what is the best 40 to 50 watt mobile radio for severe rf environments?

[piggin]

 I live in an urban area. So let me define what I mean by "best". Best would include the following characteristics:

 High sensitivity and excellent resistance to desense in the presence of strong RF emissions. Excellent selectivity so multiple strong signals won't cause false images.

I just want GMRS and do not need wideband receive...I don't need NOAA weather either. (250 watt NOAA station a few miles away...it shows up all over the dial on lower performing radios I have) There are high power digital signals here in the 468 mhz area or so that also enter the mix. Incredibly close vhf pagers too...and county dispatch.

 Are there over the counter GMRS mobile radios that would work? I find the Wouxun KG-905G a fantastic performer for me here. It really has an excellent receiver!

 But...5 watts only. I want something with more power for more distant use...but I certainly don't need it now and may not actually ever buy one. But it would be very valuable info for me on whether I should buy over the counter or watch ebay for older Motorola commercial gear.

 I apologize for the radio nerd question. Thanks!!!

[BoxCar]

Repurpose a part 90 radio for those conditions but any radio meeting FCC requirements is all you need in Asheville.

[SteveShannon]

4 minutes ago, piggin said:

 I live in an urban area. So let me define what I mean by "best". Best would include the following characteristics:

 High sensitivity and excellent resistance to desense in the presence of strong RF emissions. Excellent selectivity so multiple strong signals won't cause false images.

I just want GMRS and do not need wideband receive...I don't need NOAA weather either. (250 watt NOAA station a few miles away...it shows up all over the dial on lower performing radios I have) There are high power digital signals here in the 468 mhz area or so that also enter the mix. Incredibly close vhf pagers too...and county dispatch.

 Are there over the counter GMRS mobile radios that would work? I find the Wouxun KG-905G a fantastic performer for me here. It really has an excellent receiver!

 But...5 watts only. I want something with more power for more distant use...but I certainly don't need it now and may not actually ever buy one. But it would be very valuable info for me on whether I should buy over the counter or watch ebay for older Motorola commercial gear.

 I apologize for the radio nerd question. Thanks!!!

If you like the KG-905G, why not go for the very similar mobile radio, KG-1000G Plus?

https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-1000g-plus.html?matchtype=e&keyword=wouxun kg 1000g plus&device=c&adposition=&network=g&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9Km3BhDjARIsAGUb4nyeVD_7vY7JbkTyrL0bOLmAsSJt8TEKNsQVoN96mQeTHgcCsM7yG2EaAjqGEALw_wcB

 

[wayoverthere]

56 minutes ago, piggin said:

But...5 watts only. I want something with more power for more distant use...but I certainly don't need it now and may not actually ever buy one. But it would be very valuable info for me on whether I should buy over the counter or watch ebay for older Motorola commercial gear.

 I apologize for the radio nerd question. Thanks!!!

Just to add a few options...

If you end up going commercial, Kenwood has some options in dual certified gear  (tk880, maybe? Someone better versed on Kenwood feel free to correct me).

Vertex Standard also had the vx4207 that's dual certified. (Yes, I'm a little partial to my vertex stuff).

[WRCZ387]

You may want to look at Used-Radios.com™ for a radio or radios, they'll program up to 16 channels for you to get you going

Then BlueMax49ers - Beyond Cables That Work! for cables & software so you can add to/edit your channels down the road

If you see a rig on Used Radios that interests you, you can check the software advisor on Blue Max 49ers for compatible cables, available software & pricing before you buy the radio

I have been getting into Icom commercial h-t's, I know other users like Kenwood & Motorola, nothing wrong there, everyone has different preferences, needs, tastes, etc

I have a couple of Part 97 amateur h-t's that I switched to commercial mode, but I'm treating those as backups, I prefer my actual Part 90 LMR's, I have & like both Alinco & Icom

Although I do have, & like the Part 95 Alinco DJ-G46T GMRS h-t also 

73

[Hoppyjr]

Disregard. Still have the Tapatalk bug with the new Apple OS.

[WRYZ926]

Nothing wrong with the Wouxun KG-1000G Plus. It is a good radio and easy to program/use. I am running one in my car and another in my shack. 

There is no doubt that Kenwood or Motorola radios are nice. But you have to find one at a decent price that won't break the bank. And you will have to scrounge for the proper programing software if it is not already programed for GMRS.  

[piggin]

1 hour ago, wayoverthere said:

Just to add a few options...

If you end up going commercial, Kenwood has some options in dual certified gear  (tk880, maybe? Someone better versed on Kenwood feel free to correct me).

Vertex Standard also had the vx4207 that's dual certified. (Yes, I'm a little partial to my vertex stuff).

 It would be great to know of dual certified gear. I would prefer not to use straight part97 equipment. It would be nice to know as well what kind of options for programming the various gear available has too. I am totally ignorant here. And I don't want to buy an old computer.

 I don't care what kind of radios others use at all. I just want high performance and wood stove like durability and reliability. An Icom 2730A will work but "some people" would object strenuously. If I ran part 90 gear I would not care a bit.

[wayoverthere]

18 minutes ago, piggin said:

 It would be great to know of dual certified gear. I would prefer not to use straight part97 equipment. It would be nice to know as well what kind of options for programming the various gear available has too. I am totally ignorant here. And I don't want to buy an old computer.

 I don't care what kind of radios others use at all. I just want high performance and wood stove like durability and reliability. An Icom 2730A will work but "some people" would object strenuously. If I ran part 90 gear I would not care a bit.

I can speak to the Vertex software, at least, which as far as I've seen, runs fine in Windows 10 (I have a few different versions).  Windows 11 and its driver issues are a bit more difficult, afaik. I've been sticking with win10 on my machines.  I'm trying to think offhand who the Kenwood gurus are that can talk more on that part...

One downside to both the dual certified and part 90 only gear is programmability on the fly; it's somewhere between more difficult and impossible to change tones on the fly on the part 90 gear, compared to part 95e (current GMRS) which are nearly all front panel programmable.  In terms of cables, bluemax49ers (both .com and that username on eBay) has covered most of my cable needs, though for the vx4207 I went through quality2wayradios dot com for the cable and software.

I'm in the same camp on certification...95e or dual certified primarily, but no qualms about commercial part 90 stuff, with 97/amateur gear in emergency only.

[piggin]

2 hours ago, wayoverthere said:

I can speak to the Vertex software, at least, which as far as I've seen, runs fine in Windows 10 (I have a few different versions).  Windows 11 and its driver issues are a bit more difficult, afaik. I've been sticking with win10 on my machines.  I'm trying to think offhand who the Kenwood gurus are that can talk more on that part...

One downside to both the dual certified and part 90 only gear is programmability on the fly; it's somewhere between more difficult and impossible to change tones on the fly on the part 90 gear, compared to part 95e (current GMRS) which are nearly all front panel programmable.  In terms of cables, bluemax49ers (both .com and that username on eBay) has covered most of my cable needs, though for the vx4207 I went through quality2wayradios dot com for the cable and software.

I'm in the same camp on certification...95e or dual certified primarily, but no qualms about commercial part 90 stuff, with 97/amateur gear in emergency only.

I found the vertex you mentioned "refurbed" for 169. Very appealing!

[WRXB215]

4 hours ago, wayoverthere said:

If you end up going commercial, Kenwood has some options in dual certified gear  (tk880, maybe? Someone better versed on Kenwood feel free to correct me).

@Lscott is a Kenwood man.

[Socalgmrs]

3 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:

Nothing wrong with the Wouxun KG-1000G Plus. It is a good radio and easy to program/use. I am running one in my car and another in my shack. 

There is no doubt that Kenwood or Motorola radios are nice. But you have to find one at a decent price that won't break the bank. And you will have to scrounge for the proper programing software if it is not already programed for GMRS.  

You can get a 40w Motorola for $160 plus a $20 cable and the cable supplier will send out the link to the original Motorola software. No scrounging needed.   So for $180 you get a professional 40+w radio. Not sure how the $389 kg1000 gets even close to that.  But if one love to spend money on inferior things then by all means go for it. 

[Socalgmrs]

Ok so after all the negative responses to radios that actually meet the criteria,  I’d have to recommend a rugged radio m1.  It does not  meet any of the criteria( neither does the kg1000) and is not nearly as good and is the most expensive gmrs specific 50w radio I could quickly find.  
 

I’ll stick to my professional radios that are 30% of the price and a one time buy of $100computer and $20 cable.  Then I can also program professional HT radios so it’s a cheap buy in on gear that will always work. 

[Lscott]

17 minutes ago, WRXB215 said:

@Lscott is a Kenwood man.

Some of the Kenwood gear spans a range from HT’s through mobile models in one series. That facilitates sharing programing between models in the same series. You also need just one radio programming software too.

[piggin]

4 minutes ago, WRXP381 said:

Ok so after all the negative responses to radios that actually meet the criteria,  I’d have to recommend a rugged radio m1.  It does not  meet any of the criteria( neither does the kg1000) and is not nearly as good and is the most expensive gmrs specific 50w radio I could quickly find.  
 

I’ll stick to my professional radios that are 30% of the price and a one time buy of $100computer and $20 cable.  Then I can also program professional HT radios so it’s a cheap buy in on gear that will always work. 

 What about running a virtual 32bit on a new PC?

[Lscott]

4 minutes ago, WRXP381 said:

 

I’ll stick to my professional radios that are 30% of the price and a one time buy of $100computer and $20 cable.  Then I can also program professional HT radios so it’s a cheap buy in on gear that will always work. 

To get those good deals on the more desirable models one has to be a real picky and very patient shopper.

For example I spotted an ad on eBay for 3 new-in-box Kenwood NX-300 FM/Digital radios for $100 each. I got one. A few minutes later someone else grabbed the other two. The ad was up for less than an hour!

https://forums.mygmrs.com/gallery/image/251-nx-300jpg/?context=new

The mobile in that series is an NX-800.

https://comms.kenwood.com/common/pdf/download/09_NX-700-800Brochure.pdf

[wayoverthere]

43 minutes ago, piggin said:

I found the vertex you mentioned "refurbed" for 169. Very appealing!

If you're looking at eBay, user erac1 is the account for used-radios.com, aka Sunny communications. I've bought from them before, with no issues, as have others, either via eBay or their site.

On the radio itself, if the ranges matter, the model suffixes will tell the ranges they cover ...vx-4201-g6 are 400-470 MHz (good for gmrs and covers 70cm if you go the ham route too), while -g7 are 450-512mhz (good for gmrs). There was also a vx-4204 that covers VHF (136-174mhz).

[piggin]

1 hour ago, wayoverthere said:

If you're looking at eBay, user erac1 is the account for used-radios.com, aka Sunny communications. I've bought from them before, with no issues, as have others, either via eBay or their site.

On the radio itself, if the ranges matter, the model suffixes will tell the ranges they cover ...vx-4201-g6 are 400-470 MHz (good for gmrs and covers 70cm if you go the ham route too), while -g7 are 450-512mhz (good for gmrs). There was also a vx-4204 that covers VHF (136-174mhz).

 Thank you!

[WRUE951]

Maxon 8402A is pretty decent and also a commercial radio at a decent price.   Hytera HM782 is a commercial radio that will work HAM/GMRS in both analog and digital.  Both radios are programable, have fantastic receive ends and transmit 40-50 watts.  Kenwood is another choice but i'm not familiar with their radios.. Programing the Hytera and Maxon radios are both a cat walk.  Very easy learning curve..  

[piggin]

4 minutes ago, WRCZ387 said:

You may want to look at Used-Radios.com™ for a radio or radios, they'll program up to 16 channels for you to get you going

Then BlueMax49ers - Beyond Cables That Work! for cables & software so you can add to/edit your channels down the road

If you see a rig on Used Radios that interests you, you can check the software advisor on Blue Max 49ers for compatible cables, available software & pricing before you buy the radio

I have been getting into Icom commercial h-t's, I know other users like Kenwood & Motorola, nothing wrong there, everyone has different preferences, needs, tastes, etc

I have a couple of Part 97 amateur h-t's that I switched to commercial mode, but I'm treating those as backups, I prefer my actual Part 90 LMR's, I have & like both Alinco & Icom

Although I do have, & like the Part 95 Alinco DJ-G46T GMRS h-t also 

73

Epic. I like Icom radios too and have a pile of them. I have a IC-9100 and IC-7410. Nice radios. Not GMRS though. I will probably end up with a Motorola or Kenwood part 90 whichever is easier and more bang for the buck. The Motorolas are exceptionally inexpensive used. 

 Only my IC-2730A is able to transmit on GMRS frequencies however. Emergency use only. No way I can use it for regular use. My T70A 2m/440 HT is the best HT I own by far. 5 watts and a good exterior antenna makes for a great emergency radio. 73 OM.

[Lscott]

7 hours ago, piggin said:

I like Icom radios too and have a pile of them.

They're nice but finding the software for them is a bit harder than I've experienced for Kenwood. Maybe I'm biased since I have a pile of Kenwood radios and a huge collection of the programming software.

I have picked up a few Icom radios. Reason why I did is they were available and dPMR digital enabled, which is a mode I was looking for. I just ordered a second UHF model from the same seller last night so I'll have at least two identical radios on UHF and one for VHF.

https://forums.mygmrs.com/gallery/image/500-ic-f3162dt-front-and-back-sidepng/?context=new

 

[amaff]

17 hours ago, WRXP381 said:

Don’t waste your money a woxoun ... For less money you could get a Motorola 40w uhf radio that tested out at 48w on ebay, a programming cable, an old 32bit lap top and software and still be less money and more radio. 

For some of us, that's a strong argument in the opposite direction. I don't want to have to keep a rickety old computer alive just so I can program my radio now and then.

[WRYZ926]

15 hours ago, wayoverthere said:

If you're looking at eBay, user erac1 is the account for used-radios.com, aka Sunny communications. I've bought from them before, with no issues, as have others, either via eBay or their site.

I can confirm that he is good to go. Our club bought a Motorola VHF repeater and controller from him. He is knowledgable and will answer all your questions. What we bought looks brand new. He goes through everything before selling.

[Socalgmrs]

47 minutes ago, BoxCar said:

Repurpose a part 90 radio for those conditions but any radio meeting FCC requirements is all you need in Asheville.

Totally agree. Don’t waste your money a woxoun just grap a 40-50w Motorola or kenwood professional grade part 90 radio.  They are less than 1/2 the price of woxoun or midland and 10xs the radio.  For less money you could get a Motorola 40w uhf radio that tested out at 48w on ebay, a programming cable, an old 32bit lap top and software and still be less money and more radio.   Once you do that you will never want to go back to over priced “gmrs” radios. 
 

but also remember the antenna is a huge part of the equation.   Guys spend $400-$500 on a 50w radio only to choke it out with a cruddy 2-3db gain antenna.  A 50w radio can radiate almost 700watts with the right length of good coax and the right antenna and that coupled with a good professional radio you will receive and transmit perfect