RADIOS for even more fun on a Miata Run
GMRS radios
Many participants in recent Sahuaro Miata runs reported having great fun in communicating with each other on the road via radio/walkie talkies. Many radio models are hands free, so you can easily talk on the radio if you’re driving alone and they work even where there’s no cell phone service. The club Board feels it is a great idea for everyone who participates in our runs should own a handheld or car mounted unit.
There are many types of consumer radios/walkie talkies, most work on similar FM UHF frequencies.
One is an FRS (Family Radio Service) radio. These are lower power (.5 watt) radios with a shorter range.
The other is GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service). GMRS radios are more powerful providing a longer range. A consequence of this greater power is they can create radio interference, so an FCC license is required. A GMRS license is $70 for 5 years (though compliance with the licensing requirement appears low).
There are also widely available hybrid GMRS/FRS radios. These should be set on low power (.5 watt) on FRS channels, but higher power for GMRS channels.
All FRS and combination GMRS/FRS radios can communicate with each other on FRS channels. So which brand and model should you buy? That is a matter of personal choice. Two of the larger manufacturers are Motorola and Midland.
Some of our members own Midland hybrid GMRS/FRS models such as the GXT1000VP4. It is also available in camouflage colors or with yellow accents (GXT1030VP4).
One member recommends Motorola hybrid GMRS/FRS models (T400 & T460).
Below is a Amazon link to give you pricing on the GXT1000VP4:
Please try to avoid cheap radios that use non rechargeable AAA or AA batteries. Their performance dramatically deteriorates as the batteries wear down.
These radios are widely available from many retailers. Amazon.com has some of the lowest prices. REI recently had a sale on Midland radios. A pair of hybrid GMRS/FRS radios sell for around $60.
Keeping it easy, we recommend buying the combination GMRS/FRS radios. They cover the low power and high power channels and are a more professional product. You can check out the radios at Hope Morris’s merchandise table at this year’s Concours in the Hills on February 8 th , 2020. A pair of fully charged Midland units will be available for you to look at. Jeff and Hope Morris will have their Miata at the Concours. There, you can view the built in Midland MXT275 for the person wants their radio “Out of sight”.