GMRS Tools: What Equipment Do You Really Need As A GMRS Operator?

Do you really need all of those fancy (and expensive) tools that the online "experts" say you need? In this video I show you the common GMRS & ham radio equipment: SWR meter, frequency counter, spectrum analyzer, and antenna analyzers and show you what that do, so you can decide if you really need them.
You can get the Surecom SW-102 SWR meter here: amzn.to/3zqHlEv
You can get a Surecom SF401 Frequency counter here: amzn.to/3Q9MHKS
Get your very own TinySA Spectrum Analyzer here: amzn.to/3vjqFgJ
You can get the RigExpert Antenna Analyzers here: www.buytwowayradios.com/acces...
You can get the less expensive NanoVNA antenna analyzer here: amzn.to/3vl0eHp
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#GMRS

[@bradjohnson5323]

Literally nobody said you would need any of these tools for GMRS - the antenna legally has to be glued to the radio. Fake clickbait.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

You seem like a real "Expert" in this subject! and just like most online "experts" you are wrong - GMRS handheld antennas do NOT need to be glued to the radio and can be detached according to FCC Part 95 Guidelines - this is why 99.9% of GMRS hand-held radios have removable antennas....AND there is also this new thing called a MOBILE GMRS radio that goes in cars that use large external antennas - it's the latest rage.. Had you actually watched the video instead of being in such a big hurry to show everyone how smart you think you are, you would have seen that it is one of these large mobile antennas that I was using in the video when testing the SWR. ..Finally, the thumbnail and title depict exactly what this video delivers, so your "clickbait" declaration is also...wrong.. BUT - just to make sure that nobody misses seeing how much of an "expert" you are, and so everyone can see exactly how smart you think you are, I've pinned your comment to the top of the list so everyone can see it..

[@PaulMeixnerFilms]

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA

[@SuperJoeycooper]

@@TheNotaRubicon It's comments like these that make me wonder if people post wildly incorrect info just to get you to pin their comment. Like it's a badge of honor or something.

[@bluedeval03]

Sarcasm and comprehension is not a strength of yours is it.

[@mossup-]

Hi Brad, I'm in the UK and I thought it was FRS that had to have non removable antenna's? if that is the case then this video can not be click bait and instead makes your comment seem like you are A liar and A troll. If you are not then I hope you enjoy learning the rules of radio 😉

[@timmazza8771]

Being one of those "licensed experts" that you speak so highly of, I am loving your videos and learning so much. I appreciate your candor and blatant disregard for my feelings....lol. But seriously, I passed not one, but two 35 multiple choice tests plus a 5 wpm morse code test to attain the prestigious level of Amateur General or General Amateur or something similar....so I know either a lot about a little or a little about a lot. Thank you for bringing topics down to my level of understanding. You rock and I am proud to be one of your "licensed expert" supporters!!!!! Rock on!!!

[@wooleynathaniel]

"Some People" can stick it where the sun doesn't shine. I am a GMRS user, AND a HAM, and I've learned as much from you as I have from other HAM's. In many ways GMRS and HAM are very similar, almost identical in the UHF spectrum of HAM. You have clearly studied and know what you are talking about. You break it down well and explain so newbies like myself can understand. Teach me Sensei.

[@columbiabuzz]

MeeToo. Where's Mr. Wolf when you need him and what's Bonnie gonna say?

[@threadripper979]

I'm not a sad ham (happy amateur extra) and appreciate your reviews of cool equipment that measures how many electricities are squirting out of my Boo-Fwang so that I can maximize how many fars I can get. Great stuff, Randy.

[@victorderosa9697]

So glad to here happy Hams

[@davjau]

I’ll be honest. Just found your channel and what keeps me coming back is the dry humor. 10/10

[@cornrichard]

I think that the frequency counter and the stick pro appeared to still have the screen prophylactic on them. I prefer the videos where you remove them and raw dog the units.

[@W2IRT]

Yes, I was SO disappointed when you failed to pop their respective cherries, damnit!

[@Lee_Adamson_OCF]

As a GMRS operator for at least the past 20... days, I must *declare* that I have found the Tiny SA to also be useful for trimming my multiband doublet antennas so that they don't have deep SWR troughs in unfun places. But I suppose that doesn't really have much to do with GMRS. :3 Anyway, I really enjoy your channel. I found it through a bunch of sad hams on a discord server (that I've since been banned from for unspecified reasons) whining about you. Lol.

[@Lee_Adamson_OCF]

Er, I meant the NanoVNA, but I am dumb and got confused. D:

[@coolelectronics1759]

I have one! Did yours come in that bougi lookin leather jewelery type box too? also great for working with cheap chinese personal fm transmitters to check for spurs I so happen to have one for personal house use, it is slightly overpowered for my aplication but I like it it is dope and doesnt look like a toy. I was conserned about it interfering stuff so I got the SA-tiny to probe it and make sure Im not stepping on commercial braudcasts! Although u could probably use something like this for a pirated station if you really felt like doing so. Anyway I have deviated here, I love that SA tool it is fun to explore the rf spectrom with it and learn all about harmonics etc. Yes its probably a baofeng of a spectrom analyzer but it works and it works fine.

[@davep6977]

A Nano VNA is a great SWR meter. You can ck the feed line and antenna without a radio

[@kotycassidy6955]

What's up man love the channel. Helped me so much with my uv5r....the greatest radio ever

[@cadesmith4278]

Though neither as capable nor as accurate as the Farsometer 2000, I purchased a cheap Workman analog SWR/wattmeter, because I am old and enjoy watching needles move rather than numbers change on a screen. I guess I got that as a result of my owning several CB radios in the mid-late 70s during the "breaker 19" craze (and still have a few now). It took many years, but I finally graduated to the GMRS UHF spectrum. Thanks for your great videos!

[@macthesmac]

If you buy a frequency counter get the one that stores 3 frequencies at a time and know you can change the power off time to 30 mins. If you buy a TinySA go for the ultra! I cannot state how much more convenient the ultra is over the base model.

[@donalddodson7365]

Thank you for your clear, concise, competent and (at times) comical commentaries on communicationary connectivizations.

[@KU9L]

I bought the SW-33 VSWR/Watt-meter you previously recommended and am enjoying it very much.

[@markronck3415]

I have to admit that I get a kick out of how funny you make these videos out. Ham radios are very different from GRMS radios and are in there own world. Keep up the good videos coming. This one gave out much information for new bees in the GRMS .👍

[@DirtyWesley]

Thanks. You're really helping me milk every sweet drop of goodness out of this mobile service.

[@marcspaz]

Lots of very useful information and fun to watch! GMRS tech is very forgiving to people who aren't 'experts' and some people insist on making it way more complicated than it needs to be. I send a lot of new people to your channel exactly for videos like this. Thanks for putting this one together.

[@paulmorrow8228]

You got me to buy a radioddity ga 510 and I went from there your reviews are excellent and so are your tutorials

[@michaeledmonds3027]

Another great entertaining video, please keep them coming. I'm a general licensed ham, but as you've said, it's mostly about memorizing questions/answers. However, you do come away with a better understanding of radio protocol and the physics involved. I love your dry humor and excellent production...especially showing radio equipment on a gun work mat.

[@PP-ob8zr]

I always enjoy the humor and great info. 👍

[@volvo09]

Big yay for radio stuff 👍

[@kj4bol]

Thank you for your reviews. I appreciate your disregard for the feelings of us "sad hams". I received my GMRS license from the FCCs a few months ago. Keeping putting out the great content!

[@Darth_DC]

You can also use spectrum analyzers to troubleshoot magnetic vehicle sensors like wheel speed or crank position sensors. Can be super helpful

[@udx-294tn5]

The rig expert is the best investment I’ve made in regards to radio specific tools!

[@michael.w.salter]

Thank you for another highly informative video demonstrating toys that I'd like to have so they could sit in a drawer most of the time. I have the swr meter, and the AA-650 antenna analyzer is tempting, if I had an extra $750 laying around. (I just had a birthday if you're feeling generous!) I mostly rely on "if there's no smoke it's good" method.

[@archmasterone]

I declare you a genius on the subject of SWR and many other subjects you have covered. I can do that with my nineteen years as a Ham. Very good explanation of SWR.

[@ToddSikking]

Educational and fun, as always! For those on a budget, the SW-33 is less expensive than the SW-102 (Shows FARS and SWR; but, does not show frequency).

[@edwardvanduzer4284]

I would just like to thank you . I have learned more from watching your videos then I have from asking MANY HAM operators and other radio "experts". I do have my GMRS but not a HAM Lic.

[@whiz31]

That's good informative video there Randy. You're always funny I love your videos. All I know is now my gmrs system works fine with the Ed Fong commercial dual band antenna that I purchased. I had to buy an SWR meter appropriate for this frequency because I also do a 11 m AKA CB radio and as you said the equipment is all different. Long story short I have a perfect 1:1 swr.

[@scottjohnson5449]

nice way to geek out !!!!!! i will look more into all theses tools....

[@darthtater4844]

Informative and entertaining as always! I’m sure the “keepers of the flame” head’s are exploding. Good job.

[@Maine307]

i learn something new everytime i watch this channel!

[@lizottedj]

As a Ham (NotaSadHam) who enjoys GMRS as well as Amateur Radio, I really enjoy your videos. So far you have been spot on in all your comments! Keep up the good work AND entertainment! W1DLZ & WRVK551.

[@tom_olofsson]

I find your "action packed" videos to be very exciting. I gotta get out more. 😁

[@justhavingfun0736]

Thanks for the Sad Ham appearance 😎. I always love your humor!

[@mossup-]

Excellent video, I just wish we had GMRS in the UK, I have the Ham radio but I also love just picking up the mic and talking to my buddy in the next town, all we have over here is the half A watt FRS equivalent, (PMR446), Ham and CB.

[@regularguy8592]

well you just explained to me why the brand new swr meter like yours will read swr on my gmrs and not on my cb 👍👍

[@tom_olofsson]

A spectrum analyzer can be used to find RF (radio frequency) type devices (hidden cameras or spy bugs) which may be hidden in your home or office.

[@garycook5125]

I have an HP 8594E spectrum analyzer on my work bench for tuning transmitter output frequency. It will show you if your transmitter is off frequency (above or below desired). It can also display splattered output (spurious emissions up and down the band). They are also used to tune repeater duplexers. You can also use it to monitor an RF signal generator's output for proper operation. It's primarily a tool used by bench technicians who are repairing or designing RF equipment. Radio operators will rarely need such a tool. It can be used in many other ways, but this is what I use it for.

[@micwell2247]

Going back to CB with SSB as a base station. Is a lot more fun playing with the skip on any given day. It is what it is. Always enjoy your content. Maybe including CB in your content might get you more views. There of lately, been more interest in CB since the last jab concert yelling going on. With people being shut in .... Thanks

[@brentchristians9888]

Love your work here. I would consider myself a glad ham and tell you to mentiom the hobby as much as you want. Not everyone is destin to be the GMRS expert you are and will maybe have to slum with the hams....sad or glad. Keep up the good work.

[@jdscoco]

Good stuff as always! Joined my local GMRS network several months ago (repeater sites) and there seems to be some great people on here. A bit clicky though.

[@chrissewell1608]

Its the same way in Ham Radio clubs. "Clicky"... If you don't do HF, you don't deserve to live. Much less be in our old farts club!

[@bass779]

You convinced me to get licensed. FCC should give you a percentage

[@321tennisplayer]

One great use of the tinySA is to put it in histogram mode so you can see what channels are being used over a period of time like 4 hrs. For example lets say people have been using channel 11 and 13 during the day. Normally you would have to have you radio on one of those channels at the moment in time when people are talking. In histogram mode you can tell what frequencies had a peak and how strong the signal was which can let you know if the signal was far away or close by.

[@hemitj]

Thank you for another great informative video! The people @ Rig Expert are going through a lot right now. Hopefully they are safe.

[@W2IRT]

Absolutely. As far as I've last heard they're going well and still producing the analyzers. Definitely worth supporting them!

[@PP-ob8zr]

Bravo! Bravo! A hand show like no other! Astonishing! Beyond words! You took my hand signs away! Question...lol do you have a license for those hands? Lol. All fun a-side.....Thank you for the great video! 😀🤞🤙👈👉🖐🖖🤏✌👍

[@skiporbit]

Those hands should be insured, they are so beautiful.

[@jc525exc]

Being a ignorant GMRS radio I want to thank you. Those of us that can admit we don't know much really appreciate information like this. FYI FCC website is so screwed up right now you can't even apply for a license online. After talking with someone there I was told to only use FMRS channels at .5 watts until they get site fixed. They make getting at $35 license top priority & easy for a government agency. haha

[@MCTGMRS78009]

Great info!!! Keep 'em coming!!!

[@0150r]

If you want a lower cost alternative to those antenna analyzers, check out the nanoVNA. It looks a lot like the tinySA but can analyze your antennas. The RigExperts are great, but a $60 nanoVNA is good enough if you're on a budget.

[@MountainMan7.62x39]

Cool video, thanks for making it.

[@royrobinson4636]

My only 2-way radio test equipment is the *Surecom SW-102* (aka Farsometer 2000). I've replaced all of the stock antennas on six (6) GMRS radios with Nagoya GMRS-Tuned antennas, which made a very noticeable improvement in SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) readings! My next purchase may be the Surecom SF-401 Frequency counter since I share some of these radios with my neighbors in our tiny rural community as part of our emergency communications and neighborhood watch system. Thanks again for the "infotainment" and the links!

[@frigzy3748]

As Randy said, I don't think the Farsometer measures number of FARs correctly on the handheld antennas. It shows a perfect 1.01 on my stock UV-5R antenna and 1.8 on the Nagoya. However, Nagoya objectively gives much better tx/rx.

[@jbcowherder6210]

i was having a hard time using my GMRS radio to communicate with Zenu.... thank you Randy for showing me the equipments i needed to get my preferred Zenu communication channel dialed in.....

[@BrianNC81]

You need to be an OT III to even find out about Xenu but thanks to South Park the secret is out.

[@markdewey5412923331]

Thank you! I got the latest FARSOMETER 2022 because I bought it in 2022! Same meter different sticker! I need to buy a spectrum analyzer to measure drifting spurious RF emissions! They are scary and I cant see them in the air! I want to make sure my brain waves match my emissions, thank you for the information! I will be testing away both my stuff and make sure "SOME PEOPLE" are not squirting out to much Spurious RF splatter on me. OVER

[@dirtybucksuede]

The spectrum analyzer would be useful to see what channels were open when you move from area to area. I used my SDR to decide which channel to use in my city but it would be nice to have a way to scan the whole band in a vacation spot. Especially since a lot of times hotels, businesses, etc. use GMRS. It would be much easier than my current method of setting a radio to scan and listening for an hour or so.

[@JoshuaXiong]

Thanks. Never know about those. Learned.

[@OverlandOne]

As a licensed GMRS operator for well over 2 months, I would like to point out that the Farsometer 2000 was replaced last year by the far superior Farsometer 2001. It not only measures power and SWR, but can add 50-100 miles of transmitting distance to any radio and, it will also eliminate spurious transmissions across the frequency range. It is well worth the $10,000 price.

[@royrobinson4636]

LOL 😂

[@wjf213]

It's NOT worth $10,000 unless it come with a belt clip and the chicks dig it.

[@michaelwhite9199]

Very good knowledge! Thanks.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Good stuff. I need to pick up a Farsometer brand Farsometer.

[@W2IRT]

Happy ham of 43 years. Love my RigExpert analyzer (AA-230 Zoom, doesn't do UHF). Bonus: RigExpert is a Ukranian company with excellent people behind them. The less-expensive HF and HF+VHF models are great for hams who tinker with antennas. Surprised you didn't include a Bird 43 Wattmeter in the "nice to have" column. They're just top notch and lab-quality. Can be had used for a reasonable price, and with the right slugs, good for GMRS mobile and portable radios.

[@norm_sueb122]

Thanks for the video!!

[@msven]

Your videos saved me from buying a book to learn some things to take a test to talk on a radio. I used, operated, and maintained radios for 7 years in the Army. Now I don't have to become "some people" to use a good radio again.

[@Matt-KG7JQH]

All you really need is a cheap second HT to verify that your roger beep is turned on and functioning properly.

[@GoSlash27]

Sorry, I know this is a lot of replies. Other uses for spectrum analyzers include locating and identifying sources of interference, troubleshooting RF stages using a sniffer probe, and (when coupled with a sweeping oscillator) acting as a network analyzer for tuning antennas and filter networks. Some of the high- end ones are able to mix a received signal with a local oscillator frequency, actually demodulating it. And if you set the span to zero, they will work like an oscilloscope. Modern digital oscilloscopes, even the cheap ones, are capable of acting as spectrum analyzers when you put them into FFT mode. So even if you "need" a spectrum analyzer, you might not actually need one.

[@craigdavidson2977]

I saw you use the term 'filter networks' in your comment and wanted to let folks know that 'duplexers' are filter networks. You can plot the frequency of your duplexer and see where it is tuned. Randy explains duplexers in his repeater building videos so you don't need two antennas for your repeater.

[@volvo09]

Always good stuff,

[@tommyj1811]

More toys!!!! I want the one that does the wavy things on the front!

[@Michael-tq5il]

Funny think. You are so good; I was actually shopping for a Farsometer. 2000 SWR meter. 🤣🤣

[@ChristopherJPace]

As a ham, I hereby issue you a decree exempting you from any negative Sad Ham comments. From this point forward, all Sad Ham comments are no longer valid and instead will negatively apply to the original Sad Ham licensees, as governed by FCC Regulation 069.420. Love your videos, and your sense of humor!

[@donaldoc]

As a subscribed viewer, which shows , I'm the second to comment, I appreciate the lengths, my Sensei goes, in order to properly educate, me, "his" subscribed favorite viewer, the proper equipment needed to safely operate my GMRS radio, and not damage it, without properly preparing the entire system first... P.S. Oh Sensei, could you please provide me with the proper, "Affiliate Link Below", information on the, Dummy Load, you have used to also test your radios, especially, HT's. Thank you in advance. 👍

[@TheNotaRubicon]

of course! Only the best for MY Channel Members! amzn.to/3J95Wly

[@donaldoc]

@@TheNotaRubicon "Thank You"...

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

This is a extremely helpful video Randy Thanks for the tips @NotaRubicon Productions

[@Private290]

You have a great channel

[@ehayes5217]

really good info, thanx😃🇺🇸

[@Tommyr]

Actually the Nano VNA analyzer is fairly accurate when calibrated properly. And it can be used to check SWR as well.

[@bendeleted9155]

Once you figure out that your radios (and every electronic thing you own) emits spurious RF emissions, will you then get rid of it all, or just the spectrum analyzer?

[@GoSlash27]

The big 3 culprits: Cell phones, wi-fi routers, and LED light bulbs.

[@chamian1167]

@@GoSlash27 My wifi router made my sdr pretty much useless to be used indoors

[@hopper131]

@@chamian1167 ^This. I genuinely LOLed. Been there myself.

[@DargoDog]

I am a ham radio operator from WAY BACK!!! 73's!!!! Anyhoo... About six weeks ago the wife and I have elevated our offroadage from ATVs to a side-by-side, or "UTV", if you prefer, some people get offended by the nomenclature of these things. Since then, I have been on the hunt for the best radio options for this rig. Naturally, I tend to gravitate towards the ham, I am familiar. But, I am having three issues with this. First, ham is not a popular standard for large(er) groups, GMRS is. Second, all of my ham gear is grossly outdated and dysfunctional, so I would need to buy new stuffs. And third, I have not updated my ham license in many a moon. While I would get back on the ham horse, one day, it looks like GMRS will be the first route I take. I have already gotten my license, in spite of the interweb freak show the FCC site has become. Seriously, what dill-hole set that site up, it took me three KZbin videos to navigate my way through it?!? Anyways, brevity is the sole of whit, so I will be brief. Your videos have been an outstanding source of information, and are guiding my purchases of new GRMS stuffs. So, the long and the short of it, if this whole ball of wax goes south, I am blaming you... Thanks again!!!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

TinySA is good for finding RFI too 👍

[@markcall9695]

Okay I am grabbing one of those frequency counters to grab my cop buddies 'tac' channel frequency for the scanner.

[@johnhays8708]

You are the best!👍

[@czgunner]

Thanks for clarifying that an SWR meter likely won't be very useful to check an HT's OE antenna.

[@timmazza8771]

Thanks!

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Wow, thank YOU!... you REALLY ARE my favorite viewer now!

[@majordisappointment8692]

Thanks not many of us can afford Rigol Spectrum analyzer a decent swr meter is useful tool. We all want to get as many Fars we can out of our equipment.

[@martirjd]

Thank you.

[@BLACKHEAT1028]

Being a Biker, I ride a Harley and I tell all new guys that want to get into the world of Harley Davidson.............HD stands for Heavy Dollars nothing is cheap Being a HAM I tell the new guys......When you only buy top of the line and need all the latest and greatest your HAM will be... Had A lot of Money I can only think about Rig Experts on a big sale like Black Friday or something like that, It's like all the stuff on my cable box that I never use and will never use. It's beyond my geekiness. Thanks for the vid, very nice as always

[@W2IRT]

If you have multiple HF antennas the RigExpert analyzers are worth their weight in gold during setup or if something goes wrong. The TDR function finds coax fault distances, see multiple resonance points, impedence bumps, resistance/reactance values, Smith charts, etc. For a casual ham with a dipole in the trees maybe not, but for big stations or homebrew antenna geeks, it's a must-have.

[@blackknight1397]

Randy I ordered one of those wattmeter things so we’ll see how it goes if they will ship it

[@chrissewell1608]

Because this was only about GMRS.... I am a sad Ham 😢🐷 P.S. I still learned alot about the newer equipment. Especially since I just got me a Fars-O- meter 4000. Which tells me... My antenna and wire, has got some splain'n to do!

[@danielromero8830]

Hello, new to your channel, quickly subscribed. You make my wife and I laugh. Very informative content though. I'd like to know what adapter you used to connect your SWR meter to your hand held device? Thanks in advance...

[@skiporbit]

The hand movements, rival vanna white's, on wheel of fortune, Soo Zoolander.

[@Oberkaptain]

I have that same TinySA and used it to find that something was blasting the same frequency as my garage door opener causing issues.

[@PropaneTreeFiddy]

I'd 100% buy a ""Some People"" t-shirt.

[@rlic9206]

This is a rich man who knows how to have fun with his toys.

[@11bravo79]

Love the shirt!🤣🤣🤣

[@lancedooley7558]

That intro!!! 😂🔥

[@paulpuglia8480]

New to your channel but I've been watching you the T-shirt you're wearing Words Cannot Express How Much I Don't Care are you selling those I'd like to buy one of those

[@grigorirasputin5020]

I think my proctologist had one of them spectrum analyzer gadgets like you have, but he didn't hook it up to my radios.

[@ragheadand420roll]

Thx

[@echo1er]

Have you done any DIY/Homemade antennas📡

[@redred333]

as a walkie talkie operator, I approve of this message

[@christophersmith1155]

i would like to know how to do this with a baofeng.

[@williamtoney2599]

I just recently purchased a NA-771 SMA-F Nagoya antenna for my UV-5R…..and it won’t work. The threads are different. Anyone run into this?

[@lawman0210mike]

With the mods that have been put out for radios such as the the Quansheng Kv6 that has a spectrum analyzer acceptable to use versus the Tiny SA or SA Ultra?

[@be5718]

If you had a short in your system say the coax, will this SWR protect the radio?

[@PhinAI]

Can you measure SWR with that SWR meter, also?() BTW, thank you -- (earnestly) !

[@michaelvela1675]

What cables or connectors would I need to get to use the SWR meter with a UV5R?

[@josevictorec]

Thanks for the no bullshit information 🙂.