GME making a move

[Datsun Man]

Well it looks like GME is starting to make a.move into the GMRS territory. They just released three different radios for the US market and the radios are made in Australia. Unfortunately the radios are only 5 watts, so they are a little weak to say the least, but hopefully GME will step up the game on that. I wouldn't mind making the switch if they got a 50 watt GMRS out.

For those interested in looking go to emeus.com for more information

 

[Peter_n_Margaret]

Unfortunately the radios are only 5 watts,

5W is the maximum transmission power permitted for citizen band radios in Australia, so that everyone gets a decent go. Not sure if that applies to GMRS.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

 

[Datsun Man]

5W is the maximum transmission power permitted for citizen band radios in Australia, so that everyone gets a decent go.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Understanding that Australia only allows 5 Watts for CB, the US allows for 4 Watts on CB and 50 Watts for GMRS(this post is for GMRS). If GME had a more powerful radios(even 15 watts would be good) then I would consider switching. As for now I might only consider the antenna since it should be a higher quality over Midlands Taiwan need stuff.

 

[DaveInDenver]

FYI the website is

https://gmeus.com/

I agree, having a major brand alternative to Midland should be good for the U.S. GMRS users.

I'm not anti-Midland but more options is welcomed, especially as it comes to advanced users who might want flexibility with tones, bandwidth and using repeaters.

 

[Datsun Man]

FYI the website is

https://gmeus.com/

I agree, having a major brand alternative to Midland should be good for the U.S. GMRS users.

I'm not anti-Midland but more options is welcomed, especially as it comes to advanced users who might want flexibility with tones, bandwidth and using repeaters.

One of the key things I do like about GME over Midland is the place of manufacturing. For Midland being a US Company, the Radios are made in Taiwan and China....... GME on the other hand being an Australian Company has their stuff made in house in Australia! When you think about it, it makes more sense!

 

[DaveInDenver]

Country of origin is certainly a political point. But most of the radios your cops and fire departments are using are made in Malaysia and have been for a long time (Motorola, Kenwood, Vertex).

I like that GME has managed to keep everything in one place but ultimately the widget has to be worth buying in the first place so global manufacturing is less important to me. I've worked with domestic (USA) electronics contract manufacturing and our production is the same as China mostly, same machines, same process. Ultimately the design and testing upfront and after sales support are more important to me than who stuffed the PCBs.

That said, I think there's some room to bridge the quality gap between just slightly more than a toy FRS derived radio and full blown repurposed commercial radios, especially in the portable/HT segment. The GXT67 looked interesting to me.

BTW, Midland is ultimately an Italian company (C.T.E. International). What they offer in the USA seems to me a reduced catalog from what they offer in Europe, for example.

 

[Kingsize24]

Country of origin is certainly a political point. But most of the radios your cops and fire departments are using are made in Malaysia and have been for a long time (Motorola, Kenwood, Vertex).

I like that GME has managed to keep everything in one place but ultimately the widget has to be worth buying in the first place so global manufacturing is less important to me. I've worked with domestic (USA) electronics contract manufacturing and our production is the same as China mostly, same machines, same process. Ultimately the design and testing upfront and after sales support are more important to me than who stuffed the PCBs.

That said, I think there's some room to bridge the quality gap between just slightly more than a toy FRS derived radio and full blown repurposed commercial radios, especially in the portable/HT segment. The GXT67 looked interesting to me.

BTW, Midland is ultimately an Italian company (C.T.E. International). What they offer in the USA seems to me a reduced catalog from what they offer in Europe, for example.

I'm curious about the mental leap one would have to take to believe "country of origin" would be a political point? 🤔

 

[Datsun Man]

I'm curious about the mental leap one would have to take to believe "country of origin" would be a political point? 🤔

For me it's more of is the worker making said product getting a fair wage with benefits? It may be different for each country, but I am aware that China doesn't exactly have the best wages and benefits for all. Part of why you see a bunch of cheap knockoffs there.

 

[Kingsize24]

For me it's more of is the worker making said product getting a fair wage with benefits? It may be different for each country, but I am aware that China doesn't exactly have the best wages and benefits for all. Part of why you see a bunch of cheap knockoffs there.

Agreed, there are a number of reasons someone would pick a different country than China for a consumer product. Fair wage practices being one of many.