User Panel
Posted: 12/21/2021 11:27:04 AM EDT
We do a lot of riding in the Ozarks. Mulberry mountain, etc. We've been to Moab as well.. Looking for something a bit better than the blister pack of walkies.. I've seen the Rugged Radios, but I'm baffled with needing a license, cost difference in a $70 handheld vs. a $300 portable, etc.
We ride in groups of anywhere from 3 to 15 machines. Always a pain trying to keep everyone in the rearview, making sure the caboose made it up the hill, through the mudhole, etc. Not to mention the beer stop, piss break, mechanical problems, etc. Can anyone point me in the right direction, and possibly give me some insight of what I'm looking for? We've all got soundbars and usually listen to tunes while riding. Not looking for comms/headsets, just an easy form of communication. Thx! |
|
|
[Last Edit: Greenspan]
[#1]
Handhelds will do 5w mobile will do 50w. Great handhelds are $150, great mobile meaning wired in car are $400.
License is easy just pay for it no test counts for whole family. The hardest part is navigating FCC website Buy a wouxun 935G for handheld Buy a wouxun 1000G for mobile You will be able to talk to people on thwir shitty blister packs as well although they will go out of range faster. |
|
|
[#2]
Oh and the big difference with the higher end stuff is sound quality and ability to use repeaters which will really extend your range. Then the really higher end can use multiple repeaters on the same freq. So basically just get the radios i said to get, convince your group to get same or similar and all get the GMRS lic which is basically $7 a year.
|
|
|
[#3]
Do you have an issue hearing the radio over wind noise/engine/ stereo, etc?
|
|
|
[#4]
|
|
|
[#5]
I use Beofeng gmrs radios. They have uv5 version that is gmrs specific, but uses all the same accessories as the HAM version. I pushed them to talk to my FIL at his place, which is a few miles away through hills and trees and such.
Cheap, available, work good enough. Still need to 3d print a holder for it for the pioneer |
|
Strong men create good times. Good times breed weak men. Weak men create hard times. Hard times breed strong men.
|
[#6]
Originally Posted By Rat_Patrol: I use Beofeng gmrs radios. They have uv5 version that is gmrs specific, but uses all the same accessories as the HAM version. I pushed them to talk to my FIL at his place, which is a few miles away through hills and trees and such. Cheap, available, work good enough. Still need to 3d print a holder for it for the pioneer View Quote Those will certainly work and are good value. Not the same as a car wired 50w, but for the price I can't hate them. |
|
|
[Last Edit: ColtRifle]
[#7]
I have TYT TH8600 radios in my RZR and on my ATV. Program them to GMRS and FRS and MURS frequencies and you can talk a pretty long ways. I have Tram antennas mounted on the ATV and RZR. My favorite part is they are waterproof. I can wash the ATV and the RZR with no issues.
|
|
No one ever went into a gunfight and said “I wish my weapon was dirtier”
|
[#8]
Originally Posted By ColtRifle: I have TYT TH8600 radios in my RZR and on my ATV. Program them to GMRS and FRS and MURS frequencies and you can talk a pretty long ways. I have Tram antennas mounted on the ATV and RZR. My favorite part is they are waterproof. I can wash the ATV and the RZR with no issues. View Quote This. The 8600 is a good little radio.. I try and put nothing in my sxs that can’t get wet … do note it advisable to remove the mic prior to washing, well don’t spray it directly anyway. |
|
|
[#9]
Originally Posted By kschwan: This. The 8600 is a good little radio.. I try and put nothing in my sxs that can’t get wet … do note it advisable to remove the mic prior to washing, well don’t spray it directly anyway. View Quote I haven’t had any issues washing the units and getting the mics wet although I generally keep most water away from them. What kind of issues have you seen with the radios and water? |
|
No one ever went into a gunfight and said “I wish my weapon was dirtier”
|
[#10]
Originally Posted By ColtRifle: I haven’t had any issues washing the units and getting the mics wet although I generally keep most water away from them. What kind of issues have you seen with the radios and water? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By ColtRifle: Originally Posted By kschwan: This. The 8600 is a good little radio.. I try and put nothing in my sxs that can’t get wet … do note it advisable to remove the mic prior to washing, well don’t spray it directly anyway. I haven’t had any issues washing the units and getting the mics wet although I generally keep most water away from them. What kind of issues have you seen with the radios and water? Just the Mic, , they will sometimes go bad as well if you let them swing . Another one is like $22 so I keep a spare. the radio itself I have not had any issues with |
|
|
[#11]
|
|
No one ever went into a gunfight and said “I wish my weapon was dirtier”
|
[#12]
Originally Posted By Greenspan: Handhelds will do 5w mobile will do 50w. Great handhelds are $150, great mobile meaning wired in car are $400. License is easy just pay for it no test counts for whole family. The hardest part is navigating FCC website Buy a wouxun 935G for handheld Buy a wouxun 1000G for mobile You will be able to talk to people on thwir shitty blister packs as well although they will go out of range faster. View Quote Have 2 of the wouxun 1000G. This is what you seek if you want to be able to use repeaters that use 2 different codes for send/receive. If you don't care about repeaters then you can go midway base stations. |
|
|
[#13]
I’ve been looking at the Midlands for installing in my 4Runner, with a low profile antenna on my roof rack
|
|
If you can't take the high road, occupy the high ground.
|
[#14]
Originally Posted By dorobuta: I've been looking at the Midlands for installing in my 4Runner, with a low profile antenna on my roof rack View Quote |
|
|
[#15]
Long time HAM… just got my GMRS ticket and am now trying to get my friends to get their GMRS FCC licenses so we can keep in touch. Putting a radio in my wife and son’s car for Emcom and keeping a couple of extras for caravan hand outs.
Easiest way for non tech people to be able to use UHF and have something useful for communication needs. We spend a lot on other stuff and think a small budget for comms is essential part of the whole thing. We go off-roading and target shooting in a valley outside of a Las Vegas area and there is no cel phone service and at least a radio can work if we need it. |
|
|
[#16]
Originally Posted By Greenspan: Handhelds will do 5w mobile will do 50w. Great handhelds are $150, great mobile meaning wired in car are $400. License is easy just pay for it no test counts for whole family. The hardest part is navigating FCC website Buy a wouxun 935G for handheld Buy a wouxun 1000G for mobile You will be able to talk to people on thwir shitty blister packs as well although they will go out of range faster. View Quote I am using a 20 watt Midland SPK100 speaker hooked to the XS20G and I can hear it fine while riding around in the SxS. I know that the TYT TH-8600 was mentioned, but it is a HAM radio and not certified for use with GMRS. I know a lot of people don't worry about that and do it anyway. And yes I plan on getting one myself and unlocking it for GMRS. BUT I do have both my amateur and GMRS licenses too. |
|
DAV lifetime member
NRA Patriot Life Benefactor |
Gold Jacket, Green Jacket Who Gives a Shit!
FL, USA
|
[#17]
The group I ride with all use the MXT 575’s. It’s a great radio. I personally use the 6DB gain midland antennae and have had great success with it.
|
“The beauty about the second amendment is it won’t be needed until they try to take it.” -Thomas Jefferson
|
[#18]
I have a MTX-275 with the antenna through the roof and have been highly impressed with its performance.
|
|
The hardest part about a zombie apocalypse will be pretending I'm not excited.
|
[#19]
I have a Btech GMRS-V1 which was recommended. I linked a review since I haven't used it much. Apparently the new model is a V2.
|
|
|
[#20]
Local dealer/installer has Icom in stock.
This is a mobile application. Thoughts or experiences? |
|
|
[#21]
|
|
DAV lifetime member
NRA Patriot Life Benefactor |
[#22]
Originally Posted By chumpmiester: Icom makes good radios. Just remember that they are for amateur bands so you would need an amateur license. View Quote Thanks for the clarification. Not interested at this time to get into ham. Willing to obtain licensing for GMRS and MURS. Looking for a vehicle mounted mobile radio(s) that can handle both for off road ATV and my 4wd to go fishing in the deep woods. Scanning is important to monitor the huge logging trucks on company roads. (They have full right of way.) ATV requires weatherproofing, won’t be used as a boat. |
|
|
[#23]
Originally Posted By Currently: Thanks for the clarification. Not interested at this time to get into ham. Willing to obtain licensing for GMRS and MURS. Looking for a vehicle mounted mobile radio(s) that can handle both for off road ATV and my 4wd to go fishing in the deep woods. Scanning is important to monitor the huge logging trucks on company roads. (They have full right of way.) ATV requires weatherproofing, won't be used as a boat. View Quote I'll recommend the Wouxun KG-XS20G. It is perfect for ATV/UTV use since it is IP rated for dust and water. Even though it is a 20 watt radio, I have no issues getting into the local GMRS repeater that is 21.5 miles away using a Comet 2x4SR antenna. |
|
DAV lifetime member
NRA Patriot Life Benefactor |
[#24]
Originally Posted By chumpmiester: You're welcome. I'll recommend the Wouxun KG-XS20G. It is perfect for ATV/UTV use since it is IP rated for dust and water. Even though it is a 20 watt radio, I have no issues getting into the local GMRS repeater that is 21.5 miles away using a Comet 2x4SR antenna. View Quote Thank you! |
|
|
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.