What type of trail radio do you use?
- Thread starter StreetCreeper
- Start date
2014 Warthog
New member
I also voted Ham+FRS+CB
You just never know which one or two you will need when with a group. I've even had to use all three in a single weekend before!
CB is such crap, but still a base common demonimator. FRS works well when in a close (proximity) group, sounds as good as HAM (Same basic freq/FM as ham) Range is ok, not super great, at least no license required so keep 2 in your car and you can always loan one out.
Ham though is by far the best in clarity and range and overall functionality, except due to the lic. it's my least used trail radio :/
You just never know which one or two you will need when with a group. I've even had to use all three in a single weekend before!
CB is such crap, but still a base common demonimator. FRS works well when in a close (proximity) group, sounds as good as HAM (Same basic freq/FM as ham) Range is ok, not super great, at least no license required so keep 2 in your car and you can always loan one out.
Ham though is by far the best in clarity and range and overall functionality, except due to the lic. it's my least used trail radio :/
turbodudey2
New member
Some radio info
I have my amateur radio license, and use my HAM radio quite a bit in the backcountry (both handheld and a mobile unit in my truck).
One thing that I think is important to note, is the power output and type of antenna you have on your radio, regardless of what type of radio or frequency band you are using, will have a large impact on your range and ability to communicate.
For example: It's easy to say, "HAM radio is way better than CB/FRS, etc.." but that doesn't necessarily mean anything unless you specify what type of radio you are using. In general amateur radio has the capacity to be the best - due to the ability to transmit with higher power and possibility of utilizing a repeater network. However, a mobile CB radio with a true 1/4 wave antenna will transmit way farther than say a handheld VHF radio on the HAM band.
So, lets break it down:
1. FRS
-Only 1/2 watt transmit power
-Range: 1/2 mile up to 3 miles or so, depending on conditions
-UHF: 462 - 467 MHz
2. CB radio
-Only 4 watts transmit power
-Range: 2 to 10+ miles depending on conditions and antenna
-HF: 27 MHz
3. Amateur radio (HAM)
-Up to 50 watts transmit power (VHF 2 meter band)
-Range: Virtually unlimited. A HF radio can bounce a signal off the atmosphere and communicate half way around the globe with only a few watts of power - this type of equipment is generally set up in your house or garage and not in your vehicle though. The more common mobile VHF and UHF radios will transmit anywhere from 25 up to 75 miles. Again it all depends on your antenna and what the landscape is like. And if you can reach a repeater network, again your range will be virtually unlimited. (you can even make a call to a cell phone from your radio if you hit a repeater with an autopatch)
To sum up:
Don't go out and buy a cheap handheld HAM radio (like the UV5R linked in post # 8) and expect to communicate in any conditions.
I suggest you do little reading, definitely consider an amateur radio license, and when the time comes do a little research to find a radio/antenna combo that fits your budget and needs.
Personally, I use a Wouxun KG-UV6D dual band handheld, and a PowerWerx DB-750x dual band mobile with a Comet CA-2x4SR antenna (which is designed to work outside of the HAM band, because I primarily use the public service band for EMS and SAR). Plus the dual band mobile radio gives me access to the FRS/GMRS frequencies, as well as MURS and Airband AM.
I have my amateur radio license, and use my HAM radio quite a bit in the backcountry (both handheld and a mobile unit in my truck).
One thing that I think is important to note, is the power output and type of antenna you have on your radio, regardless of what type of radio or frequency band you are using, will have a large impact on your range and ability to communicate.
For example: It's easy to say, "HAM radio is way better than CB/FRS, etc.." but that doesn't necessarily mean anything unless you specify what type of radio you are using. In general amateur radio has the capacity to be the best - due to the ability to transmit with higher power and possibility of utilizing a repeater network. However, a mobile CB radio with a true 1/4 wave antenna will transmit way farther than say a handheld VHF radio on the HAM band.
So, lets break it down:
1. FRS
-Only 1/2 watt transmit power
-Range: 1/2 mile up to 3 miles or so, depending on conditions
-UHF: 462 - 467 MHz
2. CB radio
-Only 4 watts transmit power
-Range: 2 to 10+ miles depending on conditions and antenna
-HF: 27 MHz
3. Amateur radio (HAM)
-Up to 50 watts transmit power (VHF 2 meter band)
-Range: Virtually unlimited. A HF radio can bounce a signal off the atmosphere and communicate half way around the globe with only a few watts of power - this type of equipment is generally set up in your house or garage and not in your vehicle though. The more common mobile VHF and UHF radios will transmit anywhere from 25 up to 75 miles. Again it all depends on your antenna and what the landscape is like. And if you can reach a repeater network, again your range will be virtually unlimited. (you can even make a call to a cell phone from your radio if you hit a repeater with an autopatch)
To sum up:
Don't go out and buy a cheap handheld HAM radio (like the UV5R linked in post # 8) and expect to communicate in any conditions.
I suggest you do little reading, definitely consider an amateur radio license, and when the time comes do a little research to find a radio/antenna combo that fits your budget and needs.
Personally, I use a Wouxun KG-UV6D dual band handheld, and a PowerWerx DB-750x dual band mobile with a Comet CA-2x4SR antenna (which is designed to work outside of the HAM band, because I primarily use the public service band for EMS and SAR). Plus the dual band mobile radio gives me access to the FRS/GMRS frequencies, as well as MURS and Airband AM.
SilverRidgeRunner1
Member
Ham would be great I would think. I Personally choose to go with a CB radio, I had mine tuned and add a linear (amp) so I can push a 500 w swing to get out... In case of emergencies and had to use this one time is CH 9. This channel is a FCC emergencies ch which they have monitor.
mountain mike
New member
Handhelds will surprise you how well they work. I had a mobile unit in my FJ and thought a handheld wouldn't cut it. However, I was running with others that only used the HT and we were able to pick up each other 20-25 miles easy. Add a repeater in the mix and even further. HT are 5 watts, most mobile units are about 50 ( i think the one I had was actually 75). So the mobile is more powerful, but again the HT is really all you would need. For my 4Runner I bought a cheap Kenwood HT and it works really well. At somepoint I will probably put a mobile unit in the 4Runner with cross band repeat. This will allow me to use the HT to call down to the 4runner and then use the power of the mobile unit to call back out giving my HT more range/power.
Here is a link to the HT that I have.
KENWOOD TH-K20A | 2M 5.5W HT TRANSCEIVER 1130MAH BATTERY
scrapper
New member
4eigner
New member
It's illegal to have a radio that functions on multiple different radio services (i.e. CB & HAM).
Brique
New member
Bah, that's lame. So to have both, one has to have two completely separate units cluttering up their cab.
