best starter gmrs base/mobile radios

[WSHA218]

I just got my Gmrs license a few weeks ago. Trying to decide what radio would be best for a base station and for a mobile unit?

[WSGX394]

I ended up buying the Midland MXT275. It's a 15 watt radio and comes with everything you need to get started.  I did upgrade the antenna to a MXTA26 for some more range.

[WRYZ926]

You are going to get lots of different radios recommended. Some more details will help.

• Your location
• Your budget
• You use case scenario 
• features you want

Two popular radios are the Radioddity DB20G and the Wouxun KG-1000G. The DB20G is a good inexpensive 20 watt mobile radio and the Wouxun KG-1000G is an excellent 50 watt radio but costs more than some want to spend. Another good 20 watt radio that is IP rated for dust and water is the Wouxun KG-XS20G if having an IP rating is important. But the XS20G does cost more than the DB20-G.

It all depends on your budget, use case, and what features you want. 

[SteveShannon]

3 hours ago, WSHA218 said:

I just got my Gmrs license a few weeks ago. Trying to decide what radio would be best for a base station and for a mobile unit?

In my case I got the Radioddity db20g for both (even though I now use them exclusively on ham bands).  They’re easy to use and very small and I’ve heard almost nobody complain about their quality, although a few people have had an issue where the squelch remains open.  

[WRYZ926]

I am opposite of @SteveShannon, I use the Wouxun KG-1000G as the extra power helps me. Part of that is because of where I live and the local terrain. Plus I like having a removable head unit both in my vehicle and at home. I can install the main unit out of the way and have the smaller head unit elsewhere. 

I would have considered the DB20G for my SxS if it would have been IP rated. But since it is not, I went with the Wouxun KG-XS20G since it meets my needs better.

There are a lot of different radios out there. Most people that have the DB20-G are happy with them and they are inexpensive.  Most people that own Wouxun radios have not had issues either. But the Wouxun radios do cost more. 

Again, more details will help us recommend a radio for you. You won't go wrong with the DB20-G or either of the Wouxun mobile radios.

[SteveShannon]

1 minute ago, WRYZ926 said:

I am opposite of @SteveShannon, I use the Wouxun KG-1000G as the extra power helps me. Part of that is because of where I live and the local terrain. Plus I like having a removable head unit both in my vehicle and at home. I can install the main unit out of the way and have the smaller head unit elsewhere. 

I would have considered the DB20G for my SxS if it would have been IP rated. But since it is not, I went with the Wouxun KG-XS20G since it meets my needs better.

There are a lot of different radios out there. Most people that have the DB20-G are happy with them and they are inexpensive.  Most people that own Wouxun radios have not had issues either. But the Wouxun radios do cost more. 

Again, more details will help us recommend a radio for you. You won't go wrong with the DB20-G or either of the Wouxun mobile radios.

I agree completely.

[Socalgmrs]

No one but your self can answer there. It’s totally a matter of what you want and what you have to spend.  But stay away from woxouns, retivis, radioditty midland and rugged.  

[Lscott]

5 hours ago, WSHA218 said:

I just got my Gmrs license a few weeks ago. Trying to decide what radio would be best for a base station and for a mobile unit?

Look through the posts in this thread.

https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/8037-kenwood-tk-8180-vs-tk-8180h/

While the 400-470 band split isn't certified for GMRS, just Part 90 business band use, the FCC seems to ignore people using them if programmed right.

Also this band split is perfect if you want to get your Ham license later. The radio can be programmed for the full Ham 70cm UHF band too. With one radio you would have access to both Ham and GMRS.

The thread above has the programming software for download if you go this route.

https://www.ebay.com/p/1200813129

You can use the same radio for both a base and a mobile radio. You'll just need a good 13.8 VDC 20 amp regulated supply for base use.

 

[Wayfarer]

On 2/14/2025 at 8:06 AM, SteveShannon said:

In my case I got the Radioddity db20g for both (even though I now use them exclusively on ham bands).  They’re easy to use and very small and I’ve heard almost nobody complain about their quality, although a few people have had an issue where the squelch remains open.  

I had a db20g for a few weeks and returned it because of the squelch problem.  I like to scan and the db20g after it stops on traffic but the traffic ends, it would remain squelch open on that channel.  Even running the squelch all the way up to 9 (max, iirc) in the menu wouldn’t reengage the squelch.  It would just sit on the channel listening to static as if the monitor was on.  You have to restart the scan to get it working again.  That was a dealbreaker for me.  Otherwise the radio is awesome in all respects.  The squelch issue seems like it would be an easy firmware fix. 

[nokones]

Although, not packed full of foo foo features that more than likely you won't need or ever use and is somewhat channel capacity challenged, you should at least take a look at the Midland radios. They are built better than any of the cheap POS radios that come from Pandaland and they are simple to use and most likely will meet your needs. 

[gortex2]

As said it all depends. In the end its what your going to use it for. Alot of folks on here trash midland gear but its simple to use, relaible and plentiful. If 99% of your stuff is talking to your mobile, to another user on simplex then they make good gear. If your trying to make GMRS ham lite and want 100 repeaters in the radio then its not for you. I have many midlands that are used for what they are. Never had issues with any of them and just ordered another for our new Jeep. 

[TDM827]

Depends on how complicated you want to get and what you are gonna use it for.

Like many others, Midland is my primary base / mobile. Perhaps limited in features and extra programable channels compared to other radios, they are simple to use. Especially for my family members who rarely use radio. I bought the Midland base knowing most in the family just want to key up the mike and talk without touching other buttons, or looking at a information packed screen they find confusing.

So if it is simplicity you seek Midland works fine. If you need / want a lot more features, you will find plenty of  other good recommendations here. Keep in mind if you buy a combo pack of Midlands the included handhelds are generally not repeater capable.  

On the other hand I do have some handhelds that only I use which are packed with lots of features and lots of channels. Paid pretty good money for them and in all likely hood will never use more than half their capability, lol.    

[SvenMarbles]

There's hams here that are used to the normal answer, "it's complicated".

It actually isn't. For a first mobile/base GMRS radio, the correct answer is the Radioddity DB-20G.

 

[WRYZ926]

Now if the Radioddity DB-20G was actually IP rated for dust and water then I would have strongly considered getting one for my SxS. But since it is not IP rated, I went with the Wouxun KG-XS20G instead.

One won't go wrong with the DB-20G or the Wouxun KG-XS20G or KG-1000G. The DB-20G wins for those on a tighter budget.

[WRUU653]

6 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

Now if the Radioddity DB-20G was actually IP rated for dust and water then I would have strongly considered getting one for my SxS. But since it is not IP rated, I went with the Wouxun KG-XS20G instead.

One won't go wrong with the DB-20G or the Wouxun KG-XS20G or KG-1000G. The DB-20G wins for those on a tighter budget.

This is why while @SvenMarbles choice may be right for him, it’s not an absolute one answer for everyone. It’s still simple, just not that simple. 

[WRYZ926]

16 minutes ago, WRUU653 said:

This is why while @SvenMarbles choice may be right for him, it’s not an absolute one answer for everyone. It’s still simple, just not that simple. 

I won't argue about that either. GO with what is best for you.

[GrouserPad]

On 2/14/2025 at 10:06 AM, SteveShannon said:

In my case I got the Radioddity db20g for both (even though I now use them exclusively on ham bands).  They’re easy to use and very small and I’ve heard almost nobody complain about their quality, although a few people have had an issue where the squelch remains open.  

I’m fairly radio savvy, but I find the db20g to have an odd “cryptic” way of accessing features etc on the radio. I’ve had one in my truck for a few weeks now and i just can’t seem to get comfortable making sense of the button sequences to do certain things. The radio talks like a boss. I think the only way I’m going to like it though is to set it up as a base and sit at home playing with it a lot! It sure is not intuitive in the way it’s laid out.  And the stock speaker is not near loud enough for a pickup truck. Don’t even think about having a window cracked and being able to hear the  receive.

[SteveShannon]

9 minutes ago, GrouserPad said:

I’m fairly radio savvy, but I find the db20g to have an odd “cryptic” way of accessing features etc on the radio. I’ve had one in my truck for a few weeks now and i just can’t seem to get comfortable making sense of the button sequences to do certain things. The radio talks like a boss. I think the only way I’m going to like it though is to set it up as a base and sit at home playing with it a lot! It sure is not intuitive in the way it’s laid out.  And the stock speaker is not near loud enough for a pickup truck. Don’t even think about having a window cracked and being able to hear the  receive.

I agree that the interface is less than intuitive. And it’s inconsistent.  Sometimes you have to use the up and down buttons on top of the microphone to scroll through options, other times it’s a pair of buttons on the front of the microphone next to the FUN buttton.

[briann252]

I have a Midland MTX575 with a couple antennas for mobile use.  I also have a Retevis RA87 (40 watt) that I purchased direct from Retevis as a portable base (price included the radio, power supply and metal box with handle.  This gives me the flexibility that I need to have a radio at home as well as one I can take on camping trips with family.  You might need to find what works best for you after some experimenting.  I will say that I am running Ailunce HA1g handhelds and I would highly recommend them with the extra range antenna, great range with our repeaters in the area and very easy to program and use.  

[WRYZ926]

8 hours ago, GrouserPad said:

And the stock speaker is not near loud enough for a pickup truck. Don’t even think about having a window cracked and being able to hear the  receive.

You can find the Icom SP35 speaker on Amazon for $30 or $35 all of the time. Most other places want $50 or $55 for it. The Icom SP35 is an excellent small speaker. And if you need something louder for an open cab vehicle then I can highly recommend the Midland SPK100 20 watt speaker.