Midland G-30 GMRS 2-Way Radio w/ Charger

Rating:
Summary: Works well --mostly...
Review: Overall, I think this is a pretty good product. I have gotten over a 5 mile range over an unobstructed distance (mountain top to a cabin over 5 miles away). The charging time is very fast too. The included NiMh (no memory rechargeable) batteries are great.

The only problem I have had with the radios is that the Preferred Channel Scan (PS=on) renders the radios unreliable. This function is intended to allow you to set the radios on one channel and have them monitor (and receive) another channel in the background. If you turn this feature on, the radios will not consistently communicate. They will work about 60% of the time. Sometimes the green LED on the receiving radio blinks when the transmitting radio is trying to talk, but no sound comes out. The problem is that the person trying to talk has no idea they are not being heard! The manual says this (the blinking green LED) is because the CTCSS (sub channel) is wrong, but it is not actually the problem. I am working with Midland tech support to get it fixed, but they have been pretty slow with their response.

My main point is this: I think this radio is a good value and works quite well. The range is very good outdoors and the charger and NiMh battery combination is very convenient. Don't use the Preferred Channel Scan, though. You won't be happy if you enable this feature. Hopefully they will fix this feature so it works properly.

Now that I know about the problem, I am having good results with these radios.

Rating:
Summary: Works well --mostly...
Review: Overall, I think this is a pretty good product. I have gotten over a 5 mile range over an unobstructed distance (mountain top to a cabin over 5 miles away). The charging time is very fast too. The included NiMh (no memory rechargeable) batteries are great.

The only problem I have had with the radios is that the Preferred Channel Scan (PS=on) renders the radios unreliable. This function is intended to allow you to set the radios on one channel and have them monitor (and receive) another channel in the background. If you turn this feature on, the radios will not consistently communicate. They will work about 60% of the time. Sometimes the green LED on the receiving radio blinks when the transmitting radio is trying to talk, but no sound comes out. The problem is that the person trying to talk has no idea they are not being heard! The manual says this (the blinking green LED) is because the CTCSS (sub channel) is wrong, but it is not actually the problem. I am working with Midland tech support to get it fixed, but they have been pretty slow with their response.

My main point is this: I think this radio is a good value and works quite well. The range is very good outdoors and the charger and NiMh battery combination is very convenient. Don't use the Preferred Channel Scan, though. You won't be happy if you enable this feature. Hopefully they will fix this feature so it works properly.

Now that I know about the problem, I am having good results with these radios.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful
Review: Powerful!

The G30 makes all FRS radios look like kids walkie talkies. The G30 gives you over 2 times the distance than FRS. I’m sure you will get up to 5 miles in the country but expect ½ -1 1/2 miles in a crowded city suburb. That is normal because of obstacles like houses and trees. My old FRS radios would only work up to ¼ of a mile from my house as compared to the G30 that works ¾ of a mile from my house.

The detachable antenna is great if you want to add an antenna on top of your house to increase distance around your neighborhood or add a longer antenna for travel.

The 8 hour battery is rated at 5%talk / 5%receive / 90%standby time. If you do more talking/receiving then of course the battery life will be shortened. That formula is pretty much the standard for determining battery life. Recharge time is 90 minutes in a drop in charger. I wish the G30 would have a “roger beep” but I believe power is more important than features.

DON’T FORGET YOUR FCC LICENSE ON THE G30!

Rating:
Summary: MIDLAND G-30 NOT TOO BAD
Review: These radios work very well for me. They are small and easy to carry. The clarity is very good. The batteries last longer than advertised based on my usage. I have been able to get about 3.5 miles in the country. Probably could get a lot more under ideal conditions. They work very well inside retail stores. The belt clip could be a lot better. It needs to be a spring hinge like most pagers..

I like the radios very much..