Off Road Communication - CB FRS GMRS HAM - My Offroad Radios

Offroad communication is an important decision.
Do you go with CB, FRS/GMRS, or Ham radio?
Here is a rundown of what I have available to me when I go off road in my Jeep.
On X Offroad app:: webmap.onxmaps.com/account-pu...
App is FREE to download. Subscription is $29.99 a year
Free Music Trial from Epidemic Sound : www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
Resources:
Moab trail guide - amzn.to/3i74KBM
Arizona trail guide - amzn.to/2LeWXpy
California trail guide - amzn.to/3btGDM5
Nevada trails - amzn.to/38B0Pd8
Camera gear:
Dji Osmo Action - amzn.to/2ZPPjoe
Dji Mavic Air - amzn.to/2FlkXk7
Sony AX-33 - amzn.to/2uczuMy
SanDisk micro SD - amzn.to/2NUuN17
Hohem iSteady Pro 2 - amzn.to/2QruBbo
Manfrotto Pixi - amzn.to/2SSIaSF
Manfrotto 005 xpro3 - amzn.to/2ZOomBq
GoPro suction mount - amzn.to/35vDtUa
Electronics:
Garmin inReach mini - amzn.to/2SVdXSW
Motorola handheld radio - amzn.to/3awsif7
Rugged Radio VHF kit - amzn.to/2TRVnfc
CB overhead mount - amzn.to/2sPvMIp
CB grab bar mount - amzn.to/3nzvOuk
Firestick antenna - amzn.to/2FkthR1
Baofeng UV5r - amzn.to/2trb1TB
RAM ball mount - amzn.to/3aG6M7Q
Garmin InReach mount - amzn.to/36kIqgn
Misc. Accessories:
Staun Tire Deflators - amzn.to/36HS52M
Chuck Mates - amzn.to/3csx82g
Chuck Mates with leather pouch - amzn.to/3PRJ7pa
Recovery Strap - amzn.to/39qHoTF
Superchips Flashcal F5 - amzn.to/38xe3rq
Jeep JK hood struts - amzn.to/35xmb9j
ARB twin compressor - amzn.to/32Wn6io
ARB digital inflator - amzn.to/390RzQl
Hi Lift Jack - amzn.to/2IMTjSo
Hi Lift handle keeper - amzn.to/32XcVKr
JW Speaker headlights - amzn.to/3nCnyKs
Factor 55 flatlink - amzn.to/3nCpuTj
Factor 55 hawse fairlead - amzn.to/38TSKAQ
Interior accessories:
Grab bars - amzn.to/2ucAd0e
Passenger grab bar storage - amzn.to/36puC4R
Center console organizer - amzn.to/39E1U2n
Mopar headliner kit - amzn.to/2uqDIR3
Rear seat recline kit - amzn.to/2MXvEgT
Extinguisher mount - amzn.to/2QpUZlV
First aid kit - amzn.to/2SQAmAK
Jeep dead pedal - amzn.to/2ueKKIk
Bestop underseat storage - amzn.to/39r0A3u
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@eda7875]

The radio man

[@JKsouthwest]

Thanks for watching!I am no expert, just sharing my experience with some radios. I should make an updated video, as some information has changed.

[@terschellingfilmsvanvroege6467]

I really like 27 MHz CB radios. They are convenient, easy to install and do not require a license. They do their job very well with a good quality long antenna properly installed on the car. Many miles of range are possible. 10 miles easy, IF you have a LONG antenna properly installed! There are beautiful CB radios from various well-known brands of excellent quality for little money. On CB you have 40 channels to choose from in AM, FM or SSB modulation. CB radio is so easy to use, for everyone. No hassle with HAM permits needed, just grab the mike and speak to your friends in the group.

[@JKsouthwest]

I am glad you have had good luck with CB. Thanks so much for watching!

[@terschellingfilmsvanvroege6467]

@@JKsouthwest Thank you sir for the nice video!

[@JKsouthwest]

@@terschellingfilmsvanvroege6467Some of my radio setup has changed since making this video a couple years ago. I need to make an updated version of the video. Thanks again!

[@christophermartinez5314]

Great video

[@JKsouthwest]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@RKingis]

As of 2017 FRS is all 22 channels, with Up to 2watts on 1-7+15-22, and half watt on 8-14. Most dual service radios were reclassified as FRS, unless they have a removable antenna, over 2watts, or can access repeater inputs.

[@JKsouthwest]

Good info! Things are changing all the time, and this video is a couple of years old now. Even the fee for a GMRS license has changed. I guess it's time for an update. Thanks so much for watching!

[@RKingis]

@@JKsouthwest It's amazing how many really good GMRS radios there are since you video.

[@JKsouthwest]

@@RKingis For sure! I have upgraded my comms as well. Thanks again!

[@JLLIFEOFFROAD]

Awesome video brother... comms are vital! Very good explanations fall the different types

[@JKsouthwest]

Not a real in depth explanation, just sharing what I use. Effective comms does add an element of safety. Thanks for the continued support!

[@Casey250]

Great break down of the different comms available. Rugged Radios really bugs me the way they market their radios to the common user but with no info about them being on licensed frequencies.

[@JKsouthwest]

Thanks so much for watching! I totally agree about Rugged. They make some great products, their line of in-car headsets are awesome. Forgot about you being in Canada, I am not sure about the rules up north regarding radio licensing.

[@donaldjett8037]

Sorry to be so off topic but does someone know a method to log back into an Instagram account?? I was stupid lost the password. I appreciate any tricks you can offer me.

[@daytondenver3344]

@Donald Jett instablaster :)

[@donaldjett8037]

@Dayton Denver thanks for your reply. I got to the site thru google and im waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@donaldjett8037]

@Dayton Denver It did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. Im so happy! Thank you so much, you saved my ass!

[@juliof2930]

Great video. I normally use the FRS/GMRS radios and got the 5year fcc license for the channels that require it. Also have a portable CB that I don’t use very often and a portable marine radio when in the water. I’m a 23 years retired navy vet Radioman, but never got interested in getting the HAM license.

[@JKsouthwest]

Julio F All great choices, everyone needs to find what works for them. Thanks so much for watching!

[@charles10121982]

i love the two way walkie talkies

[@JKsouthwest]

charles bauer Great choice! They are easy to use and affordable. Thanks so much for watching!

[@charles10121982]

@@JKsouthwest your welcome

[@WarPigOffroad]

Great video as always keep up the content

[@JKsouthwest]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@goobermintheretik1454]

Best length for ANY antenna is minimally 1/2 length above any back scattering vertical obstruction (cab). Increasing to 3/5 abv obstructions lends to better performance.

[@JKsouthwest]

Great information, thanks for sharing!

[@RedRockCrawlers]

It's good to have some handy radios for communicating. 😉. I use CB but just picked up an 8 watt hand held ham. Looking forward to trying it out

[@JKsouthwest]

CB is definitely the most common. I have had really good luck with the UHF/VHF Ham radio setup, I hope you enjoy your new radio!

[@jerrysmith9315]

CB communication is much to do about your antenna set up. Put a good one in the center of your roof, adjust the SWR as flat as possible....same for a 102” SS whip, if the roof will not work for you. I am no expert, however you will get much better range. Thanks for your information and vids.

[@JKsouthwest]

Jerry Smith The antenna placement and tuning will have a big impact on performance. CB is still a great option for many off roaders. Thanks so much for watching!

[@TheTravelingLarsons]

Thanks for the video. Looking at a CB or GMRS for my new truck. Already have Midland GMRS handheld. Also, we’re new subscribers. We have a channel too.

[@JKsouthwest]

Thanks for watching! You have a great channel!

[@Austinsairplanes]

I've been a ham since I was 15 and I decided to try out CB with my brother. If your going to try cb don't get the cheap one at Wal-Mart. Get one that has "rf gain" capability. If all you have are the cheap ones you will find that in a tight convoy each of you will sound like your under water and communication is impossible unless your far away from each other. Basically what is happening is the receiver is over loaded by the strong signal and rf gain allows you to adjust how strong the signal is.

[@JKsouthwest]

Great tips! Thanks so much for watching!

[@superserial1]

Good vid. MURS radios may also be a decent option for some.

[@JKsouthwest]

Thanks so much for watching! MURS is another option for reliable communication. A big plus is the lack of licensing requirements. It just isn't as popular with off road groups.

[@jeepinbanditrider]

And a lack of certified radios for MURS. Only a few handhelds out there and no Mobiles i know of. Could make a MARS CAP modded HAM radio work or maybe a surplus commerical VHF radio.

[@SmokeytheJeep]

*IF* folks have their CBs set up right, with properly tuned antenna, you can get MUCH greater range than you suggest. My own barefoot Uniden regularly gets five to six miles on the trail, and much farther in open territory. The antenna really is the key. In my experience, a lot of folks mount it up and call it good. You’ve got to ground your system and tune the antenna to make it transmit and receive effectively.

[@JKsouthwest]

Smokey the Jeep i do agree with you. However, most offroad folks are’n’t that “in tune” with radio communications and dont get everything set up. CB can be a good form of comms.

[@rickwilliams5817]

Although a bit more expensive than "regular" AM CB, you might consider a CB transceiver that has SSB (Single Side Band) capability. Cost is just over $100, but will communicate further due to having a narrower bandwidth and 12 watts PEP (Peak Envelope Power) that can punch through better than regular 4 watt AM. You operate either upper or lower sideband, so theoretically have 80 channels. If someone is on AM, however, they take up both sidebands. No SSB handhelds available anymore, and CB really needs to be used for base and mobile. I can talk to another SSB CB station 30 miles from base to base with a homebrew antenna on my end. The FCC rules were changed in 2017 to allow FRS to transmit 2 watts ERP (Effective Radiated Power) on the main channels (15-22) and the 462 MHz interstitial channels (1-7). They continue to only be allowed 500 milliwats (.5 watts) on the 467 MHz interstitial channels (8-14). Only a few FRS handhelds can do this so you have to read the specifications. Most GMRS units do not operate on 8-14 but GMRS allows 50 watts output (not ERP) on the main channels and 5 watts ERP on the 462 MHz interstitials. FRS requires fixed antennas which are quite small, while GMRS allows for most any antenna, including high gain mobile and base station antennas. Licenses can be acquired through the FCC internet site for $70 for ten years. It covers everyone in your family and that extends to parents, grandparents, children, aunts, uncles, even in-laws. So only one person in a family group needs the license. My daughter holds the license for our family group. At one time she was a licensed ham as my wife and I, but her family has zero interest, so GMRS is a good alternative. Also, there is MURS which allows for 2 watts output on 5 VHF channels. No repeaters allowed, but you can use most any antennas and with high gain, so MURS can do much better than FRS, IF, that is what your group is using. MURS is licensed by rule, like CB. Like you point out, what matters the most is what are the other participants using and go with that.

[@JKsouthwest]

Thanks for the extra information. Like you point out, there are several options one can go with.

[@snarf2948]

The problem with SSB is that everyone needs to tune the freq otherwise some sound like a baratone and some are mickey mouse. Then when the weather changes this can effect the freq variation. SSB is great for shooting skip, I personally have done Lancaster, CA to Perth Australia on 12 watts. It just depends on environmental conditions.

[@JKsouthwest]

@@snarf2948 No doubt that there are ways to improve communications. While I have met many folks on the trails who are knowledgable and experienced with radio operations, most off roaders are looking for the easiest and cheapest setup they can get away with. Not all want to worry about antenna tuning, radio wave propagation, and atmospheric effects of the ionosphere, etc....

[@rickwilliams5817]

Modern SSB transceivers are generally designed and adjusted to transmit on the correct frequency for each channel. Some older SSB radios may exhibit off frequencies, especially if they have been modified to move the transmit frequency as well as the receive frequency. Because of the way SSB works, even being off by 50 to 100 Hz will change the person's voice although will still be intelligible unless it gets even further off frequency. The "clarifier" control allows the receiving station to tweak the receive frequency up or down for best reception for each station. When in a "round table" conversation, you may have to adjust the clarifier slightly for stations that are not close to your frequency. I might mention that the weather does not affect the frequency.

[@JKsouthwest]

@@rickwilliams5817 Some great information there. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@lolovaciacharcos]

Habéis visto la sombra negra que aparece por detrás entre el minuto 5;15 y 5 ;20

[@JKsouthwest]

sí, y el avión pasó volando. Gracias por ver

[@adambatchelder4121]

Actually cb is good for a lot more than 1mile. 1 mile can be expected for the cheapest radio and a short cheep antenna out of the box and not tuned. 5 to 15 miles is much more accurate with better equipment and a little time spent with the SWR meter setting it up. Add power (not legal but everyone does it) and now you are talking 100s of miles.

[@JKsouthwest]

Adam Batchelder For sure CB can be modified to work better, but not always legal. Terrain also plays a huge role in range of different radio setups. Only relaying my experience and that of others I have worked with. Thanks so much for watching!

[@adambatchelder4121]

@@JKsouthwest Ya so get a better antenna, (longer is better) a SWR meter and even with stock power you will see a huge improvement. By the way ssb is I believe 12 watts legal if you are woried about it. The short fire sticks although popular are some of the worst performing cb antennas available.

[@johnmadsen37]

Can you add power by arranging jumper cables to the nipple clamps? It seems to not help much.

[@adambatchelder4121]

@@johnmadsen37 by adding power I mean a linear amplifier between the radio and the antenna turning your 4 watt cb output into several hundred watts. The amplifier still runs on 12v

[@aaronchandler2380]

What do you use for calling for help? I was out last weekend and almost got bit by a rattlesnake… which got us wondering about an sos radio.

[@JKsouthwest]

I have a Garmin inReach which gives me communication via satellite. It allows texting via satellite and even an SOS feature to activatIe search and reacue if needed. It is paired with my Garmin Fenix 6 pro watch, so i can initiate a rescue from my wrist. Thanks so much for watching!

[@aaronchandler2380]

@@JKsouthwest good idea for sure. I’ve looked at them before. I already have a gps. I only need emergency communication. I’m super lucky right now that I didn’t get bit. Could have been a bad day.

[@JKsouthwest]

@@aaronchandler2380 Lots of potential hazards while out on the trail. It is best practice to never travel solo, but I often do it myself. Know the risks and do what you can to prepare for safe travels. Thanks again for watching!

[@childfree83]

Yeah just get your tech license yaesu fadios are super easy to program right on the radio keypad the repeater offsets are automatic shifts and simplex works very well if everyone has a vehicle mounted antenna.

[@JKsouthwest]

I do encourage everyone to at least get their technicians license, it really isn't that difficult or expensive.

[@TheChico868]

GMRS seems the better option

[@JKsouthwest]

TheChico868 GMRS is a great option. Thanks so much for watching!

[@scarsman]

They do work well, and are easy to find cheap. What wasn't mentioned though, unless I missed it, is you need a license for GMRS. Few people actually get one, but legally it is required. It is also a different license than HAM.

[@JKsouthwest]

scarsman You are correct. I did forget to mention the license requirements for GMRS. Thanks so much for watching!

[@oldladyme]

Check out www.reactintl.org for being a member of a radio club or start your own world wide been around for 60 years.

[@JKsouthwest]

Thanks for the link, i will look into it! Thanks for watching.

[@childfree83]

Get a 75 watt 2 meters only fm yaesu ft2900 for a mobile radio. They are not much more than a cb setup and have way more range and it’s crystal clear unlike AM cb 26-27 MHz. There are also tons of repeaters on 2 meters in case of emergencies. For an HT outside of the vehicle get a dual band yaesu ft 60r

[@JKsouthwest]

Yaesu makes some great radios. I have been shopping around for a new setup myself. Thanks for watching!

[@CMCSS-to3to]

Why not CB radios in the car and hand held cb radios for walking

[@JKsouthwest]

CB works with a small group that stays close together. If you get spread out at all, or get into hills or mountains, then CB becomes less effective. Other style radios have higher outputs that increase distance. Thanks so much for watching!

[@Jeep.Generation]

Good break down of the different types of communication out there. I have the same CB that you have. I get a bit better range and clarity with the sound tracker on. I basically always have it on. I am looking to get my Ham license. The intro was great by the way, haha. Keep up the good work.

[@JKsouthwest]

The Cobra CB has been good to me. I haven't played with the tracker setting, I will have to check that out. Great choice on getting your Ham license. It is inexpensive and the test is pretty easy.

[@N4TCM]

@@JKsouthwest Try about 10 miles with a K40 antenna 102" whip with a tuned up radio and properly tuned swr. Stop lying to people to sell those stupid Baofeng knockoffs you call Rugged Radios. I'm a ham too for 27 yrs. Extra class Geez

[@JKsouthwest]

timothy myers Thanks so much for watching. There are all kinds of special setups to get get better range. Most folks going offroad are looking for the easiest option that lets them talk with the rest of the group they are travelling with. They want something easy to install and uncomplicated to use. Never said what I was using was the best, just what I found works for me. Sounds like you have a system that works for you.

[@YeepLife]

Great informative vid South West! I try to be versatile and have all forms of communication devices. Maybe i’ll even have two cups and a string in my Jeep. There’s always the 1%’ers out there.

[@JKsouthwest]

You never know what may come in "handy". Keep up the great work on your channel!

[@crgantosh]

can you communicate with a grms to a cb radio. Thank you.

[@JKsouthwest]

No, they operate on different frequencies. Thanks for watching!

[@oloseniaisea1780]

How do I go about getting my license for having a CB radio

[@JKsouthwest]

No license required for CB! Thanks for watching!

[@amandawillis8541]

Will the Baofeng Radio work with those that have the rugged radio or a CB or are you using 3 different forms of radios that do not communicate with each other?

[@JKsouthwest]

The Baofeng Radio is UHF/VHF so it is compatible with the Rugged Radio (VHF) and the handheld FRS?GMRS (UHF) radios. But it is not compatible with CB. Thanks so much for watching!

[@Pops_607]

Why not tell people to talk on GMRS you need a lic!!!!

[@JKsouthwest]

You are correct, a license is needed for GMRS, and it is something I forgot to mention in the video. Thanks for watching!

[@jimt2316]

Off topic.. how does the tablet mounting work and what brand is it?

[@JKsouthwest]

My Ipad rests in a Ram EZ roller mount. It is attached to the dash via a 67 Designs dual ball mount! Thanks so much for watching!

[@ponder85]

Would you say those handheld radios handy??

[@JKsouthwest]

No doubt they are pretty handy! Thanks for watching!

[@bhamptonkc7]

GMRS requires a license

[@JKsouthwest]

brad hampton You are correct. A fee only license with no testing is required. I did neglect to mention it in the video. Thanks for watching!