CB Vs GMRS Question

[bd100]

Aside from trail use, some areas have active GMRS repeaters. Recently the FCC clarified that you cannot link the repeaters to each other, so there are now many fewer repeaters linked to cover huge areas, but there are still some with a 30-50 mile radius and folks routinely chat on some of them. The cheaper FRS handhelds can listen to but not transmit to these repeaters, but do not require a license. The more expensive and slightly more complicated GMRS handhelds allow the use of repeaters, external antennas, and 5W power instead of 2W for FRS. GMRS base or mobile stations go up to 50W. But a handheld connected to base or mobile antenna can do really well too.

For the Wrangler and JT, I use a quarter wave antenna mag mount stuck to a metal disc which sticks to the aluminum hood. I placed it near the cowl, where it has a few inches of aluminum to the front and sides, and I added a copper grounding wire going back towards the wind shield.

An example of a stick-on mag mount surface for an aluminum hood. You may want to trim it some.
https://theantennafarm.com/shop-by-...s/misc-antenna-parts/12656-taf-disc3-5-detail

So to answer your question, get a cheap FRS radio to listen around, or a GMRS radio and a license if there are repeaters in areas you want to check out.

See mygmrs.com for maps of repeater locations.

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[Matanzas]

A handhelid GMRS radio can be had for around 40 bucks and will be just fine for a group ride

And you can get a handheld Cobra CB for 100.

 

[Nokones]

This is my GMRS antenna on my 23 Wrangler Rubi 2 Dr. The antenna performs better than I thought it would. The antenna tuned out at 1.25:1 on 462 Meg freqs and 1.7:1 on 467 Meg freqs and thatvis with 49.7 watts to the antenna.

 

[Nokones]

This is my CB Radio Antenna setup for my Cobra LTD Classis AM/FM. I'm using a 5 Foot Firestik II Tuneable Tip with a Walcott Radio cable. My VSWRs is 1.15:1 on Ch. 1 and a tad shy of 1.3:1 on Ch. 40. Occasionally, I do hear some CB radio trail comm on Ch. 16.

 

[Nokones]

Motorola does have mobile and portable radios with an operating band range of 380-470 MHz. I owned several of each type and my Jeep and Dually Diesel Pickup are equipped them.

I don't have any HAM freqs programmed in them because I don't have any need for them.

 

[VKSheridan]

CB seems awful rare these days on the trails. GMRS (actually FRS) seems far more prevalent but why choose?

There are extremely affordable options for so why not put both in your Jeep?

Even if you never solo in the back country, having more than one means of communication is never a bad idea. Access to NOAA broadcasts is an additional plus with GMRS.

 

[Terrymo]

GMRS in my limited experience. I have a Midland MXT275 as well as a couple of their handhelds for others to use. I see other folks using Baofeng handhelds.

 

[Eyeball]

It doesn’t matter what is more popular. Buy what your club or wheeling buddies use. After all, they are the ones you need to communicate with. If you don’t belong to a club or have wheeling buddies go with GMRS because it seems that is the way things are heading and most major events like Jeep Jamboree have adopted them as well.

 

[Ratbert]

It doesn’t matter what is more popular. Buy what your club or wheeling buddies use. After all, they are the ones you need to communicate with.

He said he doesn't have a regular group. But yes, he should get whatever the most frequently wheeled with group has.

He should probably mount a Midland MXT275 behind the kick panel under the steering wheel and buy a cheap handheld CB for when wheeling with old timers.

 

[Killed by Death]

Sorry for the stupid question. The current group I'm in uses FRS as pictured. What's is the compatibility, if any between FRS and GMRS. If I buy GMRS will I be able to hear and communicate with those using FRS? Or vice versa?

Furthermore, I ride with small groups and we are rarely out of sight with each other. Plus I have no plans to ride alone. Am I making a mistake buying FRS?

 

[Terrymo]

Sorry for the stupid question. The current group I'm in uses FRS as pictured. What's is the compatibility, if any between FRS and GMRS. If I buy GMRS will I be able to hear and communicate with those using FRS? Or vice versa?

Furthermore, I ride with small groups and we are rarely out of sight with each other. Plus I have no plans to ride alone. Am I making a mistake buying FRS?

I’m not an expert but this guy seems pretty informative with some sarcastic humor mixed in

 

[VKSheridan]

FRS channels exist within the GMRS channels so if you get GMRS, you get all the FRS channels as well as the GMRS channels. Conversely, if you go FRS only, you only get access to the FRS channels.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I’m not an expert but this guy seems pretty informative with some sarcastic humor mixed in

I was in a hurry to get back to Youtubery.

 

[Terrymo]

I was in a hurry to get back to Youtubery.

Dude‘s demeanor and delivery just makes me laugh. Hopefully a little learning as well,

 

[4Lo2Yolo]

I think some radios have dual band, HAM, and GMRS. Makes it easier for the HAMs to fit in and still have the long range capability of HAM when needed. I've given it some thought to get a HAM license.

The TID Radio TD-H3 Plus 5w handheld GMRS is one. When in the powered off state, turning it on while holding the PTT button and the * button allows you to choose the operating mode from GMRS, HAM, or NORMAL. Normal allows you to program any frequency the hardware is capable of.

You can buy a GMRS version, or a Ham version, it's the same radio with different antenna.

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