Trail Comms - What and How? Hopefully a sticky!

I have read through many threads...there's always a question about comms. This is where anyone can ask for an answer about communications, be it CB, HAM, GMRS, or MURS (the big 4 Civilian communication methods), and get good, honest, technical answers. This is not a B.S. thread! Leave it to the folks asking questions, and the folks that CAN provide answers please. Please don't discount one method over the other. Some groups choose what they can, and want to use regardless of your opinion. Support only!

Carry On!

 

@ETXTacoma @Texas-Elvis Y'all seem to be knowledgeable in this area. I posed the question about this in the TTC thread. What do y'all think? We need to help folks communicate on the trail, and with the way comms are changing, and headed, well...feel free to chime in! I myself have used CB for years before becoming a HAM. I have all 4 comms available in my truck.

 

Thank you @tex.proud for starting this thread. It's long overdue. I have all sorts of questions and will ask as I go.

Calling all commo dudes! Calling all commo dudes, over! All stations, all guidons, monitor this net!

 

So, I've heard here that you don't need to adjust SWR on GMRS. I don't have an adjustable antenna, but is my current SWR meter adequate for determining optimal signal quality, or do I need another diagnostic device? Also, are all antenna cables susceptible to the degraded signal quality with looping (the cable) or is it only CB?

 

@Beretta4x4 you are part of the reason I started this thread. I have a level of knowledge regarding comms, but there are folks her that I am sure can help you better than I. I have a long and varied level of experience, but when folks like @Texas-Elvis chime in, I'm put to the wayside. I have experience, but it seems that others have more than me.

 

Thanks man, just looking for more info. It seems like if signal quality is based off of swr in CB, it would seem the same, although to a lesser degree with higher output systems. I just want to optimize my current setup

 

SWR is paramount with cb, but you are talking about GMRS as I have seen, or heard. Am I wrong?

 

Also, important, but I figure there's some way to tune signal strength on all frequencies, including CB.

 

@medic2230 @m603holden @Kheiron



@koditten

 

RF is no secret. There is no "all frequencies".

 

@WileECoyote

 

You guys can ask in the Ham thread too. Everybody is nice there an can accommodate any type of comms from the casual user to the due hard, and with all sort of budgets. Doesnt matter if it's FRS, GMRS, CB, Ham, ect.


The new midland mobile GMRS units look sweet. Tons of juice. But pricey

 

Optimising a specific unit for it's frequencies? Like I have an SWR of 1.2 on Ch1 and Ch20 and an SWR of 1.35 on Ch40 with my CB. My antenna is mounted to my front bumper, and my cb has always kinda sucked unless I was on the trails talking (which is why I have it). I got my GMRS license, and the 15W

$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 to expand the range I have, but it seems like I need to diversify to FRS as well. I'm so confused on what I need, the ham stuff is too involved, I just need trail communications that I can each out to park support, reach weather data and call for help in the wilderness if possible, but it's seeming like I need CB for those guys with that, FRS for the handheld guys, GMRS for best trail comms and Ham to use in emergencies. I don't want 5 damn radios in my truck.

Edit: autocorrect made my post really confusing

 

Understood! Absolutely, and completely I am a HAM, and ask any HAM to take part.

 

I don’t know much at all about comms other than before I got my CB I used some midland handheld walkie talkies

They worked but not at distance, much happier with my CB plus I get expo points for my antenna setup

 

Like lol

 

I wouldnt get that involved. Just a Walmart handheld and a CB should be fine. To cross over to real rescue comms that are really for emergencies you start looking at some $$.

GMRS is fine for trail comms and good for those who dont want to take a test, but the biggest thing to remember is that comms are only good if the people you're talking to are also on the same type.

I run CB and Ham and that covers 99% of my trips. Normally the handheld only come out for spotting if it gets hectic and you're trying to keep good audio 1-1 with your spotter

 

Makes sense, but sometimes vehicles can get split beyond CB, so that brings in GMRS. I'm not trying to start any trouble, just trying to expand comms without talking to China lol

 

95

FRS is dead! Bubble pack radios are FRS/GMRS. Although , there are GMRS only radios. Put a part 95 certified GMRS radio in your truck...The Uniden that you have, and call it good.

 

I have a Cobra CB 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, I guess I'll need handheld, too, because, although I haven't tried mine, GMRS radios will cut out FRS channels to prevent exceeding the mW transmission requirement. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little over my head here.