MIDLAND GXT750VP3 26-MILE GMRS RADIOS
From MIDLAND
26-MILE RANGE 22 CHANNELS 7 FRS/GMRS 7 FRS 8 GMRS 121 PRIVACY CODES FOR 2662 CHANNEL OPTIONS NOAA WEATHER ALERT RADIO PROVIDES CONSTANT NOAA WEATHER INFORMATION 5 CALL ALERT TONES 5 ANIMAL CALL ALERTS BACKLIT DISPLAY FOR EASY NIGHTTIME VIEWING EVOX 3 SENSITIVITY LEVELS EASY VOICE ACTIVATION & NO NEED FOR EXTERNAL MICROPHONE CHANNEL SCAN AUTOMATICALLY CHECKS CHANNELS FOR ACTIVITY VIBRATE ALERT PROVIDES SILENT PAGE & CALL NOTIFICATION AUTO SQUELCH HIGH/MEDIUM/LOW POWER SETTINGS TO ADJUST TRANSMIT POWER & CONSERVE BATTERY LIFE SILENT OPERATION KEYPAD LOCK LOCKS IN SELECTED SETTINGS MONITOR CHECKS FOR ACTIVITY WITH CHANNEL WATER RESISTANT AUDIBLE KEYSTROKE TONES MICROPHONE & HEADPHONE JACKS BATTERY LIFE EXTENDER DROP-IN CHARGER REQUIRES 4 AA BATTERIES & INCLUDED RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES
- Amazon Sales Rank: #92996 in Consumer Electronics
- Brand: Midland
- Dimensions: 4.00" h x 9.20" w x 12.50" l, 1.75 pounds
Decent radio for VERY short distances - Watch for FCC Fees!
While I do like some of the features of this radio (especially the privacy codes - you are constantly stepping on others (and they on you) without them) do not even start to be fooled by the "26-miles". What a complete joke. I live in a city and even standing in my front yard I'm having trouble hitting a little over a mile consistently. If you really want longer distance you need a better radio.
Secondly, be forewarned - if you're going to use this radio at all, and want to be legal about it, you need to purchase a GMRS license from the FCC. While it is good for 5 years be advised that the cost (at the time of this writing) is $85.
Third disadvantage: No custom programming of frequencies. I knew this going into it but just be aware of this. You will not be able to program tones or otherwise.
Forth disadvantage: No way to hook an external antenna. If you want distance, hitting repeaters and having the right antenna is the first step.
GMRS is a great hobby for those that want to make it such. If this is what you're goal is I recommend doing some research and getting a radio that allows you to program in your own frequencies and tone codes. This allows you to hit repeaters, if there are any in your area, and as such get much greater distance for the wattage. And of course get a good antenna as this is actually more important than wattage of the radio. This particular radio only has 4 watts - with the right antenna (won't help on this one, see disadvantage 4) a 4-watt radio has very good range.
Bottom line, if you want walkie talkies to chat to your neighbor or to your significant-other in a grocery store, this will do fantastic. But if you want distance; do your research before choosing a radio.
