The Best Walkie Talkie Real World Testing Rocky Talkie 5 Watt GMRS vs. Mountain Radio

[@Steve-hc7ix]

I live in Northern Maine. I left my house and went down a very heavily wooded dirt road. I went 3.5 miles before I lost contact. Those 3.5 miles I would stop at certain points and got out of my car and every call I made in those 3.5 miles were all very clear. Really happy with them. I forgot to tell you that both radios were the 5 watt, and I had the larger antenna on both of them. My wife was outside as well during the distant test.

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for sharing your experience! We've been really impressed with both radio versions but the 5 watt is crazy. We use the smaller ones when we're traveling (mostly talking between cars in our caravan) and the 5 watt when we're out exploring/hunting.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

AS you where on family service at a half a watt there is your problum F R S sort range only set your radio to G M R S tower you will do 20 miles I do that all day long. w R X N 824 back at you F C C call sign.

[@lightningfortnite_]

Awesome review! i have watched this video about 20 times lol

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for watching! We appreciate the support. If you do buy them, make sure to do it through our link in the description. It gives us a small commission that allows us to keep making content at no additional cost to you.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

did you learn anything IT really is a one mile child locater just like all the othere's you can buy in any big box store.

[@caddyzig]

Nice review! I hope you review more of the equipment and gear you use.

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for watching! We definitely will continue to share product videos for the items we use. Is there anything in particular that you were hoping to see?

[@caddyzig]

@@DrifterJourney I guess general purpose stuff that’s good for back and forth between camping and everyday car emergency use. EDC, knives, tools, emergency supplies, that sort of thing. I’d be interested in seeing what accessories you get for your Colorado, too.

[@DrifterJourney]

@@caddyzig perfect! We will start building out the truck soon and starting more remote adventures as it starts to warm up. Until then....I'm building myself up for winter camping. We'll be sure to talk about the gear we use.

[@caddyzig]

@@DrifterJourney Sounds great! (I should have said I’d love some house updates, too.)

[@DrifterJourney]

@caddyzig you don't want to hear those. It's stressful. I made a quick video last week but will probably do another when we get close to moving in. Hopefully we'll be in by the middle to end of January.

[@MoviesSam]

I wonder what would be the effect if you put that longer whip antenna that was included in the box ? Has anyone done that ?

[@DrifterJourney]

I thought about it but still haven't tried. My guess is that they'll work ever farther than the already long distances that we were experiencing. Maybe I'll give it a whirl while we're out hunting these next few weeks.

[@superblindeye1]

This is a very helpful video. Thank you so much.

[@DrifterJourney]

Glad it was helpful for you! Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching. If you buy a set, feel free to use our affiliate link in the video description! 🙏😁

[@bulldogbrower6732]

These radios are walkie talkies, they are not made to transmit and penetrate houses and especially metal vehicles. Your 5 watt GMRS radios have a removable antenna. Therefore you should mount a magnetic antenna on the roof of the vehicle for it to perform better.

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for watching and also sharing. I'm no expert so I just test as a normal person might. I am very impressed with them as they performed better than expected. I knew that the camper and in vehicle use would be putting them at a disadvantage.......and they still worked great!

[@tacticalsweater5119]

They can and do penetrate houses and vehicles.

[@greghaff229]

99% of radios like the Mountain Radio are kids/toy radios. Wouxun and Motorola both make high FRS radios minus the rubber pouch, cabana.

[@greghaff229]

One other point about radios like the Mountain Radio, they are great Prepper Radios.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

or if you are licensed like I am try a 45 watt radio in the car

[@jhanick]

When you mention "Baja" you must say it with jesse venturas voice

[@DrifterJourney]

That's a great idea! I mean......we are off the grid when we're in the Baja!

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

yes it is and the reasion is the signel is only leaving the car through the windows as the body stopes the signel from the out side other wise you are holding a 50.00 dollar child locater running a 1/2 watt transmitter .

[@DrifterJourney]

I figured the truck would cause problems for the signal. I'm still impressed how well they work vehicle to vehicle when we're traveling with friends.

[@greghaff229]

The Mountain Radio puts out 379 mW on channels 8-14. And 1.524 watts channels 1-7 and 15-22. My question is why they can't turn the radios up to the advertised wattage output?

[@DrifterJourney]

That's a fantastic question for the manufacturer. I'm not sure how to measure the output to verify that. Seems like you have it out for these guys. Am I wrong? All I know is they far exceed my needs and expectations. Don't get me wrong though......seems like more power would equal more distance which isn't a bad thing. Unless that hurt the battery life.....which would be bad.

[@greghaff229]

@@DrifterJourney i don't have it out for anybody. It just seem that unless the person you are trying to contact is 100 feet away you would what the maxium wattage output you can get. I'am surpriced that NO other radio comes with a Rubber Outer Pouch like the Mountain Radio has.

[@DrifterJourney]

The protective cover on these is quite nice! Both models seem quite sturdy. As for distance, I've been able to get a couple miles out of the 2 watt version without issue. They definitely work better than the cheap ones a bunch of our friends had in Baja.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

the manufacturer workes under F C C rules and reg's that is why you cant change the antenna

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

@@DrifterJourney please get your license so you can talk off a repeater like I do.

[@dannymcneal]

I’m thinking a radio such as either of these would be worth its weight in gold. Therefore, for me, the 5 watt radio is the only real choice. If my life depended on it, I would want the bigger one with me.

[@DrifterJourney]

Agreed, the mountain radio is nice, lightweight and works great for short range activities with buddies. But the 5 watt is definitely a higher performance radio.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

@@DrifterJourney AND requires a G M R S licensee to use it other wise you are stuck on simplex radio to radio at 2 miles and that is it.

[@DrifterJourney]

​@@donalderickson-si8wwwelcome back. We haven't heard from you in a while.

[@AirArmsInc]

That's great for 3 miles.

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for watching! We've been impressed with them for sure. Be sure to buy through our link in the description if you're thinking about purchasing. It helps support the channel at no extra cost to you. They're running 20% off through tomorrow also.

[@greghaff229]

Add you both fail to give your FCC license number at the end of each GMRS transmission.

[@DrifterJourney]

That inexpensive test that lasts for 10 years didn't mention that. I'll need to dig into the fine print and start following the rules better. Everyone started somewhere with these radios. Seems like the GMRS community is just as harsh to newcomers as the HAM (?) / fancy repeater stuff folks.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

here min Minneapolis Minn we have 6 repeaters on one pl tone which gives us in put to the towers

[@DrifterJourney]

​@@donalderickson-si8wwsounds fancy!

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

and a range of 20 miles off one repeater.

[@DrifterJourney]

​​@@donalderickson-si8wwwe haven't heard from you in a while. That sounds spectacular.

[@anaj23andaravind37]

If you have one extra , could you give me one

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for watching! You never know when you'll need an extra one around for a friend. We have the perfect amount currently.

[@anaj23andaravind37]

Well ,,, think about it when you have one extra from the perfect amount 😸 Im in real need of one , i want to buy a good one but they are too expensive And if I find a cheap one it is very bad So I don know , maybe you could

[@DrifterJourney]

I doubt that I'll have an extra but I'll keep you in mind if it ever happens.

[@anaj23andaravind37]

@@DrifterJourney thank you 😁

[@bradjenkins932]

@@DrifterJourney LOL.. What something for nothing

[@greghaff229]

False the Mountain Radio does not have 128 channels. It has 22 channels that are shared with GMRS.

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for clarifying. The screen shows 128 so most common users would think of it as 128 different channels.....sub channels??? Settings??? All I know is that when I'm on channel "128", my friends don't hear me on "120".

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

with 128 channel codes you have a 1 in 128 chance of people finding you code be course thay did not attend your breffing as to channel selaction or code selection

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

there 128 codes to use on any channels 1 through 22 add that to your channel and your radios will only talk to each other but other people can hear you only

[@DrifterJourney]

​@@donalderickson-si8wwmakes sense.

[@fredelias2278]

Hmm

[@DrifterJourney]

Hope you enjoy the review!

[@RKingis]

Unfortunately, that can't do split tones by default. Update: There actually can do split tones, and quite easily too!

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for watching and also sharing. You mention by default. Does that mean that there is a work around for those needing that function?

[@RKingis]

@@DrifterJourney Yes, but you need a programming cable (UV9G type), and the CPS. The FRS version is the Zastone mini9, so probably could get the software from them.

[@DrifterJourney]

​@RKingis thanks for sharing! Some folks will appreciate that information.

[@JohnPaulPenna]

Hi! Split tones can be programmed directly from the radio, page 28 of the user manual.

[@DrifterJourney]

​@JohnPaulPenna thanks! That is great information. I guess I didn't make it that far into the instructions.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

all F R S are rated a one and a half watts transmitter only who ever makers them there are UNDER F C C rules antenna is stock remove it order a new one forgot you are at a mile in town no more your radio is also G M R S there is your power and range power is 5 watts same radio when tuned to a tower you will need a license for it as you are at 20 miles range I run a 45 watt radio I go in to a tower running 60 watts then go back out by the way your locial police dept run's the same way

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for sharing!