Buying your first radio

You don't need to spend a lot to get on the air. Here's a plain-language guide to picking a first GMRS radio.

The short version

• Just want to try it cheaply? A basic GMRS handheld runs about $25–$40 and works fine for the net.
• Want better range and battery life? A mid-range handheld or a mobile (in-vehicle) radio is a nice step up.
• Skip the bubble-pack "22-channel" FRS radios from the big-box store — many can't use a repeater, which is exactly what gives us our range.

What to look for

• GMRS, repeater-capable. It needs to handle the +5 MHz repeater offset and a CTCSS tone (see Programming your radio).
• A removable antenna so you can upgrade it later — the single best cheap improvement you can make.
• Easy to program, either by hand or from a computer if you're comfortable with that.

Ask before you buy

Plenty of folks in the group are running inexpensive handhelds and are happy to say what's worked for them. Post in the Gear & Antennas forum before you spend a dime — we'd rather help you get the right thing the first time than watch you return the wrong one.