UPDATED: 11/20/2016; 20:24
SOURCE: BaoFeng Tech; $54.99 + Shipping
As we all know by now, BaoFeng is increasing power and audio quality on all of their radios. This includes my favorite model—the UV-82. With the new UV-82HP, I guess the question at BaoFeng was what to do with all of the UV-82 models laying around.
The answer was to turn them into Part 95 machines.
BaoFeng Tech now offers the GMRS-V1 preprogrammed with the GMRS and eight repeater channels. The rest of the slots are available for programming for receive only. It can be programmed with the free CHIRP program.
The GMRS-V1 is identical to the UV-82 except for the BTECH label. It comes with the FM radio. It has the flashlight with strobe mode. It even has the alarm which broadcasts over the GMRS channel just as the amateur version does on amateur frequencies. The keypad on the GMRS-V1 is identical to the UV-82. The battery and charger are the same. You should even be able to use the battery eliminator for the UV-82. It even has 1- or 5-Watt transmit power.
You could also use the cheap external speaker-microphones available online, if you choose. I recommend against it because it sounds as bad as when they are used for amateur radio use.
It comes with the seven channels that are used for FRS/GMRS. This corresponds to channels 1-7 on the blister-pack models that you purchase at Wal-Mart. So technically anyone can use these 7-channels on low power. Channels 15 through 22 are also preprogrammed with the GMRS channels which requires a GMRS license.
CHIRP allows you to change the names of the channels, the CTSS tones and all of the other setting of the preprogrammed channels, but not the frequencies. The rest of the 128-channels can be programmed to scan only. You cannot set them to transmit. Thus, you can program the NOAA and emergency channels into the other slots and use it as a scanner. In fact I am a little disappointed that they did not preprogram the NOAA channels in.
Because the antenna mount on the GMRS-V1 is the same at the UV-82, there is another advantage. You can use your existing 70-cm Ham antenna (or install another antenna outside) to eliminate radio interference from items inside your home. I used this to test against store-bought FRS/GMRS combination units and the audio seems to be fair.
My interest in the GMRS-V1 stems from the fact that I obtained a GMRS license before I realized that I could get an amateur license cheaper. I can use this one on the road and make contacts on repeaters just by knowing the channel numbers of repeaters along the way. That is if they are open systems. Some are closed, some are members only (paid members only) and some are private. Since it acts as a scanner, as well, I can free up channels on my amateur radios for amateur use.
A list of current repeaters can be found at myGMRS.com. Local GMRS groups in different States publish repeater information including usage requirements.
The other reason for my interest in GMRS radios is for emergency use. Access to these radios is relatively easy and cheap for a family. In fact many families have and use these radios in normal communications. So those that have them can contact the established emergency center for help. These radio are also commonly used for neighborhood watch programs.
Use of two of the shared FRS/GMRS and two of the strictly GMRS channels are restricted along the Canadian border. Remembering this is important for a GMRS license. From the FCC web site:
GMRS channels Along the Canadian Border
GMRS applicants must certify that they will comply with the requirement that use of frequencies 462.650, 467.6500, 462.7000and 467.7000 MHz is not permitted near the Canadian border North of Line A and East of Line C. These frequencies are used throughout Canada and harmful interference is anticipated.
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