Technical Specifications

FCC Notice & GMRS License

The Expedition Radio™ operates on GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) frequencies and requires an FCC license. You must be licensed prior to operating. A license costs $35, requires no test, and covers your immediate family.

You will be issued a call sign by the FCC for station identification. Contact the FCC at 1-888-CALLFCC or visit fcc.gov and request form 605.

Obtaining a GMRS License Online

1. Obtain a 10-digit FRN (FCC Registration Number) from the Commission Registration System (CORES).
2. If you don't have a username, click "Register."
3. Once you have your FRN, apply for a GMRS License in the FCC's License Manager.
4. After logging in, select "Apply for a new license" from the left sidebar.
5. In the dropdown, scroll to the bottom and select "ZA - General Mobile Radio."
6. Follow the rest of the application to obtain your license.

Know Your Radio

Quick Start Guide

1. Remove your radio and charger from the box.
2. Fully charge via USB-C until the indicator light turns green.
3. Hold the Power Button for 2 seconds until you hear the double beep. Battery percentage will display.
4. Unlock by holding the Channel Flipper forward for 2 seconds.
5. Use the Channel Flipper to select a channel.
6. Set a privacy code to filter incoming transmissions (recommended).
7. Match channel and privacy code on all radios and test communication.
8. Lock your radio by holding the Channel Flipper forward for 2 seconds.
9. Optional: Clip the backup leash to the metal ring at the base of the radio.

Radio Range

The Expedition Radio™ delivers more range than a standard 2W radio and is compatible with repeaters. Range is always terrain-dependent.

Alpine

Typically 2 – 8 miles. High elevation with fewer obstructions allows long-distance transmission. Radio waves can reflect off nearby mountains to extend range.

Rolling Hills & Forests

Expect 1 – 5 miles. Low rolling hills are often the main culprit — a hill of just 30 feet can block signal in some cases.

Rivers

Typically 0.5 – 3 miles. Canyon walls can improve range by reflecting signals around bends; low riverbanks reduce it.

Urban

Max ~1.5 miles. Buildings and radio interference make cities the most difficult environment.

Line-of-Sight

Unobstructed radio waves regularly exceed 35 miles in testing.

Waterproofing

The IP67 rating protects the electronics from water damage up to 1 meter submersion. The fully waterproof speaker/microphone system allows water to drain quickly.

Battery: Waterproof and fully removable. Finding water in the gap between the battery and radio is normal and does not compromise the seal.

Ports: The M3 headset port and USB-C charging port are waterproof, but should be dried before connecting accessories or charging. Keep port covers on when not in use to prevent corrosion.

If exposed to salt water, lightly rinse with fresh water and allow to dry at room temperature.

Power ON / OFF

Hold the red Power button for 2 seconds to turn on. You'll hear a double beep and the battery percentage will display. The main display then shows your channel, privacy code, and active settings.

To power off, hold the Power button for 2 seconds again.

Lock / Unlock Your Radio

Hold the Channel Flipper forward for 2 seconds to unlock. Hold again for 2 seconds to lock. The lock icon will appear when locked.

When locked, you can still adjust volume, swap between A/B channels, and use the PTT button — but cannot change channels or settings.

Select a Channel

The Expedition Radio™ has 22 channels and is compatible with most GMRS and FRS radios. Make sure the radio is unlocked, then toggle the Channel Flipper forward or backward to select a channel.

Transmit

Press the large red PTT button on the side of the radio to transmit. The microphone is on the front face, inside the speaker cavity. Hold the radio 4 – 8 inches from your mouth for optimal audio quality.

High / Low Power Channels

• Channels 1–7 and 15–22 (High Power): Full 5 watts. Shown as H on display. 5 bars while transmitting.
• Channels 8–14 (Low Power): Limited to 0.5 watts by FCC. Shown as L on display. 3 bars while transmitting.

Incoming signal strength is shown by the bars at the bottom of the screen.

Set a Privacy Code

Privacy codes filter incoming transmissions — your radio will only allow transmissions from other radios with the same code active. Codes 1–38 are CTCSS (shown as CT); codes 39–121 are DCS. Both work the same way in practice.

To Set a Privacy Code

1. Make sure the radio is unlocked.
2. Press the Volume Minus (−) button until CT or DCS flashes on screen (~2 seconds).
3. Use the Channel Flipper to select a code (121 codes available).
4. Press any button to save. Lock your radio to prevent accidental changes.

Scan Mode

Scan Mode cycles through all 22 channels until radio activity is detected — useful for finding other radio users nearby.

To Activate Scan Mode

1. Make sure the radio is unlocked.
2. Hold the Channel Flipper toward the back of the radio for 2 seconds.
3. The radio scans all 22 channels until activity is detected and pauses to receive.
4. After 3 seconds of inactivity, scanning resumes.
5. Press any button to stop scanning.

Privacy codes remain in effect while scanning. Disable privacy codes to hear all transmissions.

Charge Your Radio

Compatible with nearly all USB-C chargers (phone chargers, power banks, solar chargers, etc.). Requires at least 5V 1A. An empty battery icon on the right side of the screen indicates low battery.

To Charge

1. Power off your radio.
2. Plug the USB-C cable into the charging port on the right side of the radio. A red LED will appear.
3. When fully charged, the LED changes from red to green.

Make sure the radio is dry before charging on the go.

Check Battery Percentage

Battery percentage displays briefly every time you power on. To check at any time, press the Power button once while in use.

Below 10%, the radio enters Power Saving mode — you can receive transmissions but cannot transmit.

36 Hour Shutoff

Enabled by default, this feature powers off the radio after 36 hours of inactivity to save battery if accidentally left on. The radio will only power off if no buttons are pressed, no matching transmissions are received, and the radio is not charging.

To Toggle This Setting

1. Start with the radio powered OFF.
2. Hold the Channel Flipper back while powering on.
3. The radio will display OF to indicate the timer is off.
4. Repeat to re-enable the 36 hour timer.

TX Beep

The TX Beep plays a tone confirming you've successfully pressed the PTT button before and after transmitting. It's enabled by default and shown as a Bell icon on the display. Only audible on the transmitting radio.

To Turn Off the TX Beep

1. Start with the radio powered OFF.
2. Hold the PTT button and Power button simultaneously for 2 seconds until the radio powers ON. The bell icon will disappear.

Repeat the steps above to turn it back on.

Attachments & Accessories

Installing / Removing the Battery

The battery is removable and held in place with three Phillips (PH1) screws.

To remove:

1. Power off the radio.
2. Remove the attachment system by unscrewing Phillips screws 1 and 2.
3. Unscrew Phillips screw 3.
4. Unscrew Phillips screws 4 and 5 toward the base of the radio.
5. If water is present, use a dry cloth to remove moisture before reinstalling.

To reinstall:

1. Install Phillips screws 4 and 5 toward the base.
2. Install Phillips screw 3.
3. Evenly tighten all three screws to create a water-tight seal.
4. Place the attachment system in position and install Phillips screws 1 and 2.
5. Power on to confirm successful installation.

Installing / Removing the Attachment System

The modular attachment system lets you choose the best attachment for your activity. The included Gator Clip attaches with two Phillips (PH1) screws.

1. Unscrew the two screws on either side of the Gator Clip.
2. Place the new attachment on the back of the radio and line up the screw holes.
3. Carefully screw in the 2 screws hand tight, one at a time.

Installing / Removing the Antenna

The Expedition Radio™ comes with a 1/4 wavelength antenna (50 Ω, SMA male) tuned for UHF frequencies. You can swap it for a higher-gain antenna to improve range.

1. Unscrew the antenna counter-clockwise by hand.
2. Carefully thread the new antenna on clockwise by hand.

The antenna should thread on easily and only get tight once fully seated.

Headset / Hand Mic Compatibility

The Expedition Radio™ uses an M3 style waterproof connector.

To Install an M3 Accessory

1. Unscrew the included headset port cover screw.
2. Thread the headset or hand mic onto the port to create a water-tight seal.
3. Fully tighten the screw to prevent leaks.

Keep the port cover on when accessories aren't in use to protect contacts against corrosion.

Dual Channel Watch

Monitor and transmit on two different channels (A and B) simultaneously. Useful for staying in touch with two parties on different channels, or monitoring a community/emergency channel.

To Activate

1. Unlock and use the Channel Flipper to select the primary channel (becomes A). A can be any of the 22 channels or 8 repeater channels.
2. Hold the A/B button until the A/B icon flashes on the display.
3. Use the Channel Flipper to select the B channel. Press any button to continue.
4. CT/DCS will flash — use the Channel Flipper to select a privacy code for B. Press any button to continue.
5. Use the Channel Flipper to choose Narrow or Wide Band (match the other radio). Press any button to save.

To turn off A/B mode, repeat step 2 and use the Channel Flipper to select OF. Press any button to confirm.

Receiving

While active, the radio continuously scans both A and B. If a transmission is detected on B, the radio automatically receives on B until complete, then returns to monitoring both. Press A/B while receiving to manually swap channels.

Transmitting

The PTT button defaults to A. To transmit on B, press the A/B button once — this opens a 6-second window to transmit on B. After 6 seconds of inactivity, PTT reverts to A automatically.

NOAA Weather Channels

The Expedition Radio™ features 11 NOAA weather channels to monitor conditions in your area — crucial for backcountry decisions.

To Activate Weather Mode

1. Press and hold the Volume Up (+) button until the Cloud icon flashes on the display.
2. The radio automatically scans for active weather channels in your region and pauses on an active one.
3. Use the Channel Flipper to manually set a weather channel at any time.

Press the PTT button to exit Weather mode and restore normal communications.

NOAA Weather Alert Monitoring

This mode passively monitors regional weather alerts in the background while you continue using the radio normally. If an alert is detected, the radio automatically switches to the corresponding weather channel.

To Activate

1. Start with the radio powered OFF.
2. Press and hold Volume Up (+) while powering ON. The Cloud icon will appear when monitoring is active.
3. If an alert is detected, the radio switches to weather mode automatically.
4. Press the PTT button to exit and restore normal communications.

To deactivate, simply repeat the activation steps. Visit the NOAA Weather Radio website to find active channels in your area.

Repeater Use

Repeaters retransmit your signal in real time to extend range over difficult terrain. By accessing a repeater at higher elevation, you can communicate beyond mountains and other obstacles.

Repeater channels use different frequencies for transmitting and receiving — two radios on the same repeater channel cannot communicate with each other without a repeater in range. Check mygmrs.com for public repeaters in your area.

Enable Repeater Channels & Bandwidth

The Expedition Radio™ has 8 repeater channels hidden from the channel list by default.

To Enable Repeater Channels

1. Start with the radio OFF.
2. Press and hold Volume Minus (−) and the Power button while powering on.
3. Repeater channels are now enabled — scroll past channel 22 to see them (indicated by the REP icon).
4. Enabling repeater channels also allows selecting narrow or wide band on channels 1–7 and 15–22.

Repeater Privacy Codes

Most repeaters require a privacy code to gain access. Some "split tone" repeaters require different codes for transmitting and receiving.

To Set a Repeater Privacy Code

1. Navigate to a repeater channel (REP icon shown).
2. Press and hold Volume Minus (−) for 2 seconds.
3. Use the Channel Flipper to set the receiving privacy code. Press PTT to save and continue.
4. Use the Channel Flipper to set the transmitting privacy code. Press PTT to save and continue.
5. Use the Channel Flipper to select Narrow or Wide Band. Press any button to save.

Main Channel Bandwidth

Narrow band occupies 12.5 kHz; wide band occupies 25 kHz. Most handheld radios (including the Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio) default to narrow band. Match bandwidth on both radios for optimal audio and volume compatibility.

To Set Bandwidth on Channels 1–7 and 15–22

1. Make sure repeater channels are enabled.
2. Press and hold Volume Minus (−) for 2 seconds.
3. Use the Channel Flipper to set the privacy code. Press PTT to save and continue.
4. Use the Channel Flipper to select Narrow or Wide Band. Press any button to save.

Connecting to Other Radios

The Expedition Radio™ is compatible with most GMRS / FRS radios. Match the channel and privacy code to pair. Channels 1–22 use standardized FCC-designated frequencies.

Frequency Charts — Channels 1–22

Privacy Code Reference

CTCSS Codes (1–38)

DCS Codes (39–121)

Repeater-Only Privacy Codes

Repeater-Only CTCSS Codes

Repeater-Only DCS Codes

FCC Statement

Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment. This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Before a new model is available for sale, it must be tested and certified to the FCC that it does not exceed the established exposure limits. To maintain compliance with FCC RF exposure guidelines, hold the transmitter and antenna at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) from your face with the antenna pointed up and away.

If this equipment causes harmful interference to radio or television reception, try one or more of the following: reorient or relocate the receiving antenna; increase separation between the equipment and receiver; connect the equipment to a different circuit outlet; or consult a radio technician for help.