TrojanMan60
4️⃣ Gold
Has anyone seen any good deals on walkie talkies or other short wave radio coms systems? Trying to find a way to stay connected to my buddies while plowing through the woods?
-
Welcome to Tacoma3G.com, a free resource for 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma owners!
Tacoma3G is a beginner-friendly 3rd Generation Toyota Tacoma (2016-2023 model-years) forum. We are a community of people who are focused on good information and good vibes. T3G is the passion-project of a USMC/Toyota technician.
Radios
- Thread starter TrojanMan60
- Start date
-
- Tags
- overland gear
BaoFeng UV-5R MK4 8W High Power... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072HXQ5GG/?tag=tacoma3g-20
Not sure if you’re willing to use ham, but since the masses have pretty much moved to ham, this is what I use now and it’s awesome.
I have a few accessories for quality of life:
Authentic Genuine Nagoya NA-771... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KC4PWQQ/?tag=tacoma3g-20
BAOFENG Speaker MIC for BAOFENG... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BYMKKT4/?tag=tacoma3g-20
BaoFeng BF-F8HP, BF-F8+, UV-5R... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KZ6VGUW/?tag=tacoma3g-20
Did you want it to specifically be a normal walkie-talkie?
Not sure if you’re willing to use ham, but since the masses have pretty much moved to ham, this is what I use now and it’s awesome.
I have a few accessories for quality of life:
Authentic Genuine Nagoya NA-771... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KC4PWQQ/?tag=tacoma3g-20
BAOFENG Speaker MIC for BAOFENG... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BYMKKT4/?tag=tacoma3g-20
BaoFeng BF-F8HP, BF-F8+, UV-5R... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KZ6VGUW/?tag=tacoma3g-20
Did you want it to specifically be a normal walkie-talkie?
TrojanMan60
4️⃣ Gold
I've been debating whether to go with a ham or walkie. If I'm being honest, I know they're different, but I don't know how. If there's something I can use on the trails as well as just listen to chatter on the highway, that would be awesome! Something with range would be cool too, I've heard CBs are very limited there.
CBs are very simple but are kind of getting retired in the 4x4 community. A lot of people still use them, but they probably also have a ham too, because everyone seems to be realizing ham is better. I would just skip the CB at this point.
To put it simply:
The walkie is kind of like a handheld CB with shorter range. And again, if you’re in a group that wants to use ham, you wouldn’t be able to communicate with them. I have never really seen “serious” folks using walkies for off-roading. I’m not saying it’s a dumb idea though. It would work if that’s what your friends agree on. But your range would be pretty limited.
Ham is like a walkie on steroids. You technically need a license to use them, but if you’re using it just while you’re on the trail with your friends, and on a channel no one else is on, you won’t get in trouble. A ham would be handheld and there would be no antenna mounted to your truck, unlike the CB. The range and audio quality will be superb compared to the other two options. And I personally think you will find more groups requiring ham than either of the other two.
I don’t recommend listening to others’ channels while on the highway, or even using the ham at all with your group while on the highway. You could run into a channel dedicated to some type of official use and then you might find yourself in trouble. It’s probably unlikely, and we have used ours on the highway just to pass information to the group quickly, but it’s always done in moderation.
Last edited:
If you want to stay in the walkie world, a set of MURS radios would be good. The great thing about the BaoFeng radios is that they can do HAM, GMRS, FRS and MURS. I've used MURS freqs and PL/CTCSS codes with great performance. The PL/CTCSS codes give you a bit of privacy but you still might pick up other transmits.
Nayrb64
2️⃣ Bronze
As a General Class licensed Amateur Radio Operator, it is my duty to advise everyone that it is illegal to use the licensed frequencies without an amateur radio operator license. To recommend that anyone use it without the license is ill-advised. Yes, the ham band 144-146MHz bands do travel further than the CB, but you are still required to get a license per the FCC Part 97. You can search for the closest Volunteer Examiner (VE) test session in your area and find plenty of test material online. You are required to have at least a Technicians Class Operator license to operate the on the 2 meter band frequencies. The test is $15 and good for 10 years.
Correction noted. I'll refer your exact info to anyone asking in the future.
I was told if you're in an emergency situation, you technically do not need the license to communicate on the radio. Is this true? Just wanting to get some clarification.
Nayrb64
2️⃣ Bronze
Technically, you are required to have the license to use the frequencies. However, I would use any method at my disposal to seek help in a life threatening emergency.
I have a couple Baofengs configured to GMRS frequencies for emergencies. It's still not legal due to the Baofeng operating at 4 watts but an emergency is an emergency. If you're going to go deep on radio, get licensed.
If you want something simple or don't want to get licensed, or use with people who aren't licensed, I've heard good things about Rocky Talkies.
If you want something simple or don't want to get licensed, or use with people who aren't licensed, I've heard good things about Rocky Talkies.
I am Interested in getting my license and getting a HAM radio. Is there information websites or a thread on here to learn more. I don’t own a HAM radio yet was gonna wait to learn more first. I fly for the airlines and I was under the incorrect assumption my FCC radio license was good for this but I guess not.
CB or walkie is relatively common around here. CB quality is generally looked down on by folks that got a walmart radio and mounted a whip on their bumper that was blocked by the truck and creating huge interference.
CB can be great, and when set up correctly, they are awesome to beat for the price. Plus I like being able to hear whats going on rolling down the road via ch19. Its not something that people will hound you about for using, and doesnt require licensing.
That being said, ham is generally a much better operating system. It does come at a cost, and a license, and some education. If more folks would learn trail etiquette and hand signals on trails, comms wouldnt be full of useless chatter on trail rides. I quit carrying comms other than simple walkie for the 1-2 other rigs in our specific group, simply because a lot of people jsut dont know how to shut up and wheel. They want to be on comms all day about absolutely nothing.
If you wheel with a close group, and are just looking for ability to chat on a trail, walkie are just fine. Id almost recommend it.
CB can be great, and when set up correctly, they are awesome to beat for the price. Plus I like being able to hear whats going on rolling down the road via ch19. Its not something that people will hound you about for using, and doesnt require licensing.
That being said, ham is generally a much better operating system. It does come at a cost, and a license, and some education. If more folks would learn trail etiquette and hand signals on trails, comms wouldnt be full of useless chatter on trail rides. I quit carrying comms other than simple walkie for the 1-2 other rigs in our specific group, simply because a lot of people jsut dont know how to shut up and wheel. They want to be on comms all day about absolutely nothing.
If you wheel with a close group, and are just looking for ability to chat on a trail, walkie are just fine. Id almost recommend it.
ham is the way to go. get your license and you are good for 10 years of use, also GMRS is good as well and it only a fee without a test.
D
Deleted member 5519
possibly a ghost :(
Grey Goat( Baofeng) work great
D
Deleted member 5519
possibly a ghost :(
no just don't get a license and feel criminal. Kind of goes with the attitude you know what I mean
Hilbillydaddy
2️⃣ Bronze
I’ve been watching several videos and doing some research on the Midland mxt275 GMRS. It seems to be a real bang for your buck and super easy to get licensed and use! I am just getting into over landing and this is the route I’m thinking of going!
I am also thinking of getting the Midland MXT275, it would help with keeping in touch with friends, they can just have handhelds buy a MXT275.
I also just ordered because I found it a Yaesu FTM-7250DR HAM radio. We used HAM radios on and trip a few years ago to the Arctic Ocean and was amazed at the distance and how clear they where. So I will keep a HAM around for when I can use it.
I got my ham license. No one to talk to. I don't go out with groups and my friends aren't into it. GMRS walkies are great. Even inside vehicles. You need a license for those too, but it's less onerous than the Amateur Radio license.
The only advice that makes sense is to survey your community and see what the people you want to talk to are using. If it's not Ham, then ham will be useless. If it's FRS then FRS will do just fine. If it's CB, then CB works great. GMRS has a lot of new users and is a very good system.
All the bands only work on similar devices. Except FRS and GMRS can be used on the same hand held radios like Midland GXT.
-M
The only advice that makes sense is to survey your community and see what the people you want to talk to are using. If it's not Ham, then ham will be useless. If it's FRS then FRS will do just fine. If it's CB, then CB works great. GMRS has a lot of new users and is a very good system.
All the bands only work on similar devices. Except FRS and GMRS can be used on the same hand held radios like Midland GXT.
-M
I've ran CB for years and I have also been licensed for GMRS for years as well. I don't run off-road nor do I plan to. I use radios for weather/road/police status on highways and around towns in Central PA land. My work vehicle (2019 Transit 250) has a Uniden 980SSB, RM Italy 100 watt amplifier, and a 3' Firestik on top and I can talk darn near to Pittsburgh from Philly on a cloudy day. I am still deciding if I am going to put a CB or GMRS rig in my truck for comms for family trips, and I am siding towards GMRS. I will still have a temporary CB setup for the status updates I listed earlier, but I'm leaning towards permanently mounting a GMRS rig in my truck. I have no need or use for Ham at this point.
Qwegly
2️⃣ Bronze
Totally new to radio. Live in Calif and go off road alone in the desert and mountains. Want something as a safety backup. Trying to do it as sensibly as possible, but still get way out there. CB seems like it has no range and is loaded with unneeded chatter. Ham feels like too much of a commitment, but GMRS feels like an unknown. I do want a response if and when I reach out, so worry if the GMRS population is too small. Was thinking of the Midland Micromobile 15w GMRS because it can be mounted remotely under the driver's seat.
Ham is the only option with equipment powerful enough to get signal out and people listening and repeaters you can access in remote areas.
-M
Just installed my 50w Yaesu a couple of weeks ago. Head unit on the dashboard and main unit fit nicely under the passenger seat.
