TIDRADIO is no doubt popular thanks to the TD-H3 ham radio and GMRS radios, and aside from antennas and accessories, some may wonder if TIDRADIO offers any other type of radios?
Well, they happen to offer the TIDRADIO TD-M11 Waterproof IP67 FRS Long Range Two Way Radios. Where as TIDRADIO has Ham Radio and a GMRS radio, the TD-M11 is a FRS radio.
These radios come with a handstrap and comes with a rechargeable battery that can be charged via a USB Type-C cable. And also these FRS radios work with the Odmaster App. Install it, pair it via Bluetooth, choose the model and you can modify the parameters.
But because this radio also has a data port on the side, you can also adjust via the TIDRADIO TD-M11 software from their website.
So, the TIDRADIO TD-M11 Waterproof IP67 FRS Long Range Two Way Radios is quite user friendly. It has one PTT button, adjustable volume, backlit LCD screen, battery status indicator, and access to NOAA Weather Scan & Alert.
It’s also waterproof at IP67, so it will do well in rainy weather.
So, before we begin, what is FRS. FRS (Family Service Radio) is what many people would known as your walkie talkie that you can talk to someone. No license needed, use one of the 22 frequencies and have at it.
The FRS is authorized 22 channels in the 462 MHz and 467 MHz range, all of which are shared with General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) which requires an individual license for use. Confused? To avoid any confusion, it’s important to note the differences are Watts and that GMRS requires an FCC license, FRS does not.
On channels 1-7, FRS utilizes 2 watts, GMRS can use 5 watts. Channels 8-14 are 0.5 watts (and is used for close proximity). Channels 15-22, FRS can get up to 2 watts and GMRS gets 50 Watts.
FRS also utilizes narrow banded signals on all channels, GMRS can use wide (except channels 8-14).
And FRS radios has permanent antennas, GMRS radios have interchangeable antennas. So, these are the 22 channels.
1 462.5625
2 462.5875
3 462.6125
4 462.6375
5 462.6625
6 462.6875
7 462.7125
8 467.5625
9 467.5875
10 467.6125
11 467.6375
12 467.6625
13 467.6875
14 467.7125
15 462.5500
16 462.5750
17 462.6000
18 462.6250
19 462.6500
20 462.6750
21 462.7000
22 462.7250
FRS is primarily for families and friends who need to communicate up to 3 miles in open areas. But bare in mind, if you have houses, trees, mountains and obstacles, ideally you will get 0.6-1 mile with an FRS radio.
Also, the radio has 11 NOAA channels (which can be accessed by holding the channel selector bottom button for more than five seconds) but remember that due to the small antenna, it may not be strong enough to pickup the NOAA weather channel in lower areas, so you would have to hold the radio higher to listen to it. But it does work.
You can also use the built-in VOX if you need to free your hands and not hold the device and have it strapped on your wrist.
Last but not least, it also comes with a belt clip.
But for the most part, these are good FRS radios. I was able to hear the reception very well on my GRMS radios and vice versa. I do like the ease of the radios as well.
But for those who are wondering if this is great for survivalist SHFT, for communications with family members under a mile is ideal for FRS but GMRS radios are much better because you can change the antenna for coverage, have better power (granted, you pay $35 for ten years which covers your household for GMRS). GMRS offers much power and more bang for your buck.
FRS is free for families to use, and no test or license required. Granted, it’s important for people to remember that you are communication on a public channel, so other people can hear your conversations.
Overall, for $39, you get two very good radios but it’s a competitive market and you may want to do your due diligence before buying, as others may offer more such as a flashlight and SOS function for a similar pricepoint.
The TIDRADIO TD-M11 Waterproof IP67 FRS Long Range Two Way Radios are recommended!
