Spotlight: GMRS radio
Wouxun KG-935G Plus GMRS Radio, 5.5 W, Repeater-Capable, IP66
This is the handheld we point families to when they want radios that still work when the phones don't: 5.5 watts, ready for repeaters out of the box, IP66 weatherproof and a screen you can actually read. Yes, you need a GMRS license to talk on it. It costs $35, takes no test, lasts 10 years and covers your immediate family.
Do you need a license? Yes. Here is exactly how it works.
The KG-935G Plus is a GMRS radio, and the FCC requires a GMRS license to transmit on it. Listening, scanning and NOAA weather alerts need no license. These are the rules from the FCC (47 CFR Part 95, Subpart E), in plain English.
- License
- FCC GMRS license (radio service code ZA)
- Cost
- $35 application fee
- Term
- 10 years, renewable
- Exam
- None
- Who can apply
- Anyone 18 or older who is not a representative of a foreign government
- Who it covers
- You and your immediate family, any age
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Get an FCC Registration Number (FRN)
Create an account in the FCC's CORES system and register a new FRN as an individual. You'll need your legal name, address and Social Security number.
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Apply in the ULS License Manager
Log in with your FRN, choose Apply for a New License and pick ZA, General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). Answer the screening questions, review and sign.
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Pay the $35 fee
Pay by card or bank account right after you file. The FCC dismisses applications that are not paid within 10 days.
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Get your call sign
Licenses are usually granted within a few business days of payment. The FCC emails you, and you can download the license from ULS. New GMRS call signs look like WSXX123.
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Say your call sign on the air
Identify with your call sign at the end of a transmission or a series of transmissions, and at least every 15 minutes during a longer conversation. Say it in English (or send it in Morse code).
Why it earns the spotlight
Ready for repeaters with no programming
All 8 GMRS repeater channels are built in. A repeater on a hill or tower can stretch a handheld's reach from a few miles to many, which is what matters when you're trying to reach home.
5.5 watts where the rules allow it
It transmits at up to 5.5 watts on the high-power GMRS channels and at reduced power on the low-power channels, as the rules require. FRS bubble-pack radios are capped at 2 watts.
Built for weather
IP66 rated against dust and powerful water jets, with a removable antenna you can upgrade. It is a step up from consumer bubble-pack radios.
Weather alerts while you wait
Seven NOAA weather channels, with alerts that work in standby and while scanning, so the radio can warn you even when nobody is talking.
Specifications
- Radio service
- GMRS (FCC Part 95, Subpart E)
- Transmit power
- 5.5 W, 2 W or 0.5 W, selectable
- Channels
- 22 GMRS simplex, 8 GMRS repeater, 999 programmable
- Receive
- 136 to 174 MHz, 400 to 470 MHz, FM broadcast
- Weather
- 7 NOAA weather channels with alerts
- Battery
- 2600 mAh Li-ion with USB-C charging
- Charger
- Desktop charging tray included
- Weather rating
- IP66
- Antenna
- Removable, SMA male
- Size
- 124 x 61 x 34 mm
- Weight
- 490 g (17.3 oz)
- Display
- Full color, dual channel
- Warranty
- 1 year from Wouxun
What reviewers say
From people who have put it through hard use.
Great radio, and made very well. My first GMRS radio, and very happy with it.
These are great radios and they have a sturdy feel to them.
This radio has certainly lived up to my expectations.
More GMRS gear we carry
One GMRS license covers every GMRS radio your family uses, so you can mix handhelds, mobile radios and a repeater.
-
Wouxun KG-935G Plus handheld
Our pick for most families: power, weatherproofing and repeater channels in one radio.
$149.99You're looking at this one -
Wouxun's other repeater-capable 5 W handheld.
$219.99 -
A 5 W GMRS handheld at a lower price.
$48.99 -
A simple, low-cost GMRS handheld for kids or a spare.
$29.99 -
Slim enough for a pocket.
$34.99 -
20 W for the car or truck, controlled from the speaker mic.
$99.99 -
Put up your own 25 W repeater to cover your property or neighborhood.
$475.00
How it compares
The license you need depends on the radio service a radio is certified for, not on the radio's size or price. FRS radios need no license but are limited to 2 watts and fixed antennas. GMRS needs the $35 license. Ham radios need an amateur license, which requires passing an exam.
| Radio | Radio service | License you need | Repeaters | Antenna | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cobra ACXT345 | FRS | None | No | Fixed | $62.99 |
| Wouxun KG-935G Plus | GMRS | GMRS: $35, no exam, covers family | Yes | Removable | $149.99 |
| BaoFeng UV-5R | Amateur (ham) | Amateur license, exam required | Ham repeaters | Removable |
Where it fits
A family communication plan
Two or more radios and one license for the household. Pick a channel and a check-in time before you need them.
Get Home Bag
Reach home base when the cell network is jammed, directly or through a local repeater.
Stay Home Kit
Stay in touch with neighbors and family nearby during a long outage, with NOAA alerts running in the background.
Questions people ask
Do I need a license to use the Wouxun KG-935G Plus?
Yes, to transmit. It is a GMRS radio, and the FCC requires a GMRS license to transmit on GMRS channels. You do not need a license to listen, scan or receive NOAA weather alerts.
How much does a GMRS license cost, and how long does it last?
The FCC charges $35. The license lasts 10 years and can be renewed in the 90 days before it expires. There is no exam.
Does one license cover my whole family?
Yes. Under FCC rules your immediate family can operate under your license at any age: your spouse, children, grandchildren, stepchildren, parents, grandparents, stepparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and in-laws.
Can my friends use my radio under my license?
Only if they are immediate family. Friends, neighbors and coworkers need their own license. The exception is an emergency: a licensee may let anyone use their station to send an emergency message.
Is there a test for a GMRS license?
No. You apply online, pay $35 and receive a call sign, usually within a few business days.
How old do I have to be?
You must be 18 or older to hold a GMRS license. Family members covered by your license can be any age.
Can I use repeaters with this radio?
Yes. The KG-935G Plus has all 8 GMRS repeater channels built in, and your GMRS license covers repeater use. Most repeaters are privately owned, so ask the owner for permission and the access tone. Directories such as myGMRS.com list repeaters and their owners.
Can it talk to FRS walkie-talkies?
Yes. GMRS licensees may talk with FRS radios on the channels the two services share, so it works with the family's existing bubble-pack radios.
Does a ham (amateur) license cover GMRS?
No. An amateur license and a GMRS license are separate. To transmit on this radio you need the GMRS license, and this radio does not transmit on ham bands.
Can I use a ham radio such as a BaoFeng on GMRS channels instead?
No. FCC rules require every GMRS transmitter to be certified for GMRS. Radios like the BaoFeng UV-5R are amateur radios. Use a certified GMRS radio like this one on GMRS channels.
How do I identify myself on the air?
Say your call sign at the end of a transmission or series of transmissions, and at least every 15 minutes during a longer conversation, in English or Morse code.