2way Radio for trails/trips...

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Yo_Han

Yo_Han

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Joined
Sep 8, 2003
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480
Location
North Cackalacky
Howdy all!

Heading to URE with some of y'all next weekend. Noticed talk about channels to talk on, which sounds really useful. I don't have a 2way in my chota rt now and was wondering if you all have any recommendations. Do you use handhelds or CBs? Not looking to spend a lot and pretty ignorant as this will be my first 2way. Any recommendations appreciate. Happy bird day all!

Regards,
Yo Han
 
Hey Yo Han, it seems we mostly use FRS these days, and hardly use CB's on the trails. I suppose about any FRS brand will work fine, I have some cheapy Motorola's that work well and were like $25 for 2. You're welcome to borrow one next weekend........
 
They come in pairs. I have an extra and most of the others will also. You can probably borrow one or just ride in the middle, we don't get very stretched out.
Most of the time I turn mine off and listen to my iPod through the killer FJC stereo.
I can't recommend a brand, they run $25-50 a set. I got Unidens and they're OK but I bought extra batteries because the original ones got short-lived.
I'll be watching this thread to see if a consensus favorite arises.
Upstate is moving to some SSB with Ham license to get better distance when we're all over the mountainside in WNC but for URE FRS is plenty. Not many people using CBs any more.
b
 
I have a cheap pair of yellow Unidens that I bought several years ago for about $20-30. I'll bring both and can definitely loan one out to you or someone else.

Unless you really want a fancy radio, just find some inexpensive ones at Bestbuy, Circuit City, Radio Shack, etc. One thing I do like about my Unidens is they also have weather radio channels. I'm not sure if that is common.
 
Howdy fellas! Thanks for the replies! That's great these FRS's don't cost much, if I don't pick a set by next weekend I may bum one and return it with a fresh set of batteries. Thanks again!
 
What's wrong with CBs on the trail and on the road trip to the trail? :confused:
 
Yo_Han said:
Howdy fellas! Thanks for the replies! That's great these FRS's don't cost much, if I don't pick a set by next weekend I may bum one and return it with a fresh set of batteries. Thanks again!
Click to expand...

Mine are rechargeable, all you have to do is make sure I get the radio back.

I don't know wassup with the CBs. Range? Line of sight probs?
b
 
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For trail use, when most you are in touch with are within a close proximity, FRS radios work great. They are cheap, portable and easily used handled.

However, I prefer the power and range of a CB. I have both cheap and expensive FRS radios and they do not have the range of a decent CB. Even the "15 mile" FRS radios don't do half that, on flat terrain. Once you get in hilly/covered conditions, the FRS range drops dramatically. We have done some "tests" with FRS on open water and the best range we could get was 5 miles on a dead flat lake.

Again, to avoid a "hard install", taking up space in a rig, FRS is the way to go. Just don't expect to get the range they have marked on the radio...
 
I like the FRS/GRMS for the reasons listed above and they are great when you are boarding or skiing, trying to keep up with others riding with you. They also work decent if you are roadtripping with two cars insted of using your cell.

I picked up these before the Cullowhee run ( moto frs ) and they worked great. I got them from BB but they matched Walmarts online price of 50 bucs...and they have a LED flashlight built in.

I'll have an extra for the URE ride if there are others that would like to borrow one.

-Jon
 
Thanks all for the replies. Good to know, I have looked at FRS's before for canoeing, just never bought a set. Was skeptical on the range listed. However for my purposes, roadtripping, wheeling, fishing, hunting, canoeing.... FRS seems like a good option.
 
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