teotwaki
Excelsior!
I am sympathetic to their edict. On my last run with 12+ vehicles I tried to accomodate Ham, CB and FRS and it was a royal pain. A trail leader should be the one to decide what the single comms mode is that works for them.
Lipstick on a Pig: The 10 Don'ts of Vehicle Modifications
- Thread starter Scott Brady
- Start date
I am sympathetic to their edict. On my last run with 12+ vehicles I tried to accomodate Ham, CB and FRS and it was a royal pain. A trail leader should be the one to decide what the single comms mode is that works for them.
off-roader
Expedition Leader
As the main trip organizer among my group of 4x4 enthusiast, I've had to decide which communications meduim is a requirement to have and which is 'good' to have.
Heres my $.02 on them in regards to the trips i organize (in order of preference)...
CB: all the regulars have it, works fine for 99% of off road situations, is relatively simple to install and learn to use.
GMRS: Almost anyone can get and use even though they may not have 'purchased' an FCC license. An external repeater could benefit the range but for most uses, the basic radio is sufficient. Only downside is they're so darned easy to loose one on a trip... well for me anyway.
FRS: Anyone can purchase and use one. Reception is crappy unless you're fairly close to each other, have line of sight, or an external repeater antenna. Like gmrs, they're also easy to loose.
2M/ham: great for longer range comms especially when you know and have programmed in the local repeaters. Only problem is fewer people in the group (especially newbies and non engineering/techie types like me) have them. Im pretty surprised the sale of how to dvd's for the various units isn't more brisk.
Heres my $.02 on them in regards to the trips i organize (in order of preference)...
CB: all the regulars have it, works fine for 99% of off road situations, is relatively simple to install and learn to use.
GMRS: Almost anyone can get and use even though they may not have 'purchased' an FCC license. An external repeater could benefit the range but for most uses, the basic radio is sufficient. Only downside is they're so darned easy to loose one on a trip... well for me anyway.
FRS: Anyone can purchase and use one. Reception is crappy unless you're fairly close to each other, have line of sight, or an external repeater antenna. Like gmrs, they're also easy to loose.
2M/ham: great for longer range comms especially when you know and have programmed in the local repeaters. Only problem is fewer people in the group (especially newbies and non engineering/techie types like me) have them. Im pretty surprised the sale of how to dvd's for the various units isn't more brisk.
Nwoods had the right idea on our Mojave Road trip- CB and 2m, give an FRS to each kid to occupy themselves on the long transits. Would have been even better if we were all on CB or 2m.
scrubber3
Not really here
I personally think that the KISS method is the best way to go for anything. To me, whatever is the simplest and least expensive option that is effective will be the best thing to use while in a group. I am aware that a HAM radio is heads and shoulders above a CB radio, but with a CB you will be able to communicate with almost anyone that off-roads in North America. So if I apply the KISS method to this equation, I get a well installed CB that works properly. I could get a HAM, but while I am off-roading I really don't have a reason to talk to Fred in Kansas about the weather he is having. That being said, if you are overlanding by yourself then a HAM will probably benefit you greatly as well as a CB.
barnstormer
Wanderer
As this thread has totally derailed already...
Ovis Canis
Observer
So now that it's been a couple of years, what do you say? CB or HAM?
I carry fire material and a wet blanket. Works for me :ylsmoke:
As for some of the other things, my mission may not be the same as your mission, so why would we have the same gear?
I might have 87 lights totalling 987654 candle power sucking 321 amps, i need it due to night blindness, but i like the night trips.
oh yeah, mine is the only right way
As for some of the other things, my mission may not be the same as your mission, so why would we have the same gear?
I might have 87 lights totalling 987654 candle power sucking 321 amps, i need it due to night blindness, but i like the night trips.
oh yeah, mine is the only right way
bfdiesel
Explorer
I carry fire material and a wet blanket. Works for me :ylsmoke:
oh yeah, mine is the only right way
:sombrero: :coffeedrink: :campfire:
verdesardog
Explorer
I just read this complete thread, it was very amusing! I cannot get the list on the first post can it please be reposted?
I have a 2m rig in my truck. I use it 99% of the time for Search and Rescue. I have two or three handheld 2m rigs I use 100% of the time for SAR. A CB would be nice if I did long interstate trips or off road convoys but I do neither, most of my camping is solo. Since I am in SAR my vehicle radio has ALL the programing I could ever need and more. I also have a couple of old frs handhelds that I use infrequently. I am seriously thinking of getting an all in the mic CB for the truck but have no ideas as to where to put the antenna,maybe a hood mount? The 2m antenna is a mag mount in the center of the roof of my truck
I have a 2m rig in my truck. I use it 99% of the time for Search and Rescue. I have two or three handheld 2m rigs I use 100% of the time for SAR. A CB would be nice if I did long interstate trips or off road convoys but I do neither, most of my camping is solo. Since I am in SAR my vehicle radio has ALL the programing I could ever need and more. I also have a couple of old frs handhelds that I use infrequently. I am seriously thinking of getting an all in the mic CB for the truck but have no ideas as to where to put the antenna,maybe a hood mount? The 2m antenna is a mag mount in the center of the roof of my truck
SoCalMonty
Explorer
HAM simply isn't practical for most casual off-road outings. It's nice if 1 or 2 people in the group have it in case of emergency, but for transmissions like "Hey dude, I have to take a leak - let's pull over a second...", FRS/GMRS or CB is probably the better choice.
My loosely-related item to add to the list? I'm not sure how to word it. But here it is: when I see a truck with a ton of aftermarket parts, some stickers, etc - you know, the kind that looks like a serious off road enthusiast - the first thing I look at is the undercarriage and frame rails. If it's spotless, I roll my eyes and giggle.
...don't be that guy.
My loosely-related item to add to the list? I'm not sure how to word it. But here it is: when I see a truck with a ton of aftermarket parts, some stickers, etc - you know, the kind that looks like a serious off road enthusiast - the first thing I look at is the undercarriage and frame rails. If it's spotless, I roll my eyes and giggle.
...don't be that guy.
nwoods
Expedition Leader
I totally understand your point about the driveway queens with the spotless undersides, but I kinda look at non-HAM's the same way. If you were serious about off road adventuring, you would be a HAM.
911regular
Adventurer
When I picture HAM radio operators I picture sweaty fat guys eating cheese in their moms basement,,,,,
bob91yj
Resident **************
I find that the FRS radios work well, usually enough spare handhelds to go around if someone doesn't have one. I agree that HAM is the answer.
I'm no radio guy by any stretch, I can barely e-mail/text. I'm a race on Sunday, sell on Monday kind of guy. What works for us in desert racing crosses over to what I do for adventure travel. We often have 5 miles or so between the lead/tail just to stay out of each others dust when travelling cross country through the desert. HAM, or in the case of desert racing, 2 way radio (operates at a higher freq than HAM) is the best solution for communication. I don't think I know anyone that has built a new vehicle in the last few years that included a CB in their build.
If I had an operating CB in an existing vehicle, I wouldn't take it out.
I'm no radio guy by any stretch, I can barely e-mail/text. I'm a race on Sunday, sell on Monday kind of guy. What works for us in desert racing crosses over to what I do for adventure travel. We often have 5 miles or so between the lead/tail just to stay out of each others dust when travelling cross country through the desert. HAM, or in the case of desert racing, 2 way radio (operates at a higher freq than HAM) is the best solution for communication. I don't think I know anyone that has built a new vehicle in the last few years that included a CB in their build.
If I had an operating CB in an existing vehicle, I wouldn't take it out.
1911
Expedition Leader
the cb antenna can go anywhere it's not likely to touch the 2m antenna when both are flexing. In one truck I have the 2m on my roof like yours, and the cb antenna on the front bumper. On the other truck, I have both antennas in the rear; 2m on the spare tire carrier and cb on the jerry can/cooler basket. I put the cb's in for those times when I'm with a group that doesn't have anything better, but it's been years since I hooked up a mic and turned them on.