Is there a common GMRS channel that you guys use when on the trails?
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Bumbo
New member
Negative... I don't think there is a common or standardized channel for such a thing. It's really more about what you decide to establish to use with the group of people you are wheeling with.
There are also different power levels associated with channels.
General Mobile Radio Service - Wikipedia
There are also different power levels associated with channels.
General Mobile Radio Service - Wikipedia
tx_shooter
New member
This ^^
Last big trip I did we specifically used the higher channels because they would offer less cross talk with other people. I am not sure if there is enough of a GMRS network built up to really use one for emergency communications. I usually look up any repeaters in the area I am going to and try to keep that in my notes for the trip. Repeaters mean traffic and better odds of reaching someone.
Akkording
Member
Speaking of gmrs radios what's everyone's opinion about this model. Just need something portable to swap in and out of rigs if I happen to swap rides or jump on a buddies
MXT275 MicroMobile(R) Two-Way Radio | Midland USA
MXT275 MicroMobile(R) Two-Way Radio | Midland USA
GreenMountainOwl
New member
For the same amount of money, get a slightly used Kenwood or Icom and programming software. Program it anywhere you go, 256 channel versions are easily affordable, and get something P25 capable if you want.
Those Midlands can’t be end user programmed. And from what I hear, RX is narrow while TX is “old school” wide, so older wide repeaters (probably most repeaters on the air today) will sound like crap. Think I read that on QRZ but could have been Radio Reference.
GreenMountainOwl
New member
Which, the Midland MXT series? Those are Part 95 certified.
any of the programmable Ham radios, you're not supposed to be using those on GMRS. if you're going to anyways, at least reduce your power.
^not for the ham radios
Kamalani Mahie
New member
No common channel. Just establish a channel with your group beforehand. In general stick with the higher channels though in my experience. But I've used lower channels with no issues as well. Just really depends on who is on what channels in your area.
Bumbo
New member
I’m pretty big on radio gear… I am a licensed HAM and have mobile and handheld radios in the truck and have over 10+ years of experience with this stuff. HAM radio is literally the pinnacle of radio coms for the general populace. I’ve talked around the world with the equipment, and it’s amazing how much capability the FCC allows us. You can talk directly to the international space station with one just as an example.
I’ve used it for hobby, safety, emergency preparedness, long range and short range group communications, but it doesn’t come without challenges. Primary licensing and being familiar with your equipment and maintaining proficiency. Understanding frequency, tone, shift, and how to use and program it into your radios as you travel is also pretty important. Unless you are wheeling with a group of nerds, chances are most won’t be licensed. It’s the best radio tool for emergencies, but I rarely use it for car to car communications because most of my friends are not licensed.
MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service) - I feel this is a lot better than GMRS. This is free and unlicensed, you can run more power with external antennas, and is very easy to use because once a radio is programed there is nothing else to do but use it. I carry a few of them in a Pelican case which I give out to others who I wheel with if they don’t have one. Perfect for talking on the trail, but crap for emergency use just like FRS and GMRS.
I still carry a HAM radio for emergency, but someone still needs to be on the other end of it to help. I also think in a true emergency I need absolute reliability. These days I carry a satellite communicator as a budget option to a sat phone. As much as I like radio, I absolutely LOVE this thing and feel it’s worth every penny. If you wheel outside of cell coverage, I really don’t think there is a better tool. What I like about it the most is that you can use it as a satellite modem and though the Garmin app, just text people from your smartphone. Friends or family can also track you live and keeps tabs on you too if you allow it. It also has an SOS button, which puts you in contact with GEOS (Emergency Response Coordination Center). Plus for $18/year extra, that includes $100k of search and rescue coverage. All your GPS data is automatically sent on all communications too.
Garmin inreach mini 2-way satellite communicator
(Global Coverage via Iridium satellite constellation)
I’ve used it for hobby, safety, emergency preparedness, long range and short range group communications, but it doesn’t come without challenges. Primary licensing and being familiar with your equipment and maintaining proficiency. Understanding frequency, tone, shift, and how to use and program it into your radios as you travel is also pretty important. Unless you are wheeling with a group of nerds, chances are most won’t be licensed. It’s the best radio tool for emergencies, but I rarely use it for car to car communications because most of my friends are not licensed.
MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service) - I feel this is a lot better than GMRS. This is free and unlicensed, you can run more power with external antennas, and is very easy to use because once a radio is programed there is nothing else to do but use it. I carry a few of them in a Pelican case which I give out to others who I wheel with if they don’t have one. Perfect for talking on the trail, but crap for emergency use just like FRS and GMRS.
I still carry a HAM radio for emergency, but someone still needs to be on the other end of it to help. I also think in a true emergency I need absolute reliability. These days I carry a satellite communicator as a budget option to a sat phone. As much as I like radio, I absolutely LOVE this thing and feel it’s worth every penny. If you wheel outside of cell coverage, I really don’t think there is a better tool. What I like about it the most is that you can use it as a satellite modem and though the Garmin app, just text people from your smartphone. Friends or family can also track you live and keeps tabs on you too if you allow it. It also has an SOS button, which puts you in contact with GEOS (Emergency Response Coordination Center). Plus for $18/year extra, that includes $100k of search and rescue coverage. All your GPS data is automatically sent on all communications too.
Garmin inreach mini 2-way satellite communicator
(Global Coverage via Iridium satellite constellation)
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Except for the ham part (still working on getting licensed - just gotta get around to taking the exam), I'm with Bumbo. MURS for vehicle-vehicle comms on the trail, and Inreach for back-home communication and for emergencies.
I was even able to use the Inreach to make campground reservations at Needles Outpost when our plans changed within the Elephant Hill backcountry area of Canyonlands NP in Utah. A couple of text messages and we were all set.
I was even able to use the Inreach to make campground reservations at Needles Outpost when our plans changed within the Elephant Hill backcountry area of Canyonlands NP in Utah. A couple of text messages and we were all set.
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Bumbo
New member
In case anyone wants to know… here is some data on MURS along with frequency and radio options.
Multi-Use Radio Service - Wikipedia
Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) | Federal Communications Commission
I have a couple old commercial Motorola radios, but these are about as cheap/easy as you can find for type accepted equipment.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075VBP9YG/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_JrQCDb4KFQZV8
That said, a ton of people do use ham equipment, even though technically it’s illegal to do so. So don't do it.
MURS
151.820 MHz (11.25 kHz)
151.880 MHz (11.25 kHz)
151.940 MHz (11.25 kHz)
154.570 MHz (20.00 kHz)
154.600 MHz (20.00 kHz)
Multi-Use Radio Service - Wikipedia
Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) | Federal Communications Commission
I have a couple old commercial Motorola radios, but these are about as cheap/easy as you can find for type accepted equipment.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075VBP9YG/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_JrQCDb4KFQZV8
That said, a ton of people do use ham equipment, even though technically it’s illegal to do so. So don't do it.
MURS
151.820 MHz (11.25 kHz)
151.880 MHz (11.25 kHz)
151.940 MHz (11.25 kHz)
154.570 MHz (20.00 kHz)
154.600 MHz (20.00 kHz)
Bumbo
New member
Negative.
Air Band Transceivers are AM radios (118 to 137 MHz). MURS and GMRS both operate on FM.
In addition to that MURS operates in the VHF spectrum on 151 & 154 MHz, and GMRS operates in the UHF spectrum on 462 & 467 MHz
It’s worth mentioning that even if it was possible, it may not be legal. For example a marine radio which is VHF would be illegal to operate on land. Similarly it’s illegal to operate MURS or GMRS on a HAM radio because the equipment is not FCC type accepted for that application even though it would be entirely possible to actually do it. The second you PTT, you broke a Federal law. It would however be quite acceptable to program those frequencies for the purpose of monitoring/listening on a HAM radio.
There are various federal restrictions/rules across the board depending on the type of equipment, service, and band.
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Thanks! Not planning on any FCC violations, purely asking to satisfy my curiosity on frequencies.
Bumbo
New member
It’s a perfectly good & valid question… I don’t hear much about air band radios around here so I felt compelled to answer it. I don’t own an air band radio, but I can monitor it on my Yaesu VX-7R HAM radio which can do wideband AM/FM receive.
Turfboy
Member
For group comms where we are all within a mile, I typically just use an agreed channel within the group. I spend enough time outside of cell service here in Idaho that I got a Garmin Inreach Explorer plus so I can text my wife if I get a flat or will be delayed. She can also look at Garmin's web site to see where I am stuck.
