Best Portable FRS Two-Way Radios in 2022

Last update: January 3, 2023

Are GMRS worth it over FRS?

Are there walkie-talkies that reach 1000 miles?

Yes, there are walkie-talkies that can reach up to 1000 miles. They are typically used by the military or emergency services.

Can anyone transmit on FRS?

FRS is a short-range two-way radio service. FRS radios are limited to half-watt power output and have a maximum range of about two miles. FRS radios are available without a license, but users are limited to the 14 FRS channels. FRS radios can be used for voice or data transmissions.

Can FRS talk to CB?

FRS radios are limited to 0.5 watts of power, while CB radios can transmit at 4 watts. This means that your FRS radio will only be able to reach about 1/8th of the distance of a CB radio. In addition, FRS radios are limited to 22 channels, while CB radios have 40 channels. So, while you can technically use an FRS radio to talk to a CB radio, the range will be very limited.


BTECH PC03 FTDI Genuine USB Programming Cable for BTECH, BaoFeng, Kenwood, and AnyTone Radio Review:


I connected it and waited for Windows to install the drivers. not need a disk or downloads. no post configuration is required. I simply double-checked in the system to make sure I knew which port was given.I used it with UV-82HP and CHIRP on my 888S Plus radios. no problems Just make sure the plug is inserted all the way otherwise the radio won't work.The operation is easy (using CHIRP).1. Download the most recent CHIRP software (.exe file) from their website (linked from btech site url is in the included instruction sheet)2. Connect the cord and let Windows install the necessary drivers.3. Use your start menu to launch the CHIRP software.4. Click "Radio" and then "download from radio."5. Choose your port, the radio manufacturer, and the model number in the visible dialog window.6. A progress meter will appear, and when it is finished, a new tab will open with your radio's configuration.7. In case you need to refer back to your previous configuration, save it.8. Select the "Config" tab, then go to "Radio"->"import from stock config," where you may choose which corrupt file to load.9. A pop-up window containing a list of bends and memory locations will open; use the controls to edit the list as necessary and then press OK. Use the buttons under "adjust new location" to easily change all of the addresses in the list. When finished, click OK.10. Make sure your address list is what you want, then click "radio" and then "update to radio." 11. Respond to any prompts you receive and let it fly. The progress bar will be moving. Your radio is now equipped with an updated channel list and is ready for use.You can modify parameters before uploading to radio; look for a tab labeled "memories memory range" in the top left corner.I hope my analysis is useful. I have had a lot of IT experience, but I had no problems using this cable for the first time.



Retevis RT22 Two Way Radios Rechargeable Walkie Talkies 16 CH VOX Channel Lock Emergency Alarm 2 Way Radio(10 Pack) Review:


I adore these strollers. They are inexpensive, compact, simple to use, and loud. We took at least two field trips each week to locations like museums, theme parks, splash pads, etc. over the summer because I work in childcare. These made it simpler for the personnel to communicate. Initially, we were just going to utilize text groups, but after finding ourselves in a museum with no free wi-fi, barely any cell service, and a missing child (who was fine! ), we realized that this method was not always dependable. I'm very glad I bought these right away based on pricing and size. Since they are quite light and tiny and have a great volume, our workers did not mind wearing them because we could still hear each other even in extremely noisy environments like arcades. We had no trouble using it at Knott's Berry Farm because the range was fairly excellent. Great battery life. Some of them weren't waterproof, but they did get splashed in the park; they didn't break, and while the audio was temporarily muffled, it quickly returned to normal. No interference, as well! On every channel we've ever tested, our other walkies would always pick up erroneous talks. My coworkers from other child care facilities eventually ordered their own sets because these were so amazing.They were excellent, according to my brother, who borrowed them to go mountain biking and hiking. They had them hanging from lanyards around their necks and hooked to the front straps of their backpacks, so the size also worked well.I had a few batteries that nearly died on me (radio indicated to change batt; it was still somewhat functional but the alert would sound every few minutes), but when I contacted the seller, they swiftly replaced it. It's much appreciated when a seller stands behind their offering.



Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios with Earpiece 2 Pack UHF 400-470Mhz Walkie Talkies Li-ion Battery and Charger Included Review:


A wide rural area with two-story brick homes and towering 30 foot oak trees served as the testing ground for these radios. There are around 500 dwellings in this area. The first test involved testing radios in the field at a distance of half a mile. The radio was subsequently tested at a distance of one mile, and once more, radio transmission was excellent—loud, clear, and without any distortion. Third test: The radio was next tested at a distance of two miles; once more, the signal was strong and clear with no distortion. There are many hills between each radio in the testing area, so I was prepared for issues, but amazingly, the Arcshell rechargeable radios worked without any issues. The test's outcomes were the same when we also used a more expensive name-brand radio. The only thing that worries me about these radios is that they won't take AA batteries and are so lightweight that I worry they would break if dropped. Other than that, if you treat these radios gently and don't want to spend a lot of money, they should last a long time. I have bought two more since making my first purchase, and I use them every day. Highly Recommend...My is a fair and honest review; I did not receive a discount as a result of this review.



BaoFeng BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio (136-174MHz VHF & 400-520MHz UHF) Includes Full Kit with Large Battery Review:


Both the original "upgraded" UV-5Rs from here on Amazon (the $35 offer that includes the extended battery) and the BF-F8 HP are items I now own. I have to admit that the BF-F8 feels a little bit more tough and sturdy than the original. In addition to having a superior gloss, the plastic overall has a nicer appearance. I was concerned that the speaker grill's silver hue would seem tacky, but I was pleasantly surprised by how great it actually appears in person.Since I just received my license, I haven't had much time to experiment, but even from my initial testing, the transmit audio seems to be really clear. The speaker quality is reasonable for an HT, to be expected. If you turn it up, it clearly becomes louder, but it also starts to sound worse as you get closer to the maximum volume.It has a good larger battery that will serve as a backup for my extended battery (I bought an extra for the BF-F8, so now I have one for both my radios.) One thing I can note about the BF-extended F8's battery is that it fits more snugly than the original did; you will need to exert some effort to get the battery to connect, but once it is there, there are no functional difficulties; you can remove and reconnect the battery without any problems.I bounced about a lot between all the many UV5R models before making my purchase, and I'm glad I chose this one. The quality of BTech radios looks to be quite good; perhaps they are Baofeng radios with higher standards for overall quality assurance and customer support? Anyhow, if you're debating which Baofeng to buy, just buy this one. If you're searching for that extra capabilities, the only other radio I'd recommend at this point is the UV-5X3 tri band version, another BTech radio.



Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios with Earpiece 6 Pack UHF 400-470Mhz Walkie Talkies Li-ion Battery and Charger Included Review:


The quality VERY pleasantly surprised me. I anticipated low-quality crap given the inexpensive price. They are not garbage. These old-style Motorola brick radios are not the best available, but they look pretty sturdy to me. I was thrilled to receive a full 6 charging cradles with the six radio set I purchased, as they will charge the battery whether or not it is connected to a radio.Actually, I don't need six radios. For those occasions when you grab for a radio but forgot to put it on the charger, I wanted to have a few charged spares in the glove box of the car and one or two close to the kitchen door. I can have charged and charging radios in all the convenient places if I have numerous radios AND various chargers.People are often curious about the range. What is between the two radios has a significant impact on the distance that these or other radio can communicate. A half mile of densely populated area is not the same setting as a half mile of nature when trying to communicate (my environment). You may have a surprisingly large distance if you are speaking near a lake or a level parking lot. With one radio in the bedroom and another operating while we were driving about, we covered roughly 3/4 of a mile in my area. Impressively, I say.The 400 MHz band, where these radios operate, has fewer radio users than some other frequency bands. This implies that I can hear the person I'm speaking to and not a bunch of other people, for me.These radios had an antenna that can be unscrewed from the body, exposing a standard industry connector to which you could attach an external antenna, such as a magnetic rooftop mount for a car, if you so desired.The seller's claims of 50 CTCSS tones and 105 CDCSS tones have not been verified by me. These radios undoubtedly have this feature, but it needs software to turn it on and configure it. It appears that a third party offers the software for free download. You need a programming cable. The software and programming cable, both of which cost less than $10 on Amazon, are not included with the radio.Each radio comes with a belt clip and an attachable earphone and microphone. Use a tiny screwdriver to install the belt clip. The process takes roughly 30 seconds each radio and involves removing two screws from the rear of the case, installing the belt clip, and then replacing the screws.The Voice Operated Transmit, or VOX, capability was something I was eager to use. I tried to make this work for about ten seconds, but I got impatient and went on. According to the radio's literature, the software indicated above will let you customize the sensitivity of the VOX feature. Although I haven't tried it yet, I will.There seem to be multiple brands being sold with this radio. Not unusual, in my opinion. This radio is marketed as Arcshell, Baofung, and Kenwood, in my opinion. possibly others too.Overall, I am quite pleased with this purchase and think that the radios have good performance, quality, features, and accessories. This, in my opinion, is an AMAZING deal. I have no qualms about purchasing more.



Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios with Earpiece 4 Pack UHF 400-470Mhz Walkie Talkies Li-ion Battery and Charger Included Review:


For a trip to the Hard Rock Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, I bought these. Our group consisted of 3 adults and 2 children, and the 121-acre resort has 12 pools and 10 restaurants. Although the resort has good wifi, due to its size, you must continually connect and reconnect, and there are some locations where the connection is weak or nonexistent, as is to be expected (for example, the beach). I bought these in the hopes that they would help because I anticipated it would be difficult for them to keep up with one another given their size. The way they operated astonished me in a good way! We had clear communication inside buildings, including in the elevators. We did once have to change channels due to other people talking on our channel, but it was really simple to do and everyone in the group had no trouble using the equipment. Without a doubt, this item is worth the cost. I was astounded to discover that I could purchase 4 rechargeable walkie-talkies for about $50.I fitted the belt clips as soon as I got the product, which required removing and replacing four phillips head screws (very simple). We either attached the walkie-talkies to a pool bag or our swimsuit belts. It should be noted that this item is NOT waterproof after one of our travelers accidentally dropped their walkie-talkie into the swimming pool. While it is still functional, it is unreliable. We didn't think it was, but it's still useful to know in case you need a waterproof item.Overall, we were quite happy with the purchase and thought it was great. In a resort of this size, it made our trip much more manageable and made it lot simpler to communicate with one another and keep up with one another. On numerous trips where the cell signal is poor, I can see us using these.



Retevis RT22 Walkie Talkies Rechargeable Hands Free UHF Channel Lock 2 Way Radios Two-Way Radio(6 Pack) with 6 Way Multi Gang Charger Review:


For our facility, we need simple, small, user-friendly, and loud radios. These are fantastic! Over the past six years, we have purchased radios that were extremely costly, extremely inexpensive, and somewhere in the middle, and each of them has failed us. I accidentally came upon these on Amazon and was dubious due to the cost. They are OUTSTANDING. Our 10,000 square foot indoor and outdoor facility is readily covered by them, and it is noisy due to the dogs barking (pet hotel). Easy to use. Activate it and select a channel. They are not easily broken because they are small, lack supplementary functionality, and have a tiny antenna. There is a strong, clear sound. no influence from outside. The charging station is a terrific space saver, radios fit in nicely and securely, and it's simple to see how the battery is doing thanks to the red and green indicators. I'm done now. Get them instead of wasting your money on incredibly pricey radios; you won't be sorry.



BaoFeng UV-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio (Black) Review:


Purchased two of them so that I and my fellow automobile lovers could communicate clearly without always talking on the phone or sending texts. And it turns out that these "technically" aren't appropriate for "legal" use after a ton of tedious investigation...It transmits at a wattage that is too high for FRS (family radio station) channels, and without a license, you cannot transmit on GMRS designated channels. And even IF it complied with all of these specifications, the FCC has not authorized it! In the end, my pals just listen to unlicensed wattage FRS dedicated channels. I've heard that utilizing anything like this responsibly makes it difficult to catch the FCC's attention (not transmitting over emergency frequencies, etc.). I make an effort not to support such behavior, but are you serious? I just want to talk to my friends during a hike or drive because they are so ridiculously technical about what you can and can't do with these devices! What's interesting is that these items are decent at;Even though this unit is capable of transmitting very far, you're not intended to because GMRS transmits considerably farther than your FRS and requires a license to use properly ($75 for 10 years, I believe). Since I haven't transmitted on these frequencies, I can't play devil's advocate with that and I'm not sure what you could get away with. Buy an FCC-approved device and pay the licensing price if you want to be safe. Personally, I only use FRS-specific frequencies, which may be heard in a clear line of sight for up to 2.5 miles. Up until the other person's voice became too garbled to hear, I'd estimate that it was roughly 0.5 miles or 1 mile through buildings and other structures (max distance estimate is generous). In my perspective, as long as you don't intend to use this for long-distance conversation, it's not all that horrible.Although you will need to do some study before setting these up, they are not as straightforward as those bubble pack radios that are ready to chat on right out of the box. For my basic use, it works very well. You'll probably need to experiment with the settings first and program these. I advise getting a programming cable and downloading CHIRP because it makes programming a little bit easier! My primary issues are the lack of information provided on this enormously complicated system known as "two way radio" and the charging dock that comes with it, which is of utterly poor quality and charges slowly. But other from that, it has a ton of features and is really versatile.advantages; equipped with a very bright radio flashlightErgonomicsCheapincludes numerous accessoriesfantastic entry-level itemNegative: Not actually "legal"A cheap charging stationNot quite ready to use right awaycomes without a programming cable.Not very helpful when it comes to settings or usability



BaoFeng Walkie Talkie UV-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio with one more 1800mAh UV5R Battery one Hand Mic and one TIDRADIO NA-771 Antenna Baofeng Radio Ham radio Review:


When I first purchased this radio, I had a lot of reservations. Some of the extra parts are rather inexpensive, but then again, so was the cost. I've used this radio for 11 months and haven't had a single issue. The radio has had a difficult existence and still looks and functions fantastically. The programming cable installed without incident on my Windows 10 computer.Each antenna has performed admirably. I can't take away stars because the original rubber duck is the standard lossy duck that comes with any Baofeng. When I'm in a poor area, the extra antenna does help the radio's range.When I'm driving, the extra earbud that comes with the iPhone works excellent. That came as a welcome surprise.I wouldn't have any issues purchasing another identical one. It has been really useful to me and is worth the cost.UPDATE: ========================================================================================================June 2019I've owned this radio for the past 15 months.I haven't experienced any major issues with the radio. It was my fault that the earpiece broke when it got stuck in something.Additionally, I damaged the belt clip, so I purchased a few spares. Despite being more cautious when getting in and out of the car, I'm still utilizing the first replacement.A few months back, the wall-wart broke, so I replaced it with one of the many I keep in my closet.On Sunday, I discovered that the charging base had also failed. That's not too awful considering it has been 15 months. I was temporarily left without a way to recharge the radio as a result.I wanted two replacement chargers, which cost $10 to $15 each. But for not much more, I bought two more Baofeng Radios with chargers instead of a charger.The repeater I generally always use is within two miles of where I reside, thus the duck functions properly there. The whip antenna has pulled me through while I'm farther away. Additionally, I have a mobile device that is 75 Watts and a high-gain antenna.When you buy a UV-5 radio for $37, you receive a free extra antenna, battery, mic or earpiece, and car adaptor. Other UV-5 radios cost roughly $25 and the charging cable about $12 .In my opinion, that's a great offer. The radio has been helpful to me and continues to be so.The rating of 5 stars will stand.



Midland - GXT1000VP4, 50 Channel GMRS Two-Way Radio - Up to 36 Mile Range Walkie Talkie, 142 Privacy Codes, Waterproof, NOAA Weather Scan + Alert (Pair Pack) (Black/Silver) Review:


Throughout the Casablanca Valley of Chile, we use these radios in our winery and events facility. 800 acres or so comprise our operational area, and 14 team members use these radios EVERY DAY (tour guides, management, front desk, security, wedding planner team). Previously, we used Motorola GMRS radios, but the battery life was only good for about a year of continuous usage. These Midland Radios produced excellent results for us in terms of size, range, durability, decent quality, usability, volume, ease of use, battery life, and cost. A built-in flashlight would be a great upgrade, if I could make only one. We upgrade our radio equipment every two years as per policy, and this is the third time we've stuck with the Midland GTX1000VP4 model.


Can I use Baofeng on FRS?

The short answer is no; you cannot use a Baofeng on FRS frequencies. FRS frequencies are reserved for low power two-way radios, and Baofengs are not certified for use on these frequencies. In addition, FRS radios are limited to 500mW of power, while Baofengs can transmit at up to 8W.

Can you use BaoFeng on FRS without license?

No, you cannot use a Baofeng on the FRS without a license. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates who can use which frequencies, and the FRS is a set of frequencies that are only available to licensed users. The Baofeng is a type of radio that is not certified for use on the FRS, so using it on those frequencies would be illegal.

Do 2 way radios work in the mountains?

Two-way radios are a great way to stay in touch while hiking, camping, or doing any other outdoor activity in the mountains. They work by sending and receiving radio waves, which can travel long distances and penetrate through obstacles like trees and rocks. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when using two-way radios in the mountains: First, the higher altitude will decrease the range of the radio waves. This means that you will need to be closer to your hiking partner or group in order to communicate. Second, the radio waves can be reflected off of the

Do walkie talkies use FRS?

Walkie talkies are handheld two-way radios that are often used in outdoor activities like hiking and camping. While some models do use FRS frequencies, not all do. FRS is a type of radio frequency that is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States.

How far can FRS reach?

FRS (Family Radio Service) is a two-way radio service for families and other groups to communicate over short distances. FRS radios are limited to 0.5 watts of power, which gives them a maximum range of about two miles. However, the actual range will vary depending on terrain and other factors.

What channels are FRS only?

FRS only channels are 1-7.