Greetings and thank you for the information on this site. As a novice it can be overwhelming at times, but very interesting.
Had a question as I have narrowed down a handheld device for usage in my vehicle that suits my needs-
2 way radio/ scanner: BTECH GMRS V2.
Thoughts on this device?
Is there an antenna that is compatible to extend range for a vehicle?
Anything else I am missing?
Thanks!
This handheld, like many handhelds, can be connected to any external GMRS antenna with an appropriate SMC to SO239 adapter. I don’t know whether it needs an SMC-M or SMC-F at the radio side. You can buy a two pack, one of each, for like $12 on Amazon, though. Many radios would need SMC-F to SO-239, where the SMC-F side of the adapter connects to the SMC-M antenna port on the radio. And the SO-239 side of the adapter connects to the PL259 connector on the antenna’s feed line. But for some radios the adapter needs to be SMC-M (older Baofengs, for example). I’ve never regretted having both adapters.
The device is a perfectly capable handheld GMRS radio. It can handle simplex (radio to radio) and repeaters, as most GMRS radios can do (with very few exceptions that don’t offer repeater capability). You should be satisfied with it. Use it as a starting point, where eventually you might want an installed mobile radio in your vehicle.
This is a key piece of advice in my experience. Somewhere down the road and depending on your eventual developed radio nerdom, you may very well find another radio you think will suit your needs better. And then another, and then another.
The BTech is a good starter radio that will do pretty much everything the others do. It may do everything so well for you that it is your last radio. Using it will let you learn more about GMRS and where you want to go from there. You may want two radios so you can use them with family or friends which will allow you to learn even more. My wife now has her own GMRS radio and we use them whenever the need arises.
What ever you decide, try to have fun with it. Oh, and welcome to the forum.
Thank you! I really appreciate your detailed response and advice! Definitely a learning interest, which I think I will find rewarding!
I will have to read up on what you state as some aspects. I am not familiar with. I appreciate your detailed response and thank you.