Two-Way Radio for Deck Building in Eau Claire: A GMRS Guide

By Eau Claire Deck Pros · October 18, 2026

A handheld two-way radio with a microphone

On a deck build the truck is at the curb and the work is out back, past the house and a fence or two. A two-way radio in the truck fixes a lot of that. We cover GMRS basics, this radio, honest range, and the license.

What GMRS is

GMRS is the General Mobile Radio Service. The FCC licenses it for short-distance, two-way voice using handhelds, mobile radios in vehicles, and repeaters, on channels around 462 and 467 MHz.

The service has 30 channels. 22 overlap with FRS, and 8 are for repeaters. Radios over 2 watts on these channels count as GMRS, and mobile or base stations can go up to 50 watts on the main channels. No one owns a channel. Listen before you key up.

What the Midland MXT295 does

This is a mobile radio, meaning it mounts in a vehicle. The big deal for a deck crew is the wireless Bluetooth mic: you can leave the cab and stay on the air.

Rated IP67, so dust and water stay out
PA speaker jack, wired intercom jack and external speaker jack
A hideaway base unit you can mount out of the way, powered by a DC vehicle adapter
NOAA weather radio with weather alerts
Automatic noise canceling, handy next to running equipment
A high setting of 15 watts and a low setting of 5 watts
50 CTCSS and 104 DCS privacy codes, 154 in all

Plan on mounting the external antenna it needs, high and centered on the vehicle if possible. Per the manual, the radio drops to 5 watts on channels 1 to 7 and will not transmit on 8 to 14, because FCC rules say so.

How far it really reaches

According to the FCC, GMRS range runs from one to twenty-five miles. Station type, terrain and repeaters make the difference. Radio to radio, with no repeater, plan on a few miles. Hills, trees and buildings cut that down.

To go farther, use a repeater: a station up high that rebroadcasts your signal. The radio's 8 repeater channels handle that. One rule to know: the FCC prohibits linking repeaters through the internet.

Using it on deck building jobs in Eau Claire

Call for a board length from the cut station without walking around the house.
Check in with a second crew that is finishing railings at another Eau Claire job.
Warn the crew when a delivery is backing in at the curb.
Keep a helper posted at the saw while you check level and layout at the ledger.

Eau Claire has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm summers, so check that deck stain, fasteners and covers are rated for those conditions before you buy. That is part of why the sealed IP67 build and the weather alerts matter.

Yes, you need an FCC license

The Amazon listing skips this part. Midland and the FCC do not. Midland's MXT295 manual says: The MXT295 operates on GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) frequencies, which require a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license. You must be licensed prior to operating your MXT295 radio. The FCC rule, 47 CFR 95.1705, says: A valid individual license is required to operate a GMRS station.

The FCC fee is $35.
The term is 10 years, renewable.
There is no test.
The applicant has to be at least 18.
Your immediate family can use it too. The rule lists spouse, children, grandchildren, stepchildren, parents, grandparents, stepparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and in-laws.
Employees outside the family need their own license. The FCC issues new GMRS licenses to individuals only, not to companies.
You get a call sign from the FCC and use it to identify on the air.

Bottom line for a deck crew: one license per person outside the owner's immediate family. No test, $35, 10 years. Apply through the FCC; start at the FCC GMRS page.

The rule does allow one exception: anyone may use a licensee's radio to communicate an emergency message.

Before you buy

Apply for the license before the radio shows up.
Set a crew channel and privacy code ahead of time.
Figure out the antenna mount: high and centered works best.
The radio is built for a 12-volt negative-ground vehicle.
Confirm that hired help has their own license.

A black hideaway two-way radio base unit with a short antenna and a green status light, next to a wireless handheld microphone

Midland MXT295 15W GMRS mobile radio with Bluetooth mic

See current price and details on Amazon. A GMRS license is required to transmit.

View on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission when you buy through this link, at no extra cost to you.

Sources: FCC GMRS page · 47 CFR Part 95 Subpart E · FCC fee guide · Midland MXT295 manual. Checked October 18, 2026.

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