away.

Oh... Ha! Glad I asked! Thanks

[WRUU653]

On 7/29/2024 at 10:06 AM, SteveShannon said:

My first thought was to see if Wouxun has an FRS radio.  They have an FRS version of their 805. 

Interesting, who knew they made a superheterodyne FRS?! I don’t have any of those… must resist
 

@TrikeRadio I have used Motorola talkabouts myself for cycling. I saw these Retevis RA55 and the ability to clip to a camelback and noise reduction feature might be nice in the wind, usb-c charging too. I have no personal experience with them though. Cheap enough to try out. 

[WQAI363]

On 7/29/2024 at 12:45 PM, TrikeRadio said:

I have a GMRS HT (TD-H3) and a GMRS license. I use the radio primary for simplex short range (1-3 miles) communications with one other friend who is also GMRS licensed. We have a group that goes recreational cycling and I lead the group. My friend stays at the back of the 10 or so riders to make sure no one gets lost.

The radios have worked out great for us to communicate from the front to the back of the line, but a few of our riders also want to be able to listen in (and sometimes talk) on our communications, but they don't need/want a full on GMRS license or the complications of understanding how to use the radios.

So obviously I want to recommend some FRS radios with decent quality, options, and not too costly. I would like them to at the very least to have the two-plug "Kenwood type" mic and earphone plug so that they have options to add a lapel mic or other earplug or other mic/headset options.

I have looked at a lot of those "bubble pack" FRS radios on Amazon and found a few that seem decent... but I am looking for any recommendations from people in this forum.

Main needs:
   * FRS only radio (no GMRS option)
   * Rechargable or recharagable/removable battery packs
   * lightweight as possible
   * two pin earphone/lapel mic "Kenwood" port
   * Simple interface (simpler the better)
   * Low cost (yeah I know most FRS radios will be low priced but... just saying)

Thank you.... Open to either "warning stay away from this radio... " or  "this is what you want." type recommendations.

 

 

There are quite of number of FRS radios to choose from. If I were looking for FRS radios to communicate with unlicensed friend, I would use what I already have. I have 2 BTECH GMRS PROs, which doesn't necessarily that we couldn't use simplex with the proper power settings.

[OffRoaderX]

49 minutes ago, Adamdaj said:

I have 2 BTECH GMRS PROs, which doesn't necessarily that we couldn't use simplex with the proper power settings.

If you care about following the FCCs rules, then your unlicensed friends would still need a license to use your GMRS Pro radios.

But since the FCCs doesn't care, neither do most people.

[WQAI363]

1 hour ago, OffRoaderX said:

If you care about following the FCCs rules, then your unlicensed friends would still need a license to use your GMRS Pro radios.

But since the FCCs doesn't care, neither do most people.

Yep. you're absolutely right!  

[amaff]

41 minutes ago, Adamdaj said:

Yep. you're absolutely right!  

As far as anyone else is concerned, on simplex, I'm on an FRS radio....

[WRYS709]

On 7/30/2024 at 3:29 PM, WRYS709 said:

I liked the Pofung BF-T11s which used to be available on Amazon and eBay for about $25 per pair: 2 watts K-1 jack and even computer programmable. Fulfills all your other needs, too.

I see that AliExpress now has them!

Also, I did an impulse buy of the Baofeng UV-12 and it arrived yesterday.

It is their Ham Radio version of what is essentially an FRS radio and is open to transmit on all frequencies.

There is supposedly Baofeng software available to program it.   In the meantime, I programmed it with Chirp using the Retevis RB27 designation for the Read template.

AliExpress has them for about $15 each.

 

[RayDiddio]

10 hours ago, nokones said:

$17.96 radios decent? Decent for what, maybe for paperweights. You gotta be kidding. Do it right and spend your money on better radios from a business that is in the business of selling decent quality radios. Buying cheap is never cheap financially and your time.

Pfft. I've heard this argument a million times before and it's usually right.

[nokones]

15 hours ago, TrikeRadio said:

BTW.. I also found a Baofeng FRS 2 radio set on Amazon for $17.96... model BF-888S
Anyone know if that is decent? I didn't know that Baofeng even made FRS radios
 

$17.96 radios decent? Decent for what, maybe for paperweights. You gotta be kidding. Do it right and spend your money on better radios from a business that is in the business of selling decent quality radios. Buying cheap is never cheap financially and your time.