GMR5 - 5W GMRS Handheld Radio
The GMR5 is the next evolution of Rugged's most popular handheld platform, engineered for maximum power. A full 5 watts of transmit power gives you a stronger signal and greater range when you're off-road, overlanding, camping, or working beyond cell coverage.
It runs on a 2000mAh USB-C rechargeable battery, carries weather alerts so you know when conditions turn, and pairs with Rugged 2-pin accessories. The removable antenna means you can upgrade for more reach instead of replacing the radio.
"A prudent person foresees danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. - Proverbs 27:12"
5-Watt Transmit Power
Stronger signal and greater range than 2-watt handhelds
2000mAh USB-C Battery
Charges off the same cable as the rest of your kit
22 GMRS + 8 Repeater Channels
Full compatibility with GMRS and FRS radios, plus repeater reach
Weather Alerts
Stay informed as conditions change in the backcountry
Removable Antenna
Upgrade for more range instead of replacing the radio
Built-In Flashlight and FM Radio
Light when you need it, news and entertainment when you don't
Rugged 2-Pin Accessory Port
Works with Rugged headsets and audio accessories
A/B Channel Switch
Toggle between two programmed channels fast
Package Includes
- GMR5 Radio1
- Belt Clip1
- USB-C Charging Block1
- USB-C Charging Cable1
The numbers, flat and honest.
| Transmit Power | 5 watts |
|---|---|
| Battery | 2000mAh USB-C rechargeable |
| GMRS Channels | 22 |
| Repeater Channels | 8 |
| Weather | Weather alert function + weather channels |
| Receive-Only Bands | VHF 134-176 MHz, UHF 400-480 MHz |
| Antenna | Removable and upgradeable |
| Accessory Port | 2-pin, compatible with Rugged 2-pin headsets |
| Display | Backlit |
| Extras | Built-in FM radio, integrated flashlight, A/B channel switch, swivel belt clip |
| Colors | Grey, Safety Orange |
| Compatibility | All GMRS radios including Rugged G4, G1, GMR45, GMR25, GMR2, GMR2 PLUS and GMR5-X; also Motorola, Midland, Uniden and other GMRS brands; FRS channels 1-7 and 15-22 |
| Certification | FCC and CE certified |
WHY YOU’RE BUYING FROM STAY READY.
We aren’t the Amazon of survival. We’re a small, opinionated shop that carries gear we’d stake our own lives on — and we back every piece with real support.
Curated
Every brand we carry has been vetted in the field by our team. If it doesn’t pass our 30-day use test, we don’t stock it.
Authenticated
Factory-direct from authorized dealers. No grey-market, no refurb, no knockoffs. Your warranty is real.
Supported
Real humans on phone, text, and email — seven days a week. We carry this gear ourselves and we stand behind it.
American
HQ in California. Orders ship from our US warehouse. US-based customer care.
OFF-ROAD COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
Communications for any environment. Engineered in California for 30+ years.
Rugged Radios was founded by Greg Cottrell more than three decades ago, and the lineup is still designed, engineered, and supported out of Arroyo Grande, California. They build radios, intercoms, headsets, and accessories for off-road racing, overlanding, aviation, agriculture, and industrial work — with cross-brand cable compatibility for Motorola, Kenwood, Icom, and their own systems. Their tagline says it plainly: Go Further®.
- Founded by Greg Cottrell — 30+ years in business
- Headquartered in Arroyo Grande, California
- Radios, intercoms, headsets, and accessories
- Cross-brand compatibility (Motorola, Kenwood, Icom)
- Tagline: Go Further®
Answers, straight up.
Product-specific questions on the left. Shopping with SRO on the right. Both open-ended — hit us if we missed one.
Do I need a licence to use a GMRS radio?
Yes. GMRS transmission requires an FCC licence in the United States. It costs $35, lasts ten years, covers your whole immediate family, and there is no test — you apply through the FCC ULS system. FRS channels need no licence but are limited to lower power. Business-band radios like the R1 and V3 require a separate FCC business licence for the frequencies you program.
What range will I actually get?
Far less than the numbers on the box. Handhelds realistically give one to two miles in terrain and up to five on open ground or ridge to ridge. A mobile unit with a roof antenna is the real upgrade — antenna height and placement matter more than wattage. Trees, hills and vehicle bodies all cut range.
Will these talk to other GMRS radios?
Yes — GMRS is a standard, so these communicate with any other GMRS or FRS radio on the same channel and privacy tone, regardless of brand. That matters on group runs where not everyone is on Rugged. Business-band and digital DMR radios are a separate system and will not talk to GMRS.
Do I need a license to use it?
Yes, an FCC GMRS license. It covers your immediate family, requires no exam, and is straightforward to apply for online.
How is the GMR5 different from the GMR2 PLUS?
The GMR5 steps up to a full 5 watts of transmit power, a 2000mAh USB-C rechargeable battery, and a removable antenna you can upgrade for more range instead of replacing the radio.
Will my existing Rugged headset work with it?
Yes. The GMR5 uses a 2-pin accessory port compatible with Rugged 2-pin headsets and audio accessories.
How long does shipping take?
Most in-stock orders are processed within 1 to 3 business days, not counting weekends and federal holidays. Special-order, dealer-direct, custom, and LYNX Survival Systems orders can take longer. Lead times shown on product pages are estimates, not guarantees.
Typical carrier transit after that: Economy 5 to 7 business days, Expedited 2 to 3, Overnight 1. These are carrier estimates, not guarantees. Some items, such as lithium batteries, aerosols, and safety matches, may be limited to ground shipping.
Free Economy shipping on qualifying orders over $150 to the contiguous US, on eligible products. Oversized, heavy, freight, hazardous-material, dealer-direct, custom-built, and special-order items may be excluded. Oversized and freight items, such as rooftop tents, recovery equipment, and Pro Eagle products, may carry extra shipping charges. If extra charges apply, we'll let you know before the order ships.
Some items ship directly from the manufacturer or a supplier partner on their own schedule, so an order can arrive in more than one package with more than one tracking number. Full details: Shipping Policy.
What’s your return policy?
You have 30 days from receiving your order to request a return on eligible items. Email info@stayreadyoutdoors.com with your order number, the item, and the reason, and wait for return authorization before you ship anything back. Returns sent without authorization may be refused.
Items must come back in like-new condition: unused, unmodified, unworn, unwashed, and free of odors, dirt, stains, pet hair, and damage, with all original packaging, manuals, accessories, and tags, plus proof of purchase.
For standard parcel items, you pay return shipping unless the return is due to our error, shipping damage, or a verified defect. If we provide a prepaid label, its cost may be deducted from your refund. For oversized, freight, dealer-direct, and special-order items, you pay return shipping unless the item arrived damaged, defective, or incorrect. Original shipping charges aren't refunded. Some items may carry a restocking fee of up to 15%, and we'll tell you during authorization.
Some items are fulfilled by third-party suppliers and follow that supplier's return policy, so eligibility, refund timing, return shipping, and restocking fees may differ.
Approved refunds go to your original payment method. Allow up to 10 business days after approval, and your bank may take longer to post it. Full details: Return & Refund Policy.
What can’t I return?
These can't be returned or refunded, except where the law requires it:
- Engraved, personalized, customized, and built-to-order products, and special-order products obtained specifically for you
- LYNX Survival Systems survival kits, custom IFAKs, and custom medical kits
- Agency, government, organizational, and contract-built orders
- Gift cards, and sale or clearance items marked final sale
- Food, drink, and other perishable products, including emergency food
- Personal care, hygiene, and beauty products
- Hazardous materials, and flammable liquids or gases
- Opened or used medical products
- Opened water treatment or purification products with broken factory seals
- Anything marked non-returnable on its product page
For built-to-order, custom, and special-order items, exceptions may be made only for verified manufacturing defects, shipping damage, or fulfillment errors. For food and drink, replacements may be issued only for verified manufacturing defects or shipping damage reported within 5 days of delivery, with photos.
Not sure whether an item qualifies? Email info@stayreadyoutdoors.com before you order.
Do you ship outside the contiguous US?
Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, and other U.S. territories aren't eligible for free shipping, and extra freight charges may apply. If your order needs a shipping quote, we'll contact you before it ships. If you decline the quote, the order may be canceled and refunded. APO/FPO addresses are also excluded from free shipping.
International shipping is available on select products and destinations, and some products may be restricted from international shipping. You're responsible for import duties, taxes, customs fees, brokerage fees, and meeting your country's import rules.
Full details: Shipping Policy.
My package arrived damaged. What now?
Inspect your order when it arrives. If anything is damaged, defective, or wrong, email info@stayreadyoutdoors.com within 7 days of delivery (5 days for food and drink) with your order number, a short description, and photos of the item and the packaging.
You don't pay return shipping on items that arrived damaged or wrong, or with a verified defect. Some items fulfilled by third-party suppliers follow that supplier's policy instead. Reporting after 7 days may limit our ability to pursue a claim with the carrier, and while we may help with a carrier claim, approval is up to the carrier.
Package lost or never arrived? Contact us within 7 days of the expected delivery date. For freight deliveries, inspect the shipment before you sign and note any visible damage on the carrier's delivery receipt.
Can I talk to a human before buying?
Yes. Call (562) 294-6269, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Pacific time, or email info@stayreadyoutdoors.com. We reply within one business day.
We'd rather talk you out of a kit that doesn't fit your mission than sell you the wrong one.
Do you offer a military/first-responder discount?
Yes. Current and former U.S. military, military spouses and dependents, and first responders, including law enforcement, fire, and EMS, can save up to 10% on most of our products through GovX ID.
Verify on our GovX discount page and you'll get a single-use code to enter at checkout. For later orders, log in with GovX ID for a new code (limit one code per day). The GovX code can't be combined with other discounts.