Two Way Radios not actually 5W output?

FRS / GMRS Radios
1

So I got a response to an email i sent over to uniden (which is shown below) about their radios. Is what this guy is saying, true? I see the Midland GXT5000 radio is quoted at 5W and same with some Uniden products. Does anyone know if the midland and uniden brands have 5 watt output from antenna?

I am by far not an expert but doesn’t it not make sense that if you draw 5 watt from the battery your going to get roughly 5 watt output on the antenna? maybe there are other factors that don’t let 5 watt output from the antenna that i don’t know about…or maybe this guy isn’t correct?

Can somebody verify this information?

Dear Mr. Scott,

On all radios, channels 7-14 are limited to .5W max. You can find the actual measured power by looking up the FCC report for the model (you’ll need to know the FCC ID number for the radio you want to look up) by going to: http://transition.fcc.gov/oet/ea/fccid/

In general, all GMRS/FRS radios are limited to no more than about 3W ERP (actual radiated power) due to safety limits. Some manufacturers quote a 5W or higher measurement, but this is a measurement of the power coming out of the battery during transmit, not the power coming out of the antenna (i.e. the actual useful power).

Thank you for choosing Uniden!

2

You need to go to the FCC website and look up the FCC ID number. The grant of authorization will show the power output.

Also, FRS is regulated to be only .5 watt. That is why those FRS-only frequencies have reduced power output. You can only use the low power channels unless you have a GMRS license to use all of them.

3

They also quote outrageous range predictions. Check out a commercial site that sells Motorola, Icom, Vertex, etc. and see how much their “true” 5 watt radios cost. Do you think the $49 FRS radio is really the same? Don’t expect too much from a cheap radio and you won’t be disappointed.

4

It is virtually impossible to find those numbers bc aren’t they on the back with the battery?..anyone know what the 2 numbers are for the gxt5000?