FRS/GMRS 2-way radios

[Slickone]

I was looking at Uniden's newer line of 2-way radios yesterday at Target and noticed the 6 & 8 mile models don't even tell what band they operate on. Do they assume you should know that right now only GMRS can operate at enough power to reach that far, are they trying to pull a fast one by not telling you you need a GMRS license to get that distance until after you've bought it, or is it just a mistake?

Is it to the point now that there are so many GMRS radios that have been sold to regular people that are using them without licenses that the mfg's dont even think you need to worry about which one you're buying (FRS or GMRS), besides the very small disclaimer on the back that GRMS requires a license (but they dont say if the model is GRMS only or FRS/GMRS)?

The 2-3 mile models do say FRS/GMRS very clearly on the front where it lists the features.

Do they intentionally make the 5-8 mile GRMS radios bigger, thinking they're for business use so people aren't worried about size, whereas some of the 2 mile radios are beeper size (anyone remember these?). Or has the technology just not allowed the possibility of smaller 5-8 mile radios yet?

 

[dman]

I dunno, but, I purchased some 5mile radios from walmart on clearance, I still have one unopened package I plan to sell eventually.

Shortly thereafter I noticed the 7-8Mile models came out. I imagine they are the same band just more efficient transmitpower wise, or go right up to the limits of what the FCC allows. Eitherway, I don't think it makes the 5mile models obsolete, but, ICBW.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

More powerful transmitters and better recievers, and that includes the antenna. Better filtering also helps. My dad got two sets of Motorolla radios that came with a set of 5 and a set of 2 mile radios in one package. So he now has 8 radios.

 

[Slickone]

Note that I wasn't asking how they get the 7-8 capability.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

How they get the 5+ mile range is why it's larger.

 

[Slickone]

No offense but, you're not guessing, correct?

More components, bigger components?

 

[Demon-Xanth]

I work with an RF range circuitry. Inductors, multistage filtering, and higher performance transformers are larger. Shielding takes up alot of space as well.