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Thread: Radio Communication mediums used here.

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    Default Radio Communication mediums used here.



    Hey guys.. I'm curious on what communications do you all use when wheeling.. FRS, CB's. HAM, All the above? I'd like to communication setup before I try wheeling with everyone. Nothing worse than being out on the trails and having someone without a radio. =)

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    Default Re: Radio Communication mediums used here.



    https://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums...t-shall-we-use


    lately it's been GMRS, i'm about to toss out my CB because of it

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    Spectre (June 22nd, 2021)

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    Default Re: Radio Communication mediums used here.



    Thanks for the link.. I'm a dumb and forgot to search first.. =)

    I have a pair of GMRS radios somewhere I think. I packed them when I moved to CO and haven't used them since.. I have a 2m/440cm mobile here in my shack but if there were enough hams I'd get one for the jeep. (Now I'm a dumb again. After I submitted this post I remembered I have a handheld Yaesu 2m/70cm radio I could use.. 5w on that will be plenty for the trails) (though I still might anyways) IF you're thinking of tossing out the CB I might just avoid getting one. Thankfully I have plenty of time to get this situated. =)

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    Default Re: Radio Communication mediums used here.



    A radio is not required though it is handy / convenient. Through the years, I'd guess only about 1/2 of the vehicles had a radio. "back then" it was CB.

    In the past two or three years handheld FRS/GMRS units have become popular, such that more vehicles have a radio (or others that buy a two-pack have one to loan for the day).

    HAM is discussed. Tom is the most frequent user as I recall.

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    Default Re: Radio Communication mediums used here.



    Jim previously posted:
    "A radio is not required though it is handy / convenient. Through the years, I'd guess only about 1/2 of the vehicles had a radio. "back then" it was CB.

    In the past two or three years handheld FRS/GMRS units have become popular, such that more vehicles have a radio (or others that buy a two-pack have one to loan for the day).

    HAM is discussed. Tom is the most frequent user as I recall."

    I believe there are 3-4 hams here. I use it mainly for aprs when wheeling, though I often monitor 2 meter national calling freq. Have received several summits on the air (sota) on it.

    In my rig I have 2 ham radios, a cb, and can carry frs/gmrs hand helds.
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    -.- . ----- .-- - -.-.

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    Default Re: Radio Communication mediums used here.



    The fact that frs/gmrs has usable handhelds (my handheld CB was worthless) is a pretty big advantage I've realized recently. I loan out one or two of my spare handhelds a run. It's nice having those folks on the radio who would be without otherwise. The average new member showing up doesn't have a CB, and couldn't legally use a HAM even if someone had a handheld to loan them, I just toss them one of my spare FRS radios and we are good. You do need a license for GMRS but it's easy, you just fill out a form online and pay the fee, but I really like that we can hand out FRS radios knowing they work well enough and we aren't bending any rules.

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    Tom (June 22nd, 2021)

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    Default Re: Radio Communication mediums used here.



    You only need a GMRS license to use more power and radios with detachable antennas if I remember right.

    I'll have ham, CB, and GMRS in my Jeep. The CB is always limited to 4W. The ham has 50W, the GMRS I'm looking at will do 40W. Plus I have handhelds for all 3 in my trail bag so I'll always have a spare.

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    Default Re: Radio Communication mediums used here.



    For some reason I keep wanting to fall back to having all the radios in the rig.. Question is do I get a grab handle mount to hold the mobile or do I get an actually mobile radio. I have a Kenwood 2m / 70cm here at the house but my father in law has loaned it to me and it sits next to my HF rig. I would hate to break it. =)

    You've guys have made this a great topic and are giving me things to think about.

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    Default Re: Radio Communication mediums used here.



    I've got a cb that has been sitting on the shelf for 5+ years (I am one of those 'nothing worse than' wheelers that doesn't have a radio/cb etc)....After all this time, I don't think it will ever go back in the jeep and I am probably leaning towards a handheld GRMS unit one of these days (maybe). Its yours if you want one...I can get you more info...Its a cobra of some sort and has a short firestick antenna to go with it (don't think it has the adjustable tip on it though).
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    Default Re: Radio Communication mediums used here.



    Spectre previously posted:
    "For some reason I keep wanting to fall back to having all the radios in the rig.. Question is do I get a grab handle mount to hold the mobile or do I get an actually mobile radio. I have a Kenwood 2m / 70cm here at the house but my father in law has loaned it to me and it sits next to my HF rig. I would hate to break it. =)

    You've guys have made this a great topic and are giving me things to think about."

    Cheapest way to do a ham rig for your vehicle would be a baofeng uv5r with an external antenna and mic.
    ___________
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    -.- . ----- .-- - -.-.

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    Default Re: Radio Communication mediums used here.



    FINOCJ previously posted:
    "I've got a cb that has been sitting on the shelf for 5+ years (I am one of those 'nothing worse than' wheelers that doesn't have a radio/cb etc)....After all this time, I don't think it will ever go back in the jeep and I am probably leaning towards a handheld GRMS unit one of these days (maybe). Its yours if you want one...I can get you more info...Its a cobra of some sort and has a short firestick antenna to go with it (don't think it has the adjustable tip on it though)."

    I'm always a fan of free 99. If you don't plan on using it.. I'd be happy to put it to some use. =) For some reason I'm a big communication nerd. heh.

    Tom previously posted:
    "Cheapest way to do a ham rig for your vehicle would be a baofeng uv5r with an external antenna and mic."

    I have a Yaesu FT-60r with an external Mic. So I'm most of the way there. =) Just would need to figured out how I would want to do an antenna for it along side a CB antenna if I get one in the rig.

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    Default Re: Radio Communication mediums used here.



    I just pulled it off the shelf...the cb is a radioshack TRC-519 (its vintage like my jeep). The Cobra piece I remembered was the police radar detector (anyone still use those?) that was attached and held in the same housing as the cb - its sitting on the shelf as well. They are both free!
    ___________
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