Isn’t my cell phone just as good as a walkie-talkie or a 2-way GMRS radio? What is GMRS anyway?

GMRS stands for General Mobile Radio Service and was formerly known as Class A of the Citizens Radio Service. It is a personal radio service available for the conduct of an individual's personal and family communications.

And, if you are spending time in the great outdoors, your cell phone just isn't going to cut it! A 2-way radio can be used in areas where cell phone service is non-existent. These devices are great for hunters, fishermen, backpackers, hikers, bird watchers and any avid outdoorsman. And since they can be used in more desolate areas, they are great to have in case of an emergency. You can purchase a fairly inexpensive 2-way radio or, for a little more money, you can buy one that has all the perks. Many of the new walkie-talkies are equipped with powerful signals and switchable power outputs. Users can even choose between the high-power setting to maximize range or the low-power option to conserve battery life.

Two years ago, I was deer hunting with my dad and brother and we were pushing some trees in an area that was familiar to us. I was planning on picking them up at the bottom of the draw when a fog suddenly rolled in. Instantly, nothing was familiar. I waited but it was taking too long for them to arrive. I used my radio to get a hold of them but they had no clue as to where they were. We all got very nervous. As they walked, they came to a road they recognized and realized they were two miles further down from where they were supposed to be. Because we had the Cobra 10-mile 2-way GMRS radios, we were able to communicate and I was able to drive down and pick them up. It could have been scary if couldn’t locate them and they had to spend the night at 10,000 feet in the Utah mountains at the end of October.

These inexpensive little devices can be lifesavers and I highly recommend a Cobra 10-mile GMRS radio!

For this and other great outdoor products, please visit our store! SDG Outdoor and Fun!