CB Radio / 2 way radio question for hunting / backroad exploring.

I have never used radios outside of work and those are preset channels so I know little to nothing about CB's etc.

I want to pick up a couple 2-way radios for an upcoming hunting trip. This hunting trip will take place where there is zero cell coverage or residences within 75 kms. I also travel a lot of remote areas and FSR's. For these 2 main reasons, I was thinking instead of the uniden/motorolla/midway 2-way radios, I would spring for a couple handheld CB's that could be used to call for help or monitor local traffic as well. I know the range on them sucks and would likely have to be paired with a larger vehicle mounted antenna for good range, but could also be used while away from the truck, on foot, to stay in touch.

Do these portable CB's work pretty well for 2 way comms in the woods or are they just for industrial settings where people loading trucks can direct traffic and communicate with drivers and that kind of stuff?

Help me pick an option
1) buy a couple motorola 2 way radios because they work better for 2 way comms in the bush and portable CB's are not as good for that, and also suck for CB comms in remote areas, then in the future buy a hard mount CB unit if I decide I want one,
2) pick up a couple CB portable units and a magnetic antenna for the truck when I want to use it in the truck for a better signal


Safety isn't a huge issue with the CB's calling for help, because I have a Delorme Inreach SE that I will use in an emergency.

Hopefully some radio guys see this thread.
Thanks.

 

Subbed. I'm interested too

 

Any radio guys out there today?

 

I myself would not only like to see CBs, but how they're mounted

 

Been wondering about this same thing. Sub'd.

 

I to would like some info on this. Been thinking of 2 way radios for awhile now. Anyone???

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cb-radio-installs-on-2nd-gen-tacomas.114327/

I found @ShaLor 's install to be amazing! I would like other ideas too, anyone install a CB in one of the overhead compartments?

 

Have you searched yet? There's loads of CB install threads

https://www.tacomaworld.com/search/406245/?q=CB+install&t=post&o=date&c[title_only]=1

I'm looking for recommendations about using the portable handheld units for 2 way comms instead of the GMRS radios.

 

Your better off with gmrs for handheld communications cbs are good for mobile situations. The antenna requirements really hinder cb handheld applications. They have to be fairly long to work effectively. Sorry misread your original post I would go
With a mobile unit with a vehicle antenna. Just make sure your swrs are low on your antenna. Cobra 25 is a good little radio with a Wilson antenna. Lil wil is a good little mag mount antenna.

 

When I used to hunt, we used GMRS (Motorola Talkabout) radios while on foot for communication. We got more range than handheld CBs and they were much smaller and lighter to carry. We used CBs to communicate while in our trucks (Wilson roof mount antennas).

 

Get your ham radio tech license. Pretty easy to do if your a quick study. Way more reliable in an emergency and not much more expensive. Yeasu FT-60R around $150 for a handheld. Woxum HT's around $100. Then use Motorola Talkabouts with your buddies in the field and the Ham in your vehicle for longer distants and emergencies. With repeaters and such you will hardly ever be out of touch. Ham Radio test is about $15.
Yes you can spend way more like any hobby (MODS!) with the new Digital rabios and GPS setups but for saftey Ham is the choice.
Cb's in the mountains your lucky to get 3-5 miles.
Call Sign KE0EXT

 

Hell you can even get a boufang for around $40 which still provides more power and clarity than a cb

 

Here's my setup!

 

CB radio's are better for when you are on the road
FRS/GMRS is generally better for on foot
That being said don't expect more than a mile range from the talkabouts in heavily forested areas or hilly terrain and thats really pushing it. Expect realistically 1/4 mile to 1/2 mile range. The nice thing about cb's is that you can change the antenna to get better performance compared to FRS/GMRS. I personally run both. I have a Motorola talkabout and I have a midland portable CB radio with a magnetic mount antenna.

 

I want to take a moment and clear something up for those not in the radio know. OP is from Vancouver Island, GMRS does not require a license in Canada. However, GMRS is the US does require a license. So the OP and other Canadians can run them legal, but for anyone in the US, there is a fee to get a license (no test). In the US you can use FRS without a license and thats what is in every WallyWorld, Bass Pro, Cabelas, Target, etc.

FRS < GMRS < CB (also know as 11 meter) < Amateur Radio (ham radio).

Handhelds (HTs) are crap, it doesn't matter the application, they are built as under powered options. You can beef them up with mobile configurations (Antennas, amplifiers, power sources) but they will always be very limited in what they can do. Be careful, in the US it is illegal to amplify a CB (yes people do it all the time, but still) I don't know about Canada.

Distance is very subjective. In the flatter parts of the world you can get miles out of FRS/GMRS/CB radios without issue, put a few mountains or hills (even trees) in the way and you will cut that down to Line of Sight (LOS) of a few hundred feet. If you are just talking to guys on a run, than HTs for any of the options will work fine. If you are wanting more. Talking to a base camp, another group running a different trail or even back to the city (this can give you the ability to make calls to phones) then you need a Ham license and a mobile unit.

The downside to ham is that your buddies have to be willing to put in the time and money to get a license and equipment. A couple of CB or GMRS HTs are cheap and can be operated by anyone.

 

Could not have said it better!