5 Watt Radio Information

5 Watt Radio User Manual

Check out the 5 Watt Radio User Manual linked here for more detailed information.

Recommended sports for the 5 Watt Radio

Each of our radios is purpose-built for specific backcountry sports. Determining the optimal radio for you will depend on your activities of choice, as well as personal preferences. Check out our Recommendations by Sport chart to see our team’s detai

What is the range of the 5 Watt Radio?

Watch our Range Testing video here.True to its name, the 5 Watt Radio transmits the highest GMRS power (5-watts) permitted under FCC regulations. The max range is over 35 miles, however, 2 to 8 miles is typical in backcountry terrain. Urban environme

What is the battery life of the 5 Watt Radio?

The 5 Watt Radio has a rechargeable and removeable Lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 1800 mAhrs.Battery life is dependent on how frequently the radio transmits and receives. With normal usage, the battery can be expected to last 5 days (assuming

Do I need a license to use the 5 Watt Radio?

The FCC does require a license to use GMRS radios. Getting a GMRS license is a quick and easy process. Simply apply online, pay the $35 fee, and enjoy your GMRS license for 10 years. Only one license is necessary per family (including grandparents, p

How waterproof is the 5 Watt Radio?

The 5 Watt Radio was not only designed to be waterproof, but to continue to function reliably while in the wettest conditions. The IP67 waterproof rating protects the electronics from damage up to 1 meter submersion. The radio was also designed with

What chargers can I use with the 5 Watt Radio?

The 5 Watt Radio is compatible with nearly all USB-C charger adapters! A USB-A to USB-C charging cable is included with every radio. You can use charging adapters from your other devices such as: phone or laptop chargers, power banks, solar chargers,

Can I use a headset or external mic with the 5 Watt Radio?

We now offer our Waterproof Hand Mic as an attachment for the 5 Watt Radio. The radio has a standard waterproof M3 type port and can also be paired with most other M3 type headsets and external mics. You can also use radios like the Motorola® EX500™

How can I use a repeater?

In addition to the 22 channels on your 5 Watt Radio, it includes the 8 standard GMRS repeater channels.These 8 repeater channels are hidden from your channel list by default. To access repeater channels, follow these steps:. Repeaters will either be

Can I listen to NOAA weather channels?

Yes! The 5 Watt Radio has access to 11 NOAA weather channels. You can view active NOAA weather channels in your area using the National Weather Service website. From there, you can easily cross-reference those frequencies with the table on page 25 of

Is the 5 Watt Radio programmable?

As a GMRS radio, per FCC regulations, the 5 Watt Radio is not programmable and is limited to the 22 designated FRS \ GMRS frequencies (between 462 and 467 MHz).

Does the 5 Watt Radio have VOX?

Our team tested VOX (voice activation) extensively (both when developing the radio and testing other radio brands), but were unable to achieve a level of reliability that we thought was needed for backcountry communication. Oftentimes VOX will be act

What frequencies does the 5 Watt Radio transmit and receive on?

The 5 Watt Radio transmits on the standard 22 GMRS frequencies which range from 462 to 467 MHz and are shared with FRS radios. These frequencies are part of the Ultra High Frequency band (UHF). See the 5 Watt User Manual's Channel Settings section fo

Is the antenna removable on the 5 Watt Radio?

Yes! As a GMRS radio, the 5 Watt Radio's antenna is permitted to be removeable and replaced.The radio comes with both a compact, high-performance 7.5cm antenna (1/4 wavelength, 50 Ω, SMA male) and a 17cm Antenna option (2.15 dBi gain). While the incl

How do I replace my 5 Watt Radio battery?

Your radio is designed to be recharged via USB-C in the field. That way, you can use one universal power bank or solar charger to recharge all of your electronics! If you need to remove your battery for any other reason, check out the following steps

Does the 5 Watt Radio have a roger beep?

The 5 Watt Radio does not have a traditional roger beep or squelch tail punctuating the end of a transmission. Instead our team opted to include a TX Beep function that plays only for the transmitter, so that you can hear when you fully depress and i

Which antenna is right for me?

With three antennas available for our 5 Watt Radio, choosing the best antenna for an activity will depend on a few factors. Range is highly dependent on terrain and the nature of your activity may dictate how long the antenna can be. If your activity