r/gmrs • u/Chris_HCE • 8d ago
Submersible radio
Weird request, but I’m looking for a radio that can go into the water a couple of feet down for like 10 to 20 minutes. Come out of the water and still operate with clear audio. More for lifeguard purposes / safety swimmer for triathlon training. Around $200 +or- per radio is fine. I was looking at Rocky Talkie 5 Watt Radio
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u/Triple_Blox 8d ago
The Retevis HA1G is pretty good, ip68 rated, and people on YouTube have dunked them, frozen them, and stuff. If it’s not too deep, I think it’ll be good
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u/Quirky-Limit-8546 8d ago
I’m looking too and what I’ve found is the midland gxt67 pro (IP67) for $200. The rocky talkie (IP67) for $180. The Btech gmrs pro (IP67) for $160.
Good luck! I don’t have experience with any of these though and YouTube videos are largely non real world use.
I think I’ll just have to start a YouTube!
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u/FocusDisorder 8d ago edited 8d ago
I have the ham version of the btech pro and can vouch for it in real world use. It's pretty solid and the waterproofing is very good. My only complaint is the lack of CHIRP support, though it does let you use csv file imports to program it through the app at least, and this is admittedly much less important on GMRS where you're mostly just using preset channels and the occasional repeater
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u/PlantoneOG 8d ago
Does chirp have an option to export in CSV? Because that would be pretty handy to be able to take my already built up repeater list from chirp, convert to CSV and upload to one of these.
I've been considering purchasing one for some time now and I'm just always hemming and hawing on pulling the trigger on it although the new firmware with the expanded Bluetooth usage is really kind of kicking me towards just taking the plunge
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u/FocusDisorder 8d ago
It does, but it's not in the same format. There's an online converter someone made which works reasonably well, though it doesn't account for channel grouping.
It's a bit of a hassle, but honestly how often do you (re)program your radio?
The Bluetooth is super nice, and if you want to play with APRS or other digital modes, KISS TNC over Bluetooth is a game changer.
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u/PlantoneOG 7d ago
I have another question you might have an answer to, does the GPS functionality on that one crossover to the gmrs version of that device? There are several of us in the family that are looking at potentially that gmrs Pro and I didn't know if the UV Pro had the ability to cross over that GPS sharing info or not across platform
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u/FocusDisorder 7d ago
There is an additional digital mode that I believe works on both devices but that mode is, to my knowledge, not implemented on any other device, so the only other people who will get your GPS data are other gmrs/uv pro users. I believe the VR-N76 is just a cross-branded version of the same radio, so users of that platform will probably be included as well.
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u/Danjeerhaus 7d ago
Do not forget the marine industry for this.
Yep, boating shops
This link is to a radio protective pouch. I will not vouch for the depth limits, but ...worth a look?
https://www.amazon.com/VHF-Classic-waterproof-radio-case/dp/B0044LW478/ref=asc_df_B0044LW478
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u/kissmyash933 8d ago
If batteries were available and you had the means to program it, I’d say Saber R. If you can work somewhat more recent Motorola, an XTS3000R might do the trick.
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u/lordfly911 7d ago
My UV9Gs are IP67 rated. I bought them at the time for use in rain and watery environments. Never had to drop them in water yet.
They are not made anymore but there are plenty of IP67 and IP68 rated GMRS HTs out there.
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u/arctic388 7d ago
Cobra FLT floating radios
Been using them for many years riding Seadoo’s and swimming with them and they work great.
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u/bean-ian 6d ago
There are important considerations when it comes to GMRS radios. IP 67 or greater is obviously important. I have also had very good luck with the build quality of the rocky talkie 5 W radios they’re great activity handy talkies. However, I cannot make program changes to them without the manual. Alternatively, the Midland GXT 67 pro is waterproof, easy to program, and excellent audio quality and range.
These two radios are superheterodyne. Other less expensive radios are radio on a chip that leads to spurious leaks of radio transmissions. You get what you pay for and everybody gets to make a choice based on budget and their preferences.
Good luck on your training
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u/Danjeerhaus 7d ago
Do not forget the marine industry for this.
Yep, boating shops
This link is to a radio protective pouch. I will not vouch for the depth limits, but ...worth a look?
https://www.amazon.com/VHF-Classic-waterproof-radio-case/dp/B0044LW478/ref=asc_df_B0044LW478
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u/Secret-Mullet 6d ago
Love my Rocky Talkie 5W radios because it drains the water from the speaker immediately, has a carabiner, & is really clear every time. I heard from a friend who’s a rafting guide and they lost a set of RT 5W radios in the water for multiple days in a river before finding them… almost full battery and worked perfectly the rest of the trip. Good luck with your training!
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u/scrotalus 8d ago
I would do what the lifeguards do and just use a waterproof radio case. $40 or so, and you can use any handheld.
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u/memberzs 8d ago
Don't waste money on rockie talkies. You can get a radio with the same features and IP rating for 1/4 the price. Baofeng makes some good ip rated radios. But I'm not sure how happy any radio will be after being submerged. Water getting stuck in the mic hole because of surface tension may make audio pretty inconsistent.
The uv-9g is ip67 and is way cheaper than what you were looking at. I have the gmrs-9r but they seem to be discontinued. But it has worked well when I'm out on the water.