Every household should have at least one pair of the retail store GMRS/FRS “Bubble Pack” radios and here’s why:
1) They’re easy to use, meaning that almost everyone can pick one up and use it without extensive instruction.
2) They’re an inexpensive way to communicate in a neighborhood environment.
3) Due to their price and popularity, a large percentage of the population have them (including the bad guys).

These radios are usually advertised as GMRS/FRS. (General Mobile Radio Service and Family Radio Service) and Cobra, Midland and Motorola seem to dominate the market. Here’s an explanation of the common features found on these radios
The last 6 features (in bolded italics) are what I consider to be the most valuable.

22 Channels:
This actually means 22 actual frequencies. For some reason when a radio is mass-marketed, the frequencies are numbered and designated as “channels”. Out of those 22 channels, only 8 of them are truly GMRS frequencies.
On Midland and Motorola radios the channels 15-22 are true GMRS. You may actually hear commercial traffic here. as higher powered GMRS users will use these frequencies for repeaters. Bubble Pack radios cannot be used on repeaters at this time. They are not repeater capable

The remaining channels are divided as follows:
Channels 8-14 are FRS-only frequencies  and will be programmed at low power per FCC rules.
Channels 1-7 are shared FRS/GMRS frequencies, mainly designated for family use and will be programmed at the radio’s maximum power or the user can usually reduce power if wanted.

CTCSS, DCS and Privacy Codes
This is one of the features that the mfgrs advertise the most and is most confusing to the consumer. Many claim 142 or more channels, this is misleading. What this feature does is set YOUR radio to filter all the incoming signals that aren’t using a specific code. This is handy in a crowded setting like malls, campgrounds etc where another group may be using your frequency but your group doesn’t want to hear them. ALL the codes are standard and numbered but they may be arranged differently by the different mfgrs. Midland and Motorola use the same numbering system but Cobra has rearranged some of the numbers. The code is actually a tone that acts like a key to access YOUR radio.

Note: recently I’ve seen 2 mfgrs offer a limited supply of their radios with “Voice Scrambling”.
Scrambling is different than the privacy codes because it is a proprietary process. Each mfgr uses a slighty different method of scrambling and they are or were being marketed prior to FCC approval. The FCC has definitely frowned on this in the past and I truly believe that these radios will be pulled from the market.  It’s a very unusual feature that I think could come in handy so if you get the chance to buy a set I’d do it. (Midland GXT900, shown below)

VOX
This allows hands-free operation of your radio.
Basicly, the radio keys up and transmits when it hears a noise. It’s a good feature for baby monitoring but can be frustrating since it’s hard to use without practice. The first few words are often not transmitted or the radio keys up when there is other noise in the background.

Roger Beep
Roger beep is simply a “beep” that sounds when you un-key the microphone to indicate to the other person that you have finished your transmission. Personally, I think this feature is very annoying. The sound could give away your location if you’re trying not to be noticed, I usually disable it.

Group Modes
This feature is fairly new and allows “direct calling” to a specific radio by using ID codes and group codes. I’ve never used it, it seems like a nice feature but be careful of the ring tones, they’re loud.

NOAA Weather Monitoring………Most of the newer GMRS/FRS radios have the ability to monitor the NOAA weather channels. It’s a fantastic feature to have.

Batteries
The number of batteries required is very important. The more batteries the better. This means the radio has more available power to operate, and/or will operate longer on a set of batteries. Motorola uses 3 AA and Midland GXT uses 4 AA, both of these radios advertise a range of 10 miles or more. Older Cobra radios use 8 AA batteries and advertised 2 miles.  Some radios use AAA batteries, you might want to pick a radio that uses the same batteries that you keep in storage.

SCAN
Very handy feature. I see this as a must have in my radios. Like I said before, these are very popular and I do believe that bad guys can, and will, be using these radios. Having one scanning during the bad times could alert you to something going on nearby.

External Speaker Mic
Another must have, IMO.  In fact, I always check to be sure that a speaker microphone is available for the radio before you buy it. This will allow you to anchor the radio to your belt or vest with the antenna vertically positioned and allow you to keep the speaker in or near your ear so the volume can be reduced.

Keypad Lock
Very nice feature, especially if you have some folks in your group that like to fiddle with things. This keeps the radio settings from being accidently changed.

High/Low Power settings……..Very nice feature to extend battery life and limit your transmission range if necessary.

Antenna Length
This is IMO the most important thing to consider in purchasing a Bubble-Pack radio. The actual minimum antenna length required at the GMRS/FRS frequencies is 6 inches (approx). You’ll notice that many of these bubble-pack radios have antennas that are barely 2 inches tall. There is absolutely no way to make an efficient GMRS antenna that is only 2 inches tall. The manufacturers are simply making the radio less prone to antenna breakage by shortening the antenna, so look for the radio with the longest antenna.

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So to sum it up:
1) Most radios have 22 specific frequencies, numbered as channels.
2) All radios have the same channels and privacy codes but they may be arranged differently by mfgr.
3) All radios use some low power FRS channels. Memorize which ones they are. You won’t get the radio’s full range when you use an FRS specific channel.
4) Antenna length is very important, short is bad. Try to find a radio with the longest antenna possible.
5) The more batteries the better.
6) Voice scrambling is great, but I don’t see it getting past the FCC, so get ‘em while you can.
7) 142 Privacy codes does not mean you have 142 channels.

The transmit range of the current bubble pack radios is 2 miles max at ground level in average wooded terrain and much less in dense urban settings or hilly areas. I’ve heard about some getting outstanding distance in flat unobstructed areas (Iraq) but that is an exception.

As always, no matter which equipment you decide to get: learn how to use it and use it regularly.

UPDATE: Click HERE for our Midland GXT GMRS Radio Review

Justus