Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Complete Guide to Off Road Communications! CBRS FRS MURS GMRS HAM RACE BUSINESS Radios

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaHuC3bvCdw&w=640&h=360]

This question comes up a lot: What radio should I get? I realize this is a long video, but I made it to help educate folks on the options, both licensed and unlicensed, and what the boundaries are from a legal perspective. Nobody wants to hear these things, and nobody wants to talk about it. The FCC has regulations, and just because you can buy a radio on Amazon, or wherever, doesn't mean you are exempt for the rules. Understand the rules, and then break them if you choose, but at least know where the boundaries are so you can intelligently accept the risks involved.

Here's the links for the radios mentioned:

Cobra 75WXST - https://amzn.to/2NItpgd
Uniden CMX560 - https://amzn.to/2Jdubyo
Cobra MicroTalk - https://amzn.to/2zye3YG
Midland - GXT1000VP4 - https://amzn.to/2JkxXGo
Baofeng PoFung GT-3 - https://amzn.to/2NH4pG5
Icom ID-5100A - https://amzn.to/2m904ii

Here's where to find the information I shared:
https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division-wireless-telecommunications-bureau

Here's where to search the FCC License Database:
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchAdvanced.jsp

Here's where to obtain a GMRS license:
https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/licManager/login.jsp

Here's where you can find a HAM testing location:
http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session

Here''s where you can practice for your HAM test, or learn what's required: https://hamstudy.org/

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28 comments:

  1. Wow. I was just thinking about this today!!! I have been researching this myself. Thank you shipmate!

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  2. Great love it I always wondered

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  3. Great coverage of all the communications available. I'm almost surprised you didn't have satellite comms like a forward air controller. 👍✌🏆
    Thanks for sharing

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  4. I appreciate this information. As always you come through with great content and awesome info. Thanks again CPO.

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  5. Man, great and informative video! From what I now understand, it seems the GMRS would be the way to go. To me, it seems, is the best of both worlds. Very easy to acquire license compared to Ham, yet much better transmission quality than CB.

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  6. Great info. Thanks!

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  7. Probably the best video I've seen covering mobile communications. Awesome job. I used to have the same Cobra radio in my old ride. I've now have a uniden 980SSB and I love it. Thinking of adding GMRS by way of a Midland MXT400. Keep up the good work.

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  8. Thank you for the information. I’ve only used CB’s but interested in getting a HAM license.

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  9. Victor, India, November over and out.

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  10. Super helpful! Just ordered my Rugged Radios RM-25. Studying for my test now.

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  11. Personally I use a CB on the roads and listen in to truckers for traffic/cops/etc. and for the most part on the trail unless I drive out west. Then I use the HAM for emergency situations/natural disaster/ etc. yes I have licensing for HAM, and a deputy sheriff.

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  12. Personally I use a CB on the roads and listen in to truckers for traffic/cops/etc. and for the most part on the trail unless I drive out west. Then I use the HAM for emergency situations/natural disaster/ etc. yes I have licensing for HAM.

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  13. What a great informational video!

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  14. East Coast HAM all day 73

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  15. Great information. As a radio manager for many years, I have run into these issues many times here in the West where frequencies are being improperly used within the UHF and VHF frequencies. Most agencies have moved to digital Comms with NAC codes but it still causes interference. Glad to see videos like this out there. Thank you.

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  16. I run a cb with a perfectly tuned 6ft antenna turned down to legal power unless more is needed to get out longer range. I also run a little hand held 2 meter and I'm licensed. That's great as it's very transportable and can jump on local repeaters.

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  17. I REALLY appreciate your explanations of all the radio possibilities!

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  18. The best explanation on this topic on YouTube by far! Excellent job!!!

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  19. Great job! So few people include (or even acknowledge) the licensing requirements of the various radio types and bands. 73 K7ECH

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  20. I recently had to go down this rabbit hole of information. I wish you had done this 6 months ago. But I am glad you did this. You did a great job of giving details with out getting too technical.

    I think HAM will continue to expand in the off-road world. There is a lot of marketing out there from companies that really dont want these details coming out. I was very surprised at the most recent videos from the 4 wheeler challenge that appeared to be sponsored by Rugged Radios, but not a word was mentioned of any regulations.

    I also got the dirty looks when I went to my local radio shop to ask questions. The HAM world needs to be a little more accepting of people who are not hobbyist, but do want to stay legal and get access to more than 1 mile of communications.

    Hoshnasi https://www.youtube.com/user/hoshnasi has a great set of videos to get your HAM license. He is a hobbyist, but he is also an off road guy

    Great Video!

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  21. Great video as usual. You answered some questions I had. CB works just fine for me.

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  22. o3djeeps [ OVERCLOCK3D Jeeps ]July 13, 2018 at 10:05 AM

    I just checked hoshnasi out.. Thanks for the pointer! I know a few people who are now interested in getting the technician ticket... so I am going to check out his videos for them. Thanks!

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  23. Thank you for discussing this! Great info!

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  24. Very good and informative! I did want to add, and maybe I missed it, that it is unlawful to communicate to a non licensed user of amateur bands even if you are a licensed user.

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  25. Great information. Very well thought out and put together.👍

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  26. I was curious if your Icom radio also has the capability to be used for monitoring aviation frequency bands. It would be pretty cool to be able to have a radio with a function to transmit on guard frequencies in search and rescue situations!

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