Radioddity GM-30

UPDATE #2(6/8/21): This radio is back on Radioddity's site AND Amazon. The company told me that if a product is out of stock, they remove it from their site. Not the best way to deal with that IMHO. It is back and available, so all is good again!UPDATE: Now I don't know what to think! This radio is no longer referenced in any way on Radioddity's web site ...... almost like it never existed! Amazon says it's gone and they don't know if or when it might be available again, so it seems that this review was a waste of my time because no one is ever going to see it! I did write directly to the company and am awaiting a reply as to what's going on.As my first attempt at getting a GMRF radio that was better than my old, ancient Cobra very basic 0.5W radios, I feel the GM-30 was a super choice! The only real problem I've had is in finding and understanding certain settings. I had most of it figured out using the Radioddity software, but ran into a glitch after the firmware update I was sent after I had an inquiry right after purchasing it. BTW, customer service has been very responsive so far, and pretty quick with their answers. Anyway, the glitch was NOT with the firmware install with their cable. It was with the lack of info on the changes it made! I was looking forward to being able to toggle the channel power setting, but even though I had set all channels of GMRF to "High" in the software, I found out while trying to use the GM-30 at a car rally (of sorts), that ALL my channels were set to "Low" power according to the screen readout! PLUS, I had forgotten the toggle key and since this was a "new" feature, there was NO mention of it in the manual! Only when I got back was I able to look in the firmware notes that the toggle was a quick press on the "Lock" key! When I had "SET" all channels to "High" in the software and then uploaded those settings back into the GM-30, it didn't stick at high power. I was therefore a bit disappointed that there I was, trying to communicate in the Great Smokie Mountains and stuck on "Low" power for lack of documentation! The toggle is now written on the front of the manual! I feel that setting the power in software should have stuck when those settings were uploaded back into the radio. Also, when you tune in another channel, you have to set the power level manually EACH time you change a channel! A real pain because the radio does not "remember" you last settings for any channel! Maybe that could be upgraded on the next firmware update?? I even looked to see if an "updated" manual was available so others would not miss that critical change but have not seen one so far!Very bottom line, EVEN in low power, the GM-30 performed fantastically to the point I wasn't aware I was in "Low" power at first. It was reported that voice was clear in transmitting and my reception was great, even with the included ear piece. My new GM-30 seemed to out perform and sound better that several other's Baofeng radios and they were surprised! Great job, Raddioddity! Please make the firmware changes in a maybe NEW manual version we can download and make those power levels "stick" in the software!

This is my fourth Radioddity and my first GMRS/FRS from them. Having sold my two Midlans (which served me well on disaster deployments when I was a teenager), I was looking forward to receiving this walkie-talkie. There's a lot to like here.Build quality lives up to what I expect from Radioddity. Ergonomically the radio feels good in the hand, and the button and keys feel top-notch.Sound quality is excellent and the built-in FM radio is a favorite around the house with non-radio enthusiasts. Brief TX/RX testing showed capability for both clearly in a highly developed area with different elevation (roughly 70ft. difference) at a half-mile distance (using GMRS). That's pretty decent considering the conditions being just about as bad as plausible.The thing that really makes this radio stand out to me and distinguishes it from most if not all "bubble pack" GMRS/FRS combo radios at the big-box stores is the GMRS repeater capability. This is a clear sign that this is a radio made by people who make more than just consumer products: this is a mass-market friendly yet highly capable device.Other features that I really like are the USB-C charging capability (i.e., no custom charger, and USB-C means fewer cables and battery banks for emergency or outdoors use), removable antenna, and *potential* CHIRP programming capability down the road. The fact that Radioddity is actively working on firmware updates is a promising sign that they're enthused about this release.I'll likely buy a second. It's well worth the price when compared to what you could find at a big-box store in this category.

Clear and Strong, But With Some QuirksI’ve been testing out the Radioddity GM-30 handheld GMRS radio, and overall it’s been a solid piece of gear with a few limitations worth noting. Out of the box, I appreciated the clean look and the fact that it feels sturdy without being overly heavy. The display is bright, clear, and easy to read even in daylight, and the buttons have a nice tactile response. The included programming cable was a plus—it made setup smoother for me compared to radios that require you to hunt down extras.Performance-wise, the 5W power is more than enough for the typical uses I’ve tried—short-distance communication with family during hikes and car-to-car chatter while off-roading. The sound quality is loud and crisp, and the reception held up better than I expected in wooded areas. I was also able to hit a local repeater without much fuss, which significantly extended the range. That said, I did notice that range without a repeater is very environment-dependent—open areas are fine, but wooded or hilly terrain cuts it down quickly.Battery life has been good—I was able to get through a full day outdoors without needing to recharge. I like that the radio supports USB-C charging, which meant I could top it off with the same power bank I use for my phone. That’s a small detail, but it made it more convenient for travel.A couple of quirks: the menu system takes some time to learn, and not everything is intuitive. If you’re new to radios, expect to spend some time with the manual (or programming software). The included antenna is serviceable, but if you’re serious about range, you’ll likely want to upgrade.Bottom line: A capable, well-built GMRS radio that delivers good clarity and reliable range—especially with repeaters—though it takes a bit of patience to master and benefits from an antenna upgrade.