I have a friend looking to buy a ham radio that is already modded to also handle GMRS. Please advise if you know of someone that sells radios that are already modded. Or if you know someone that will mod a radio to do this.
https://myoffroadradio.com/shop/mars-mod/
And now the disclaimer...
MARS modifications enable out-of-band transmit capabilities on the subject radio. If you are an authorized MARS-affiliated operator, and utilize the expanded transmit capabilities per that authorization in the course of performing MARS activations, you are fine. If you are not, and transmit out of the amateur bands (such as licensed by rule like FRS/GMRS and type certification like Part 90 for Land Mobile Radio), you are in violation of the FCC rule…
Let friend know not to broadcast that he's using a modded radio over the airways.
Gigiparts also offers units with the MARS mod
[URL]https://www.gigaparts.com/[/URL]
Gigiparts also offers units with the MARS mod
https://www.gigaparts.com/
This radio will transmit GMRS frequencies out of the box. I mounted one in my Sprinter because I didn't want multiple radios. Works fine.
View attachment 437041
BTECH UV-50X2
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XK83VRV/?tag=wranglerorg-20
I did the mod in my Kenwood TM-V71a which was a very popular radio (out of production) so there are plenty of tutorials. There are several online tutorials that detail the prices. I found it very easy to complete but like Jerry a due to the size of the component I was little nervous about screwing up the radio. Long story short it works.
Ham Radio outlet is local to me so I can eyeball a radio before buying it will let you add the mod as at an additional cost. However, if standalone GMRS that you are looking for, this is not the place to go.
I think the trick is finding a good antenna that will cover all the bases at least well enough to avoid any radio damage. I have not been able to find an antenna that is a good compromise across the 2m, 70cm and FRS/GMRS. I read good things about a Comet 2x4SR antenna and tried that. I checked the SWR across all three bands. If I remember correctly, the 2m and 440mhz bands were in the 1.2ish range but the FRS/GMRS band spiked into the 3+ range. I don’t think there is an issue with my mount (Teraflex mount in drivers tail light and Breedlove NMO base). I lost interest in the project a while back before getting the antenna properly tuned or finding one that will work for my situation.
Any thoughts on antenna?
Comet SBB-7,NMO its a very large hi-gain antenna, but it's absolutely fabulous and takes a beating.
Good SWR across 2M, 440, and GMRS
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F446BYU/?tag=wranglerorg-20You may have to modify the bracket that holds the antenna. Be sure you have good metal-to-metal contact for the ground plane/circuit
Use this to analyze SWR across all radio bands
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08H4NFZZ2/?tag=wranglerorg-20https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XPDWBPR/?tag=wranglerorg-20https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083WDV529/?tag=wranglerorg-20