Trail Comms - What and How? Hopefully a sticky!

OMG!!! ^^^ THIS ^^^

TOTALLY AGREE!!! You could have a bajiliion WATTS coming out of your radio, but if your antenna system is CRAP, you wouldn't get very far!!!

I'll be back to help contribute more later tonight. Gotta clock back in from lunch... HAHAHAHA

 

Agreed on all points regarding the Kenwood. I run the same radio. APRS via Bluetooth TNC to Tablet with APRSDroid running. I've also used it on the crossband repeat for the same reason. HT can't hit the repeater, but the Kenwood can, so XBAND it from the trail. My setup can be viewed Here. That Cobra is another small CB. Great add for folks searching.

As for GMRS, there's also a FCC type certified handheld to use with a mag mount, rather than permanent mounting the above mentioned units. Thus legal to use with the GMRS license.
https://baofengtech.com/gmrs-v1

 

I've only seen a BTECH model type certified so far. Have info or links to the Wouxon and/or Anytone models? I use Anytone 868UV for DMR. I like their quality for the price!

 

@Beretta4x4

Texas seems to have a decent GMRS linked repeater system in your area. Not sure if you are close enough to hit those repeaters or not.




Ham seems to have a lot more coverage across the state also.





But like as been said before. What it depends on more than anything is what comms the one's you wheel with are using. Most common will probably be cb because it's cheap and no license requirement. There is a distance issue with cb though. GMRS moves up a notch to where you can access repeaters for better distance range if you are within contact distance or can use direct radio to radio. Ham kicks it up another notch with more power and repeater connectivity. With ham you also have the ability to go through one repeater and connect to another one along with the added APRS use with digipeaters in the area to broadcast your location to the internet through rf. I use ham with APRS all the time. Here we have a very active ham community. I didn't hear anything on the repeaters in Atlanta today but I didn't make a call either so someone could have been there I wasn't aware of though. Of course there are also a multitude of repeater up there so I could easily get someone if I needed them by changing freq's.

This is the setup I use. A Kenwood TM-D710 dual band ham. I run APRS on the radio and on my phone for visual map spotting other hams.

My ht is a Alinco DJ-MD5GP dual band DMR radio.






edited to fix the pics that didn't show for some reason.

 

I think it's technically under the Terra brand of the powerwex distro. The TERA TR-505. It's essentially a commercial type radio which is software programmable only, so self chnelized.

That qoute in general was just a quick clip giving a reference to what type accepted is and what it means. I think just the plain rule I posted later probably does a better job explaining the deal with GMRS and type accepted units for those not familiar with the rules.

My Ailunce can get into the GMRS bands as well, I just keep off them haha. It's a great ham HT and thats all I use it for.

 

Yeah, my Kenwood is capable of transmitting GMRS, but don't do it. The thing about HAM radios is their scanning capability. They can scan broad band, and even code scan what CTCSS is being used. Then put that into your GMRS and join the conversation....or just listen. I got a couple of the BTECH radios I've mentioned to cover legalities transmitting on GMRS.

 

Very nice setup! And your comments are on par for the course. Helping folks understand comms within your group. What and how. Thanks! And by all means continue!

 

Oh neat. I believe I tried to tx on my Tm-v71a on a GMRS frequency and it's locked out on there fir gmrs channels. I can rx down to the

Oh nice! My Kenwood tm-v71a can only rx gmrs channels. No tx for me

 

Yeah, to XMIT out of band you have to do the MARS/CAP mod. In an emergency, you can XMIT extended frequencies. That's the only reason I did it. Easy, and well, is that worth it to you? Self control/Self adherence to FCC rules. That's what HAM is about. The fact that I CAN, doesn't mean I will. It's a capability. I actually carry GMRS type certified HT's for transmitting there.

 

Didn't realize the pics didn't show up till you quoted my post.

Didn't know I forgot to hit post last night so I guess they didn't stick over night till I saw I forgot to post the reply. lol

 

If you are considering GMRS as a radio solution within your group, I have to ask that you consider https://mygmrs.com/browse If you get purchase a GMRS license, you can create a login which allows you access to a Nationwide Database of GMRS repeaters. It very well could be, that there is one or more within your area.

 

Georgia is pretty well blanketed with them.

 

I have CB, HAM, and GMRS/FRS (blister pack radios... you know, the "36mi range" ). Anyways, antenna is very, VERY KEY into a good radio system setup. Your $$$ radio won't do you shi* if you have a CRAPPY antenna system.

SWR:
as said earlier, you want your SWR to be as close to "matching" (i.e. 1:1) as much as possible. For example, CB you do NOT want your SWR to be above 3!!! Even at/near a 3 is pretty bad. All of that non-transmitted power goes right back down the antenna "feed line" and back into your radio and burning out the "rf finals". Also, a SWR meter is "frequency dependent". In short, SWR meters have frequency ranges themselves. I had a pretty good one for CB, but it got stolen along with my other radio gear/tools/crimpers/etc. It covered only the 11m range (i.e. CB). I have another meter that is for 2m and, if I remember right 70cm.

Antenna placement:
mainly for CB... but anyways, the best spot for any antenna is top center cab. Next best spot is behind center cab. Anywhere else and your radiation pattern gets weak in certain "corners" pending where the antenna is mounted due to it being blocked by a "structure" of sorts, is the main reason. Anyways, placing an antenna on the corners is NOT bad, just know that, again, your radiation pattern is now affected as far as radiating in an "even pattern around your vehicle".

type accepted: or however it is actually worded
I won't get into this other than, yes, radios are "TYPE ACCEPTED"!!! All I'm going to say further and simply move on is that I've been trying to point this out to others that THINK they KNOW wtf they're talking about. So, MOVING ON...

regarding CB:
CB, in my humble opinion, is NOT "dead". It has its place and will remain in existence for quite some time!!! Any time I'm caught in "all of a sudden traffic", I'll hop on the CB and there is ALWAYS a trucker that will reply and typically informed on why there is traffic. Or there are times where a trucker needs a quick radio/"station" check. There was a story/documentary I was watching about a couple that got lost/stuck up in the mountains and no radio gear. Long story short, the boyfriend didn't make it while trying to get help in blizzard like conditions. The female stayed in the vehicle for almost a week living off of fruits/vegetables realizing she's going to die if she doesn't leave and the snow/blizzard never really quit during that whole time she was in the vehicle for the whole week. She found her dead boyfriend only a few hundred yards away getting miraculously rescued just hours later. The point I'm making, ANY COMMS IS BETTER THAN NO COMMS!!! CB, HAM, GMRS/FRS, MURS, etc etc etc is ALWAYS good for back-up than your cell phone!!! The more different comm systems you have, the better.

regarding antennas: (stock)
mainly for HAM, but can be applied to CB as well... BUY an aftermarket antenna. Believe it or not, your stock duckies just SUCK A$$!!! I'm not saying trash your stock duckies as keep them for back-up antennas, but get yourself an aftermarket antenna as they are more efficient at TX/RX!!!

Annnnnnnyways...

Finally, this is a nice CB radio for sure!!! It can be a handheld or a "mobile". It's a Midland 75-822. It has scanning, NOAA, backlit screen, as well as a few other nice to haves for a CB radio!!!

 

Own that Midland radio. It's under the rear seat as a backup with spare batteries for the pack, or cigarette lighter attachment. As a main/primary CB it's not what I would consider all that good.

 

I'm amazed at how hot it gets for just pushing 4w

 

Yep! Although it can be modified for 40 channels above, and below the normal 40. A lot of CB'ers will do that and talk on say 11 above, or 19 below. I keep it for scanning those expanded frequencies. Yep! Had it modified just for that!

 

External antenna? Mine works just as good as my Cobra mini.

 

I have an aftermarket antenna for it as a handheld, and attachment for external/mag mount antenna. It works fine, but my President Bill has better get out and receive. That said, It does talk on the "Extra Channels" 40 above and below the norm. It's not a bad radio by any means. Just have better beside it.

 

Sooooooo no clarifier needed?

Plus, with SSB, it wouldn't surprise me it gets a little warm as your wattage will go up a bit.

Interesting though. I will look into that mod.

 

Btw people, scanners are a nice to have as well. I have a Uniden Bearcat

$91 BC355N 300-Channel Base/Mobile Scanner, Close Call Capture, Pre-programmed Search “Action” Bands to Hear Non-Digital Police, Ambulance, Fire, Amateur Radio, Public Utilities, Weather & more

BC355N as well.