Comms Suggestions

Oh god you're one of those guys with the logical and organized well documented build threads.



Not me.



Jelly.

 

Good questions and answers here. Ham VHF is the gold standard but GMRS license is $70 for 10 years with no testing. One reason VHF is better through trees is pine needles absorb GMRS-band energy since they are about the length of a quarter-wave antenna.

Either way, for offroad comms GMRS is awesome, CB is a little less awesome (but curious to test forthcoming CBs in FM!).

If you don’t want to nerd out with we RF guys, just get a

$165 Midland MXT275 MicroMobile® GMRS Radio – 15 watts Two-Way Radio with Integrated Control Microphone – Overland Caravanning Tractors – Detachable External Magnetic Mount Antenna - 8 Repeater Channels

Midland MXT275 (15Watts) or the forthcoming MXT575 (50Watts). I haven’t yet tested the 575 but the 275 is awesome if you upgrade the antenna to a Laird, Larsen, or Comet tuned to 465MHz. The important thing is to get the antenna outside the vehicle.

Helpful additional info in my sig

 

Nice summary.

To your antenna comment...totally agree on importance of location on exterior.

 

Yes my information is excruciatingly organized.
My tool boxes are how I balance that out. Most are either milk crates which the tools drop through or 5 gallon buckets full of water immersed power tools...I do however have a 10mm box wrench in my taco...somewhere.

 

My shits and mess and so is my build thread I haven't updated in...

Hmm...



So where's that leave me?



Very nice thread adding it to the ever growing threads for more ideas list!

 

$orry to your budget$

 

I just got the

$165 Midland MXT275 MicroMobile® GMRS Radio – 15 watts Two-Way Radio with Integrated Control Microphone – Overland Caravanning Tractors – Detachable External Magnetic Mount Antenna - 8 Repeater Channels

Midland MXT275.
The MXT500 is released. The handheld MXT575 version hasn't.

 

I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet, but InReach satellite communicators are a lot more affordable nowadays. If you have a smartphone with you, you can run this little guy for about $350. Take a look

https://hikingguy.com/hiking-gear/in-depth-garmin-inreach-mini-review/

If you want real comms out in the boonies, you need a HAM radio. It's an awesome hobby to get into. There are tons of repeaters out there, so you'll almost always have the ability to communicate with someone somewhere.

On top of that, the science behind shortwave radio is pretty cool. I skipped with a guy in Ohio last summer while out on the trail in the mountains of the PNW. Crazy how the signals reflect sometimes haha

 

The Tacoma demands sacrifice!



Allow me to return the favor; if you don't have Archive Garage Hammer Hangers, get them.

 

I do have emergency comm and text with a Zoleo unit. Pretty much like inreach. Thanks for the response!

 

If you use CB yes GMRS does, but VHF is far better. Get a ham ticket.

 

I got a GMRS license and a

$165 Midland MXT275 MicroMobile® GMRS Radio – 15 watts Two-Way Radio with Integrated Control Microphone – Overland Caravanning Tractors – Detachable External Magnetic Mount Antenna - 8 Repeater Channels

Midland MXT275 for the truck with handhelds from Wouxun and, yes, Baofeng that are used on my work freqs. as well as GMRS. It really is all about intended use. I watched Randy from NotaRubiconProductions YouTube channel for ideas. His first rule of emergency comms: don't be out there alone. If you are going to solo Ham will have the best range and the odds that someone will be monitoring a repeater. But - you have to take the time before heading into the wild to locate and program that repeater(s) info into your radio. If you, like me, are just using the comms for convoys, trail runs with buddies, close range-ish communication: go GMRS.

Good Luck.

 

This is exactly my use case and why I went with GMRS. It's helpful as you can communicate on FRS as well, so those cheaper motorola's and walkie talkies also work. Super helpful when you have friends w/o GMRS radios. Range will be reduced but still works fine. Hell I think most of the time I'm using my handheld GMRS with my little kids as they walk around the camp site.

I use the

$25 Radioddity GM30 Radioddity GM-30 GMRS Radio Handheld 5W Long Range Two Way Radio for Adults, GMRS Repeater Capable, with NOAA Scanning & Receiving, Display SYNC, for Off Road Overlanding Family Use, 1 Pack

Radioddity GM30 from Amazon which has worked well for me. I got them for about $40/each. Best part is they are USB-C rechargable so you can recharge them in the car.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LamLyVnn5jQ

I'm waiting to see what midland has in the 50w range for an in vehicle solution.

 

There is no such a thing as too many antennas! My truck radios cover pretty much every thing from 10-80 meters to 2 meters to 1.25 to 70 CM! I have literally talked to the world mobile. I started out 40 years ago with CB got bored with short range and got a SSB CB (they are all most worth while but limited users).

 

I'm waiting for this one to be released https://midlandusa.com/products/mxt575-micromobile®two-way-radio (says sold out but hasn't been released yet)

 

That’s one reason for the rack, more mounts! I have a decent pivot so I can mitigate coupling and let me get in the garage.

 

We pulled up to the stop light the other day and my kids said, "Dad, that truck has as many antennas as you!"
- I look over and it's the Fire Chief in his response truck.

 

Well, I made some purchases. I decided on a small mobile unit instead of a handheld. Got the Radioddity during an Amazon Flash sale. According to Honey, it was the lowest price ever for the unit, lower than its current price. I haven't installed it in the truck, yet. But did get it going in the house to learn a little about its operation. Thank you for all the input.

$110 Radioddity DB20-G GMRS Mobile Radio for Car Vehicle, 20W Long Range Two Way Radio with Cigarette Lighter Plug, 500 Channels, VOX, Display Sync, for Off Road Overlanding 4x4

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B096533TR6?ie=UTF8

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016SIJX28?ie=UTF8