What Does "Unlocked" Mean On A Ham Radio Or GMRS Radio? What Does Unlocking A Ham Radio Do?

In this episode I explain what an "unlocked" ham radio or unlocked GMRS radio is. I explain what it means when a GMRS radio or ham radio is locked and the difference between an unlocked ham radio and a GMRS radio. I also discuss some of the FCC rules about using an unlocked ham radio and I talk about how amateur radio operators often react to people using unlocked GMRS radios on the amateur radio bands. Everything discussed in this video pertains to virtually all ham radios and GMRS radios such as the Baofeng UV-5R ham radio but this also applies to brands other than Baofeng such as Yaesu, Kenwood, and Icom ham radios.
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[@RandellReeder]

As a GMRS licensee with a HAM license, I'm here to put this statement on the record in case you come looking for my unlocked UV5R HT, I lost them in a boating accident.

[@johnross6314]

Shame on you using them as a marine radio.. :)

[@dont4450]

To be honest, I have a uv8hp, and a yaesu vx-6r. While you can do so much more with the vx-6r, it doesn't transmit or recieve any better that my baofeng vx-6r. I like both of these radios.

[@DrJekyll77]

Poor dolphins will beach themselves in all the confusion

[@kellyheath8547]

I lost mine with you.

[@stangtofastable]

Right next to the guns and plastic straws.

[@hartranft66]

hi, this is the wife of my deceased husband who was bored to death watching your video, his last words where, " my boofwang hit a repeater 20 miles away". funeral arrangements are being made for him this week. im keeping his boofwang. he wont need it anymore.

[@mattdale81861]

Got his ass haha

[@TheRealRenn]

I would keep his radio as well. Sorry for uR loss.

[@darkglass1]

Yes, but how would we impress the ladies with only one unlocked radio? We need many radios on our belts to bring all the ladies to the yard.

[@old-timeangler5356]

That's right more important to impress the chick's and not the sad hams.

[@archiehenderson2744]

Your tee shirt saying is CORRECT! 🇺🇸⚓️

[@Rusted_Link]

A radio that makes SAD hams shit their pants!

[@bendeleted9155]

Spurious!

[@london19657]

I get that too.@@bendeleted9155

[@royrobinson4636]

Yes it does It's Hilarious!

[@jamesslick4790]

That's what SHE said.@@bendeleted9155

[@musicman1eanda]

I'm a teacher and use my UV5Rs on my school frequencies. Why? Well, my school actually just took all the district Motorola radios out of the classrooms, and I want one in case of an emergency. 1 teacher per grade level used to get one, and now nobody does except the school resource officer and the principal and secretaries.

[@tonnywildweasel8138]

Unlocked .. Smells like Freedom

[@ragheadand420roll]

Fjb

[@MyJeff1969]

been running unlocked since 1994 5 contacts into europe yesterday, today conditions just starting to open at 355 very strange

[@lonecrusader5312]

I'll only ever go hiking with a unlocked radio. I use the proper power settings on the channels, but it's simply a matter of safety. Me and the family use gmrs to talk on the trail cuz well its fun and we like it. But being able to go to the 2 meter to talk to most emergency services is invaluable. So catch me, fine me, I don't care. I'll continue using the ham radio's that can talk on both. Also to pacify or enrage the salty hams. I have a license for both... bite me

[@brandonm6052]

What do you use, I'm between finding one to have unlocked or having to buy two radios. Want to get family com.s.

[@lonecrusader5312]

@@brandonm6052mostly all baofengs, but I buy them off ebay and wait for the slow boat to get here. None that I've bought directly from China have ever been locked. Or if they are, for whatever reason you can just use chirp and unlock them.

[@richardmendoza738]

I just got a radtel today and it seems pretty solid, it comes unlocked..

[@iggy151]

The rules do not apply in emergency situations to protect life or property. 🙂

[@matrixlockdown2975]

Yep, if I am in the woods somewhere, it's with an unlocked radio.

[@BrianNC81]

Wouxun KG-Q10H is perfect swiss army knife radio. Unlocked it works perfectly on 4 ham bands (6m, 2m, 1.25m, and 440), GMRS, MURS, and works great as a VHF marine radio on a boat with IP67 water proof rating. You need to carry around a couple antennas for all the different bands it transmits on. Lol on the sad hams that carry around 2+ radios! 😂

[@OddballAZ]

I wonder how many sad HAMs have to go on blood pressure medication because of you? Keep up the good work!

[@Doonit_hard_way_since_65]

I don't think much of anyone gives a damn.

[@hazcat640]

9 minutes ago I couldn't even spell "exckspart", now I are one! Thanks, NOTA!

[@jeffmccleskey]

Lmao!

[@CandyGramForMongo_]

I love me some CCRs! Give it to a buddy to use, never get it back, no biggie. And hopefully your buddy won’t have to borrow another one.

[@ewicky]

my daily dose of sarcasm... I'm ready!

[@Aimsport-video]

A timelapse of you keeping that wall of HTs charged, turning them on and setting them to various channels… would be video gold.

[@london19657]

I'd buy that for a Dollar

[@bendeleted9155]

I'm sure he has his crew handle that. He's the number ham channel, by golly.

[@Aimsport-video]

@@bendeleted9155 Of course his “crew.” The same team that keeps his pencils so sharp and pointy.

[@michaeltrosenfeld]

It's not a violation to use an unlocked GMRS radio to talk on ham bands. You are allowed to build a radio out of coconuts to talk on ham bands if you can figure out how.

[@terryjwood]

I'm pretty sure Gilligan did that and that's how they got off the island!

[@almirria6753]

Hey I like CCR [Creedance Clearwater Revival]

[@Francois_Dupont]

Thank you for the explaination. i am a simple minded HAM and you are always there to help me think.

[@Huskrrrr]

Don't ask, don't tell 😊. Thanks for another great video.

[@jaadow77]

At the price of CCRs, one could have a whole beltful for less than the cost of taking the family to dinner these days.

[@Davidg1t1]

Sub’d. The screen and shirt choice were the clinchers. Love you vids brother. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@mustanggun]

You are the funniest, coolest nerd I've seen.

[@mattrowe1037]

Based on the pictures in the background of all your videos... i will pretty much always follow your advice on just about everything you say. Thank you for being down to earth and making your videos easy and fun to enjoy! Im very excited to get my very first boofwang and cant wait to play around with it and seeing what all it can do! I got the 8w version solely based on the fact that i know it wont necessarily make those numbers, but at least theyll (supposedly) be better than the 5w version... or so i hear 😂

[@photolabguy]

CCR. They must enjoy listening to Creedence Clearwater Revival. 😆

[@iffykidmn8170]

Can one get more fars from the radio if there is a bad moon rising?

[@Taco_Syndicate]

I take solace in being your favorite viewer, and hope everyone else does too!

[@Enzo_Lupara]

If someone wanted to purchase a cheap Chinese radio but wanted to be sure that they are getting a genuine cheap Chinese radio instead of some knock off cheap Chinese radio where should they shop?

[@MrXupbelwfx]

I too, would like a genuine cheap Chinese radio instead of some knock off cheap Chinese radio.

[@LatitudeSky]

There aren't really knockoffs for these. They're already under $30 for a real one. There's not enough margin left for someone to make a knockoff of that. Buy from Amazon or Ebay or AliExpress if you dare, or from a sponsor. There are companies in the US that import them and do setup and various value-added stuff to offer US-based support. You'll pay extra for those radios but you do get what you pay for.

[@olegig5166]

I'm bettin the FCC doesn't give a rip, however the manufacturers do. They get to sell two radios.

[@ElaineMomNC]

My latest unlocked radio is my Wouxun KG-Q10H quad band ham radio. It now does GMRS plus MURS. The owner of a wide range GMRS repeater led me to the info.

[@BrianNC81]

Great radio, also does VHF Marine band if you own a boat (never use Marine band on land).

[@wheelchair2120]

FCC says thank you ☺️

[@iffykidmn8170]

@@BrianNC81 Is it legal if in a swimming pool?

[@Gpurscreepers]

Will you get fined by the FCC if you blink while recording a YT video?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Blinking is only for weak minded humans!

[@tetelestai1]

You could sell your voice profile to Elon Musk, so he can use it as his new AI robot voice...:)

[@idahoron]

These unlocked radios are GHOST RADIO's There might be government crack down on Ghost Radio's. 😂😂😂😂 My Boofwang Radio's are in fact Ghost Radio's 😅😂

[@davidkanengieter]

I enjoy CCR, though Fortunate Son is overplayed.

[@craigdavidson2977]

Trust the science!! So on and so such.

[@charlesartificer2158]

CCR, so you dislike credence Clearwater Revival? Bro I thought you liked good music 😂

[@cliffandrews]

I love my Baofeng, but I love Jesus more !

[@brucel399]

Put a Candle in the Window, right next to my UV-5R....

[@Crushbandicoot-wv8xb]

I really want one of these radios but my family is Jewish and I’m not allowed to have pork

[@Adamdaj]

Hi Mr. Randy, good video. Looking back now, I've had several radios that were unlocked or Jail Break as some use this term. OTOH, if one knows what he or she is doing jail breaking a radio, I don't really see a problem. As long as he or she understands where they can and can't tread.

[@P01ntman2]

Love the Radios going off and blinking in the back !!

[@xaerothehero]

Wait a minute.. So the more radios you have on your belt at the mall, the bigger number ladies I will get? That sounds great!

[@wrexhammusic]

I have three Baofeng UV-5R and all three of them are unlocked so I can use them to transmit on the PMR446 frequencies. I'm thinking of upgrading to a mobile bass station soon for more power and I'll make sure that's unlocked as well.

[@baggressor1776]

Bass Station?

[@charlesartificer2158]

​@@baggressor1776 bass station probably has more power than a base station 😅

[@3rdpig]

Mmmmm, that's good bass!

[@heatshield]

Bass in your face Not an eight track Gettin' it good to the wood So the people Give you some a dat Reactin' to the fax That I kick and it stick And it stay around Pointin' to the joint, put the Buddha down Goin', goin', gettin' to the roots Ain't givin' it up So turn me loose But then again I got a story That's harder than the hardcore Cost of the holocaust I'm talin' 'bout the one still goin' on I know where I'm from, not dum diddie dum From the base motherland The place of the drum Invaded by the wack diddie wack Fooled the black, left us faded King and chief probably had a big beef Because of dat now I grit my teeth So here's a song to the strong 'Bout a shake of a snake And the smile went along with that Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Kickin' wicked rhymes Like a fortune teller 'Cause the wickedness done by Jack Where everybody at Divided and sold For liquor and the gold Smacked in the back For the other man to mack Now the story that I'm kickin' is gory Little Rock where they be Dockin' this boat No hope I'm shackled Plus gang tackled By the other hand swingin' the rope Wearin' red, white and blue Jack and his crew The guy's authorized beat down for the brown Man to the man, each one so it teach one Born to terrorize sisters and every brother One love who said it I know Whodini sang it But the hater taught hate That's why we gang bang it Beware of the hand When it's comin' from the left I ain't trippin' just watch ya step Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it And I judge everyone, one by the one Look here come the judge Watch it here he come now I can only guess what's happening Years ago he woulda been The ships captain Gettin' me bruised on a cruise What I got to lose, lost all contact Got me layin' on my back Rollin' in my own leftover When I roll over, I roll over in somebody else's Ninety damn days on a slave ship Count 'em fallin' off two, three, four hun'ed at a time Blood in the wood and it's mine I'm chokin' on spit feelin' pain Like my brain bein' chained Still gotta give it what I got But it's hot in the day, cold in the night But I thrive to survive, I pray to God to stay alive Attitude boils up inside And that ain't it (think I'll every quit) Still I pray to get my hands 'round The neck of the man wit' the whip Three months pass, they brand a label on my ass To signify Owned I'm on the microphone Sayin' 1555 How I'm livin' We been livin' here Livin' ain't the word I been givin' Haven't got Classify us in the have-nots Fightin' haves 'Cause it's all about money When it comes to Armageddon Mean I'm getting mine Here I am turn it over Sam 427 to the year Do you understand That's why it's hard For the black to love the land Once again Bass in your face Not an eight track Gettin' it good to the wood So the people Give you some a dat Reactin' to the fax That I kick and it stick And it stay around Pointin' to the joint, put the Buddha down Goin', goin', gettin' to the roots Ain't givin' it up So turn me loose But then again I got a story That's harder than the hardcore Cost of the holocaust I'm talin' 'bout the one still goin' on I know Where I'm from, not dum diddie dum From the base motherland The place of the drum Invaded by the wack diddie wack Fooled the black, left us faded King and chief probably had a big beef Because of dat now I grit my teeth So here's a song to the strong 'Bout a shake of a snake And the smile went along with that Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it Can't truss it

[@london19657]

@@3rdpig Haven't heard that reference for 30 years, thank you.

[@Baasicstuff]

I will not be ignored!

[@MikeEss1000]

Great video thanks. (CCR Great Band. Lighten up Francis!)

[@Radsmachine]

I'm curious. How many takes does it take to say everything without blinking your eyes?

[@johnkaelberer237]

Is that a FCC MRAP at my door ???

[@ChrisHirner]

Unlocked 2 way radio is the only way to go. Unless your using it as a scanner and you havent disabled transmit on public service channels.

[@leroyskalstad5871]

The Xiegu G90 even has an arrow on the circuit board pointing at the diode that can be clipped so even dummies like me can keep out of trouble

[@VincentVader]

I'm here for "some people's" comments.

[@jamespatton2975]

Im a ham, my radios will transmit any place they receive right out of the box ! I’m wondering where you get your info. Of course I had to use my computer to “program” My radios.

[@rolfrobertson6404]

That wall is growing. Outstanding brother. Great video

[@old-timeangler5356]

Very informative, yet love the comical enduedoes 😂😅. Thanks Randy.

[@thomaswashburn3513]

I always thought CCR stood for Creedence Clearwater Revival - Long live John Fogerty!

[@Doodad2]

I love the t shirt!

[@NightHiker72]

My Ear Holes Enjoyed Listening To Your Mouth Hole. Rock On Brother!!

[@Scout75PortableRadio]

John Fogerty might strangle someone with the sleeve of his flannel shirt for calling a Boofwang a "CCR." Not that John has anything against Boofwangs. He's just still ornery from the old record company disputes.

[@FREDGARRISON]

Greetings, have you ever heard Bob And Ray's comedy skit THE SLOW TALKERS OF AMERICA? You seem to almost qualify. Like your presentation though...

[@ItsDaPlumber]

Is it " A unlocked" or "an unlocked". I think its the later and so the grammar police will be after you.

[@gpfmiller1977]

I watched this, and I wanted to post as a PSA. My friend died.... not from boredom, but rather, from a space laser from the FCC that killed him O-N-L-Y after he unlocked his UV5R. I would let you know if it was a GMRS or HAM radio that he unlocked, but, I think they're on to me. I must leave.... NOW. Stay safe my friends.

[@ragheadand420roll]

We all miss wa6rxz Thanks for remembering henry

[@ks1ang670]

My ? is, if he bores you to death, then how can you ask a loved one to push your corpse away from the computer or have a loved one remove your phone from your cold dead hands?

[@KhristosEuangelion]

You can't use a unlocked GRMS radio on ham frequencies.... wait, that implies I have to BUY a radio to specifically operate on ham frequencies... That doesn't sound right... Since you can make your own ham radio from scratch, then repurposing a GRMS radio, provided you are operating w/in specs, is very legal.... Ham radio means you hold the license not the radio

[@JohnnyNoname-q3u]

I made my wife watch this video and she did not die. How do I get a refund.

[@porcupinehatclub1164]

I have an original UV5R that I got before the Lock nazis took over. It can be programmed on Ham, GMRS, MURS and Marine bands. I suppose I should do the right thing and bow down to our radio overlords and destroy it replacing it with a "locked" version. BTW, I am a reformed Ham and licensed GMRS operator.

[@wadetruesdale]

Request: Could you make a video going over some handhelds that can easily be unlocked? Other than UV5r of course. I’m happy with my unlocked Baofeng, but I’d like to explore some more options. Can’t find a whole lot of info online. Keep up the Lords work sir

[@wadetruesdale]

Request: Could you make a video going over some handhelds that can easily be unlocked? Other than UV5r of course. I’m happy with my unlocked Baofeng, but I’d like to explore some more options. Can’t find a whole lot of info online. Keep up the Lords work sir

[@paulblackman4833]

And here I thought CCR stood for Credence Clearwater Revival. I hope that doesn't count as a strike against me.

[@Horus2Osiris]

Your deconfuckulation skills are extraordinary; thanks for sharing!

[@chito89]

I was able to unlock my DB 25-G !! Works great !

[@Jharo888]

I like to carry my GMRS, FRS, 800mhz, 2m and 70cm radios on my belt at all times because FUD activities.... 😂

[@oldmangaming1404]

Don't like the fact you have my Lord and savior in background... WSAW221

[@thenadonation2664]

I call them CCCP radios.

[@jhill4874]

Some how I dorked the transmit capability of my Yaesu FT-60. Instead of buying a new radio, I ordered a new motherboard on EBay for about half the price. Turns out that board came directly from Japan and was, wait for it, unlocked! Whoa! Good thing I'm a law abiding citizen.

[@iggy151]

I've had agents pop out of helicopters, land on my roof, and blast holes through with shaped charges on many different occasions. The dogs been shot, the cats got kicked, they ate my chickens and put me in Gitmo. This has happened over 9000 times. All of this for my unlocked Boofwangs. Fear not my brothers and sisters for those radios have been safely tucked away in the only place they will never find them. Yes, a pair of radios are stashed safely in the old prison pocket. Oh no, they're here again.

[@minionkevin6623]

Hahahaha the video once again did not disappoint! 🤘😆

[@christopherchapman8893]

Wait - No pinned comment yet?! I figured (this) video would have "post-its" on top of "post-its", lol. Are all the "experts" sleeping in today?? 🤔

[@chriscutrara6313]

Jesus Christ is Lord!!!!!!!!

[@johnemmons9087]

Amen and Amen!

[@Possum_Radio]

Amen

[@sanstache2529]

Sure is. And he probably is a hammy.

[@FoxSock]

ramen

[@NRNexxus]

Daddy Raymond?!

[@StanleyPugh]

Mulaphobic! L M A O!!!!!!!! I hold a general and a GMRS. One radio carry 😂 OH Noooooo the black hell of a copter just showed up!!!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! bee boop!

[@danielmcneely1579]

Ok, I’ve avoided getting a permission slip because I’m already on a list or two. I also no longer buy salty rifles, whisper pickles, or freedom seeds online or with a debit card. I do however buy a ton of tinfoil. Now that my heart is no longer troubled, I was pretty sold on the AR-152 fitting my needs. I like the idea of being able to sort of hop around on the frequencies rather than being chained to channels, but still being able to talk to those channels if I need to. Is that crazy talk, or am I making sense?

[@gregorysloat4258]

I think it’s a travesty of KZbin that you don’t already have at least 5 million subscribers. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@johnmichaels4330]

Ccr. Ok thats 5. But i have 14 youtube accounts so ill still be able to use your knowledge for free because you can't ban them all. YouPube found that out over the last few years. 😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@rooster3019]

Mine are unlocked, come and get me.

[@doogsm6013]

I only buy IC certifried (Canuckistan) radios so they have the sticker "certifrying" they are legal!

[@london19657]

I have a complaint. In the thumbnail it says "What is A unlocked radio". Obviously, it should read what is AN unlocked radio. Always an before a word beginning with a vowel. Please pin me ! Always love the videos. Happy St Paddys day, to you and yours.

[@terryjwood]

In my mind I can see GRUMPY CAT saying... "NO!"

[@chrisreid5020]

Finally someone calling out the erroneous grammer of "A" and "AN"

[@usarmyfl1]

On my Baofeng, Unlocking and locking via the Lock symbol locks the keypad from being used while on a certain freq.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

No, it locks the keypad from being used, period.

[@ragheadand420roll]

@@TheNotaRubiconlol

[@tysonc6422]

Thanks for all the content!

[@johnfish1194]

OMG..i want that shirt...GIMMIE!!

[@missionoutdoorsITM]

Ah haa! Gotcha, I watch your videos on my Amazon Fire TV Stick KZbin app. I also have the KZbin app on my smart TV. Also my Baofang is both unlocked and programmed for GMRS channels too! Ha ha ha 😂🤣

[@daytona1212]

I love these "cheap" radios. Most Ham operators in The Netherlands have a Boafeng or Quansheng radio lying around. My Quansheng can transmit APRS, CW, and SSTV, and receives USB/LSB. Great stuff and I can't have enough of them. 😁 Great video, thanks.

[@musicman1eanda]

I'm a teacher and use my UV5Rs on my school frequencies. Why? Well, my school actually just took all the district Motorola radios out of the classrooms, and I want one in case of an emergency. 1 teacher per grade level used to get one, and now nobody does except the school resource officer and the principal and secretaries.

[@kerbalairforce8802]

Awesome! Just keep a printed list of local useful frequencies as well. Could let you stay ahead of the curve on weather emergencies or local traffic. Both could be useful for a teacher.

[@BurninWires]

As always, great vid, enjoy your stuff

[@christophersmith1155]

never say the "C" word. Sad Hams have been converting CB radios to 10 meters for the last 60 years.

[@Marty48034]

The sarcasm is so rich. I won’t die from boredom, but from laughing my face off. Sooooo hilarious.

[@66ECHO]

Your vids are great.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

I know.

[@chrisretired5379]

@@TheNotaRubicon🤣🤣🤣👍👍

[@terryjwood]

@@TheNotaRubicon You and Hans Solo!

[@jdsilvaca]

Do better, by posting a Jeep video with your Not Sad Ham Skills

[@realBkay]

I thought CCR = Creedence Clearwater Revival?

[@WgB5]

And here I thought that MARS referred to amateur short wave users "helping" the military.

[@LatitudeSky]

Because billions in tax dollars still won't produce a viable comm system. Nope. You need somebody who got a whizbang rig at HRO to do comms and save the free world. Nobody else can help. Not even with satellites and HAARP stations and telekinesis, remote viewing and quantum tunneling radio that works faster than light. None of that shit. You need Ralph and his YaesuComWood ready with pad and pencil, as long as it's not when Wheel is on, or after 9PM, because Ralph is done for the night once he takes his meds. But he will get up four or five times to pee and can work contacts for a couple minutes.

[@jamesslick4790]

0:55 ☠I was "unlocked" at that point. (my SOUL is now 100% programmable in "Chirp")

[@ChetWeeds]

It’s means CQCQCQDX…2112 west coast Wavin a hand

[@latergator3367]

I watch your videos with my eyes closed.

[@LeakyCheeks]

Haha he’s not that ugly.

[@thereturn9320]

So what’s your top 3 favorite unlocked radios?

[@DoctorPhobos]

"Confuckulation" Nice! I'm so going to use that.

[@texastyrannyresponseteam794]

I used to use boofwangs to communicate at funeral...