Baofeng GMRS-9R
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| Frequency | TX: 462.5500-467.7250 MHz (GMRS), RX: VHF + UHF scanner channels (87 programmable RX-only channels), NOAA weather: 11 channels with weather scan and alert |
| Bands | GMRS (TX) + VHF/UHF scanner (RX only) + NOAA weather |
| TX power | 0.5 / 5 W (0.5 W low / 5 W high. Part 95E power limits are per channel, not per radio: 50 W on the main and repeater channels, 5 W ERP on the 462 MHz interstitials, 0.5 W on the 467 MHz interstitials. 5 W is the practical handheld class; treat '8 W' GMRS marketing as a red flag.) |
| Modes | FM |
| Battery | Li-ion 2800mAh / 7.4V |
| Weight | 280 g (9.9 oz) - Approximate ~280g with battery (typical for IP67 Baofeng-platform handhelds). |
| Connector | SMA-Male on the radio body - takes SMA-Female antennas (deep waterproof well - use long-collar 9R-series antennas) |
| Year | 2022 |
| antenna | SMA-Male on the radio body - takes SMA-Female antennas (deep waterproof well - use long-collar 9R-series antennas) |
| accessory | Kenwood K1 style jack (speaker mic, earpiece) |
| programming | 328 Moto-Jack (programming cable, waterproof screw cap) |
| power req | BL-9 2800 mAh 7.4V Li-ion. Desktop charger with AC adapter included. |
Estimated (unverified): GMRS Part 95E handheld - a GMRS license is required; the 467 MHz interstitial channels are capped at 0.5 W and the 462 interstitials at 5 W ERP - '8 W' GMRS marketing is a red flag. IP67 (dust-tight, brief submersion). ~2800 mAh Li-ion battery (the 1800 mAh figure belongs to the UV-9G sibling). Some users report weak RX sensitivity on individual units.
An inexpensive IP67 waterproof GMRS handheld, fully submersible (1 m/30 min). It has 30 GMRS channels, 11 NOAA weather channels with scan/alert, and 87 scanner channels, and it is repeater capable with DIY repeater channels. The 2800 mAh battery gives good runtime, the SMA-F antenna is removable for upgrades, and it is CHIRP programmable, with 50 CTCSS + 104 DCS. It is among the cheapest waterproof, repeater-capable GMRS radios.
It is a Baofeng: receiver selectivity and intermod rejection are basic. Actual 5 W output may test a bit lower. The FM broadcast radio is removed on newer runs. Keypad programming is confusing (CHIRP recommended). The waterproof screw cap on the programming port can be fiddly. Baofeng support is minimal compared with BTECH. Audio quality is adequate, not great. The BTECH GMRS-V2 is a better radio for modestly more.
A waterproof budget GMRS handheld. The GMRS-9R puts IP67 waterproofing, NOAA weather, repeater capability, and scanner channels into a rock-bottom-priced handheld. For kayakers, hikers, and anyone who needs a GMRS radio that survives rain and submersion, the price is hard to beat. For modestly more, the BTECH GMRS-V2 adds USB-C, dual PTT, and better build quality, though the V2 is only IP54, not IP67.
The Baofeng GMRS-9R is a low-cost GMRS handheld that looks and works much like the company's famous ham radios, but is locked to the General Mobile Radio Service and type-accepted under Part 95E. It transmits on the GMRS channels at up to the legal five watts for a handheld (with a half-watt low setting), supports the repeater channels, and includes NOAA weather plus a scanning receiver. Using it legally requires a GMRS license, the cheap no-test kind that covers your family.
Its headline practical feature is ruggedness: the 9R carries an IP67 rating, meaning it is dust-tight and can survive brief submersion, which is unusual at its price and makes it a favorite for outdoor and trail use. It runs on a sizable rechargeable lithium battery, takes a removable SMA antenna for upgrades, and programs from the keypad or a computer.
It is about as cheap as a real GMRS radio gets, which is the main reason to choose it, but that comes with caveats: build and quality control are basic, and some users report weak receive sensitivity on individual units. For a slightly more polished option on the same license, the BTECH GMRS-V2 is the natural cross-shop, and the GMRS-50X1 covers the 50-watt mobile side.