BTECH GMRS PRO UNLOCK

[WQAI363]

Normally, when we think about modifying or unlocking a mobile or HT, it's usually Amateur Radio. OTOH, there are a few GMRS radio out there that have extended receive and some of them are able to be open or Jailbreak, when it comes to transmitting beyond the FRS/ GMRS allocation. I was wondering if anyone figured out how to extend the transmit on the GMRS PRO, from the standard FRS/ GMRS allocation to allow the 70-centimeter band? Of course, I do realize this would diffidently violate the FCC's Rules and Regulations. 

[WRYZ926]

14 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said:

No, and upon further review, I think the number/ratio is even lower.  Right now, as I sit here still drinking my coffee, only the TD H3 GMRS comes to mind - but the sleep-fog is still thick.

 

I'm not saying that you are wrong, or making things up, but have you actually done this?

Yes I have unlocked my GMRS certified Baofeng UV-5R GMRS HT's. And they transmit just fine.

[Socalgmrs]

Most, the vast majority, almost all “gmrs” radios can not be unlocked out of gmrs.  
 

On the other hand most, many, a large number of ham radios can be unlocked to gmrs.      

 

it’s pretty much a 1 way deal. 

[amaff]

6 hours ago, Socalgmrs said:

Most, the vast majority, almost all “gmrs” radios can not be unlocked out of gmrs.  

it’s pretty much a 1 way deal. 

*stares at 5 of my 7 GMRS radios that are unlocked*


Uh huh.

[OffRoaderX]

3 minutes ago, amaff said:

*stares at 5 of my 7 GMRS radios that are unlocked

*stares at ~55 of my ~60 GMRS radios that cannot be unlocked....

[SteveShannon]

8 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

*stares at ~55 of my ~60 GMRS radios that cannot be unlocked....

I’m surprised it’s that high.  Does there seem to be a clear difference between which are unlockable?  For example I would expect purpose designed GMRS radios like Midland, Garmin, and Wouxun to be unable to easily be unlocked.  I would also have guessed that the Baofeng radios are nearly all easily unlocked.  

[WRXB215]

I just want a list of radios and instructions on how to unlock them. 

[WRYZ926]

It will depend on the brand of radios when it comes to the ability to unlock them. And most of that has to do with the firmware on the Chinese radios. 

I have a pair of Baofeng UV-5R GMRS radios that can be unlocked through the firmware. On the other hand, there is no way of unlocking Wouxun GMRS radios without flashing a custom firmware in the radio. And I have not found any custom Wouxun firmwares.

And not all amateur band radios can be unlocked. I have an Explorer QRZ-1 HT (TYT UV-88) that has custom firmware that keeps one from unlocking it. Icom and Yaesu radios require a hardware modification to unlock.

3 minutes ago, WRXB215 said:

I just want a list of radios and instructions on how to unlock them. 

Any UV-5R based Baofeng radio is what you seek. And instructions are easy enough to find through the University of Youtube.

[amaff]

11 minutes ago, WRXB215 said:

I just want a list of radios and instructions on how to unlock them. 

That wouldn't be a terrible idea for a resource to have out in the world.

  

9 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

*stares at ~55 of my ~60 GMRS radios that cannot be unlocked....

You'd know better than I would, obviously. I didn't think the ratio was that high.

[OffRoaderX]

2 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

 Does there seem to be a clear difference between which are unlockable?  For example I would expect purpose designed GMRS radios like Midland, Garmin, and Wouxun to be unable to easily be unlocked.  I would also have guessed that the Baofeng radios are nearly all easily unlocked.

No, and upon further review, I think the number/ratio is even lower.  Right now, as I sit here still drinking my coffee, only the TD H3 GMRS comes to mind - but the sleep-fog is still thick.

 

1 hour ago, WRYZ926 said:

I have a pair of Baofeng UV-5R GMRS radios that can be unlocked through the firmware.

I'm not saying that you are wrong, or making things up, but have you actually done this?

[amaff]

My DB-20G is also unlocked, as well as several GMRS Baofengs (I actually forgot I had those sitting on the shelf) and my GMRS TD-H3s

[WRKW566]

12 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

*stares at ~55 of my ~60 GMRS radios that cannot be unlocked....

Sometimes I look at the background (video) and think to myself of the time spent rolling those radios through a charging cycle. I have a bunch of laptops... a bad habit no one should get into, and they routinely get ignored just enough to cause charging issues. Long ago and in a city of the Clear Lake, I built a fixture for maintaining the charge of 100 prototype pagers. I considered such a thing for my laptops but it would take up one of the parking spots in my garage. Moral of my story, too many things becomes a time liability. Don't be me, don't accumulate a bunch of stuff.

[OffRoaderX]

1 minute ago, WRKW566 said:

Sometimes I look at the background (video) and think to myself of the time spent rolling those radios through a charging cycle

Being a YouTubes superstar and maintaining the world's largest Jenga-Wall-Of-Radios is a big responsibility.

[WRKW566]

1 minute ago, OffRoaderX said:

Being a YouTubes superstar and maintaining the world's largest Jenga-Wall-Of-Radios is a big responsibility.

My itsy-bitsy collection of four radios keeps falling down all over the desk. I imagine you have knocked that whole display down at least once : )

[OffRoaderX]

Just now, WRKW566 said:

I imagine you have knocked that whole display down at least once : )

Its one of the hazards of the job.. You should see how it looks after we get one of our many moderate So.Cal earthquakes..

[WRKW566]

2 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said:

Its one of the hazards of the job.. You should see how it looks after we get one of our many moderate So.Cal earthquakes..

Didn't even think about that! The only "earthquake" ever around here was when a house a 1/2 mile away exploded due to the combination of a gas leak and a midnight light switch flip. The house was obliterated, the houses next to it were pushed off their foundations and windows as close as across the street from me were broken. the lady who lived there was found standing in her back yard a little beat up but other than profoundly deaf, she was "ok". I guess she was at the epicenter of the blast.

That "earthquake" 'educated me about having stuff displayed on a pegboard above the headboard of my bed. Paintball guns hurt when they get dropped on you.

[WRYZ926]

We don't get earthquakes that can be felt very often here. I would hate to see a big quake along the New Madrid fault since most structures in the area were never built to withstand earthquakes.

I do make sure things are securely placed in the house so they don't fall during an earthquake, or at least as best I can.

@OffRoaderX I can see you being like Captain Kangaroo with those ping pong balls falling everywhere if your radios decide to fall off the shelves.

[WQAI363]

I

On 10/17/2024 at 5:27 PM, Socalgmrs said:

Most, the vast majority, almost all “gmrs” radios can not be unlocked out of gmrs.  
 

On the other hand most, many, a large number of ham radios can be unlocked to gmrs.      

 

it’s pretty much a 1 way deal. 

Quote

I don't want to say that I already knew or know that. After all, those who have commented would asked me why in the world did I ask a question that I ready know answer to?  I do realize that the majority of FRS/GMRS without extended receive capabilities, can't be modified, even to extend receive capabilities. Such as the Bubble Radio, which some of do have the NOAA channels and alerts. I figured the radios with extended receiving capabilities could be modified. Now, I guess I have a lot to learn when it come knowing which radios can and which radios can't.  Then again, this gets into the other issue which can be discussed in another forum.