Best Radio for Talking with Others in ORV Areas

[misplacetexan]

As you know HAM vs GMRS and are separate FCC license, kinda funny I remember reading or hearing that at one time FCC had license requirements or something for C.B.
So your not a "Sad HAM" are you.
I was in your neck of TX last weekend.

I kinda dropped off part of that response, on the text / call part to a member local to me.

Not a “Sad Ham.” Acquired my Tech in July 2020. Was waiting for the GMRS license to drop to $35. Ham and GMRS are for $hit hits the fan situation. I remember getting my CB license for $5, when I was 14 in 1974.

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[DocMike]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FN2FBML/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Got this and I love it.

Hey Mike, what unit are you using? I'm looking at options, reliable units, we have lots of off-cell areas here, i.e. mountains. Thanks for any inputs. It looks like most wheeling in my areas are on to GMRS, period.

 

[DocMike]

I have no idea. I have an FCC license from my broadcasting days and I had to buy the GMRS.

So can a licensed ham radio operator use GMRS without buying another license?

 

[misplacetexan]

So can a licensed ham radio operator use GMRS without buying another license?

Unfortunately you will require a GMRS license to legally transmit on GMRS.

 

[OngsterA]

OK guys, so with my Midland GMRS, let me know if this is sufficient for what I'm looking for, after reading thru these posts. Off-grid ORV trail use, i.e. out off cell range, with or without multiple vehicles, is the GMRS unit enough to reach out to others also carrying GMRS in case of emergencies? Range is probably limited, I know. How about reaching out to any emergency support? I will get the $35 license soon.

I travel and camp and plan to do more soon all over the US. Will I need a Ham setup for more range?

Any advice helpful. Thanks!!!

 

[sarguy1941]

I would not reply on any radio in an emergency. For trail comms GMRS is great. If you frequent ares like you mention grab a Garmin Inreach/Spot. Its like $15.00 a month for the safety plan and you can get help from anywhere.

 

[OngsterA]

I would not reply on any radio in an emergency. For trail comms GMRS is great. If you frequent ares like you mention grab a Garmin Inreach/Spot. Its like $15.00 a month for the safety plan and you can get help from anywhere.

Thanks for the tip, looking into the options, features:
https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-personal-locator-beacon/buying-advice

 

[sarguy1941]

Thanks for the tip, looking into the options, features:
https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-personal-locator-beacon/buying-advice

I carry the Garmin Inreach+ for both work and play. I picked the Inreach as a I wanted some navigation abilities. I carry standard GPS for play, SAR and work but was looking for another tool. This mini is great for just a SOS. When I got mine the GPSMAp66 was not availble or I probably would have gotten that model. I' love the pay as you go plans. Pay a yearly fee and can turn on or off as needed.

 

[OngsterA]

I carry the Garmin Inreach+ for both work and play. I picked the Inreach as a I wanted some navigation abilities. I carry standard GPS for play, SAR and work but was looking for another tool. This mini is great for just a SOS. When I got mine the GPSMAp66 was not availble or I probably would have gotten that model. I' love the pay as you go plans. Pay a yearly fee and can turn on or off as needed.

So did you get the Mini or regular Inreach+? I’m looking for best GPS reception with text capability. Planning for more offgrid trips some solo.

 

[AKJTR]

I carry the Garmin Inreach+ for both work and play. I picked the Inreach as a I wanted some navigation abilities. I carry standard GPS for play, SAR and work but was looking for another tool. This mini is great for just a SOS. When I got mine the GPSMAp66 was not availble or I probably would have gotten that model. I' love the pay as you go plans. Pay a yearly fee and can turn on or off as needed.

I got the Inreach+ too. I really like the new GPSMAP 66. But I can't justify spending that kind of money on something that I already kinda have. With the Earthmate app you can do a lot of the features that the GPSMAP 66 can do. I've been using it to mark hunting and fishing spots up here in Alaska,

 

[sarguy1941]

So did you get the Mini or regular Inreach+? I’m looking for best GPS reception with text capability. Planning for more offgrid trips some solo.

I have the Inreach+

Has great reception, can do pre-canned messages along with standard text. As said I already carry a GPS64 for SAR work. I also run the Garmin Overlander in the JT and JK so it synch with the Inreach+.

 

[Sank]

I feel like the community is completely missing the MURS unlicensed bands (one guy on this thread did mention it) . I repeat, no license needed for MURS. Maybe the downside is it takes a little more tech understanding to set it up, but I dislike having to pay for a license when I don't have to. I like to stay legal. Yes I also have a ham license and that allows us to use repeaters. Ham license is cheaper and lasts twice as long as gmrs license. It's funny that people want to pay more, more frequently, for a less capable license.

EDIT: apparently as of April 2022, the costs and durations for the HAM / GMRS licenses are the same!

That's just me and my circles. I fully agree that the majority seem to be going gmrs.

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

Ham license is cheaper and lasts twice as long as gmrs license.

I seem to recall that both HAM and GMRS are $35 for a 10 year license...

 

[sharpsicle]

I seem to recall that both HAM and GMRS are $35 for a 10 year license...

And GMRS doesn't require any testing. HAM requires you to complete an exam.

 

[Sank]

Well my info is dated, but once upon a time it was $10 for a 10 year Ham license, and $75 for a 5 year GMRS license.

Hmm. Let me look.

NOTE: The FCC began collecting $35 for new amateur radio licenses on April 19, 2022, in accordance with a law passed by Congress.

ok, also found this:

In 2017, the FCC updated the GMRS by allotting additional interstitial channels in the 467 MHz band, increased the license term from 5 to 10 years

and this:

The GMRS License fee will now be $35 instead of $70.
Per the FCC's notice, the change will take effect April 19, 2022.

See what happens in just a few years! All my info is wrong!!
:- D

So now my opinion is also wrong (yes opinions can be wrong, entitled or not). So if the duration and cost is the same, yeah now i see why people are going that way. The stated delta of test vs no test is real, and the only other major difference is the ability to use repeaters. But having said that, i still like the MURS bands.

$3.5 per year is a negligible amount of money so that's not really a thing to get annoyed about.

Cheers,

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