Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Best GMRS & Ham Radios for Family Emergency Communication
9
items GMRS and ham radios I own and use to keep my family connected when cell service fails. Real-world range (not the box numbers), licensing tips, and satellite backups.
Sections
5
Start Here
Family Handhelds
Vehicle & Base Station
Ham Radio
Alerts & Satellite Backup
Start Here
The next few cards are my picks for good solid communications tools that will keep you in touch for most communication outage scenarios. Please look at the Quick Guide Card. (First Photo)
GMRS needs an FCC license ($35, covers the family, no test). Box ranges are line-of-sight; plan on 1-5 miles.
GMRS needs an FCC license ($35, covers the family, no test). Box ranges are line-of-sight; plan on 1-5 miles.
Mid-Budget Family Comms: GMRS Radios That Actually Work
Family Handhelds
These are excellent quality fixed-channel handhelds (preset to the 22 GMRS channels + extras), and unfortunately, they are not repeater-capable. They don't support the split transmit/receive offsets needed for the 8 GMRS repeater pairs (channels 23–3...
Why it's here: Easy family radios
What reviewers like: 13,000+ Amazon ratings at 4.4 stars; cradle, NOAA alerts, simple (RadioRanked)
Common complaints: Range is about 0.5-2 miles in suburbs, not 36; no repeaters (GearJunkie); fragile clips. GMRS license required
Best for: Simple family comms
Why it's here: Easy family radios
What reviewers like: 13,000+ Amazon ratings at 4.4 stars; cradle, NOAA alerts, simple (RadioRanked)
Common complaints: Range is about 0.5-2 miles in suburbs, not 36; no repeaters (GearJunkie); fragile clips. GMRS license required
Best for: Simple family comms
Midland GXT1000VP4 2-Way Compact Communication Radio (Pair)
This is a budget friendly 2 way radio similar to the GXT 1000 which I have and use
Why it's here: Rugged GMRS step-up
What reviewers like: 5W, repeater-capable, IP66, USB-C
Common complaints: Bluetooth quirks; intermittent DCS decoding; short battery (Two Way Radio Forum)
Best for: Licensed GMRS users
Why it's here: Rugged GMRS step-up
What reviewers like: 5W, repeater-capable, IP66, USB-C
Common complaints: Bluetooth quirks; intermittent DCS decoding; short battery (Two Way Radio Forum)
Best for: Licensed GMRS users
Wouxun KG-905G Plus GMRS Radio USB-C BT
This such a capable radio. Midland GXT67 Pro (Handheld, repeater-capable upgrade from GXT1000): 5W power output with full support for 8 GMRS repeater channels (split tones), extending range dramatically via existing repeaters. Rugged IP67 waterproof/...
GXT67 GMRS 5‑Watt Walkie Talkie - GXT67PRO
A budget Alternative to the Midland GXT 67 Pro. Baofeng GM-15 Pro (Repeater-capable 5W GMRS handheld): Fully programmable with 250 channels, full support for 8 GMRS repeater pairs, dual-band VHF/UHF scanning/receive, and 11 NOAA weather channels. USB-C direct charging, SOS alarm, flashlight, VOX, ...
Why it's here: Budget spare radio
What reviewers like: Cheap, repeater-capable, USB-C, NOAA (KD6TFS)
Common complaints: Not truly waterproof; awkward programming
Best for: Spares for the kit
Why it's here: Budget spare radio
What reviewers like: Cheap, repeater-capable, USB-C, NOAA (KD6TFS)
Common complaints: Not truly waterproof; awkward programming
Best for: Spares for the kit
BAOFENG GMRS GM-15 Pro 8W Walkie Talkie 2Pack
Vehicle & Base Station
Midland MXT500 (50W GMRS mobile/base radio, full repeater support): Delivers maximum legal 50W output (with mid/low power options), 15 high-power GMRS channels, 8 repeater channels with split tones for dramatically extended range via repeaters. IP66 ...
Why it's here: 50W vehicle/base GMRS
What reviewers like: Owners report stable output once aligned
Common complaints: Some first-run units measured low (about 36W) on myGMRS forums; Midland offered realignment
Best for: Truck or base station
Why it's here: 50W vehicle/base GMRS
What reviewers like: Owners report stable output once aligned
Common complaints: Some first-run units measured low (about 36W) on myGMRS forums; Midland offered realignment
Best for: Truck or base station
Midland MXT500 MicroMobile GMRS 2-Way Radio (50W)
Ham Radio
Why it's here: Entry ham radio
What reviewers like: Rugged, loud, simple 5W dual-band
Common complaints: No digital modes; Technician license required
Best for: Licensed hams
What reviewers like: Rugged, loud, simple 5W dual-band
Common complaints: No digital modes; Technician license required
Best for: Licensed hams
Yaesu FT-65R Ham Handheld
Alerts & Satellite Backup
Why it's here: Hand-crank alert radio
What reviewers like: Reception, battery, flashlight
Common complaints: Fragile antenna; weak solar; unreliable phone charging
Best for: Every kit
What reviewers like: Reception, battery, flashlight
Common complaints: Fragile antenna; weak solar; unreliable phone charging
Best for: Every kit
Midland ER310 Emergency Crank Radio
Why it's here: Satellite SOS with navigation
What reviewers like: Navigation plus SOS (Wirecutter, Outdoor Life)
Common complaints: Subscription required
Best for: When there's no cell or radio coverage
What reviewers like: Navigation plus SOS (Wirecutter, Outdoor Life)
Common complaints: Subscription required
Best for: When there's no cell or radio coverage
Garmin inReach Mini 2