Communications for the Beginner

Joedie

Joedie

Rank 0

Contributor I

60
Japan
Alcon,

I am new to the OB community and I am wondering what is the best/most cost effective vehicle communications systems. CB or HAM (UHF, VHF or HF) which systems are most common among OB personnel
 
  • Like
Reactions: grumpy and Luis Merlo
Also depends on what is common in your area. For example when riding in northern Maine its important to have some sort of MURS communication. The logging industry up there uses MURS to communicate there location and direction on the windy roads, something you need to need cautious about.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Luis Merlo
I've found with the offroad groups around the Midwest, it's cb's. With my car groups it was walkies. And they get better range
 
  • Like
Reactions: Luis Merlo
Currently everyone I go wheeling with uses CB out on the trails. We tend to be close enough together to communicate.
Yesterday a handful of my friends went and passed the HAM radio license (Whatever the basic one is), so they are looking into that.
I'm hitting the trail with a guy who has his rig set up with HAM in 3 weeks. I'll be checking it out and probably be inspired to pass that exam myself.
 
  • Like
Reactions: VCeXpedition and Luis Merlo
While I'm not new to communications (public safety comms is my day job), I am in the OB sense. From what I gather CB seems to be the go to. You can pick up a decent little CB for about $40-50, antenna/coax kit for $30'ish and you don't need a license. Mileage may vary on your range but if you're working in a pretty tight group CB should have no issues getting you a mile or two down the road (maybe more).

Me being a comms nerd, I'm pushing to get my General HAM license which opens me up for HF rigs and the like. In my truck I'm working to build out - CB, VHF/UHF HAM, GMRS and then I use 800MHz for public safety locally. While it seems like a lot, we travel a lot and I never know who or what I'll run in to for capabilities.

I was researching this very thing tonight and you may find this site a good quick read for CB stuff. Hope that helps!
http://www.wearecb.com/small-low-profile-cb-radios-antennas.html

I'm going to settle on the Cobra 18WXST. It's a well priced radio with key options for me being scan, CH9 (emergency) access and Weather.
http://www.wearecb.com/cobra-18-wx-st-ii-economical-cb-radio.html
 
  • Like
Reactions: vegasjeepguy and Luis Merlo
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Brewpeddler, JaimyMac630, Luis Merlo and 1 other person
Knew I was forgetting something, yes have some FRS capabilities! These Baofeng and Wouxun radios are a great way to cover everything - FRS (no license), GMRS (application license only) and HAM (exam based license). Good catch Recon.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Luis Merlo and Kelly
Reconnoiter said:
I'm not an expert, but if I could only have one radio, I'd have one of these and program it with FRS channels.

View attachment 11477


On the four OB trips I've been on, FRS was the most common.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip here - I'm new to the world of off road communication as well, and I see the BaoFeng UV-5R as a frequently mentioned pick...The GT3 seems like a more robust option, would you be able to explain some of the differences? I'll be likely using FRS short distance from vehicle to vehicle until I get licensed for HAM - and wouldn't mind paying the small difference between the two radios for an upgrade right out of the chute for some future proofing.

Also would you recommend anything else to go along with it, like a different antenna?

Thanks again guys!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kelly
Jaydub514 said:
Thanks for the tip here - I'm new to the world of off road communication as well, and I see the BaoFeng UV-5R as a frequently mentioned pick...The GT3 seems like a more robust option, would you be able to explain some of the differences? I'll be likely using FRS short distance from vehicle to vehicle until I get licensed for HAM - and wouldn't mind paying the small difference between the two radios for an upgrade right out of the chute for some future proofing.

Also would you recommend anything else to go along with it, like a different antenna?

Thanks again guys!
Click to expand...
I have two UV-5Rs, but I recommended the GT3 because I believe it has 3 power settings, so you can save battery when using at short range, and crank it up when you need to reach out. I would also get an external car-mount antenna, and a 12v car adaptor. It's all available on Amazon.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Graeman, TnK1, JaimyMac630 and 2 others
Unless you add an external antenna turning up the power won't do much but heat up the "ducky" antenna On the uv5r. At least that's what I read on ham forums. On low power mode I've gone 4.4 miles, per my gps, and could still hear clearly.


Sent from my iPhone using OB Talk
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sean S
Anyone using this Cobra

Cobra 75WXST 40-Channel CB Radio
6c8828ca9285cea29c0a43481d23868e.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using OB Talk
 
  • Like
Reactions: YPD1, VCeXpedition, BobG and 1 other person
Reconnoiter said:
I have two UV-5Rs, but I recommended the GT3 because I believe it has 3 power settings, so you can save battery when using at short range, and crank it up when you need to reach out. I would also get an external car-mount antenna, and a 12v car adaptor. It's all available on Amazon.
Click to expand...
Kelly,

What external antenna would you recommend to go with the GT-3?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fatguyinalittlejeep
Currently I am running a 40 channel Cobra CB and it works well for talking with in the groups I have traveled with. Although at times a lot of people in the groups do not even have a CB. Some of the group have had a HAM radio and even more are starting to get their HAM licenses. I have also started looking more into getting a HAM license as well. I would recommend both HAM and CB if possible. If you must pick one type of communications then go with what ever the majority of the group you run with has.
 
  • Like
Reactions: VCeXpedition
OK guys I am glad everyone is interested in comms. let me start off by saying CB and FRS are good place to start but the baofang and like radios are not made for use on FRS and MURS just because you can program the channels does not mean you are free to transmit. Just go get you ham license and become legal. I can quote the reg's from the FCC all day long but I don't want to beat a dead horse.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TXpedition
This is not the end all to be all but I have attached a document that goes into detail about the in's and out's of the different radio services.
 

Attachments

  • Part-95 radio service.txt
    12.6 KB · Views: 44
coachjdmac630 said:
Kelly,

What external antenna would you recommend to go with the GT-3?
Click to expand...

The Larsen 2/70 is generally considered to be the best antenna, however I run multiple Browning BR-180-b antennas and they have held up well getting knocked around on trees daily. They are also about half the cost of the Larsen. They are 1/2 wave on 2m (VHF) so they are not ground dependent meaning they can be mounted virtually anywhere and still work, though they will work better with a good ground plane.

 
  • Like
Reactions: scooterd58
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom