Gents, finally got a chance to use the radio on the truck on a trail ride with a group using CBs. I also got a Padholder for the iPad (maps) that worked great to mount the faceplate of the TYT. I used the upper right side thumbscrew to anchor the mic, and it worked pretty good.
On the way to the trail head, 2 hour drive, I was able to pick up and join nets a good 50-80 miles away. PIcked up some chatter on channel 17 on the highway a couple of times.
Now, when we got to the trail head, we did a radio check, most had CB using channel 18. I could hear the leader loud and clear, and he could hear me loud and clear. As we got onto the trail and got separated, and had to rescue the guy on 2WD (don't ask, I know) 4Runner, the CB signal was not strong. Once out of sight, those with HT CB units I could not hear. I could still pick up the leader (he has a rig and big antenna) and he could hear me, but he said it was faint. So, on a convoy, as long as we had line of sight, the CB band worked great sending and receiving with the TYT, as we got into twisting trails and mountains.... not so much. I may get a different antenna that will mount on the roofrack instead of the mag. The full size Bajarack will make a great groundplane.
I did test in the deep mountains, I could still hit HAM repeaters in nearby towns. So that was cool.
The thumbscrews (Amazon) worked great to install and remove radio quickly as I used it more at home than I drive my 80. Same screws that I replaced in the Padholder, that way I keep spares.
On the way to the trail head, 2 hour drive, I was able to pick up and join nets a good 50-80 miles away. PIcked up some chatter on channel 17 on the highway a couple of times.
Now, when we got to the trail head, we did a radio check, most had CB using channel 18. I could hear the leader loud and clear, and he could hear me loud and clear. As we got onto the trail and got separated, and had to rescue the guy on 2WD (don't ask, I know) 4Runner, the CB signal was not strong. Once out of sight, those with HT CB units I could not hear. I could still pick up the leader (he has a rig and big antenna) and he could hear me, but he said it was faint. So, on a convoy, as long as we had line of sight, the CB band worked great sending and receiving with the TYT, as we got into twisting trails and mountains.... not so much. I may get a different antenna that will mount on the roofrack instead of the mag. The full size Bajarack will make a great groundplane.
I did test in the deep mountains, I could still hit HAM repeaters in nearby towns. So that was cool.
The thumbscrews (Amazon) worked great to install and remove radio quickly as I used it more at home than I drive my 80. Same screws that I replaced in the Padholder, that way I keep spares.
