Retevis RA87 GMRS Radio. How does this thing work?!?!

This pro level GMRS has all the features and functions of a HAM radio but without the hassle of getting a HAM license. Overall a very competent radio!
You Can get one here:
www.amazon.com...
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @farpointfarms
Don't forget to check out my second channel:
/ farpointfarmsrestorati...
And don't forget to visit my website:
www.farpointfa...
Buy Farpoint Farms Shirts, Mugs, and Stickers Here:
Teespring: farpoint-farms...
Like The Channel? Consider becoming a donor here:
Patreon: www.patreon.co...
E-mail me here: [e-mail]

[@mitchh6702]

North GEORGIA GMRS is very active here. Got my license a couple of months ago and I am very pleased with all of it. Membership is growing by leaps and bounds here. We have repeater coverage in TN, West Alabama , North FL and pretty much the entire North GA region. Great group of folks and they run a tight ship! Maybe we can catch you on there Erik! ( Sylva, Franklin, Hayesville) One thing (not network related) that can improve is a better travel channels and communication of channels. I think for travel no tones would be better...but, what do I know😮 I mean it is called "general MOBILE radio service....I haven't seen enough mobile usage but, lots of folks are getting into GMRS!

[@mikeingeorgia1]

I’m a little ways south of Atlanta and I can hear folks checking in the whole way from TN down to Columbus, GA. I currently just have some HTs but I’m planning on setting up a base station that’s repeater capable. I’ve mainly used the HTs for traveling with the kids so we can chat from vehicle to vehicle. It’s pretty handy and we can let our cell phones run the map apps

[@jackbatson8795]

I can second that the NGGRMS community is the most active in the country and I just got my license yesterday because of it. Very happy with GMRS so far, starting to turn away from CB.

[@FarpointFarms]

Sounds like a good groups of folks!

[@mikeingeorgia1]

@@jackbatson8795 thanks to this channel, I dusted off an old CB I had and even purchased a NOS CB to try out. The legit old CB I’m not certain if it works yet. Its meter doesn’t, and the meter I bought used on eBay also doesn’t (🙄), BUT, the NOS CB I bought does work. I don’t want to try transmitting until I get a functioning SWR meter just to make sure, but I can hear people talking. I spent one day in the vicinity of I-75 and one day in the vicinity of I-85 and I heard chatter all day in both places. There’s one station somewhere that’s broadcasting what seems to be a prerecorded obnoxious message and there was a good bit of animal sounds, profanity, etc. For that reason alone, I wouldn’t have it on when I was traveling with the kids. As far as ease of use, GMRS is ahead of CB. I just explain to the kids what channel we’ll all use and put in privacy codes so I don’t have to hear any unnecessary chatter and off we go. I’d like to be more helpful in general but that will depend on the maturity of the other folks on the same channel at that time. I spent a few decades talking on radios just about every single day, and we never ever spoke remotely as bad as what I heard on CB in just a few hours. We would’ve all been fired pretty quickly. I was just talking to one of my neighbors today about CBs and GMRS. He’s had his GMRS for a little while now but thanks to me he said he’s getting the CB out and dusting it off. We’ll probably try his out next weekend

[@uncledanny7]

I’m in sylva and just got my GMRS license haven’t made any contacts other than family yet but looking forward to learning more about GMRS and getting involved with a group like the North Georgia one

[@alzeNL]

as a brit, GMRS isnt something I've explorered, but I really enjoyed watching this video ! Thanks for the upload and looking forward to watching more. I really like your shack/studio setup, its brilliant !

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks! I worked pretty hard to make a place where I could film. I think I got it right!

[@Siskiyous6]

GMRS is really popular here in Josephine County Oregon, In Cave Junction I can access 3 repeaters. One is linked over a fair portion of the southern part of the State. I have a dozen GMRS radios, and for black Friday ordered Retivis's GMRS repeater - I am excited to use it.

[@FarpointFarms]

Cool! We have non of that here in NC.

[@clydeosterhout1221]

I’ve been using GMRS radios for decades. This one makes no sense. GMRS is supposed to be easy (I call it “ham in a can”). This radio takes something very simple and makes it needlessly complicated. Anybody getting into GMRS should start with a couple of cheap repeater capable HTs and appropriate mag mount antennas. Simple, cheap, and they’ll get the job done!

[@FarpointFarms]

I would have to agree. I like the simple units far more.

[@jontalbert6741]

I always enjoy your radio content. Thanks for another video, I look forward to your new uploads.

[@FarpointFarms]

thank you for your support

[@robertmeyer4744]

Parts of the US have GMRS repeaters all over. I am in NY and we have a few. only some GMRS channels do the 40 watts . the mid channels are low power only . MURS is even used but 2 watt max and VHF and only 5 CH. just need better coax for GMRS . can get great range with 40 watts threw a repeater .

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks for sharing that- there is not too much near me

[@cqcq374]

Got my license last spring. Mainly use it around the farm for the family. Need to get some bigger mobiles for more range. Just have HT's now.

[@FarpointFarms]

We use ours as well around the property- we don't get cell service here, so we needed something

[@AC-nt1ph]

Better Over kill than Under kill 😊

[@FarpointFarms]

Yes sir

[@HippocratesGarden]

GMRS is strong in Arkansas, there are a significant number of repeaters around the state, and.... they are linked. It's fairly easy (at least in some places) to be on a handheld in Northeast AR, and be chatting with someone in NW and Central AR. Network is growing.

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks for sharing that- good to hear that it is active there

[@879raccoonradio]

Getting into GMRS !!!!!, I just built my first full sized repeater. Ive made a video detailing it. I would still be messing with CB but all of the features of radios and thr legal loopholes make it fun. For example the repeater I've got is technicaly simplex but it receives on 467and TXs on 462 making it legal😂. Btw I've been loving the content recently I love the offgrid setup you've got going 👍 Please still keep up all sides of the content I love it all, whatever decision you make well definitely support it. Hey if you start up the gmrs in your area it might just take off 73s stay safe out there

[@FarpointFarms]

That is awesome- I am so happy that there are some younger people getting into radios. Please keep up your content as well! Thank you and take care

[@AndrewHCann]

Excellent Video Eric :) also myself been Ham radio license since April 30 2008 at 10:30pm Lol use first radio was old Kenwood analoge 2 meter , Realistic one to from 1980s then updated Yeasu FT 1802 M/E till overheat because of antenna had SWR jump to high plus coax too ruin on me plus oil cooler fins dry out on me ! Now since 2017 got Yeasu FT 1500 M 2 meters also Weather band ,blue screen if saw it only 2 pounds and looks old vechiles am/fm radio types it Funny to shape 55 watts top plus no fan cool but do use one made for to strap on it ! Plus my one late friend Jack when past away in 2020 also gave me by his daughters Kenwood TM-V71 2 meter and 70 cm plus Weather band a daul type 50 watts 2 meters and 45 watts 440 fan cool radio plus microphone for it and got no owners manual for it! But both radios are awesome and excellent to!

[@FarpointFarms]

Sounds like a cool setup!

[@AndrewHCann]

@@FarpointFarms thank you Eric :) and surprises me the old Pyramid 35k 35 amp power supply still going strong after I got tech friend of mine rebuilt in 2006 after lightning hit when shut off ! Must got done ✔ done make last lifetime Lol! Only thing I had do replace Amp need and rewire Volt Potential control one fuse change every 5 years!

[@grizsgarage]

We have a great gmrs network here in San Antonio TX

[@FarpointFarms]

Our area is silent. There once was a repeater, but it's long gone now.

[@grizsgarage]

@@FarpointFarms we had several private repeaters here at first. Home built machines, but the commercial towers no longer rent their equipment in this frequency range so they lit them up for gmrs. Maybe the commercial towers in your area are also available.

[@jontalbert6741]

I’m new to San Antonio, I still need to get my radio programed for the repeater. I am coming from Houston, we always had traffic over there.

[@Mavv.err.ickk506]

Got my GMRS license a while back and bought a decent handheld unit, but there isn't a lot of action on it here around southern Wake County that I've found. I wish there was more. WRYP495

[@FarpointFarms]

I haven't lived there now in nearly 10 years, but I never heard anything on FRS channels when I had one.

[@johnblanton-fd3jf]

That's a lot of radio !

[@FarpointFarms]

Perhaps a little too much. 1/2 of this stuff is over my head.

[@johnblanton-fd3jf]

@@FarpointFarms Yeah , I got dizzy when you were going over the functions list :-)

[@robertodwyer2979]

G.M.R.S has blown up all over western New York the group is called the Alliance Out of Buffalo New York, their net call is on Monday night living in Toronto I hear them loud and clear on my GMRS walkie-talkie this is Rob trans Canada radio 5322 merry Christmas

[@FarpointFarms]

Cool to hear that it is popular there- you have a Merry Christmas as well

[@JDubbsadventure]

I build a repeater out of these runs a net and an extremity busy zello channel. Haven’t been able to kill it yet

[@FarpointFarms]

Cool! I sometimes think about setting one up, but it's so dead here.

[@stevieoutdoorsman3273]

There is a lot of traffic on GMRS around Wilkesboro, Yadkin, Winston, Davie and Rowan.

[@FarpointFarms]

I'll have to check it out next time I'm down that way. Thanks for the tip!

[@stevieoutdoorsman3273]

Great video, like always.

[@grizsgarage]

Looks a lot like my Kenwood tk-860hg

[@FarpointFarms]

It might be a clone. Not sure.

[@grizsgarage]

@@FarpointFarms my kenwood is also 40 watts. The only big difference I see it the dual watch.

[@joconnorwi]

Wish the scene were stronger here in Connecticut…I got one with high hopes, and hardly EVER hear anyone

[@FarpointFarms]

CB seems to have stayed the dominant communication path here in NC as well.

[@joconnorwi]

@@FarpointFarms I have a new CB rig on the way! 🙏

[@rpcomms1]

Yeah UK has NO high power Personal radio band,GMRS cannot use over here as some channels fall into the Fire Dept channels in UK! Great shame ofcom (like FCC) wont allow a similar High Power Personal Radio service here,it has been looked at and then fizzled out. Your very lucky we have had to fight for CB or two way radio use in UK a while for a number of years,but all we currently have is PMR446 0.5w and CB am fm ssb 4/12watts for non-tech personal uses. Being UHF is going to mean Line of Sight uses,big high mast towers and repeaters or VOIP gateways I would assume be the way to go locally Base wise, but you have a lot more space to do things like that in US\CAN lol. Nice kit looks very Land Mobile Radio type gear,loved the vid. Rob.P 73's

[@FarpointFarms]

I did not realize that there were so many rules over there on what you can and can not have. Thanks for sharing that

[@kurttuttle1817]

Nice Video. Could it be simpler to use, yes, but so many are asking for some of those functions that are in it. A lot of those functions are like the ham radios, set and forget, like the roger beep, I hate them (my opinion).

[@FarpointFarms]

I agree, these are for what I call a "power user". It has everything anyone could want, but it certainly isn't a radio that can be unboxed and used right away.

[@poppasmurf63]

Heat sink on bottom seems less effective. No?

[@FarpointFarms]

I think it would be better off the rear of the unit as well.

[@DellFargus]

This is an "upgrade" radio, not an entry level one. The wattage output is nice. A GMRS antenna is only like a foot and a half long, versus a 108" cb whip. The downside to GMRS is that it's FM, so it's line-of-sight - skip isn't a thing. I would imagine that it would be way easier to set it up on the computer using the link cable, than to set it up by thumbing through dozens and dozens of menus. GMRS is pretty slow around me - I can hear some distant repeaters, but I never bothered to use my license in the two years that I've had it.

[@FarpointFarms]

That's the problem here. It's a ghost town. Sometimes I hear chatter on FRS from the local ski mountain, but that's about it.

[@chublez]

The lack of "skip" is more to do with it being UHF than FM. Just fyi. GMRS is a great service for the intended use and getting so,e decent comms for the family. If you want to talk distance you're either gonna need to get on CB and bend the rules or get a HAM license if yer properly interested in radio stuffs.

[@dirtysquatch7036]

The right condition you can get a ducting effect. I picked up some side by sides on HT radios at a wheeling spot 50+ miles away. It was a foggy evening.

[@DellFargus]

@@chublez Yes. GMRS is FM and UHF. -73 de KC3SFT/WROC916

[@wolfwalker-ud5up]

Hi. I’m thinking of buying a new CB Radio I want to set up a home base for now then one in my pickup truck! I use to have some back in the 70’s and now my brother is talking about getting back on the air. He lives in Alabama and I live in Nevada. I guess I’m wondering what to get. Any help me understanding the process for getting back into it.

[@FarpointFarms]

I've got a lot of beginners guides on my channel that will get you up to speed.

[@wolfwalker-ud5up]

Ok thank you for putting out this video s helpful

[@hatchetjackphillips]

Simple is better! I hear a fair amount of GMRS traffic in SW OH. A lot more in the Southeastern part of the state, where it’s really popular with the off-roading community.

[@FarpointFarms]

Agreed. I like the FRS type of GMRS radios if that makes sense.

[@johndowd7010]

I got one but its getting sent back being its weak junk.

[@FarpointFarms]

I am sorry you did not like it

[@michaellanders1601]

I wonder why we in Australia don't have this or am I wrong?

[@michaellanders1601]

we have 477 mhz 5 Watts good for work but need a base to realy get out

[@FarpointFarms]

Hmm. Not sure.

[@jamalnettles4689]

Ailunce HA1G Gmrs

[@FarpointFarms]

close

[@winterburan]

You are lucky, we in Italy can only use the CB 40CH AM/FM 5W SSB 12W band, then obviously the few remaining ones especially use powerful amps truckers that can even reach 4 kW and channel expanders, in 1994 23 CH FM 5W was released in the 43Mhz band for specific uses, sports activities, security, businesses, work, etc. but it was not successful and remained practically unused, including the PMR 446 Mhz at 16CH analogue 0.5W and 32 digital channels rarely used, without the possibility of disconnecting antennas from the devices, all for free use without license or tax to pay, here too many use the 5W Chinese ones but it is risky, the LPD 443Mhz which due to its very weak power of 10mW remains a toy, for children has met the same fate as the 43Mhz band, nothing high power or professional things like licensed GMRS, a real shame, now everyone has smartphones / iPhones with the most disparate apps, CB Talk with Dual Mike, Zello etc. or they use POC "radios" with sim cards

[@FarpointFarms]

That's a shame. No matter where we are in this world it seems the single constant is our collective loss of rights and freedoms.

[@patrickziemke1412]

👍

[@FarpointFarms]

Right on!

[@micwell2247]

Nope ain't paying for a license

[@131Dusty]

🙄 !

[@FarpointFarms]

You and 99% of other GMRS users. My understanding is that many Hams are now running free without a ticket. Hopefully that trend continues.

[@chublez]

You save that $3.50/yr you rebel.😂

[@richardreiter66]

Like GMRS but this radio is to way to busy.

[@FarpointFarms]

I agree

[@fargoalspach557]

I know nothing about this frequency nor do I plan on purchasing one, 40 watts wow.

[@FarpointFarms]

It's got the juice!

[@223Nebraska]

👏🙌🤝👍

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks!!

[@Adamdaj]

Come on, you can pick an older Commercial mobile radio and program it for GMRS. I realize that the FCC prefers users use part 95 E Radios, but what's wrong with using a part 90 radios, besides not being typed accepted? Most those used or new old stock wont meet the narrow band mandate for part 90! So why can't they repurpose as GMRS RADIOS?

[@FarpointFarms]

You certainly can. A lot of business band radios can be programed to do FRS/GMRS.

[@chublez]

Cause they aren't part accepted for gmrs. Also old commercial gear sucks to use compared to current gmrs options my man.