Cb or ham

What does everyone use out on the trails
I was thinking of getting a handheld ham radio

 

Cheap, easy, drop it, break it buy a new one. Works 5kms in the mountains.

Gets the job done.

Pisses off the real radio guys because.. you don’t have a license. But in the back woods who are you really transmitting over top of? Lol

Buy 2 for under a $100 and loan 2nd out to your friend that has nothing. Seriously they are that cheap but work.

 

BAAOAOOOFENG 4 LYFFEE

Seriously they work amazing though.

 

Ham for sure... Not even a question.

 

I went CB, but I hear ham is better. I'm still happy with my choice though.
I do plan to add a ham radio in the future, but not till I find the perfect one for me.

 

Do you plan to travel off road with anyone else? If so, most importantly get the same kind of radio as your travel companions.

If you plan to be solo off-road, a handheld radio is just about worthless. CB isn't much better. Nothing gets out like a 50+ watt VHF or UHF mobile radio with a good antenna. For most people that means a ham radio.

Ham radios are a much bigger discussion.

 

QRA?
Oh boy, we love a fox hunt..

 

Ham. Get a license or we will find you.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmitter_hunting

 

If you don’t want to get your license, then go with GMRS instead. Technically, a license is also required but there is no test.

 

Does Canada have similar regulation of HAM radio use as the US?

 

Yes

 

Yes it does
I didnt want to put in the work unless people actually use it

 

RAC is The Canadian equivalent to the FCC. Getting you license isn’t hard, and it will teach you how to use you radio. Contact a local club, they are usually a handful of 80 year old super eager to get ‘young’ people into the hobby.

 

Ham, and go get your license.
It’s not that hard and you’ll learn from it.
Win win

 

HAM and CB backup. Get your HAM license

 

"HAM" (2 meter or 10 meter band radios) are far superior to CB, but you don't run across a lot of other people with them.

CB range absolutely sucks and is only good for inter-group communication, and sometimes even fails at that. Satellite is the way to go if you are reaching out to someone for help. Garmin's InReach is where it is at. Text any cell phone or punch the SoS button if you are really fubar'd.

I go with all three. I have two 2 meter band handhelds and a 2 meter in the truck, I normally just toss the other people I am wheeling with a handheld and go from there. It is also nice because spotters can get out and have good comms with the driver.

 

Even if you don’t have anyone in your area you can do all kinds of stuff with it on your own. APRS is amazing when you’re out by yourself and even better in a group.

 

Definitely HAM, but get a mobile.

 

I have a mobile HAM and a Sat phone.