I really enjoy the videos, that is all I wanted to say.
Looking at a trail radio
- Thread starter WestCoastDan
- Start date
I really enjoy the videos, that is all I wanted to say.
This is really surprising to me. When I first got my Jeep I was debating what to get (CB, Ham, GMRS, etc.). From reading thru the forum, I was under the impression most everyone had moved on from CB. I ended up taking the advice ‘get whatever most of your friends have,’ which I think is fantastic advice, and going with CB anyway for that reason. Like I said, I really had the impression most of you guys out west had moved on from CB.
OP
Upon further review, this is the model that is currently topping the list.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00000K2YR/?tag=wranglerorg-20
I just made a custom bracket to hold my phone, and I think it will also work to secure a radio of this size/type within sight and reach from the driver's seat; cup holders are for, well... cups.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00000K2YR/?tag=wranglerorg-20
I just made a custom bracket to hold my phone, and I think it will also work to secure a radio of this size/type within sight and reach from the driver's seat; cup holders are for, well... cups.
^ My thoughts on those all-in-one radios...
You are holding on to the whole radio, it's heavier than just a mic and you'll notice it soon enough. And, the speakers aren't for damn.
You are holding on to the whole radio, it's heavier than just a mic and you'll notice it soon enough. And, the speakers aren't for damn.
I have that radio, it's just an expensive CB. It's useful as a handheld to track RF noise from your fuel pump. I don't think it's too heavy personally, just too much money for what it is
Is that bar your radios are mounted to an aftermarket option or was it custom fabbed?
Do you have issues with the mics and cables interfering while driving?
How do you attach or secure the actual handsets?
OTARD law prevents HOA’s from harassing you about antennas: https://ting.com/blog/internet/can-hoas-ban-antennas/I just hope to talk the wife into buying a home where there are no CC&R's prohibiting me from putting up some kind of an antenna. At least a dipole if not a tri-band beam with a rotator. There were NO antennas allowed by the CC&Rs where I used to live so I strung up a 10m dipole inside my attic. It worked surprisingly well, I worked many (!) countries on 100 watts and that simple dipole. Japan, Pitcairn Island, Russia, Tasmania, most of Europe, etc. Surprising how many hams speak such good English. I talked several times on 10m to a ham in Vladivostok Russia and he was fluent with barely an accent. We talked a couple times and I learned most Russian hams build their own single-sideband transceivers and good naturedly call us American hams "appliance operators" since we just unbox and plug them in.
I know all about such laws but a private contract between a HOA or CC&Rs a home buyer signs can be binding. I tried that years ago and got legally shot down.
There are lots of statements I don't agree with in this thread but don't care to argue about. I will just say if you want to talk to other people on the trail, go with whatever your group or most people in your area use. If you want "emergency coms" to reach out and touch someone when you are by yourself in the middle of nowhere with no cell signal, ham is your best option.
OP
This is precisely why I'm giving serious consideration to a handheld; I don't plan on going remote alone.
I believe you will soon wish you hadn't gone with a handheld.
OP
I'm a man with few regrets, and the wife really doesn't want a radio mounted to the dash, header, etc. of HER jeep, so I'm gonna continue to pick my battles wisely and stay on the right side of my averages.
I did see a few older units advertised locally that have a remote mounted/hidden base module, but they would also need some type of externally mounted antenna (which again falls into her objection colum).
I seem to remember we had a CB antenna w/a magnetic base when I was a kid... might look into that option and the unit w/ the hidden base (display on the handset).
If you want to go the HAM route, TYT makes a pretty small 2m, dual band transceiver with an SMA style connector and can be run off the cigarette lighter. One of the local HAMs uses his velcroed to his dash and then removes it when it's not in use. As best I recall it's an 80W unit. That might be a good compromise between the power of a mobile unit and being able to not have it permanently attached. You can run a $40 or so mag mount antenna and take it all loose or set it up in just a couple of minutes if you were so inclined.I'm a man with few regrets, and the wife really doesn't want a radio mounted to the dash, header, etc. of HER jeep, so I'm gonna continue to pick my battles wisely and stay on the right side of my averages.
I did see a few older units advertised locally that have a remote mounted/hidden base module, but they would also need some type of externally mounted antenna (which again falls into her objection colum).
I seem to remember we had a CB antenna w/a magnetic base when I was a kid... might look into that option and the unit w/ the hidden base (display on the handset).
I have a Baofeng BF-F8HP, which is a slightly more powerful version of the UV-5R. It came with an ear piece/PTT assembly that works quite well in the vehicle. It also has a better speaker than my $950 Yaesu FT-897. I can hear folks on the local repeater nets easier with the HT than I can with the big base unit. YMMV of course.
I'll bet you can find a similar earpiece for the CB radios as well.
In my area, people are rarely using CB anymore. Most are using ham or GMRS. The handheld radios will work for basic use, but you would need a better antenna connected if you want to talk on repeaters or have an emergency.
I have a Baofeng UV5R as a spare. It doesn't do much well, but it's still well worth the $20 I paid for it.
My main radio is the Yaesu FT-8800. I've had it for a few years, great radio and does everything I need.
The license for GMRS is supposed to go down from $70 to $35 (um, someday...). Once it does, I will get my license.
I have a Baofeng UV5R as a spare. It doesn't do much well, but it's still well worth the $20 I paid for it.
My main radio is the Yaesu FT-8800. I've had it for a few years, great radio and does everything I need.
The license for GMRS is supposed to go down from $70 to $35 (um, someday...). Once it does, I will get my license.
Oh yeah I get that, pick your battles. Happy wife = happy life. Yes there are a lot of magnetic base antennas which work pretty well.I'm a man with few regrets, and the wife really doesn't want a radio mounted to the dash, header, etc. of HER jeep, so I'm gonna continue to pick my battles wisely and stay on the right side of my averages.
I did see a few older units advertised locally that have a remote mounted/hidden base module, but they would also need some type of externally mounted antenna (which again falls into her objection colum).
I seem to remember we had a CB antenna w/a magnetic base when I was a kid... might look into that option and the unit w/ the hidden base (display on the handset).
the handheld will always be useful when you leave the vehicle to spot someone or just check lines. but you will end up with a mounted radio also
My dad (and Mom) moved to a "senior compound". My dad is going nuts. His GMRS repeater antenna is on a telescoping flag pole so the citizens patrol does not see it. He is not allowed to change his oil in his own garage or driveway. But, it does have walking trails, movie theater, snooker, swimming pools, etc..I just hope to talk the wife into buying a home where there are no CC&R's prohibiting me from putting up some kind of an antenna. At least a dipole if not a tri-band beam with a rotator. There were NO antennas allowed by the CC&Rs where I used to live so I strung up a 10m dipole inside my attic. It worked surprisingly well, I worked many (!) countries on 100 watts and that simple dipole. Japan, Pitcairn Island, Russia, Tasmania, most of Europe, etc. Surprising how many hams speak such good English. I talked several times on 10m to a ham in Vladivostok Russia and he was fluent with barely an accent. We talked a couple times and I learned most Russian hams build their own single-sideband transceivers and good naturedly call us American hams "appliance operators" since we just unbox and plug them in.
That's crap - and how do they know what's going on in the garage anyway?