GMRS or HAM radio?

Went wheeling with my GMRS for first time and my buddy has a Rugged Radio, couldn’t figure out how to make it work. Anyone know how to get on same channel as a rugged?
 
Went wheeling with my GMRS for first time and my buddy has a Rugged Radio, couldn’t figure out how to make it work. Anyone know how to get on same channel as a rugged?

I bought the software and cable for my ruggeds and added the TJFest channels. What channel are you trying to get?
 
Went wheeling with my GMRS for first time and my buddy has a Rugged Radio, couldn’t figure out how to make it work. Anyone know how to get on same channel as a rugged?

Does one show GMRS channel numbers and the other just frequencies? Or how did they look different?
 
Rugged likes to preprogrammed a bunch of crap in their radios, so you'd probably need to change pll tones on the channel you select.
 
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Does one show GMRS channel numbers and the other just frequencies? Or how did they look different?

He said his rugged has only preprogrammed stuff and didn’t know what channel I would need to be on. I’m only familiar with like CB turn to same channel and talk.
 
This site has PDF files for various Rugged Radio models.

https://www.barrysutvadventures.com/radio-frequencies.html

Sounds like Rugged Radio markets to the ignorant if they're selling programmable radios with some sort of proprietary programming. The whole point of GMRS is being able to just agree on a frequency and easily program it in on any radio.
 
You need one of these....Frequency Counter.
This will show what frequency the Rugged is transmitting on.
Freq Counter SF-401PLUS.jpg.jpg
 
You want a picture of his radio? Let me know what I need and I’ll try to get it

Rugged had many versions of their radios. Even got in trouble for one of them. Later models could not be programmed via the front panel but could be programmed via a computer. Then there was V2 and V3, so ya, knowing what you have helps. Or, just send them to me and I'll program them any way you want. Or better still, go to RT Systems, spend $45.00 and buy your own programming cable and software and be able to program your radios every day if you want. I'll even send you a file that has all the GMRS, FRS, race radio, a couple of ham repeaters in Moab, all the weather channels and even the marine channels if there is room. Import that into the RT Systems software and you can be a hero too. 😁
 
Rugged had many versions of their radios. Even got in trouble for one of them. Later models could not be programmed via the front panel but could be programmed via a computer. Then there was V2 and V3, so ya, knowing what you have helps. Or, just send them to me and I'll program them any way you want. Or better still, go to RT Systems, spend $45.00 and buy your own programming cable and software and be able to program your radios every day if you want. I'll even send you a file that has all the GMRS, FRS, race radio, a couple of ham repeaters in Moab, all the weather channels and even the marine channels if there is room. Import that into the RT Systems software and you can be a hero too. 😁

Dino is a good man. Just don’t let him spot you up to a 1000’ ledge…

🙂

How’ve you been Dino? Missed seeing you in Moab this year.
 
Dino is a good man. Just don’t let him spot you up to a 1000’ ledge…

🙂

How’ve you been Dino? Missed seeing you in Moab this year.

You had a few more feet to go!

Everything here is good. I did the Rubicon in June. I can't say it was fun, but I can say that I did it and I doubt there will be a next time. Next trip is Sand Hollow. It would be great if we could put together a TJ SandFest!
 
Here is a chart of the current Rugged Radio Frequencies as of 2019.
Minus the channels that don't transmit and weather channels.

Rugged Radio Frequencies.jpg
 
Last edited:
Here is a chart of the current Rugged Radio Frequencies as of 2019.
Minus the channels that don't transmit and weather channels.

View attachment 351150

I'm pretty new to this whole scene, but those frequencies are all scattered throughout the normal GMRS & MURS channel range, but it doesn't look like any of them match exactly with those frequencies. Like they exists between the GMRS channels. I would expect interference if somebody were using one of these and a GMRS user was nearby (both physically and frequency-wise). No transmission happens PURELY *on* the frequency; there is always "bleed" into surrounding frequencies (or put another way each transmission has a bandwidth), and the channel spacing is in part because that well-defined bandwidth. If you are operating in between 2 GMRS channels, there's a decent chance that you're inside the bandwidth of another channel.

Or so I would think. Maybe the spacing is wide enough and the bandwidth narrow enough that it's not a thing. Or maybe privacy codes resolve it.
 
I'm pretty new to this whole scene, but those frequencies are all scattered throughout the normal GMRS & MURS channel range, but it doesn't look like any of them match exactly with those frequencies. Like they exists between the GMRS channels. I would expect interference if somebody were using one of these and a GMRS user was nearby (both physically and frequency-wise). No transmission happens PURELY *on* the frequency; there is always "bleed" into surrounding frequencies (or put another way each transmission has a bandwidth), and the channel spacing is in part because that well-defined bandwidth. If you are operating in between 2 GMRS channels, there's a decent chance that you're inside the bandwidth of another channel.

Or so I would think. Maybe the spacing is wide enough and the bandwidth narrow enough that it's not a thing. Or maybe privacy codes resolve it.

Looks like a good reminder to never buy one of their radios. Also spread the word so others stop buying them.
 
Looks like a good reminder to never buy one of their radios. Also spread the word so others stop buying them.

lol, can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not! Honestly I had never heard of them prior to this thread, so I have no idea if they suck or what. But most every other radio in this space is either completely programmable or has channels that correspond to the standard GMRS channels. So that list that was posted seems weird.
 
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