Right off the bat, I must say that this two-pack of radios with speaker mics and extra batteries is a great value as of the date of this review. Although I have yet to see these batteries sold separately, based on similar batteries, their value alone is more than half the cost of this pack. Add to that the value of the speaker-mics and a programming cable, and you're essentially at the price point of this pack, so it's almost like getting the radios for free.
As for the radios, they perform reasonably well, although they can suffer from desense in a high-RF environment from what I understand. This means that if there's a lot of radio interference, these radios may not be able to "hear" incoming signals very well. Where I use them, primarily outdoors and away from the city, they work well for me.
There are several features I like about these radios. Not only are they programmed for the standard GMRS and FRS channels 1-22, but they also have programming for GMRS repeater frequencies, and allow for multiple DIY repeater configurations to be programmed. This means that if you regularly use two or more repeaters on the same frequency pair, but with different CTCSS tones, you can have each of them programmed independently.
Another feature I like is the "Sync" mode, which allows you to see both the channel name and frequency on screen at the same time. This won't be needed by a lot of users, but for those that use channel names, it's nice to be able to see the frequency too.
While I haven't tested the power output, it's rated at 5 watts on high power. Other reports I've seen suggest the actual output is pretty close to what it's rated. My experience with these radios is that they are on par with other 5W radios.
I believe these radios are a step above any of the "bubble pack" or "blister pack" radios you can buy on Amazon or in the big box stores. First, the quality seems much better, and the output power is higher than many of those radios. Second, these radios are infinitely more configurable, and can be used with GMRS repeaters, which few, if any, bubble pack radios can do.
One thing to keep in mind about bubble pack radios are the wildly exaggerated claims of 10 miles or more of range. The only way to get the kind of range advertised is from mountaintop to mountaintop in very remote areas where there is no other radio interference to speak of. These radios will perform as well or better than any of the bubble pack radios, but don't expect a long range except in the best of conditions. They generally work well where there is a clear line of sight between the radios, or minimal obstructions. Over a small hill, they may work okay, but over a big hill, they almost certainly will not.
For GMRS users that want decent short range performance, and may want the ability to use repeaters, I would recommend these radios. I generally recommend them over bubble pack radios for most users. About the only time I'd recommend bubble pack radios is if they will be used only for short range communications where kids are involved.
There are a couple of minor issues that I want to mention also. First, the belt clip feels flimsy to me. While I haven't had one fail, there are belt clips for other radios that feel much more substantial. Another issue is that the belt clip attaches to the battery, and not the radio body, and only two belt clips were included (but there are four batteries).
I have ordered extra GT-3 belt clips to put on these radios (batteries), as the GT-3 belt clip feels much stronger, and is a little longer, allowing it to be clipped to wider belts than what the TD-H5 belt clip allows. The GT-3 belt clip attaches the same way that the stock one does, so no modifications are needed.
Another minor issue is the flap that covers the speaker/mic jacks on the radio opens from the top, and sticks out when a speaker/mic (or programming cable) is plugged in. I believe there are pictures of this on another review on this site. For me it's not a big deal, but it would be nice if it opened from the side instead, so it wouldn't stick out as far.
There are some questions about the antennas on these radios. They are held in place with a set screw, and cannot be removed until the set screw is loosened. The fixed antenna requirement is for FRS radios, not GMRS radios, even though both services use most of the same frequencies and can cross-communicate. GMRS radios can be used with upgraded antennas, and these radios provide for that. If upgrading the antenna, you'll want one that has an SMA male connector so it will attach to these radios. Please note that this is different from the "standard" Baofeng UV-5R type of antenna that has an SMA female connector.
The last thing I will mention is that these are true GMRS radios, and not FRS radios, so a GMRS license is required to legally transmit with them. Obtaining a GMRS license from the FCC is not terribly difficult (although the website is a little tricky), and not terribly expensive. The FCC license covers the user and the user's immediate family, which is broadly defined by the FCC to include several generations in one family.
| Item Weight | 3.21 pounds |
|---|---|
| Package Dimensions | 12.4 x 7.72 x 3.74 inches |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Item model number | TD-H5 |
| Batteries | 4 Lithium Polymer batteries required. (included) |
