Range Wars: GMRS Radios Boost Reception Distance
By Jeff Porcaro

Sometimes while backcountry skiing, I get so focussed on the skiing that I become separated from my skiing partners. Once I reach a rest point, or the bottom of the hill, I look back and no one is anywhere in sight. As I wait for them to arrive, my body temperature cools, and before we regroup, I'm ready to move on. At first I tried FRS radios, like the popular Motorola TalkAbout, to communicate with my skiing party members, but often they are beyond the relatively short range of the FRS radios. So I've been anxious to try the latest in radio developments-the GMRS radio.

GMRS stands for General Mobile Radio Service. It shares the first seven channels with its FRS cousins, but offers eight additional channels that are available only to other GMRS Radios. The strength of the GMRS Radios is its five-watt output, which reportedly gets you up to five miles of coverage. FRS radios average about a one-mile range. Our tests suggest a realistic limit of about two-and-a-half to three miles in suburban areas, and a little further in open non-obstructed areas. GMRS Radios require a license that is currently runs about $75 for two years. The license requires no test it is really just an application fee.

We recently field tested three GMRS radios--the Kenwood FreeTalk XL, the Motorola TalkAbout Distance, and the Cherokee GR-715. We tested the radios' range, battery life, features, usability, and weight in both city and backcountry conditions. All of the radios we tried support many different accessories like ear-bud earphones and microphones, and headsets. Check out the accessories if you would like to free up your hands while using the radio. For example with an ear-bud earphone and microphone set, you could talk while you are skiing.

Kenwood FreeTalk XL
Motorola TalkAbout Distance
Cherokee GR-715

Kenwood FreeTalk XL

The Kenwood FreeTalk has a simple interface for the major features. For example, to change the main channel you just turn a dial. The FreeTalk XL includes a built-in timer that times-out after three minutes to keep you from tying up a channel too long. The battery-save feature and low battery warning ensure you'll get the most of your battery.

The FreeTalk uses the same accessories that the FreeTalk FRS radios use. This radio has 15 channels with 38 sub-channels. One weak point in the radio's usability is the method for changing the sub-channel. To change the sub-channel, you have to turn the radio off, hold the monitor and the push-to-talk buttons while turning the radio on. Next, you select the main channel to apply the sub-channel to, then set the number of sub-channel. The manual has three pages dedicated to describing this difficult and arcane procedure. The FreeTalk is also on the weighty side.

Kenwood includes a charger and rechargeable battery with the radio. Care should be taken when charging the radio's batteries, as the charger doesn't quit when the battery is fully charged. Overcharging could damage the unit or the batteries.

The suggested retail price of the FreeTalk is $292.00.

Summary: This radio is the heaviest one we tested. It performed well in the side-to-side comparisons for distance when transmitting. We found that the squelch is too sensitive and would cut out when other radios would still receive. The sound quality is very good and operation is simple. This radio shares the accessories with the FreeTalk FRS radios.

Contact KENWOOD at (800) 950-5005 or on the Internet at www.kenwood.net

Motorola TalkAbout Distance

Motorola entered the GMRS market early with the TalkAbout Distance, one of the first GMRS models introduced. The TalkAbout Distance radio is built with quality materials and is very lightweight for the size. The radio is simple to use--including the same channel-dial control as the FreeTalk.

The TalkAbout Distance ships with a rechargeable battery and charger that, unlike the Kenwood, doesn't overcharge the battery. The TalkAbout offers the standard fare--10 channels with 38 sub-channels. Motorola hasn't mastered simplicity either in setting the sub-channels--it is annoyingly difficult to change the sub-channels. Like the FreeTalk, you have to turn off the radio, press a button and turn the radio on to get it to go to the sub-channel setup. Interesting that they both came up with essentially the same unintuitive method for sub-channel changes.

Our side-by-side range tests found the TalkAbout Distance to have the best range. When the others radios would start to cut out, the TalkAbout Distance's reception remained clear.

The suggested retail price of the TalkAbout Distance is $279.00.

Summary: Despite its early entry into the GMRS market, the TalkAbout Distance maintains some key advantages over competitive newcomers. It is lighter weight than the other radios, although slightly larger in size. Like its FRS cousin, Motorola's radio consistently out-performed the others in our range tests. If distance is what you're after, then the TalkAbout Distance is the radio for you. Operation is simple, until you try to change the sub-channel.

Contact Motorola at (800) 353-2729 or on the Internet at www.motorola.com/talkabout

Cherokee GR-715

The Cherokee GR-715's claim to fame is features--it offers far more features than its competitors at about the same price. For example, the Cherokee packs an LCD display and channel searching to find a clear channel, features not offered by either the Motorola or Kenwood. The GR-715 also excels in channel capabilities, with a review-high 15 channels and 47 sub-channels. Since the other radios only offer 10 and 38, you're more likely to find a vacant channel with the Cherokee.

The GR-715 shares components and design with the Cherokee FRS radios, so the GR-715 shares the accessories with Cherokee's FR-465 radios. The GR-715 has all of the same features as the FRS-465, such as Dual Channel Watch for monitoring more than one channel, Memory and Battery Strength Meter to give you an indication of when the battery is getting low so it isn't a surprise when the battery dies. Other features include a Signal Strength Meter and Vibrating Call Alert for a silent notification that you are being called by another radio's call feature.

Our testers like the Cherokee's ease to use, such as channel-lock that keeps the channels from inadvertently being switched. The Cherokee is the simplest radio to change the sub-channels. With the backlit display you are also able to get the most of this radio in the dark. The GR-715 has the smallest push-to-talk button and is harder to keep pressed when wearing gloves.

The suggested retail price of the Cherokee is $279.00.

Summary: If technical features are key to your purchase selection, the Cherokee wins out. It has all of the features available in the best FRS Radios. The Cherokee also wins out in overall ease of use, but falls behind the Motorola in distance range.

Contact Wireless Marketing at (800) 259-0959 or on the Internet at www.wirelessmarketing.com

Conclusion

Our reviewers boil the decision down to two radios--the Cherokee and the Motorola, both at the same suggested retail price. Both are quality, durable radios. If long range is key, get the Motorola. If you want the best features and easiest to use radio, choose the Cherokee.

Jeff Porcaro is a Contributing Editor at GearReview.com, and co-founder. He specializes in stoves, GPS navigation, mountaineering, and trips to Utah's remote backcountry.