Problem I see with GMRS is what channel and security setting would you transmit on if you had to get out in an emergency or just needed assistance? They would be fine for rig to rig if everyone had one. I have a pair here at the plant that will talk a confirmed ~5 miles in the suburbs and ~2-3 miles up here in the mtns.

In a theory Ch 9 on a CB is the emergency channel but everyone knows Ch 19 is where the action is so if I were to need help I'd be looking for it on 19.

I've ran CB's on and off for the last 15 years and I'm enjoying the heck out of this new one. My only gripe is there isn't a convenient oem place to put a mid or full size CB in these jeeps though I really like that glove box mod the one member on here did. Only problem with that for me would be thats a stretch to reach the Squelch or MIC Gain.

 

When it comes to an emergency it doesn't matter what freq......any, and all, are available for assistance. Same goes for CB, HAM, or any other mode of coms.

 

 

What I was getting at was with so many channels and and security deviations of said channels how one would guess the right one to be heard on in an emergency situation if you didn't already have others you know monitoring that channel?

Every redneck including my self is monitoring channel 19.

 

That's the most popular channel plus channel 9 has been designated by the FCC as an emergency contact channel. There are groups who constantly monitor it too.

 

Yeah.......what he said. People try and stay off channel 9 just so if there is an emergency somebody can get through. So try that first, but only a couple times as you may not be in range for somebody monitoring that channel. If no response, scan for the loudest person you can hear on any active channel. When you find one, don't wait for somebody to stop talking just key up and start yelling...."mayday, mayday, mayday.....this is an emergency." Say it over and over again till somebody comes back to you. They should, but if they don't, (they may not be able to hear you) go to the next busy channel and repeat.
Understand that just because you can hear them doesn't mean they can hear you. Some of these guys are sitting at home with big antennas and amplifiers. Many times they have good ears too, but not always the case. But they would be a good person to get a hold of as they would usually have a phone right there to place a 911 call.

 

Seeing you posted your crazy eyes after my post.......your meaning is?

 

I bought a Midland hand held CB, just so I could communicate with other Jeepers out there, if I ever go on a group ride that is.

Meanwhile, I have a GMRS radio and a dual band Ham radio. If you want some serious range, the Ham radio is the way to go, but they do require a license. The test isn't too bad. A number of my motorcycle friends are using Ham radios to communicate while they ride and have all taken the test and passed with only a week's study or less.

 

HAM radio seems overkill for riders. I always thought they were more of a 'stay at home and explore the wave lengths' type of two-way.

 

I think you're thinking of the high frequency rigs that operate at 30 MHz and below. Those do require larger antennas than the VHF/UHF radios I'm talking about.

My little waterproof HT (Handie-Talkie) is smaller than the Midland handheld CB I mentioned in my earlier post, operates on three bands - 144 MHz, 220 MHz, and 440 MHz.

It's power output can be set as high as a CB, or as low as a few hundred milli-watts. There are many many frequencies available for simplex communications (same mode as used with CBs) and you can also switch to repeaters for extended range.

Hams have a whole host of frequency bands available that can be used to suit the situation - relatively short range as in bike to bike or jeep to jeep communications out on a ride, or around the world comms.

You can even use satellite communications