Do GMRS Walkie Talkies work in NZ

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uglygorilla

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#99269 15-Mar-2012 16:36

It's coming up to ski season soon and now that my two boys are on the black slopes and we are further down the mountain (way further down!!)our existing walkie talkies are very intermittent in their reception, I am wanting to purchase more powerful two way radios. I am looking at either of these;

http://www.amazon.com/Uniden-GMR3689-2CK-36-Mile-Waterproof-Two-Way/dp/B0045EK5TI/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=IBCPW5ZCH5365&colid=AZHFMKVXH857

or

http://www.amazon.com/Midland-GXT1000VP4-36-Mile-50-Channel-Two-Way/dp/B001WMFYH4/ref=pd_cp_e_2

Will these work in NZ and from what I have read in a previous post I don't think I need a licence for them, but as I am a complete noob when it comes to these things i don't know if the frequency will work in NZ.

The NZ dollar is OK at the moment and these are quite cheap and I will just get then shipped to a US freight forwarding company to get it here. As buying more powerful ones here are very expensive.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

codyc1515

1598 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#595717 15-Mar-2012 16:49

From a quick look I would say no. Bumping so others will correct me or add something.

Oblivian

7345 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2117

ID Verified

#595718 15-Mar-2012 16:50

They may well go here, but you will be in breach of the NZ radio communications act.

"The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a licensed land-mobile FM UHF radio service in the United States available for short-distance two-way communication"

Which is not within the specified NZ UHF CB range. (now expanded to 80 channels) these are too low and within the licenced range
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UHF_CB

You are also not allowed radios over 5Watt output on UHF here without a licence.

Your current model may be only .5-.75W output? Your best bet is to keep with a standard AU/NZ UHF radio and get a 1-5W output to increase your range.

It is harder to get handheld that are high output, but a base unit in the car with external antenna may suffice. You can safely get the claimed 3K with high output ones but very hard to push that with the toy versions.

There seems to be 1/2/5 watt ones now :)

http://uniden.co.nz/NEW_ZEALAND/p_uh076SXnb_index.asp

uglygorilla

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#595731 15-Mar-2012 17:18

Thanks Oblivian for your prompt and detailed response, I certainly don't want to contravene any NZ laws but I don't want to pay $300 for one unit (need 4 altogether) for only 10 or so days skiing a year, are there any other options?
Thanks.

codyc1515

1598 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#595744 15-Mar-2012 17:32

uglygorilla: Thanks Oblivian for your prompt and detailed response, I certainly don't want to contravene any NZ laws but I don't want to pay $300 for one unit (need 4 altogether) for only 10 or so days skiing a year, are there any other options?
Thanks.

No other option really, sorry.