What's the Best Off-Road Communications?
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- čas přidán 25. 06. 2024
- Are you a new to off-roading and trying to figure out what communication device to buy, or maybe you’ve been using CB for many years and thinking about switching to something else, well there is a lot of confusion about what communication device to buy for your off-road adventures, what are the rules, do I need a license? I know years ago I had many of the same questions and in this video I just want to share with you some practical information about some of the communication options you have available and some of the pros and cons so you can decide what might be best for your needs.
Mobile HAM Radio Install Video: • Mobile HAM Radio Insta...
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My neighbor growing up was a Ham operator and he had a big tower in the back yard with an aluminum can line (he called a signal trap). He would talk to people in Russia, Japan, Australia/New Zeland, and all over the world.
@@godzilla6490 Google.
What radio was he using?
@@Morcego538 I drove trucks for four decades and some truckers had ham units in their trucks with a couple thousand watts of power coming out of some kind of booster they built and they could talk what is called Skip and it was done with a regular CB radio for a vehicle tuned to match the booster or a ham radio tuned to a booster you need the proper coax cable and antenna and the 3 foot rule and tuning the antenna is another absolute for talking around the world and no they definitely did not have a license or registered call numbers these are the radios you have probably heard through your antenna tv or FM radio in your car
@@Dirtydigger Not to mention that using a linear amplifier in that power range for CB is illegal and carries a hefty fine and confiscation of the equipment and jail time if caught. Amateur radio operators can legally use them on amateur radio spectrum frequencies only.
@@Dirtydigger Not to mention that using a linear amplifier in that power range for CB is illegal and carries a hefty fine and confiscation of the equipment and jail time if caught. Amateur radio operators can legally use them on amateur radio spectrum frequencies only.
You left off:
- Pigeon with note tied to its leg
- Telepathy
- Ethereal plane
- Coconut radio as used in Gilligan’s Island
😆😆
My grandfather was a pigeon handler during WW1 off a roof in Paris
Coconut radios rock!
And 2 cups with a string
Maryann was hot!
Lol. You were the guys in the Nissan.
I have had my HAM for a while now. That was the best presentation on communication I have seen. Real easy to understand. Great job.
I have watched a lot of communication overland vehicles. You are the first to reference FRS as walkie talkies. Thanks for referring to them as such. Makes it easier to understand
Thanks, great discussion on communications Brad. I too have quite a go-bag of radios so that I can pick from, as well as a mobile Ham radio in my rig. It's always nice to be able to communicate with the group no matter what they are running... I also recently picked up one of the Garmin InReach Mini's and I look forward to that extra level of communication & protection on future adventures...
Great vid, MC Brad! Back in the 1970's I had a Radio Shack 40 channel CB walkie-talkie (about the size of a brick!) I would take while venturing out with others or on solo multi-day hikes into the Colorado wilderness. Took some ribbing from friends about it and had to carry the extra weight (About 3-4 Lbs with batteries!). But the assurance of having the chance of contacting help sooner in case of emergency totally offset those inconveniences. And I don't mean just help for myself but, more importantantly, in case I came across anyone else who needed help. Now, approaching 50 years later, I am in the process of outfitting my 2012 WK2 to cover all of the communication options you mentioned in this video. Being able to reach anywhere with satellite texts now instead of 'maybe 5 miles' like back in the '70's sure shows how far we've come. While I've never had to use a radio in a life-or-death situation in the back country, It sure helps me sleep better in the tent knowing it's there if I need it. Thanks for your service and always look forward to your next vids.
Thanks again Brad. I;ve probably thanked you a few times before for publishing this vid. I refer back to it often. Got my HAM license last year. Loved the information I studied. I felt like an Electrical Engineer by the time I was done
GMRS with the right antenna on a mounted unit can transmit like 25 miles...sometimes. The handheld won't go that far, but they're better than most CB's and almost as good as most handheld ham radios. GMRS is the best radio for longer distances without studying up and taking a ham test. GMRS is as simple as a CB with much better range on a normal day.
I have a GMRS radio and a GMRS license and in my rural area I haven't yet heard anybody on any of the FRS or GMRS channels or even on any of the GMRS Repeater channels. So I use it along with my normal scanner radio base station to just listen in upon the State Highway Patrol calls. Oh well, so much for a useless GMRS brick because in my rural area that's all it has become. I haven't hooked up any of my CB radios in years ( not since I retired and got off the road as an owner/operator OTR Truck Driver 12 years ago), but if I did, I'd probably get more use and hear more out of them than I do my useless GMRS radio.
I just bought the Midland MXT275 GMRS. I like it so far. I plan on getting their whip antenna and A pillar mount. Right now I am just using the magnetic one the kit came with.
Excellent coverage to get new folks thinking. We have always groups and to be able to chat along the route is vital. Bio breaks, issues or general chat bands the group together. We migrated to Ham and along the trail use our handheld units also one of us always has a Spot running as well to post our location
A thing about Privacy mode: It is not private. Privacy mode is more of a filter. It allows you to hear others in your group on the same privacy channel. Anyone else on the same channel, and not in a privacy mode, can here everything you say. But if they talk, you wont hear them, because your radio on a privacy mode is filtering them out.
ok so it's more like a "quiet" mode ? to not be disturbed by other voices...
@@rlynotabot yes
@@rlynotabot It is tone squelch. Squelch is the radio feature to reject unwanted signals. Carrier squelch is based on the received signal strength, and is what CB uses. As you increase it, it increases the signal threshold to allow through.
GMRS "Privacy" uses CTCSS or Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System. When you turn it on, the radio transmits an inaudible tone alongside your voice, and it ignores transmissions which do not include the same tone. If you turn it off, you can still hear everyone, but if it's on, you can only hear people with the same tone.
Privacy is a tone activated squelch (technically called CTCSS Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System). It limits who YOU can hear. Legally when you use it, you're supposed to monitor the channel BEFORE you transmit so as not to interfere with others on that channel.
Thank you , knowledge for people with no knowledge
Brad, I just got my Jeep Rubicon Gladiator, and have learned soooo much from your channel in all aspects of off-roading. (just bought a GMRS radio...) Wish I could say "thanks" in person on some epic adventure..... I'm in New England. Keep doing what you're doing!!
Thanks for a handy synopsis about 2-way radio communications for off-roading.
Always the best timing! Was in the market for one!
Brad, I used CB for many years, and now use GMRS, but also carry a NOAA 406 MHz Beacon as a safety net in the event we are truly stuck or injured and need help. My wife and I had an 'aha moment" on one of our simple day trips, and now we have one in our JK at all times. They require a registration every two years, but our ability to get a message out is virtually assured.
Greetings! I look forward to all your videos as I always learn something. The real benefit of studying for a HAM license is the knowledge you gain that applies to ALL radio transmission! Even if you don't pass the test (almost everybody does) you are a winner from the knowledge you have gained. It is time well spent.
And, then, the FCC knows who you are and where you live.
@@qanononabong8491 the government already knows
@@qanononabong8491lol dude if the FCC really needed to know they would've just called the FBI.
@@qanononabong8491 So what. FCC does not care trust me. If anything they are on the side of the Ham radio operator.
Note that "ham radio" as a nickname for "amateur radio" is not an acronym, so the letters are not capitalized. I have no idea when people started doing this, but it's not correct, so I try to set things straight whenever I see it. That all said, it's nice to see rekindled interest in the hobby.
Such a great and informative video. I feel like this had everything I needed all in one well organized package! Thanks brad
Thank you Brad for the topic I know I asked atleast once for discussion on it ☺️ I am a ham operator base only atm but plan to go mobile once I can afford a proper antenna for low band ☺️
Best video on comms I’ve seen so far. Ima beginner and really appreciate you breakdown on this.
Thank you so much for this! Up to this point we have just been using some very basic midland walky talkies but eventually we will want to add something a little more.
Great video, I think many folks who have been wondering what to do will get something useful out of this.
Ham APRS is a good alternative to the Garmin InReach without the monthly service fee. Family and friends can see your location via a web page. Most APRS radios offer a QSY frequency message which changes whenever the radio frequency changes. That way, any ham operator can talk to you. And APRS is able to send/receive text messages and email. I'm willing to wager I can get emergency help faster with a ham radio than the InReach. Great video!
I love the size of GMRS antennas, the Midland 15 Watt radio plugs into your "cigarette lighter" ports. I gave my son one, and I run the Midland 40W, he and I have talked well over 10 miles with those 2 radios. - I am also a Ham. I have CB radios, but the antennas are really a hurdle on vehicles. GMRS is the tech that works when your friends are not licensed.
Exactly what I was looking for, Brad. Thanks.
Thank you for your Ham recommendation. I first got my Ham Tech 30 years, and did not renew. Scheduled a new test last week and after $35 fee I am license as Technician again. Mounted a 5/8 wave 2M/.70 antenna on my Tacoma SR5 and a permanent dual band. You got me to get back into Ham, driving to Great Basin Lehman caves area in a couple of weeks
Wow finally a concise video on radios
Great video Brad. Thanks for breaking it all down for us.
Best equipped mall crawler that can handle the trails... from VA3MED great info Brad. I am re installing my yeasu ft 7600 back in my Jeep Grand Cherokee after having work done. Yes mine is a mall crawler but it does see some feild action. When I'm working my EMS duties when covering a horse jumping event.
Hey perfect timing! I'm putting a gmrs in my truck within the next couple weeks, and i already have a cb setup from an older rig that I no longer own so I might as well throw that in too! Need to get my ham license as well.
I have been a ham operator since 1990 this is a great video keep up the great work 73 from KB7PPW
Great help. Thanks Trail Recon
Thanks buddy for the video I’ve been thinking about picking a set up I decided to go with this one but I really appreciate you going through everything, growing up we had a CB in the truck all the time Midland 50 Channel Waterproof GMRS Two-Way Radio - decided to go with this one I sure do appreciate it ok 👌 🔥🤠🔥Camping Russ out
Good information. Years ago my young daughter(Adult now) wanted, we’ll call it “My Little Pony” I can’t remember. Just looking at them I put them back and found some Cobra micro talks US Army version, GMRS good for 5-30 miles. I just got them for a better quality option that would last longer than a week. They have lasted quite awhile but are rarely used. All along I didn’t know that you had to be registered.
Good job explaining the differences. I'm a HAM guy, and I chose it because I wanted something I could use everyday in my Jeep, not just on a trail with friends. Besides reaching a repeater for local communication, some repeater systems are linked together to cover longer distances (I'm in Phoenix and can talk to you in San Diego through multiple linked repeaters, for instance). But, for simplex work within a group on a trail or spotting, a hand-held HAM radio would work great with the mobile radios, too. Nice to see you include the Garmin inReach mini. I use mine for communication outside of cell service, and like you said, family/friends can check progress and location along the way. Cheers! Pete - KI7LIL
Peter: In your post you mentioned multiple linked repeaters that allow long-distance HAM radio communication (you used Phx and SD as an example). I use a linked system in So AZ (EAARS), but I’m not up to speed re the one you mentioned. I would appreciate your input. Cheers. //Brent KG7UYD
@@brentbrown51 Good morning, Brent. Here is the info you requested. The linked system between Phx and SD is called the CalZona Link, and the East County Repeater Association (ecra-sd.com) website has the participating repeater names/locations/frequencies/pl tones under the CalZona Link tab. For Arizona linked systems, search W7ARA - Arizona Repeater Association, and click on the PDF selection. You'll get two pages of all the ARA repeaters, plus info on: Rimlink (links most of AZ), Metrolink (links Phoenix/Prescott/Payson) and Northlink (links Phoenix with Scottsdale), and how to use the Autopatch system. If you're interested in a larger linked system, check out the Win System (winsystem.org) with over 100 linked repeaters which covers a lot of the U.S., and digitally to many countries around the world. When I go fishing at Roper Lake I have listened to the EAARS system on Heliograph Peak. Lots of good systems, and still lots more out there to explore and communicate. Hope this helps. 73 Pete - KI7LIL
@@peterkunka2694 Hi Peter. Thank you so much for the info. Really valuable! //Brent
Great video Brad. I ordered some stuff in your website also. Very convenient. Thanks.
Another amazing and insightful video.
There are lots of radio videos out there with some not so great advise, but you did an awesome job.
Thanks for breaking this all down. Makes the decision much easier.
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!!
1. For GMRS a single license can be shared by a whole family. Your cousin Leroy who you haven't seen in 20 years can work via your license. The FCC is really generous here.
2. Also, I suggest you mention that GMRS Includes provisions for repeaters. They're not as common as Ham repeaters but you may get lucky or the Jeep club may want to sponsor a portable battery unit for special events.
In my area we have a GMRS repeater that is likely more active than the 2m repeaters in the area. Its a good thing for chatting and sometimes just listening to.
👍. Good info. Been a “ham” operator since 1975. 73s, KI4G
On GMRS, they’re called “privacy codes” but in reality it’s actually a travel tone for GMRS repeaters. There are a a lot out there but not nearly as many HAM repeaters. But a lot of GMRS repeaters are privately owned either by an individual or a radio club. You usually have to ask for permission to get the frequency and travel tone required to access said repeaters. I was just given access recently to a couple as I joined a GMRS group “Empire State GMRS Repeater” so much fun
-WRNE342
for someone that's not a communication expert you did one of the best vids about the subject I've see n in a while. GMRS is what people are going to in my area and like HAM it has repeaters. Having JEEP make the switch helped GMRS a lot. CB is even getting some new life with them talking adding FM frequencies not sure if they have done it yet.
Thank you! I agree, Jeep has played a bit of a role in the GMRS movement.
Great video! Just bought my first Jeep! Can't wait to start overlanding!
Great video, it gave me alot of insight in helping me make my decision for the communications I'll be going with. Thank you.
Ghostbusters Effect: Who ya gonna call? I use ham with a friend, have those same GMRS radios for around town/camp/spotting, and an Inreach for emergencies (the latest add). I tore out my CB after awhile. Even with all that, hiking up a hill for cell signal was how I self recovered this year.
Great timing Brad! Looking at GRMS system for my setup. Saw SD Jeep club switched as well! Bring a retired Marine it’s funny to run across “hot mic” situations on the trail!
Good job explaining the differences!
Wow this was great! I'm newcomer into the radio hobby. This was a great place to start. Looking forward to learning more!
great video! I don't do any of the things you do and I was still able to understand and relate. Thanks for knowledge!!
So informative! Thank you Brad!
Good info. Thanks for the commo update. I'd really like to do the HAM radio lic test.
Great video! I’be been race radio’s for a long time and going to switch over to GMRS here soon.
so much great info in this video!
This is a great video. Thank you for explaining the differences in all of these devices. Great work.
Glad it was helpful!
Very nice and helpful summary.
Thank you.
Thanks Brad, this is exactly what I’ve been trying to decide on
Good brief. I have been a HAM for 18 years now (damn that went by quick...) and that's what's in the truck. I do carry GMRS handhelds as well and they're great for mixed groups.
The InReach is a very nice tool. I recently picked one up and have to say it's a really nice thing to have both for the camping/fishing trips in the Jeep and the cross country flights in small planes. Much better option than an ELT or EPIRB, or even than a PLB for emergency use.
Thank you! This helps a lot!
CB radio is by far the very best. It delivers clear voice over mountains, in valleys, through wooded areas, buildings, etc. and range is at least 30 miles. I know this to be factual because when I was a kid, I watched The Duke's of Hazzard.
Love this Brad!
thank you for your service
Great video.
I have 2 stories where 2 meter ham radio via repeater worked very well for us.
As a test with my buddy in Indio, we agreed to use the Catalina repeater for a few minutes.
My buddy in Indio has a mid size tower at his house and has a pretty clear shot through the Banning Pass. He can hit the island repeater when things are perfect.
I on the other hand was half way up San Marco's Pass road overlooking Santa Barbara.
I can hit the Catalina repeater from a certain spot up there.
So we set up and tried it out.
It's nearly 100 miles for each of us that repeater. And sure enough we were talking without and issues. That was right around 200 miles overall.
Second one was pretty cool as well.
I was driving from Santa Barbara to Big Bear in my Jeep.
My buddy in Indio was driving up to Big Bear and we both used one of the Big Bear repeaters. Granted I couldn't hit the repeater till got to Rancho Cucamonga. Then to top it off one of our other Jeep buddies was at a campground near Huntington Beach, so all 3 of us had a brief conversation while traveling in southern California.
Some pre-planning was necessary, but it worked out very well.
Great info here Brad, forwarding to some friends. For anyone considering the lime green Motorola T600s, they are IP67 rated so also great for wet climates.
like your hints and tips, just starting in Jeeps (have 2)...keep it up! also am Navy vet. myself E-5 ADJ A-6E's CV-59 AW-2 VA-85
Ham radio is great but not many local people in the group when I’m off-roading. Mobiles are great but take a portable with you when you’re out of the vehicle. Good info. Thanks for sharing
Great video. Thanks for sharing.
Really great tips ❤ these information must be shared ...
Thanks this is great information! Just getting into the off-road trail lifestyle and you answered a lot of questions I had and also taught me a few things I did not know! Thanks!
Nice job on the video man. Thanks for all the good info. You seem like a really cool dude 👍
This was very helpful! Thanks for going through the options
Glad it was helpful!
Super helpful! Thanks for sharing
Thanks for the video.
Great information, thank you!
Great Job Brad, I am the comm guy and you covered it all very well. Kudos's de KN4OK
Ham radio does everything.
This was very helpful. I've been using cb and frs but interested in gmrs.
Good stuff brad I have a couple cast iron pots climb up the highest ridge bang them together an yell help 😂😂 ,,,,,seriously I have gmrs works very good thought about ham but solo 99 percent of the time,the mobile cb an 600 watt linear has been in a box in the garage for years hope all is well as always be safe 👍👍👍👍
Excellent tutorial. The Garmin inreach also has a satellite-aided SOS system for life threatening situations in the wild. I think the Garmin is distinct from the 406 MHz EPIRB transmitter systems you can carry for emergencies where you need rescue to survive.
Good video, nice job. I'm a ham. I do emcomm and I have 2 GMRS repeaters.
Yes my vehicle looks like a porcupine LOL
Great video. I don't have any of these as I really don't need them, but to me the field of telecommunications is very interesting. I remember as a kid buying a cheap pair of walkie talkies at a dept store, with my Dad. I remember the salesman saying something like, "...these can occasionally pick up communications from overseas!" haha Uh, no, buddy, no they can't. They were simple line-of-sight radios with not a very big range. They weren't HF receivers...
With the way things are going in the world, however, it might be a good idea to have some means of emergency communication.
love your videos! thank you!
Fun fact... when I was trying out CB and switching out Attenas, I was able to hear someone from 9.5 miles away (which is pretty far for a CB) , but I also had a giant 5 foot fiberglass antenna, and that was a monster right there!
More fun facts...
I have no problem getting 10 mile range from my mobile CB setup... Just a standard half breed antenna and 4 watts.
@@sahhull well yeah.... all CBs are at 4 watts. unless its SSB, then you can use 12 watts
@@artrucking4142 permitted output depends on the country.
Not every country is 4watts.
Nice primer. Thanks.
Good overview: Just a few helpful additions. You can put an exterior antenna on your GMRS radio. A magnetic base antenna can be put on your vehicle and taken off, along with your radio, when not used (protection against theft.) Also, repeaters, while not as available as HAM, are part of GMRS. And they are growing. GMRS is booming and becoming more universal.
@@tivowillieb He didn't claim otherwise.
@@tivowillieb That's what he said.
@@tivowilliebyou should work on your reading comprehension
Touché
Note that "ham radio" as a nickname for "amateur radio" is not an acronym, so the letters are not capitalized. I have no idea when people started doing this, but it's not correct, so I try to set things straight whenever I see it. That all said, it's nice to see rekindled interest in the hobby.
Well done, I've been planning to get my ham license.
Why choose? I have CB, GMRS, and HAM in my Chevy Silverado. As discussed in the video, GMRS covers the FRS frequencies.
I like to use CB for long distance highway trips, GMRS for offroading, and HAM for emergency preparedness.
Okay, so I went to the ARRL website and found some online options. I made the mistake of looking on FCC instead of Amateur Radio site. lol thanks, Brad!
Great job Brad. Thanks.
Thank you!
Very very interesting my friend. used a CB a lot. Had a base station. and had them in valley vehicles. where a ton of fun. even on a ski mountain. OMG. :-)
I am an advocate of mobile ham radios if you travel in very remote areas. I like being able to hit repeaters in an emergency and to send text messages and automatic position reports home using APRS. My setup does not require mounting the mobile radio. I have a dual band radio with a removable control head. When I choose to use it for a trip, I stash the radio body under the rear seat and power it using a ‘cigarette lighter’ plug. I mount the control head to the windshield with a suction cup mount. I add a Cat-5 cable extension to the microphone so that it easily reaches the front seat. I stick a magnetic mount antenna on top of the truck. It takes 5 minutes to set up.
GREAT VIDEO!! GOOD JOB!!
Great video thank you!
I used to run a CB with 165 watt amplifier years ago. I could dim other people's lights when i keyed up. Now i have my ham license and GMRS license. I like the chinese radios that allow one radio to use both. You can also program FRS in so that one mobile or handheld radio could do everything except CB.
Great Info Brad. Appreciated...did you forget tin cans and a string 😂
As kids we used my friends dad's radio and could talk in cone to Germany on a good night. Old tube set black front and lots of dials and switches and 2 light up meters.
with a general HAM license you can get HF as well as VHF and UFH. I have talked to Estonia direct on 20m with 200w from a vertical antenna from my garage!
I regularly get into Asia, Australia, South America, Europe, and Russia with my compromised 20 meter ham antena. The greatest limiting factor is how much money you want to spend. Ham radio is by far the way to go.
Great video ,keep up the good work .😎🇺🇲
Very interesting Brad, it's quite different here in Australia. Max output is 5w, almost all radios are UHF 427mhz, 80 channels. 4 or 6.6dbi antenna are the most common. The og CB 27mhz is not really used anymore. Never even heard of the GMRS! 50W! Sheesh that's something! For long range outback travel HF radio is also more common. Anyway, thanks for the video, interesting to see what other countries use.
Which is the best you've come across? I'm looking to buy an unlimited range transmitter
@@theobserver450 They call that a cell phone
@@Doonit_hard_way_since_65 so basically walkie talkies are a little useless? I bought one that has 13km range but it only worked at 2km distance. False advertising
@@theobserver450 Those range ratings are just bogus. Even under ideal conditions no one ever sees the advertised numbers. There needs to be a real standard for the consumer to compare. Typically off-road, in woods/rural conditions radios running in the VHF bands are superior (MURS band, as example) UHF (GMRS) will works a bit better un urban conditions, tall buildings, getting into buildings through openings. Because of their line-of-sight propagation both are limited by curvature of the earth. I completely understand your frustration with the advertised range.
Maybe vote in people that will give you more than 5w.
Onew potential trouble with a satellite phone is that if you intend to go overseas, and you expect you'll need a reliable means of communication, satellite looks like a good idea. But, some countries, India for instance, can get quite difficult if you attempt to bring a satellite enabled device such as a phone or some GPS units that also double as a communications unit and scream for help device without first consulting the right government agency. They may simply arrest you.