GMRS Radios?

[Nokones]

I think I read that a prominent Utah jeep club (maybe the one that puts on EJS), uses CBs. Possibly a club politics thing where the old guys that run the club don't want to buy new equipment.

I've heard that to.

The times I have heard CB traffic off-road way back in the boonies, were possibly from some side-by-sides that we came across.

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[Terrymo]

I think I read that a prominent Utah jeep club (maybe the one that puts on EJS), uses CBs. Possibly a club politics thing where the old guys that run the club don't want to buy new equipment.

 

[daroutergod]

Yes, if you are using GMRS, (Not FRS) get a license. Alot of dedicated GMRS folks will get angry and report you if you don't. FRS and GMRS share some freqs but power levels are different. There is also MURS which is VHF and does not require a license but not everyone uses it. I suggest doing some google searches to read up on GMRS. As for radio's and trail riding, you really don't need a mobile and mounted antenna from my experience. I highly suggest getting a Tidradio TD-H8 GMRS version. The reason I recommend it is that for one, the batteries are USB-C rechargeable, meaning you don't need any special cable or interface to charge them, second the radio comes with two. Next reason, and maybe not so important, but it can be "programmed" via blue tooth from your android phone. This might not be important for all, but it makes it easy to add repeaters or change settings. The app also will find repeaters close to your location and allow you to add them easily. Last reason, well its a high powered hand held, running 10 watts, most cheap GMRS radios are 2 watts maybe 5 at most. There two different models of this radio, the GMRS version and the HAM version so watch what you order. I am a ham and have the ham version, but if you look on Utube, the radios can be simply switched to one of three modes - GMRS, HAM, or UNLOCKED. Unlocked lets you program pretty much any freq that the radio covers, GMRS mode locks it to just GMRS freqs, and HAM mode locks it to just ham FREQ's

Last thing, get a good hand mic for the radio along with a handheld mount. mounts can be as simple as a cup holder type with a long neck that allows you to "clip" the radio in a viewable position. Again, there are a thousand different mounts that you can use.

Here is a link to the radio I mentioned. or just search on Amazon for TIDRADIO TD-H8

https://www.amazon.com/TIDRADIO-TD-...dradio+gmrs+radio&qid=1733495925&sr=8-16&th=1

 

[grimmjeeper]

I think I read that a prominent Utah jeep club (maybe the one that puts on EJS), uses CBs. Possibly a club politics thing where the old guys that run the club don't want to buy new equipment.

Yes, Red Rock 4 wheelers (who run EJS) still use CB.

Though it has finally made the newsletter that a serious investigation is being made into switching. Which is a huge step.

Most of the time, the people on each individual run informally pick a GMRS frequency before they head out on the trail.

 

[JesseT]

The key thing to make any radio perform is the cable and antenna installation. This is another area where users make a big mistake. They buy cheap and usually from a retailer that operates a multi-product warehouse operation with no technical or customer service for a specific product. It is best to buy from a retailer that specializes in the product(s) they sell.

Buying cheap is never cheap in the long run and headache free.

Most users usually want to use only mag-mount antennae so they don't have to drill any holes in the vehicle. That's ok, and will work, but some are pure junk and are not tuned for GMRS freqs.

For GMRS, I have found that the Midland Mag-Mount and the MXT26 antenna will out perform the best professional grade products hands-down.

Most professional grade products are usually designed for a broader operating band range to cover the Business Radio Service freqs, whereas the Midland products are designed specifically for the GMRS freqs.

If the antenna system is not tuned/matched to the freqs you are trying to transmit on, the radio will perform poorly and in some cases damage the radio after prolonged use.

Also of note is the common misconception about gain in antennas (i e. more gain=more betterer).

Gain functions like beam width in a flashlight. Take 2 flashlights with the same emitter, but one has a wide beam (lower gain) and the other has a narrow beam (higher gain). The one with the narrow beam will be brighter in the areas it lights up and can light up things that are farther away, but the wider beam lights up more things.

A high-gain antenna is better for open areas where you need to reach out a long way to communicate, but lower gain is better in areas with topography and trees because it's more likely to send at least part of the signal around or over instructions. Note that there are a lot of other factors in play and this is a fairly oversimplified summary.

...
As far as Amateur radios being used, I have never heard anyone using them. The licensing process is extremely difficult for most people and require taking a test to get licensed. Who would want to go through that process when there are better and easier options.

Less commonly used, but there are some real potential benefits including the ability to use different bands to optimize for topography, a much more robust repeater network (for VHF and UHF), and the ability to use modes like APRS.

APRS is awesome because you can set it to transmit your position at set intervals. If you set it up right, you and your buddies can see where each other is on a live map even with zero Internet/mobile connection.

 

[Nokones]

Also of note is the common misconception about gain in antennas (i e. more gain=more betterer).

Gain functions like beam width in a flashlight. Take 2 flashlights with the same emitter, but one has a wide beam (lower gain) and the other has a narrow beam (higher gain). The one with the narrow beam will be brighter in the areas it lights up and can light up things that are farther away, but the wider beam lights up more things.

A high-gain antenna is better for open areas where you need to reach out a long way to communicate, but lower gain is better in areas with topography and trees because it's more likely to send at least part of the signal around or over instructions. Note that there are a lot of other factors in play and this is a fairly oversimplified summary.


Less commonly used, but there are some real potential benefits including the ability to use different bands to optimize for topography, a much more robust repeater network (for VHF and UHF), and the ability to use modes like APRS.

APRS is awesome because you can set it to transmit your position at set intervals. If you set it up right, you and your buddies can see where each other is on a live map even with zero Internet/mobile connection.

What is APRS? Does it have something to do with Amateur Radio Service stuff?

 

[21JLURDG]

This conversation is getting seriously sidetracked. The OP requested information for a beginner (aka "5-year-old"). KISS: Buy a GMRS handheld and you'll be happy for years with it. Someone mentioned USB charging and that's a great point. Many of the handhelds don't last a long four-wheeling day, and having to plug in a radio into a charger and that into our AC outlet in the back can be a PITA.

Repeaters and "tones" (i.e. CTCSS, PL, DCS) have their use but it's not really something to suggest to a beginner. Plus, at the risk of pissing off some folks here, I'm not happy with the FCC allowing GMRS repeaters on multiple channels. I can see the benefit of a repeater on trails like the Rubicon for emergencies, and a single repeater on an organized event with multiple groups. But I really hate when people jump on the limited channels on a repeater and start BS-ing about the weather, aches in their joints, and how expensive things are getting. If you want to "rag chew," get a Ham license and you'll find plenty of folks there without tying up the few available channels.

Well, since I'm already whining, must as well continue. Stop giving your GMRS radios to your 5 year-old kids to play with. If they want to make burping and fart noises, at least limit them to FRS radios or restrict them on the GMRS radios to the FRS channels and power limits. Please!

Send it....

 

[roaniecowpony]

This conversation is getting seriously sidetracked. The OP requested information for a beginner (aka "5-year-old"). KISS: Buy a GMRS handheld and you'll be happy for years with it. Someone mentioned USB charging and that's a great point. Many of the handhelds don't last a long four-wheeling day, and having to plug in a radio into a charger and that into our AC outlet in the back can be a PITA.

Repeaters and "tones" (i.e. CTCSS, PL, DCS) have their use but it's not really something to suggest to a beginner. Plus, at the risk of pissing off some folks here, I'm not happy with the FCC allowing GMRS repeaters on multiple channels. I can see the benefit of a repeater on trails like the Rubicon for emergencies, and a single repeater on an organized event with multiple groups. But I really hate when people jump on the limited channels on a repeater and start BS-ing about the weather, aches in their joints, and how expensive things are getting. If you want to "rag chew," get a Ham license and you'll find plenty of folks there without tying up the few available channels.

Well, since I'm already whining, must as well continue. Stop giving your GMRS radios to your 5 year-old kids to play with. If they want to make burping and fart noises, at least limit them to FRS radios or restrict them on the GMRS radios to the FRS channels and power limits. Please!

Send it....

Like I said, most of the chatter is unnecessary.

 

[Apples491]

What is APRS? Does it have something to do with Amateur Radio Service stuff?

APRS is what I was referring to as positioning in my previous post. I just for the life of me at the time couldn't remember the name. It does more than positioning. It's actually a packeting standard for sending data. It can beacon against towers, send basic messaging, as well as triangulate position based off tower pings.

It's pretty cool tech and I've played with it a bunch. Just remember, like all things Ham, it's 100% public info so maybe turn it off before you head home, or head into the woods to bury that body.

 

[Nokones]

APRS is what I was referring to as positioning in my previous post. I just for the life of me at the time couldn't remember the name. It does more than positioning. It's actually a packeting standard for sending data. It can beacon against towers, send basic messaging, as well as triangulate position based off tower pings.

It's pretty cool tech and I've played with it a bunch. Just remember, like all things Ham, it's 100% public info so maybe turn it off before you head home, or head into the woods to bury that body.

Thanks. I'm not a HAM guy.

 

[Mark75H]

Not to argue, and respect is due to someone who did an actual field test, but the CB AM vs CB FM results are atypical of the 2 modes. It would be interesting to test some other models and brands and see if the results hold true across many different CB manufacturers and models beyond the pair that was tested.

It may be pure luck, but my CCR's I bought 8 years ago work the same now as they did when new. I've also had remarkable luck with "professional" antennae being tuned dead on for GMRS. There are a lot of junk and counterfeit antennae out there. I have had good luck including the mag mounts I have used over the years.

APRS works where there are APRS digipeaters, it is not unit to unit or ground to satellite location system. It is not going to work in remote areas without digipeaters like high in the mountains or far out in the desert. Buringa lived just a few miles from me.

 

[Terrymo]

This conversation is getting seriously sidetracked. The OP requested information for a beginner (aka "5-year-old"). KISS: Buy a GMRS handheld and you'll be happy for years with it. Someone mentioned USB charging and that's a great point. Many of the handhelds don't last a long four-wheeling day, and having to plug in a radio into a charger and that into our AC outlet in the back can be a PITA.

Repeaters and "tones" (i.e. CTCSS, PL, DCS) have their use but it's not really something to suggest to a beginner. Plus, at the risk of pissing off some folks here, I'm not happy with the FCC allowing GMRS repeaters on multiple channels. I can see the benefit of a repeater on trails like the Rubicon for emergencies, and a single repeater on an organized event with multiple groups. But I really hate when people jump on the limited channels on a repeater and start BS-ing about the weather, aches in their joints, and how expensive things are getting. If you want to "rag chew," get a Ham license and you'll find plenty of folks there without tying up the few available channels.

Well, since I'm already whining, must as well continue. Stop giving your GMRS radios to your 5 year-old kids to play with. If they want to make burping and fart noises, at least limit them to FRS radios or restrict them on the GMRS radios to the FRS channels and power limits. Please!

Send it....

Yes some info overload here. You are correct, no need to overthink it just get two decent handhelds. Also not KISS but MXT275 has a power out connector allows you to use a splitter cable to charge two handhelds. I know, I know not helpful. I ran a usb extension cable to the glove box so I can charge two handhelds there

 

[JesseT]

Not to argue, and respect is due to someone who did an actual field test, but the CB AM vs CB FM results are atypical of the 2 modes. It would be interesting to test some other models and brands and see if the results hold true across many different CB manufacturers and models beyond the pair that was tested.

It may be pure luck, but my CCR's I bought 8 years ago work the same now as they did when new. I've also had remarkable luck with "professional" antennae being tuned dead on for GMRS. There are a lot of junk and counterfeit antennae out there. I have had good luck including the mag mounts I have used over the years.

APRS works where there are APRS digipeaters, it is not unit to unit or ground to satellite location system. It is not going to work in remote areas without digipeaters like high in the mountains or far out in the desert. Buringa lived just a few miles from me.

APRS can absolutely be used unit-to-unit.

 

[dragoneggs]

We have the Midland MXT275 installed out of view (with the mic removed) and a couple of Midland handhelds. One for a passenger/spotter, and one to share. We run trails with 6-12 vehicles. Someone new will generally need one. Although I appreciate people with a deep understanding on this topic, it makes my eyes glaze over so I just have a keep it simple stupid set up.

I do the same with MXT575 mounted under the seat and a Ethernet port for the mic. Also ran an external speaker near my head on a Vector E rail mounted above me.

Having two rechargeable handhelds are ideal for spotting/sharing as Terrymo mentioned. Here is my set up…

 

[Terrymo]

I do the same with MXT575 mounted under the seat and a Ethernet port for the mic. Also ran an external speaker near my head on a Vector E rail mounted above me.

Having two rechargeable handhelds are ideal for spotting/sharing as Terrymo mentioned. Here is my set up…

Yeah pretty sure I stole your idea on the center console mounted Cat5 extension

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