FJ Cruisers of Northern California

What kind of radio (communication) do you use?

I noticed many people on the trail had radios. What type do most people use? CB or the two way handheld? I am trying to decide what to get to be compatible with the most people.

I have Motorola T5200 two way radios already, but I was thinking about getting a handheld CB. Maybe a Midland 75 822.

Let me know what would be best.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by daPitbull on December 23, 2008 at 4:00pm

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/pts/962952715.html

Just found this on craigslist if anyone is looking...

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Permalink Reply by daPitbull on December 23, 2008 at 4:02pm

and this
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/jwl/959756283.html

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Permalink Reply by DWH on December 24, 2008 at 6:39pm

Thanks to all for their responses. I think I will buy the handheld Midland 75 822. I do not want to drill into anywhere just yet to mount anything permanently.

Happy Holidays

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Permalink Reply by opg4759 on December 25, 2008 at 1:29am

We have added a poll to the main page to help capture what type(s) of radios you have.

I have also added a bonus question to gauge if there is any interest in starting up a study session for folks to get their HAM tickets.

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Permalink Reply by CV Kurt on August 9, 2012 at 11:47am

Look for a ham cram event in your area. Most ham groups put these on once or twice a year.

Or study online for a few hours and take your test. You will pass.

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Permalink Reply by Shaman Rawb on August 8, 2012 at 11:08pm

Would this work for FRS?

http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-MH230R-23-Mile-22-Channel-Two-Way/dp...

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Permalink Reply by DWH on August 9, 2012 at 12:56pm

Those should work for FRS. But I would get a CB before frs. FRS is ok, but we are trying to get more people on CB as frs is pretty lousy.

As CVkurt said HAM would be the best. The test is easy and fairly cheap. The equipment is more money though.

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Permalink Reply by CV Kurt on August 9, 2012 at 1:26pm

You can get a cheap 2m HT for about $55 bucks! Of course, a good quality mobile 2m w/ antenna, cables, etc. will be more like $200-$250.

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Permalink Reply by Shaman Rawb on August 9, 2012 at 1:32pm

Thanks DWH. I was thinking about getting the Midland with 3' whip (because it will fit behind my toolbox in the back.), but heard all this talk about FRS and saw how cheap they were.

So I should spend the $150ish on setting up the BD first then...

Ham is down the road for me at this point.

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Permalink Reply by DWH on August 9, 2012 at 7:16pm

I have the Midland 75-822 hand held with a 3 ft antenna and it works. I think a full size CB works better, but I just did not find a good place for one that worked for me.
That said, you may still want to pick up an frs if you see a good deal. Many use them so you could find yourself not being able to talk if you do not have one.

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Permalink Reply by Shaman Rawb on August 9, 2012 at 7:19pm

Perfect. That's what I was looking for.

Thanks again,

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Permalink Reply by CV Kurt on August 9, 2012 at 11:45am

Depends on who you run with.

The group I'm most often go out with use 2m radios. We have sometimes have a spare 2m HT we can loan out (in listen only mode if one doesn't have their license). Sometimes we'll use FRS radios, or if we must, CB radios as a fallback. (Yes, I rather use FRS than CB... because they provide better clarity). Those not on 2m miss out on most of the banter.

Some groups I run with still use CB radios, but that's seems to be (hopefully) on the way out. FRS sucks, CBs suck more.

I highly recommend getting your HAM radio license. It's easy (a few hours of study should be enough to pass the test). And you can pick up a 2m HT on the cheap, like under $100, until you ready to get a good mobile.