FRS-GMRS Radio Review

Baofeng MP31
Handheld GMRS Radio

Price (when reviewed)
$24.50 a pair

Available from
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BG2RS2D3

Reviewed by
Kenton Andersen
(10/21/24)

Summary: Baofeng’s easiest-to-use and least-expensive handheld. It transmits and receives all 22 FRS-GMRS channels. Ready for WCMC tours right out of the box. The configuration for WCMC autocross requires an additional cable and free Windows software.

Features:

Waterproof to IP54 (dripping, spraying, splashing, but not immersion).

Lithium-ion battery, rechargeable via any USB-C cable.

Removable stubby antenna, can also connect to a car-mounted antenna.

2 watts transmit power on channels 1-7 and 15-22, 0.5 watts on 8-14.

No keypad, no display. LED is green when receiving, red for transmitting.

Includes charger, cable (2 USB-C ends), 2 earpieces, 2 belt clips, 2 lanyards. (packaging varies)

Report: It was easy to charge the batteries. Hardly needed the included user manual. Turned the power/volume knob, and the British-Chinese voice said “power on … two” meaning channel 2. Pressed the “channel up” button until it said “five”. Turned it off, then on, and it stayed on the prior channel.

We used the radios on an after-breakfast (suburban) tour and on the Fall Color Tour with good results.

Pros: Simple and inexpensive.

Transmit button is easy to press, even with an arthritic thumb.

Clear speaker output when in signal range.

Should be safe to use in a rain shower.

Battery can be charged from an in-car USB-C cable, even while the radio is on.

Cons: The channel change buttons are easy to press, and there is no way to lock them out.

The transmit power (2 watts max) is weaker than most GMRS radios; it is only as strong as an FRS radio. Only the detachable antenna keeps it from being sold as an FRS radio.

Currently sold only in packages of 2 or more radios.