Midland Water Resistant 2-Way 50-Channel GMRS Radio (Pair) with 284 Privacy Codes, SOS Siren, Whisper Mode, NOAA Weather Alert, Black

2013-10-07T21:00:00

I did my research & I found: 1) Forget the 36 miles: Technically they're not lying, supposedly these units reach 36 miles BUT in the best possible scenario, that is NO obstructions (building, mountains, hills, dense vegetation, etc) So 36 miles should be only when you're been transmitting from top of a mountain & your partner is on another top of mountain) or in open waters. 2) For city use, expect 3/4 of a mile to a 1.5 miles depending environments. 3) Some Midland batteries have issues (they disconnect and or behave erratically (showing low bat) even been full charged. DO NOT SEND BACK YOUR UNITS, just the batteries, as units (go and run a check) WORKS FINE with AA batteries. 4) READ YOUR MANUAL Identify with channels are Family Radio Service (FRS) and General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). In plain English for maximum reach you'll need an FCC license for GMRS use. (just google for FCC 605 Main Form) The license is $85 for 5 years and 1 license covers all your family member for using these units. (In case of emergency anyone can operate, licensed or not) RESPECT THE USE OF FREQUENCIES, I don't know how FCC enforce the law, but keep in mind that the use of these frequencies CAN SAVE LIVES. Hope this humble review helps you decide and inform as many users comments helped me in the past. October 8th Update: Awaiting battery replacements (as I sent my defect ones to midland couple of weeks ago). I read other reviews that they might send back defected batteries back to people (contacts cleaned...) I hope it would be no my case. Apparently new "fixed" batteries are coming from China and that would take some months...

RAFAEL I.