How are you communicating on the trail or on the road?

[cruiseroutfit]

What different methods are you using to communicate vehicle to vehicle while you are on the trail, in the back-country or on the road?

I’m primarily curious about your vehicle to vehicle communications, not emergency comms such as InReach, PLB, Starlink, etc.

Thanks!

 

[FrenchieXJ]

Wow! I thought the 3 radios were a bit much much. When I was leading groups I would pick the radio that most people had for primary radio. Then the others for the other people. I found out that when training the military I would provide the radios, I had started with 39 radios. Then about 3 years later I ended up buying 20 more. I even numbered them and have them sign out for them. I think I have about a dozen left.

When leading events like Easter Jeep Safari for 25 years I only came up short about 5 radios.

It happened more then 1, 2, or 50 times, someone calls me on one radio and I answer on a different radio, that they did not have.

 

[ITTOG]

Mobile phone or stop the vehicles and talk face to face. But, I have not had a lot of time on long trails to justify something different. Once we used walkie talkies.

 

[nwoods]

Most people I wheel with are using dedicated GMRS units, like the popular Midland 50w units, or the cheap ubiquitous Baofeng UV-5R on GMRS frequencies

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

In my full size a quad band( Including GMRS programed in) , and a CB hard mounted.

In the Zr2, a handheld CB, and a UV-5R. Also pre programmed with freq's I use/need. Like GMRS.

 

[SDDiver5]

I went with Midland MXT275 because of how popular it is. Affordable-ish, works well and can be delivered to your door via amazon overnight.

Everyone I wheel with has one, or another GMRS. It's just simple. I don't have a desire or need for anything more than that. On the rare occasion someone does not have one, I have some Midland hand helds that they can use and connect with us.

 

[dstefan]

Wow! I thought the 3 radios were a bit much much. When I was leading groups I would pick the radio that most people had for primary radio. Then the others for the other people. I found out that when training the military I would provide the radios, I had started with 39 radios. Then about 3 years later I ended up buying 20 more. I even numbered them and have them sign out for them. I think I have about a dozen left.

When leading events like Easter Jeep Safari for 25 years I only came up short about 5 radios.

It happened more then 1, 2, or 50 times, someone calls me on one radio and I answer on a different radio, that they did not have.

You know, there’s a 12 step group for that …

 

[welikecamping2]

I use GMRS/FRS and cell phone when necessary. Mostly, the people I ride with know where they are going and I know where they are going and they know that I know and vice-versa. Besides, I'm often too busy driving to be chattering on the radio. Personally, I wish my wife would try the radio, it would make backing/parking our trailer easier.

 

[FrenchieXJ]

You know, there’s a 12 step group for that …

Yes. I know about the 12 step program. Currently, I am busy with my other meetings. I have court ordered program for my "Costco"Addiction", I have to attend meetings twice a week. The meetings are in the local "Costco" at 11 A.M. every Tuesday and Thursday. I then monthly have to go to the courts office and present the Cash Register receipts to show, I attended my meetings. The meetings are working well. I no longer have the $500.oo plus once a week "Costco problem". I now generally keep it below $350.oo per visit. So it is working!

The problem is it is 8 miles and not 12 steps to get to the meetings.

You are only young once, but you are OLD from then on!

 

[jadmt]

my group uses midland mxt105's..cheap and super easy to use....I only have it my jeep when we are on the trail or traveling together..

 

[Peter_n_Margaret]

Why do we have 2 identical threads about this?

In Oz there is really only one choice for vehicle to vehicle communication. It is UHF, 80 channels (some of which are reserved for special uses) and the radios are all limited to 5W transmit power.
So if you are in the bush and perform an open scan, you will pick up anyone who is talking vey quickly.
Works well. You need just 1 radio.
Some will also have a HF for long range coms, but not "instead of" the UHF. They have 2 distinctly different purposes.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Why do we have 2 identical threads about this?

Three actually. Not sure, ExPo has been glitchy for me as of late. I've deleted the other two.

In Oz there is really only one choice for vehicle to vehicle communication. It is UHF, 80 channels (some of which are reserved for special uses) and the radios are all limited to 5W transmit power.
So if you are in the bush and perform an open scan, you will pick up anyone who is talking vey quickly.
Works well. You need just 1 radio.
Some will also have a HF for long range coms, but not "instead of" the UHF. They have 2 distinctly different purposes.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Thanks for chiming in!

 

[FrenchieXJ]

As I recall by my memory (Value of one Indian Head nickle).

In the 1960's, 70's and 80's, the CB radios became popular and in the U.S. 1970 and 80's you had to get a license for CB radios. It became popular with the Off Highway community. With popularity comes the general population with responsible users and others not so much.

In the late 1990's or early 2000's, they got rid of the Morris Code requirement regulations for Ham radios. This made getting a ham license easier. Then it spread into the Off Highway users. Most everyone could get a license easier by reading the questions and memorizing the answers. Take the test, pass and get your license. The clarity was much better then the CB. Many of the people who hung around the CB would play games on the radio. Adding a illeagel power buster or just tie up the airways. Ham people are better then the CB people for bring more respectful using the ham radio.

About this same time as the hams came into use inside a vehicle to inside another vehicle, they were good for about max of 1/2 mile.
Then outside of a vehicle maybe a mile. Yes, their are exceptions but I am keeping it real.

In the last 10 years the GMRS frequencies have started gaining popularity. You were required to license them. I knew a few who did but most have not got the license. They are better then the the FRS and almost as good as the Ham radios. Just limited in power transmitting.

Edit;
I forgot to mention that the Red Rock 4-wheelers. tried dropping the CB radios at the Labor day Campout, last year. The response was that it was better then the CB radios.

For this reason the main radio this Easter Jeep Safari (EJS) will be the GMRS radios for 2026.

 

[Bill Ruttan]

A subsidiary question for GMRS and ‘ham’ users:

Communication via simplex (radio-to-radio direct) or relay through a repeater station? My vehicle to vehicle use has been almost entirely simplex.