Radios?

[gregr]

What do y'all use for communications on the trail? CB, FRS, yelling out window? :)

Wondering if I need to go shopping before I head out with some of you...

[javaman34]

CB's mainly

[ExplorerTom]

I've done both FRS and CB- and somehow I'm the guy who gets to juggle both when there's a mix of radios in the rigs in the group.

Personally I like CB. It's always in the truck, batteries never go bad- even if you leave it on without the engine running, it'll take a long time to drain the battery. Plus I dropped an FRS in the water at Coney Flats.

Ham radio is starting to make an impact. It has better range but not that many people are using it (yet). And it requires a license to legally run it. Unfortunately, you can't talk on CB channels with a Ham.

[javaman34]

Actually you can. I had a ham radio when I drove over the road and it had the CB channels in it.

[gregr]

Sounds like a CB is the safe bet. I've heard that the handheld ones have poor range, but do they work well enough for use on the trail?

[javaman34]

I've never had a problem with my CB on the trail. Not a big fan of hand held radios though.

[ExplorerTom]

I haven't had any "problems" other than the occasional range issue. There's been times where other people can hear me, but I can't hear them if they are far away. And then I've been parked next to someone on the same channel and have heard chatter for other rigs not in our group on his radio and not mine.

[87LaredoXJ]

My cb is a 70s model teaberry 5x5. Works great its nice to have some form of communication.

[SubAlpine]

I have a cb in my truck, and keep a VHF/FRS for boating, but I bring it along in the truck too, just in case.

[javaman34]

My cb is a 70s model teaberry 5x5. Works great its nice to have some form of communication.

Is that one of the old 23 channel ones?

[87LaredoXJ]

Yes 23 channel but it works. Need to upgrade but until it quits I will keep using it.

[javaman34]

Very cool. I didn't know there were any still around.

[87LaredoXJ]

My great uncle used to drive truck and when he passed away I grabbed it. He took great care of it.

[javaman34]

Wow. I thought mine was old. I have a Uniden PC66a. It is all tuned up, peeked out, and dead on frequency.

[Robert B]

my dad has a handheld that i had yo use last time as my coax cable wore right through and it was straight grounding and might have killed my cbs transmitting abilities but yes with its little antenna it is a pretty darn short range and the speaker was very quiet even at max but does work if needed ...it can be hooked into a regular antenna which might work well but if its only in one truck just getting a bolt in unit would be better and have more power behind it ..... and i usually tell people you dont need one i like to have at least one in the back and one in the front in case of anything from bathroom breaks to someone blew up their motor.......and for the 100-150$ for the kits its not a bad thing to have only side note is make sure it is grounded correctly for the type of antenna you get

[Jim]

A radio is not needed / is not any pre-req for going on a trip with the group - but it is nice / handy to have.

Channel 4 is the typical channel - but that's not set in stone either.

[javaman34]

A radio is not needed / is not any pre-req for going on a trip with the group - but it is nice / handy to have.

Channel 4 is the typical channel - but that's not set in stone either.

Yeah, there is that little detail. :rolleyes:

[Rick]

A radio is not needed / is not any pre-req for going on a trip with the group -:blah: Mine usually shut off as I can see the vehicle in front of me... dont like to hear just ramblin......just me Sorry

[Chris]

just me Sorry

It's not just you Rick, I turn mine on when we hit the trail and leave it on unless I pick up a lot of "other" chatter and static.

Line of sight works!

[Jim]

Line of sight works!

I'm a fan / promote the "You're responsible for the vehicle behind you" policy. If they stop, you stop and check in. Those ahead of you do the same. Anyone behind the person that stopped - well, they stop too as they can't go anywhere (generally).

In the snowmobiling world - if anyone doesn't stop (and should have) - they get relegated to the end of the line...

[Rick]

"You're responsible for the vehicle behind you" policy. If they stop, you stop and check in.Yep

[Jackie]

I agree with Rick and Chris. I have a hand-held Midland radio that operates on batteries and usually ends up dumped on the floor of the Jeep because I have no mount for it. I usually also bring a set of walkies in case anyone else wants to borrow them. But when you stay together as a group, there really isn't a need for communication verbally. Hand signals work great. If the leader of the group and the person in the rear can communicate, that is very helpful because they can stop and start movement of the group as appropriate. As for highway driving, my Midland probably wouldn't work very well, (Only about a 2-3 mile range) but I really wouldn't want to be bothered by a bunch of trucker-talk anyways, so I don't care. Don't let "lack of radio" stop you from wheeling with us!

[The StRanger]

I'm a fan / promote the "You're responsible for the vehicle behind you" policy. If they stop, you stop and check in. Those ahead of you do the same. Anyone behind the person that stopped - well, they stop too as they can't go anywhere (generally).

In the snowmobiling world - if anyone doesn't stop (and should have) - they get relegated to the end of the line...

Yup. I know who is in front of me and who is behind me. If I stop, my lead will stop. If cant see the rig behind me I stop.
If need be I will go back to find him !!

[Jackie]

I have been asked over the radio or CB many times "What's wrong, Jackie? Why did you stop?" My answer: "Because I can't see the guy behind me and I don't know what the problem is yet". It's a beautiful, silent, communication system if everyone understands the "rules".

[Chris]

I have been asked over the radio or CB many times "What's wrong, Jackie? Why did you stop?" My answer: "Because I can't see the guy behind me and I don't know what the problem is yet". It's a beautiful, silent, communication system if everyone understands the "rules".

That's something that's so important yet so often not done. I suggest we all make a point of mentioning this before heading on a run. My experience has shown me some of us don't follow this simple and effective rule.

[Hypoid]

I have a cheap CB with magnetic mount antenna. I learned the hard way, having a magnet on your roof will screw with the compass in your overhead console.

[gregr]

Thanks everyone. I'll go without for now, and see how it goes.

I'm also a big fan of the watch-for-the-guy-behind-you technique!