Car to Car communications

It's been a while since I have looked into this topic. What are you guys using for vehicle to vehicle communications and how do you like it? Share your setups! Multiple votes allowed. GO!

If there is anything else I missed or not know of, let me know and I will add it to the poll.

 

For now I use GMRS and CB. The irony of it is I have been communications for almost 24 years and still don't have my ham license. That on this year's to do list.

 

Will be adding a CB and getting a HAM license somewhere down the line, don’t have anything at this point.

 

I personally cant stand CB radios. It seems like no matter how much you fidget with them, I can’t ever get them as good as I want. It’s crappy range, poor quality transmit, you have to squelch the crap out of them to not get interference, etc.

I have since moved on to dual band radios. If you want a permanent mount, I have run the rugged radios RM-25R. 25 watt transmit power which is good for up to 10 miles, terrain permitting. It’s dual band, has presets, and keys on the mic to quickly type in frequencies.

The crew I wheeled with out in the west coast all had these. I actually have one of these sitting on my dining room table waiting to go into my truck.

Link: https://www.ruggedradios.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1858



If you want a handheld version, then rugged also makes their 5 watt handheld version radios.



These look identical to the baofengs you find on Amazon for like $40, but I think they are a better quality setup for the rugged version. Also, their software is different and the menu is a bit easier to go through. I compared them side by side and there are definitely differences between the 2. I also have a couple of these that we would use to hand out, should we need someone to be on a frequency and they didn’t have a dual band radio.

Rugged is actually having a HUGE sale tomorrow. Just FYI.

 

HAM isn't difficult. The ARRL study guides make it more difficult than it needs to be but their books are handy if you want to get into some of the deeper technical details. I'd recommend these sites:

https://hamstudy.org/tech2014
https://www.qrz.com/hamtest/
http://www.eham.net/exams/

Go through the flash cards then take the practice test. take it again. and again. and again. and a few more times. the actual test will use the same question pool.

 

here's a really complete list of resources...
http://www.qsl.net/ah6rh/am-radio/license-tech/

 

Most of us near you are using the Baofeng radios but you probably knew that already. Matt, @GodlessPro is encouraging us to get our ham licenses which would be a good idea. And, the Baofeng has ham capability, I think.

 

Yep, ham capable and more. These are what I have...

Added a 16” whip antenna and rechargeable battery packs via my solar battery charger.

 

Oh nice. Didn’t realize they went to 8 watt radios now. I have one with a ducky antenna from rugged and it’s ridiculous what it will pick up. We used these for “the weatherman” channel down in Baja when we chased the 1000 last year and had 0 issues receiving the transmissions the whole time we chased the race.

 

I keep the whip antenna stored for an emergency, figure i can climb a mtn and reach a repeater. Being able to recharge with the solar charger is part of the bug out/expedition mentality. Applies to my phones, garmins, headlamps, and the remote for the wireless winch controller.

 

What exactly is the Baofeng radios? Ham? I never quite understood. So what’s the difference w Bakfeng and Ham?

Is Baofeng same as Rugged radios? Hella confusing!

 

Whoa! You're asking me questions like I know? lol
Hopefully @GodlessPro will correct my mistakes here.
Baofeng is the manufacturer and different from RR. Exactly as pictured by @gosolo . It's basically UHF I believe. However it also can send and receive on Ham frequencies which are different. These radios are SUPER affordable and quite highly regarded for the niche they fill. At X-Mas I was talking with my wife's Uncle. He is part of the Ham emergency system in Palo Alto and said they're good for the price (better than a lot of the more expensive radios), difficult to program, and versatile.
VHF = 30 to 300 megahertz (MHz)
UHF = 300 megahertz (MHz) and 3 gigahertz (GHz)
Ham =
Band Frequencies
40 meters 7.025
15 meters 21.025
10 meters 28.000
I can copy and paste but I can't explain.

 

I think you made me more confused lol.

UHF? It can also talk to gmrs right? Should I add UHF as one of the poll options?

 

I'm reading about it right now: https://radiofreeq.wordpress.com/2013/07/01/survivalist-ssb-cb-freeband-channel-frequency-list/

 

HAM runs over shortwave HF. There’s a block of frequencies set aside but each license level gives more access. The Technician license (basic) is the lowest level but will cover you for everything you would want to do off road. The General class opens up more frequencies. The highest level is the Advanced class. Here’s a frequency chart.

http://www.arrl.org/graphical-frequency-allocations

 

I would think about a license for UHF/ GMRS. Presently I'm interested/ focusing on lower, freebanding, frequencies that don't require a license.

 

I have general class Ham license, but am in no way an expert in all things radio related. Here is some information that I found during an investigation of the capabilities of the Boafeng radios. I'm typing on my phone, so I apologize in advance for any included incoherence.

First, I have a seeking suspicion that the handheld Rugged Ridge radio is a rebranded or private label Boafeng radio. The value add is probably pre-programmed race frequencies.

The Boafeng radios are really popular because of their price and the wide frequency bands. They are dual band, so you get access to both UHF and VHF. Here are some of the most common uses that you can access.
VHF:

• 2 meter Ham (144-148MHz)
• MURS , Multi-Use Radio Service, 5 specific frequencies in the 151-158 range.
• There are a bunch of frequencies that businesses license. I think that includes the frequencies that are used by race organizations for offroad events.

UHF:

• 70cm Ham (420-450MHz)
• FRS, 14 specific frequencies in the 462-467 range.
  
• GRMS, 15 specific frequencies between 462 and 463MHz.

Figuring out what is technically legal is a bit tricky. For instance, some of the FRS frequencies can only be used at a max power of .5W, but the low power setting on the Boafeng is 1W. As long as your radio is programmed properly for narrowband, I have a hard time believing that you would cause a problem, especially since you are in a big metal cage.

I think that Mark has been programming radios for a few people, so talk to him if you get one. If you get the programming cable and a file that someone has already created, it is really easy to do.

I have a dual band Icom radio in my truck with a stake pocket mounted antenna. When we are on trail runs, I grab my Boafeng when I jump out to spot or take a break.

I encourage everyone to look into getting a HAM license. It is easy and can be fun.

Hopefully at least a little bit of this made sense and was helpful.

 

Get a baofeng @BlueBottle . For now it’s good. If you wanna ball out get a dual band 25w with a good antenna. @GodlessPro has a really good setup(only reason he gets the invite to the trips ) just in case we get into some thing he can hopefully get something out to save or asses..

We run gmrs/frs for our trips. Baofengs are shooting 5w- legal limit is 1w with no license and 2w with a gmrs license. We tag along our midland gmrs radios as well just as spares or for people with out one.

I also use a cb. Midland handheld 75-822. I pair it with my lil will mag mount antenna.. I rarely use it anymore bc I transitioned to a dual band setup, but still keep it with me at all times as most folks still use it as well. Thing is about cb for me is that anyone can have a bad ass setup but if it isn’t tuned correctly it is shit. I have a basic setup. Only time it needs a tune is with the mag mount. Hand held it’s fine to get rig to rig.

So all in all I use all 3. Dual band-gmrs/frs handhelds/cb. Of course our trusty cell phones as well.

 

Matt and Warren and a bunch of guys on tacomaworld gave me good insight on HAM.. so I am working on getting mine soon. Joon is also getting into it as well.

 

I am not ready all that again. sign language it is. Lol

 

Another option are carrier pigeons.. if they don’t send the message.. then you eat the flying rat..

 

Is the rugged one worth it over the Baofeng? Once they are programmed are there any differences on use and performance?

Thanks for the heads up on the sale. I’ll check it out. Looking for a portable unit for now I think.

 

I read earlier tonight that FRS is Family Radio Service and those channels don't require a licence. It didn't say anything (that I remember) about 1w vs 5w but I would trust what @GodlessPro says about it being 1w.

Well..... It's BLUE. I really can't imagine, in your case, a better reason.

 

Haha I don’t care about color. Function > Form. If the baofeng functions the same at half the price I will just go that route.

So if I get this right, dual band can communicate w both frs/gmrs and ham?
How does it communicate w gmrs? Same ch numbers? Like I’m gmrs you can be on ch 20 with a sub station between 1 and 38?

 

Looks to me like they just spray painted a Baofeng blue.

 

You just have to get on the gmrs frequency.
Example;
Gmrs channel 1 = 462.550

I have no experience with any rugged radios..they do have a bunch of great videos on YouTube. I use a really easy programing software for the baofeng. It lets me program channels and set options.

If you want handheld I say get the baofeng for now.. you can go ahead and get a higher wattage but i’ve never seen any benefits from that other than price. Basic one has worked fine for me and the guys.. we get some chatter but that’s bc we run on gmrs.. bc we are somewhat law abiding citizens.

If you want a hard mount and don’t wanna break the bank. Yaesu has worked well for a few guys I know. Depending on what channels they need they switche out their mag mount antennas.. sounds like a hassle but it’s a legit setup. With no tuning necessary like a cb.

I really recommend getting a handheld even if you go hard mount.. it’s great for spotting and a secondary setup. I once had 4 baofengs all programmed and 2 large batteries with spares plus a car kit.

Either way dual band is the way to go because if you go out with us that’s all we use.. I’m sure a lot of other ppl would say the same.

 

If you run gmrs on your dual bands than if I go out with you what’s the benefit of an actual dual band radio compared to a cheap two way radio?

 

Range and clarity. Handhelds get choppy sometime..
example.
Joon has a handheld and is in back of the pack. I am in the front maybe 5 rigs in between but I am up the hill and he is still in the trees. No line of sight. More than likely he will hear me, but I can’t hear what he wants to transmit.
For the most part the handhelds do their job. Last trip I gave JP my handheld and he was good for the whole day. I think he was in the middle of the pack for the most part.