GMRS vs CB radio for emergencies

CB radio in the US needs no individual license. You need an FCC license to transmit on GMRS. It requires no exam, lasts ten years and covers family members. You must be at least 18 years old and you apply online through the FCC's license system and pay a fee.

From the rules the two services differ in channel count and power. The Midland MXT575 on our shortlist is a 50-watt GMRS mobile radio. The Midland MXT275 is its 15-watt sibling.

• CB: 40 channels between 26.965 and 27.405 MHz
• CB: up to 4 watts carrier power on AM and 12 watts peak envelope power on SSB
• GMRS: 22 channels that share their numbers with FRS, plus 8 repeater input channels on 467 MHz
• GMRS: mobile, base and repeater stations may use up to 50 watts on channels 15 to 22
• GMRS: channels 1 to 7 are limited to 5 watts ERP
• GMRS: channels 8 to 14 are limited to 0.5 watt ERP

Walkie talkies send their signal directly from one radio to another. They do not need a cell network. GMRS repeaters receive on 467 MHz and retransmit on 462 MHz. That extends the range between radios. The real range of GMRS and FRS radios depends on terrain, obstructions and the type of station.

Range figures printed by makers are maximums under ideal conditions. Midland claims 75 miles max for the Midland MXT575 and lists 20 to 25 miles as ideal. For the Midland MXT275 the claim is 50 miles max with 10 to 15 miles as ideal.

Some walkie talkies receive NOAA weather channels and can sound an alert for a warning. The Midland MXT575 lists NOAA Weather Scan and Alert. The Midland GXT3000VP4 handheld 2-pack has 10 NOAA weather channels with alert and runs on a Li-ion pack or 3 AA batteries.