Welcome to the Car Community Radio Resource Center!
This page is intended for new users to two-way radios in the car community.
If you're looking to learn more on how two-way radios can help your car group communicate instantly and coordinate without the need for cell phone service, you're in the right place!
If you're looking to learn more on how two-way radios can help your car group communicate instantly and coordinate without the need for cell phone service, you're in the right place!
Radios We Recommend
The below radios are radios that we and our customers have personally used and recommend to others.
NOTICE: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases using our affiliate links.
Radtel RT-730 - $59.99 - The Best All Around
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Out of all 3 radios we recommend, this is our favorite in terms of feature set, overall quality, ease of use, speaker output, and battery life.
This is the first time we've seen a budget radio that includes a channel knob!
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Baofeng UV-82 - $59.99 (2 Pack!) - Two For the Price of One
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This is our #2 recommended radio. If you're looking for something a little smaller than the Radtel RT-730, then look no further than the UV-82.
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Baofeng UV-5R - $17.20 - Bare Bones and Budget Friendly
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If you're looking for bare bones, basic functionality at the lowest price, then you need a UV-5R. These radios have been around for years and are mass produced, so they're available at significant discounts.
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Recommended Radio Upgrades and Accessories
While the radios linked above are great, many users benefit from the accessories below that improve their radio experience.
NOTICE: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases using our affiliate links.
External Magnet Mount Antenna - $34.89 - Improve Your Range!
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Spending most of the time on the radio while driving or in a vehicle? Vehicles greatly reduce the range of portable radios, unless you can get your signal outside the vehicle. That's where this quick and easy to deploy magnet mount UHF external antenna comes in! It even includes the RF adapters to connect right to your portable radio, so this is everything you need!
With an external antenna, you can expect more range on both transmit as well as pulling in distant, weak signals from other radio users. |
Improved Portable Radio Antenna - $10.99 - Improve Your Range!
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The stock antennas included with almost every budget radio on the market today are generally not the best quality and will reduce your operating range as well as fail to pull in weaker signals.
A quality, well matched antenna on a radio is as important as quality tires on a performance vehicle. |
Remote Speaker Microphone for Radtel RT-730 - $18.99 - Quickly Respond to Radio Calls!
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Remote Speaker Microphones (RSM), or "lapel microphones" as they are sometimes called, are great if you prefer to not have to reach for your radio and remove it from your belt or clothing waistband to respond to or make a call. They also improve your chances of hearing a radio call in a noisy environment, as you can easily clip the RSM to your shirt or lapel, keeping it close to your ear.
While mobile in a vehicle, you can also leverage an RSM's convenience by clipping it to your seat belt, sun visor, or another in-vehicle surface that keeps your radio within easy reach while driving! IMPORTANT: This RSM is compatible ONLY with the Radtel RT-730, and will NOT work with Baofeng radios! |
Remote Speaker Microphone for Baofeng Radios - $19.95 - Quickly Respond to Radio Calls!
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Remote Speaker Microphones (RSM), or "lapel microphones" as they are sometimes called, are great if you prefer to not have to reach for your radio and remove it from your belt or clothing waistband to respond to or make a call. They also improve your chances of hearing a radio call in a noisy environment, as you can easily clip the RSM to your shirt or lapel, keeping it close to your ear.
While mobile in a vehicle, you can also leverage an RSM's convenience by clipping it to your seat belt, sun visor, or another in-vehicle surface that keeps your radio within easy reach while driving! This RSM is compatible with BOTH Baofeng (UV-5R/82) radios we have linked on our website. |
Extended USB-C Battery for Baofeng UV-5R - $29.99 (2 Pack!) - Extend Your Talking Time!
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The stock battery on the UV-5R is adequate for only a few hours of continuous use. If you're going out for an extended event or group drive, a battery upgrade is a must-have. This listing is for a 2 pack, so you'll have an extra, or split the cost with a friend and give them the second one!
With USB-C charging, you can leave the clunky desktop charger at home and use a USB-C charger you've already got! IMPORTANT: This battery is compatible with UV-5R and other listed radios ONLY! |
Extended USB-C Battery for Baofeng UV-82 - $20.49 - Extend Your Talking Time!
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The stock battery on the UV-82 is adequate for only a few hours of continuous use. If you're going out for an extended event or group drive, a battery upgrade is a must-have.
With USB-C charging, you can leave the clunky desktop charger at home and use a USB-C charger you've already got! IMPORTANT: This battery is compatible with UV-82 and other listed radios ONLY! |
Radio Programming Files
Got your new radio but don't want to deal with programming it manually? Just download one of our templates below, load it into the CHIRP Programming Software, plug in your USB programming cable, load it to the radio and you're ready to go!
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"How to" Videos to Learn the Basics
The videos below will give you a very entertaining and informative overview of the basics you need to know, and avoids unnecessary technobabble!
Learn the basics of GMRS with Randy from NotARubicon Productions!
Learn what "DPL/PL/CTCSS/Privacy Tones/Codes/Subchannels" are with Randy from NotARubicon Productions!
