Radios? VHF or CB what are you using?

Greg

Make RME Rockcrawling Again!
Admin
https://www.rme4x4.com/threads/proposed-ham-radio-get-together-to-play-with-radios.110899/

I picked up one of the cheap, handheld Baofang radios mentioned. Several friend on here have them as well, they work pretty good for the price. I'd really like to upgrade to a permanent mount radio, Rugged Radios is a vendor on here and they have some great UHF/VHF options. I have been thinking about this one. - https://www.ruggedradios.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1167&products_id=2019

They're also working on a combination UHF/VHF & CB radio... they released it, but then pulled it back to re-work it. It's still not available yet, but would be a great option to cover all the bases!
 

mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
CB for Easter Jeep or other runs I'm required to have a CB. STRONGLY prefer to use 2 meter because it's about 7000% better than CB for clarity, transmission range and such. Drawbacks are that you need a license but it's not hard to get at all
 

mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
.....They're also working on a combination UHF/VHF & CB radio... they released it, but then pulled it back to re-work it. It's still not available yet, but would be a great option to cover all the bases!


This sounds VERY interesting. Wonder how they'll work the antenna thing out and how'd you'd tune such a beast?
 

Greg

Make RME Rockcrawling Again!
Admin
This sounds VERY interesting. Wonder how they'll work the antenna thing out and how'd you'd tune such a beast?

I think that's why they recalled it, there were some feedback/crossover issues that weren't quite resolved. I've been waiting to hear that they're releasing it with the fix applied!
 

RogueJeepr

Here!
Location
Utah
Im running a cobra CB w/ 30" adjustable antenna. Also picked up 2 other cobra 29's that I've turned up.
I have a swr meter if you need some tuning help.
 
I run a CB with a fiberglass antenna since that is more prevalent when I'm in a group. I always have handhelds for 2 meter or FRS/GMRS channels. I do have a Ham receiver that can receive on Ham bands, CB, and FRS/GMRS, but unfortunately it is illegal to transmit on anything but Ham. I think the rugged radios that will by CB/VHF will transmit on commercial bands, so only good for those with a similar radio. I wish someone would create a CB/FRS/GMRS/70cm/2m radio and actually have the FCC certify it on all of those bands.
 
D

Deleted member 12904

Guest
I’ve been running vhf with all the standard off-road channels for a while now.
 

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gijohn40

too poor to wheel... :(
Location
Layton, Utah
wasn't VHS a video tape? lol I have both cb and 2 meter radios in my jeep. probably will be getting a cellphone extender here soon.
 

Jinx

when in doubt, upgrade!
Location
So Jordan, Utah
I have a Ham license, but only run a CB in the rigs just because its easy...

Would like to get a Ham mounted up but if possible I would like to wait for that combo unit from Rugged. :D
 
I have a Ham license, but only run a CB in the rigs just because its easy...

Would like to get a Ham mounted up but if possible I would like to wait for that combo unit from Rugged. :D
So this combo unit is commercial VHF and CB combined, right? I don't think Rugged does anything for Ham bands.
 

RuggedRadios

Active Member
So this combo unit is commercial VHF and CB combined, right? I don't think Rugged does anything for Ham bands.

Hey guys, unfortunately this particular radio has been scrapped. Besides the power issues of the radio itself, quad band antennas are just unreliable beasts of nature and they don't have the durability necessary when placed on an off-road vehicle.

The best bet right now is to run a traditional CB radio alongside your VHF/UHF radio. Having two separate antennas tuned specifically for your frequency band makes a big difference in quality and reliability.
 

Greg

Make RME Rockcrawling Again!
Admin
Hey guys, unfortunately this particular radio has been scrapped. Besides the power issues of the radio itself, quad band antennas are just unreliable beasts of nature and they don't have the durability necessary when placed on an off-road vehicle.

The best bet right now is to run a traditional CB radio alongside your VHF/UHF radio. Having two separate antennas tuned specifically for your frequency band makes a big difference in quality and reliability.

That's too bad, thanks for letting us know! I'll quit holding my breath for the combo. :D
 

Jinx

when in doubt, upgrade!
Location
So Jordan, Utah
Hey guys, unfortunately this particular radio has been scrapped. Besides the power issues of the radio itself, quad band antennas are just unreliable beasts of nature and they don't have the durability necessary when placed on an off-road vehicle.

The best bet right now is to run a traditional CB radio alongside your VHF/UHF radio. Having two separate antennas tuned specifically for your frequency band makes a big difference in quality and reliability.
Thanks for being a part of forum and letting us know!

You guys rock!
 

thenag

Registered User
Location
Kearns
A few years ago my father in law got me a Uniden Bearcat. (I think he got sick of listening to me on my crappy raido) The best thing about the one I have is that it has a built in tuner so you can tune your antenna.

When I was setting it up I learned that setting up the antenna is really more important than the radio. Do some searching on setting up antennas. I seem to remember you want at least 2/3 of the antenna above the roof, you want a fiberglass antenna that has the windings more on the top than the bottom, and put it on the passenger side if possible (something to do with transmitting across the vehicle to oncoming traffic on highways etc)

Nathan
 
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