CB or FRS?
- Thread starter fishEH
- Start date
verdesardog
Explorer
FRS is the cheap way, will work fine in a tight group if you have a ride along to handle the radio. My preference is 2 meter, I have a 75 watt transciever installed in my truck.
topofpalomar
Enthusiast
I also vote for 2-meter. CB okay for close quarters but start spreading out and 2-meter rules, IMO. My 2-meter is 55 watts and I've been able to communicate over 12 miles simplex (in the desert) to coordinate rendezvous point with another vehicle. Plus you've got a better chance to get help if needed verses a CB when cell coverage is nonexistent.
CaliMobber
Adventurer
I picked CB only comparing to those cheap hand held FSR that have tiny antenna.
Get a Nice 2m/440 ham radio if you can. Way more power and antenna options. I modified mine so I can talk to FSR which is illigal but that way I can talk to people who dont have their license for ham.
The cheapest route is to just get a $30 china ham radio and just get your license. its very easy and all the test answers are online. I bought a CB and ended up selling before I even installed since its such an inferior radio compared to Ham radio.
Get a Nice 2m/440 ham radio if you can. Way more power and antenna options. I modified mine so I can talk to FSR which is illigal but that way I can talk to people who dont have their license for ham.
The cheapest route is to just get a $30 china ham radio and just get your license. its very easy and all the test answers are online. I bought a CB and ended up selling before I even installed since its such an inferior radio compared to Ham radio.
rkj__
Adventurer
FRS is fine with fresh batteries, but I find whenever groups rely on those little handhelds, things usually start to fall apart after a while due to people's 5+ year old rechargeable batteries not holding much of a charge any more.
CB has worked much better in my experience, even with a really cheap radio and antenna. Sure the range is limited, but that has not been an issue for me where a small to medium sized group sticks together.
CB has worked much better in my experience, even with a really cheap radio and antenna. Sure the range is limited, but that has not been an issue for me where a small to medium sized group sticks together.
craig333
Expedition Leader
CB just because thats what more people have. 2 meter is great if everyone has it but on my last group run I was the only one in the group that had it, everyone else had cb's. It was handy to use the 2m to communicate with another nearby group.
The advantage with FRS is you can buy a whole bunch and just hand them out.
The advantage with FRS is you can buy a whole bunch and just hand them out.
gary in ohio
Explorer
It all depends on useage... FRS in vehicle is only good for a mile, CB you can get 5+ miles.
Two very different design usages.
Two very different design usages.
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
AFAIK FRS radios cannot be used with an external antenna. Given that, I'd say CB is a better option just because a CB with a decent antenna can reach out far enough to talk to anybody else in your group, even if someone is as far as a mile or two away.
If you don't want to do a permanent install of a CB you could use something like the Midland 75-822. I've been using one for years. With an external mag-mount antenna on the center of the roof it works pretty well, with a permanent mounted (and tuned) antenna it would do even better. The entire unit is contained in the handset and it plugs into your 12v dash socket so there's no wiring to mess with. It also features 10 (I think) WX bands so you can get weather in many areas.
If you don't want to do a permanent install of a CB you could use something like the Midland 75-822. I've been using one for years. With an external mag-mount antenna on the center of the roof it works pretty well, with a permanent mounted (and tuned) antenna it would do even better. The entire unit is contained in the handset and it plugs into your 12v dash socket so there's no wiring to mess with. It also features 10 (I think) WX bands so you can get weather in many areas.
CaliMobber
Adventurer
2 meter is a freq on ham radio.
rkj__
Adventurer
That's the type of setup I use.
My truck is my DD, and the only time I ever use a CB is on group trips / trail runs. So, when needed I use a hand-held unit with a magnet antenna.
I will note though, that the roof mounted antenna does sometimes have a problem with branches knocking it off on trails.
craig333
Expedition Leader
FRS only radios can't be used with an external antenna. Something like my combo frs/gmrs Icom-F21GM can. Does it suddenly become illegal when switched from a gmrs freq to an frs freq? I dunno.
Btw, I even have a license for it, WQFF462. Unfortunately since no one I know uses frs or gmrs it sits next to my other unused radios. Not the best purchase I ever made. Quality rig though.
Btw, I even have a license for it, WQFF462. Unfortunately since no one I know uses frs or gmrs it sits next to my other unused radios. Not the best purchase I ever made. Quality rig though.