Daystar GMRS KU73011BK Opinions?

[DocMike]

Looking at radios. After wheeling in a group with GMRS I now want one.
I saw this Daystar and they made a kit for the JK. Hoping that they make a similar kit for the JT.

https://www.daystarweb.com/product/25-watt-gmrs-2-way-radio-universal-daystar

Any opinions on this GMRS or is there a better one?
Amazon has it for $219 with free shipping

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[MrZappo]

Looks like a decent radio. Price seems high to me ...

 

[DocMike]

The Amazon price?

Looks like a decent radio. Price seems high to me ...

 

[johnparjr]

Get a

https://www.amazon.com/Midland-Micr...6&sr=1-1-80ba0e26-a1cd-4e7b-87a0-a2ffae3a273c

 

[DocMike]

How does it work in the mountains? Decent?

Get a

https://www.amazon.com/Midland-MicroMobile-Two-Way-Integrated-Microphone/dp/B07FN2FBML/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n1_0?crid=3KL7FUKNSVK2T&cv_ct_cx=gmrs+radio&dchild=1&keywords=gmrs+radio&pd_rd_i=B07FN2FBML&pd_rd_r=4123e81d-3807-4ff0-b5b9-e623d7a30a1d&pd_rd_w=MjRH8&pd_rd_wg=EHRhH&pf_rd_p=f4ebc3ce-c45d-4b03-a3e4-a17c876358c0&pf_rd_r=ESNKA0HJH7QDXWR88N18&psc=1&qid=1605124307&sprefix=GMRS,aps,226&sr=1-1-80ba0e26-a1cd-4e7b-87a0-a2ffae3a273c

 

[johnparjr]

How does it work in the mountains? Decent?

I run with 3 other jeeps than run the midland radios and have never had any issue

 

[DocMike]

Good to know. I got spoiled on my last trip having a GMRS. Ease of communication and nice to know what was coming up in terms of bikes and hikers not to mention when people had cleared an obstacle.

 

[Deadeye]

How does it work in the mountains? Decent?

I know you're not asking, but GMRS does require a radio operator license with the FCC. It isn't a hard thing to get, but there is a test involved. A lot of wheelers go outlaw, but IMO, once the anti-ORV crowd catches on, it will be an easy way for them to get trails shut down.

GMRS works pretty well, but is heavily dependent on repeater coverage for any big distances. It is a line of sight bandwidth, so if you are all running the same trail, it really shouldn't be an issue. If you are going to run a basecamp and everyone does their own thing, you may have issues.

 

[MrZappo]

[

The Amazon price?

In my view, (since you have to take a test anyways), why not just get a HAM radio and use it on GMRS frequencies and have a lot more functionality ...

A good dual band HAM radio would cost about the same as the numbers you are seeing ...

 

[johnparjr]

You don’t have to take a test you pay a small fee for personal use unless that changed in the last 2 years

 

[DocMike]

I have an FCC License. Took the test in 1993. I was a radio dj for 8 years. I'm thinking I can just get a new copy, but pretty sure I still have my OG license floating around.

I know you're not asking, but GMRS does require a radio operator license with the FCC. It isn't a hard thing to get, but there is a test involved. A lot of wheelers go outlaw, but IMO, once the anti-ORV crowd catches on, it will be an easy way for them to get trails shut down.

GMRS works pretty well, but is heavily dependent on repeater coverage for any big distances. It is a line of sight bandwidth, so if you are all running the same trail, it really shouldn't be an issue. If you are going to run a basecamp and everyone does their own thing, you may have issues.

 

[Deadeye]

I have an FCC License. Took the test in 1993. I was a radio dj for 8 years. I'm thinking I can just get a new copy, but pretty sure I still have my OG license floating around.

You’re golden then. I joined up with a local Jeep group, and was the only licensed operator. Most of the group had recently been to Moab, and were complaining of the local hate for ORV, all while trespassing on repeaters and tearing trails up. Definitely haven’t spent any more time with those nitwits

 

[DocMike]

I get it. I got a group that wheels out here and seem to be pretty responsible. The FCC test was easy. I just need to see about getting a new copy or retesting. I am fairly sure I still have the old license in a file.

You’re golden then. I joined up with a local Jeep group, and was the only licensed operator. Most of the group had recently been to Moab, and were complaining of the local hate for ORV, all while trespassing on repeaters and tearing trails up. Definitely haven’t spent any more time with those nitwits

 

[prerunner1982]

I have an FCC License. Took the test in 1993. I was a radio dj for 8 years. I'm thinking I can just get a new copy, but pretty sure I still have my OG license floating around.

One FCC license does not work across the board. Each radio service is a different license so you would need to pay the FCC for a GMRS license or take a amateur radio test for an amateur radio license.

 

[prerunner1982]

Looking at radios. After wheeling in a group with GMRS I now want one.
I saw this Daystar and they made a kit for the JK. Hoping that they make a similar kit for the JT.

https://www.daystarweb.com/product/25-watt-gmrs-2-way-radio-universal-daystar

Any opinions on this GMRS or is there a better one?
Amazon has it for $219 with free shipping

Over priced on their website and high priced on Amazon. Appears Daystar are trying to follow Rugged Radios with their over priced Chinese radios. Check out Midland and BaofengTech/Btech for other mobile GMRS radios.
There are a couple other radio manufacturers with mobile GMRS radios coming down the pipeline such as TYT and Anytone.

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