2 way radios

People are pretty close together on most trail rides, so the little handhelds work great. If you need a bit more, install a CB radio. I'm partial to Cobra, myself, but that's not based on anything other than inertia, really. Cobra was THE CB to have back in the '70's. If you need more than that, get a HAM license.
 
Keep in mind that both the GMRS and Ham radios mentioned require a license to use in the US.
I don't think the FCC does a lot to enforce that, but it's something to keep in mind.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrjp and Danarch
We use GMRS on most our trail runs. Dumped the CB, just not all that common in CA offroad anymore.
We also keep a couple cheap FRS radios to help spot with or hand out to others without GMRS. FYI, GMRS has frequencies that operate on the FRS band.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Danarch
Thanks for all the information. I ordered thse from Amazon and should be delivered on Friday

Screenshot_20221005-154223_Amazon Shopping.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrjp and Dirty Dog
Keep in mind that both the GMRS and Ham radios mentioned require a license to use in the US.
I don't think the FCC does a lot to enforce that, but it's something to keep in mind.
Back in the day you needed a license for a CB radio too. So many people purchased one the feds said screw it and dropped the license requirements. My call number was KCX5426. Not sure why I still remember that.🤔
 
Back in the day you needed a license for a CB radio too. So many people purchased one the feds said screw it and dropped the license requirements. My call number was KCX5426. Not sure why I still remember that.🤔
I remember. I don't remember my call number. Prior to the CB craze, we had radios that only supported a few channels. You had to install a crystal for each channel you wanted to use.
 
My first CB radio was a Royce 23 channel with a D-104 power microphone. I had to dust of a few brain 🧠 cells to remember this.
You sparked memories. Our first ones were Heathkit crystal-based kit radios. And for the youngsters in the forum, kits back then didn't mean plugging things in. It meant breaking out the soldering iron... I don't remember the company name, but we also got kits to make goose down sleeping bags. Sheets of nylon fabric, zippers, and bags of goose down. Messy kit.

I'm so old. Excuse me for a minute. I need to put on sandals and black socks and go yell "GET OFF MY LAWN" at the neighborhood kids.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JerryD and mrjp
CB radios are great. Nobody here uses them but I get very entertaining skip from the states over mine. Occasionally I'll hear a trucker.

For trail riding around here me and the buddies normally quiet marine VHF frequencies. Everyone here has marine VHF radios and the channels are relatively unenforced.

You can get cheap Baofeng HAM walkies direct from China that do all sorts of frequencies. You technically need a licence to use them but there are licence free frequencies that you can get away with using. Pretty much the same channels as kids walkie talkies.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dirty Dog and mrjp
@SteveF, follow up. How are those GMRS radios working for you? We're planning a brief trip to Moab next month and I'm thinking a couple small handhelds could come in handy...
 
@SteveF, follow up. How are those GMRS radios working for you? We're planning a brief trip to Moab next month and I'm thinking a couple small handhelds could come in handy...
So far I like them, I haven't given them a good test of their range yet. They work good around my property. I would say so far up to a quarter mile they are great. Haven't tested beyond that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dirty Dog
Thanks. That sounds perfect. If you're all that far from your buddy when you're Jeeping, you've got other issues.
 
We have fixed units and they work really well. I would expect handhelds to do well as long as not a great distance.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dirty Dog
notarubicon on youtube is THE GMRS INFO PLACE ON ALL RADIOS INSTALLS AND USE

NotaRubicon Productions YOUTUBE SEARCH FOR