The big advantage that CB has is that most over the road drivers (truckers) use it and they have a wealth of knowledge. After coming out of a restaurant on I-65 there was a lot of chatter on Ch. 19 about a multi-car accident about 20 miles ahead. The drivers shared a workaround: Take this exit, drive four miles East, turn left and follow that highway and it will take you right back to I-65 beyond the accident. Great to hear. I was thankful to those drivers for saving me hours sitting in a three lane parking lot.
I had the opposite happen. My GPS alerted of a slow down due to an accident and had me hop off. The CB was surprisingly inactive. I tried calling out to others on Ch 19 to warn them but no one answered 🤷♂️ my mother always said that I have a face for radio so maybe that was the reason. I opened up Waze and it was quite the back up, easily saved 30 minutes
Here in Washington State we have a whole series of repeaters on the west side of the state. A couple are located high in the mountains and offer coverage of 130 miles or so. I regularly communicate with general contacts, friends and coworkers not only from my mobile radio, but also from a HT. I spend a lot of time hiking the mountains of the Olympic Peninsula and from above 200p feet, I can easily reach friends in Seattle over 35 miles away on 5 watts.
Thanks for leaving a comment and for sharing all of this information. We don’t have any repeaters in our area, but I do use repeaters, but they are on a fringe area for me. I do have access to a mountaintop site that I am looking to install a repeater, probably in the spring.
I have both GMRS and CB Radio... and all the internet forum experts say that CB is dead and GMRS is the way to go. I disagree, thus your video is spot on correct! When traveling the highways CB radio is as alive as ever. All the gypsies, clowns, and trouble-makers that I used to love to harass as a kid are still are still cuttin' it up with their power boosters and echo microphones on the 11 meter band. Thank you Paul (and Mrs. Paul too) for a great factual video!🙂
Thank you for the comment I'm happy you enjoyed the video. We are doing the same trip in a couple weeks and this time we are taking a CB with us. Stay tuned for another video.
I’ve traveled many miles this summer/ fall with two CB’s on. One dedicated on 19 and one on scan. It’s very quiet from actual trucker traffic. Lots of skip on 6, 9, 19 and 28 from high power base stations. Really about the only traffic is the Wide load (escorts) or two drivers from the same company running in convoy. And they are transmitting on low power so only 2 miles of range.
It will not be long and cb slop shops will be doing mods and selling high power amps and noise toys to people on the GMRS and FRS frequencies too. Wait for it,,,,wait for it!!!
Not many people using GMRS radios yet. I got my Midland 50W with 3 dB Ghost antenna, it works very well, clear and loud, talk to people 30 miles away in the Portland area. I'm happy with the radio, quality and simplicity. Got my call sign by the way, $35 for 10 years
Good video. I'm in Western MA and new to GMRS but have been using a CB for decades. Over the last 9 years we have traveled the Pike every couple months to take our daughter for doctors appointments in Boston. In that time the CB chatter has died down drastically; we have completed whole trips hearing nothing at all: no replies to road reports, no reports made by other drivers, not even drivers talking back and forth in the rest stops. I was a young teen in the 70's when CB's were huge; its a whole different world now. FWIW, if you haven't found it yet, there is a GMRS repeater on Mt. Tom
Hi. Thanks for commenting. Yes I am part of the Holyoke repeater group. I don't get over there on that side of the mountain much but on good days I can hear them at my house, but I can't talk to them. Someday I feel like CB might comeback. Its to simple of technology for it not too.
i was 14 when CB hit the big time - we used to hang out in my buddies home (still my great friend) and harass the truckers - somewhat of an improvement over harassing Ma bell operators (i wish i could go back in time and apologize haha)
How did you manage to install BOTH CB and GMRS equipment in the same vehicle at the same time without their respectively approved wires or transceivers interfering with one another or the vehicles equipment?
We recently used the Baofeng 2w radios on a trip to N Ga. Traveling with 2 other vehicles they worked great communicating with each other vs cell phones. We stayed on ch 22 so did not hear any other radio traffic. Our main purpose for GMRS is for traveling with others, camping, and trail riding. Also very handy around the property.
Yes, that is what they are best for. In this video I was trying to see if it was being used for traveling in general but its not. Its a friends and family thing for sure. Thanks for commenting.
@@RichPohlman They have GMRS 'only' radios. And hacking one handheld to push 8 watts with a 3-5dBi gain antenna still keeps them well within legal limits outside the FMRS channels. No one cares what you transmit with as long as you are not interfering with a channel.
This is good news. It means the GMRS frequencies are open. Great for folks at an event (as long as you avoid the FRS frequencies) or out in a hunting party, etc..
It is good that the frequencies are open. However, it is also not a good thing. The way .gov works nowadays, lack of use could cause them to re-catagorize the band to commercial use. Then there would be no more availability to casual users.
We travel with a group and we usually carry GMRS as we move along to communicate vehicle to vehicle. We have also used then when flying to out of the way spots (ALASKA) by taking portables. In my area I get some comms on my base station, especially from Va and Pa.
I did a trip from west MI to central South Dakota in September and again in November. Had my BTech GMRS Pro scanning for some of the journey. In September I picked up a couple guys chatting somewhere southwest of Chicago while I was on I-80, but other than that, nothing. I'm still glad to have the radio as an alt means of reaching out if needed, but yeah, not a lot of casual conversation on the highways.
I drive the masspike/128 from Sturbridge to Burlington twice a week and don't hear much even when traffic is backed up. There is one repeater in the Sturbridge area I hear activity on sometimes. I also heard a pet store in Palmer, MA once. Like you said, I think GMRS is best for when you need to talk car-to-car to someone you already know.
I spend a lot of time in the Waltham area and my experience has been the same with GMRS. I used to scan all channels and listen on ch 16 and still nothing. I recently got my general ham license and have had more success on 2M simplex calling (146.520). I'm looking into possibly setting up a "GMRS live" node if the landlord will let me put an antenna on the roof.
Back in July i made a road trip from Missouri to northern Indiana. Ran my CB and gmrs. Going through Illinois pick up traffic fro. A guy who bought his mom a gmrs handheld and was testing it that day. Later in the trip picked up traffic from 3 guys in Queens/ Manhattan that worked for Amazon. One of them was on a train headed home. I get local traffic in my area from farmers that have switched to gmrs.
Thanks for sharing your comment. When we were traveling we heard somebody talking about traveling from Pennsylvania that day so I think if you’re on a repeater you can get some pretty good coverage but running Symplex on a GMRS is tough.
i been playing with GMRS for a couple months now -- i have yet to talk to anyone, am fixing to hook up a Mobile unit in my Truck very soon, waiting on parts. When i was a teen and had a nice high power CB Base,,, i could turn it on no matter what the time was and talk to someone -- even far away a Tahiti... :) Nice informative Video - Thanks.
I have CB in my car with SSB. I live near Toronto. There isn’t as much chatter as there used to, but people, mostly truckers still do use it. Ask for a radio check and someone will get back. CB has saved me many hours of frustration on the road, thats why I use it. There is a few people in my neighborhood that use SSB CB base stations. If I’m not on channel 19, I’m on LSB 38. Theres lots going on on SSB, especially right now with the sun cycle.
We use a similar system in the UK called PMR (446-446.2 mhz) normally with 16 channels, all licence free. The limitations are that the TX can not exceed a 1/2 Watt and the antenna must be of the fixed type, I can get good distances line of sight but can also trigger repeaters for greater range, it is not uncommon for people to use 10 watt TX sets which are readily available and cheap to purchase.
I recently got my callsign and a TIDRadio H3, should be here (Amazon) today around 1800. cannot wait test it out and am glad I purchased it for mainly emergency comms. I plan on buying more and am prepping as we speak for the chinese and T ists to come and mess up my day, (thanks uncle joe)
I recently traveled from GA to PA and back using a pair of GMRS radios. We use them primarily to chat from vehicle to vehicle, not the general public. It’s more handy than messing with the cell phones. We were always pretty close to each other, so we could transmit on the low power setting to extend battery life. We got about 11 hrs of use out of them before their batteries ran out. There’s an extensive network of repeaters here in GA and I can hear people talking on them all the time but I don’t have the ability to connect to the repeaters myself yet. CB in general could be so much better if adults could act like adults. I definitely wouldn’t have a CB on if I was traveling with my kids
@@paulethier3416 , my older daughter lives about 15 miles away from me. So what I’m thinking of doing is setting up a repeater here at the house, and then getting Midland’s MXT115 since it’s the smallest radio they have that can talk to a repeater. Then I will have to see which model I’ll need to put at her house to reply back to the repeater
That sounds like a good plan if you have a good spot for a repeater. You might want to try some testing with two 50watt radios. 15 miles could be doable depending on your terrain without a repeater. @@mikeingeorgia1
@@paulethier3416 another idea I’ve been pondering is having the repeater in the attic to give me elevation, and then I’ve found out that Radioddity makes a small HT that is repeater capable. I could carry the HT around when I’m outside. I’d only need to be able to transmit as far as the house with the HT, then the repeater would handle it from there. Then I could just get a mobile unit for when I was actually mobile and away from the house. The Radioddity that looks to me like it would work is called the GM-30
Retevis also make this 10 watt repeater with some radios. I've been looking at this for a mtn top repeater I've been thinking about but I've not pulled the trigger. Maybe it would work for your application. Here is a link amzn.to/3Ru5fZK @@mikeingeorgia1
In Australia, we have a 5w 80 channel CBRS with repeater channels allocated, and the Road Channel is 40, although 29 is used between Sydney and Brisbane along our M1/A1 route, 40 everywhere else throughout the Continent. The Call Channel is 11 and Channel 05 (and it's repeater input 35) are the government allocated Emergency Channel. Frequency range 476-477Mhz. In wide use here with trucks, businesses, 4WD's/SUV and the grey nomad recreational folk using the service. Service is identical to that used in NZ, often the same radio gear, but also in Malaysia, PNG and Pacific islands etc. Many homes do use the 27Mhz CB etc 11m bands, more for DX and ranged local contacts. Here, our CB Class License will upgrade to accept FM mode and in all likelihood CTCSS/DCS function, to mirror US upgrade of its CBRS. NZ is part of the same "Standard", and change in AUS will likely automatically reflect in NZ. NZ has a specific 26Mhz 40 channel allocation between 26.330Mhz Ch 01 to 26.770Mhz being Ch 40, modes are AM & SSB, but will likely accept FM with the class License upgrade. AM call is 15 26.500Mhz, and their road channel is 11 26.450Mhz. The use of CTCSS on CB FM is terrific for Homebase, you set a code, even with the radio squelch OFF, it stays dead quite UNLESS it received the code. Makes for a nice quite home, free of random carriers breaking squelch, driving households tempers:-)
It sounds like a great system. Thanks for sharing this info with us. We just got FM CB here 2 years ago. I'm going to try it in a couple weeks for the first time in 30 years.
Some of that other chit chat you mentioned probably came from FRS radios... that's the bubble wrap cheapo radios you see in the sporting goods store and elsewhere that use some of the same frequencies as GMRS. We have a local motel that housekeeping uses FRS to get their chores done and some of our utility crews working out on the roadway uses them as well. They are low wattage and don't require licensing as a GMRS user does. I've come to the realization that GRMS is useful for interpersonal communication and you will rarely find anyone that just wants to rag chew. My area has a fairly active 11 meter (CB) contingent that will chat with you occasionally when they aren't running skip.
Thanks for the video, I had CB radio for a short time when I was younger back in 1977 and was thinking of getting a hand held one again. Then I saw people on RUclips talking about GMRS and was wondering which would be better for emergency situations.
I'm not sure. I have both. GMRS seems to be monitored more but CB is still active. I guess its what's being used in your area. I think FRS & GMRS is popular with most hunting and ATV groups.
I live in a tourist area here in the Florida Keys, so I do hear some travelers communicating vehicle to vehicle when they come through town. If they are using PL or CTCSS tones for simplex, you will be able to listen but not talk to them. Most regular people don't use them, but most GMRS repeaters require them to transmit but you can still listen but sometimes only one side of the communication without the proper codes and frequencies. If you use a scanner like a Uniden BC125 while scanning GMRS frequencies, it will give you their PL code. Some retail stores use GMRS radios for their employees. I hear them when I am around strip malls, lumber yards, rail yards, etc. The Uniden SDS Flagship scanners will give you these and a DMR ham radios' color code and slot number of a radio that is being used if you are into digital ham radio. More retail stores and businesses use digital radios to communicate along with some racetracks and other spectator events.
Paul, tried the same up here in NH and don't get a lot of mobile traffic. In the winter I pick up some plow companies in what sounds like Townsend/Fitchburg and I must be catching them on a repeater. Used to pick up some box stores but not hearing much lately either. I use the handhelds up in the White Mountains when we don't have cell signal. Keep the faith it will come slowly
NH. Here also, I’ve connected to two repeaters in southern NH. And I very rarely hear anything, I try channel 19 while traveling, I’ve never heard any chatter, ever, in the past two years.
You need to get on repeaters unless you are in a convoy using simplex direct. UHF is mostly line of sight so your range is limited to a few miles directly. A repeater will be elevated so the range is much more profound. The repeater my group uses covers about 70 miles in central VA. We are all over the central and northern half of the state talking to each other. All the commenters are missing the point of GMRS entirely. Short range direct, long range repeater. CB is HF so it has better propagation except it’s technically limited to 4 watts. GMRS is UHF, line of sight, with 50 watts maximum to help with range. GMRS IS NOT a CB replacement. C’mon folks do your research.
Thanks for the comment. I’m on gmrs repeaters I was just seeing if it would work as a CB and I or it failed miserably. I also use VHF repeater for emergency services and UHF repeater for work. That’s why I like GMRS so much because it works well with repeaters and if out with the Jeep it works well short range in simplex.
Try taking your own advice,do some research. ALL simplex is line of sight and if you think 27 mhz. @50watts will outperform uhf @5 watts line of sight you need to come back to the world of science.
Don’t be such a sad ham. He was doing actual practical research. Based on your comment it appears you saw the title and became a keyboard warrior instead of actually watching the video.
It varies wildly by area. In Sarasota County where i live there are quite a few users. Most of us are using repeaters most of the time simply because they are there and give much further range. If you want to maximize your chances of being able to reach someone or a distant repeater, get a high gain antenna (5db+) and a radio with as close to 50 watts that you can afford.
That sounds awesome. We have nothing but mountains around here and no repeaters for GMR us it’s kind of frustrating. But I’m hoping to build out and install my own repeater. Maybe next year. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for commenting.
CB RULES more people than any other band . Trust me I have been on CB since the 60s. I even remember when cars has a AM/FM/ CB Radios in the dash . Wish that came back, one antenna for music and comunicacions , sweet .
We just did a 3500 mile round trip to Mississippi and back home to South East Arizona in October with my sister's in laws. GMRS works great in convoy situations. Not a lot of other traffic other than larger cities. I did hear another couple in West Texas who were using them between their vehicles. I also use it on trails like a lot of off roaders.
CB w/ FM & SSB for the road. Lots of traffic. GMRS for convoys, fairs, concerts, with family/ friends. San Diego only has a few repeaters. The SoCal desert has really good GMRS coverage.
I've had similar experience. I use HAM, GMRS, FRS, and CB sometimes. Just part of the hobby. It seems that the off-road community has bought in on GMRS for the most part. Highway or freeway is still mostly CB. HAM has plenty of repeaters nationwide, especially if you get into the digital side. If you get an Open Spot connected to the hotspot on your smartphone, you can join chat rooms. A few of those rooms are dedicated to freeway travel. But then you're dependent on your phones data connection. Still, it's a fun option for most areas.
In Australia, we have 477MHz FM CB band with repeaters, limited (legally) to 5 watts. The lower 27mhz frequency CB band generally will have better range (radio to radio). But the repeaters with the UHF band increases range dramatically. The truck/road channel here is UHF channel 40. It used to be channel 8 on 27mhz here many years ago. Also the UHF band allows for much smaller antennas and hand held radios which is a advantage over 27mhz.
That makes sense. Here in Arizona, the only other people I've heard on the road are groups of people communicating between cars. And I have used it with family members for the same reason.
I just made a trip from PA to NC and had CB, GMRS, and ham radio. Heard CB being used, GMRS repeater around Washington DC, and had a conversation on ham radio on I-95.
I'm a driver, here's what's going on. We use cell phones to kill time with our friends, but when weather or construction slows us down we go back to channel 19. CB is not dead! Heck they just added FM to the new radios. Hope this helps! I was gifted some Cobra walkie talkies trying to learn about these. Pretty fun 👍
Thanks for the comment and for sharing. When we traveled, we didn’t have any bad weather any construction issues or any bad accidents so there was no chatter at all on the CB. That confirms your experience. Good luck with the walkie-talkies have fun.
GMRS is active here in Houston. We have a statewide repeater network that also covers much of Louisiana. A small donation of $25/annually gives you the tones and a node on the network. When I tune in to channel 19 anywhere in the Houston Area, all I hear is static. The range on some of the repeater sites is pretty impressive, About Fifty miles from Downtown Houston. Many of the repeaters are connected to places like Milwaukee and Tampa too. About 40% of the users are mobile and the rest are at home.
GMRS is in its infancy still as it grows in popularity you might see GRMS radios mounted next to your cb radio if I could drive I would have both in a car ,truck or motor home
I've been using a CB on the road for over 50 years. I use GMRS handheld radios on the deer lease. Lots of hunters on surrounding deer leases use GMRS radios too.
We tried using GMRS radios (Midland) when we moved cross-country in a two-car convoy. One car was a Ford CMax Energi plug-in hybrid. Standing still was fine, when rolling down the road the qrm was so bad the radios were almost useless.
For convoy cb made emergency cb radios that come complete ready to use in the car , the brand FOX made a nice one with an external mic that could still be found on ebay, market place , or Mercari. www.google.com/search?q=fox+emergency+cb+radio&oq=fox+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCAgDEEUYJxg7MgYIABBFGDkyBggBEEUYPDIGCAIQRRg8MggIAxBFGCcYOzIGCAQQBRhAMhMIBRAAGIMBGJECGLEDGIAEGIoFMhUIBhAuGEMYxwEY1AIY0QMYgAQYigUyEAgHEAAYkQIYsQMYgAQYigUyEggIEC4YQxjHARjRAxiABBiKBTINCAkQABiDARixAxiABNIBCDU2MjVqMGo0qAIAsAIA&client=ms-android-tmus-us-revc&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#vhid=20683095078580459-16-4071192616619995440--0-0&vssid=uvpv-713&piu=ps:2
Ham radio operator here... I have my 2m radio with me on long trips along with my 10/11 meter rig.. 11 meter gets channel 19.. 2m does pretty well while traveling as you hit repeaters and my 2m rig is a 70 watt radio so it does well.. And 2m is popular with a lot of Hams.. All that said.. Nothing beats the CB and Channel 19 when you want to know.. I drove over 30 years big truck and was in transportation management another 20 years.. currently retired.. I still stay in touch with the trucking community.. there are still the local channels, like 14 and 7 and 3 that are pretty popular around here.. But on the highway traveling.. I always monitor Channel 19.. I also monitor 2m 146.520 .. if I remember right GMRS main frequency (repeater frequency) is 158.880
@@paulethier3416 Yeah, I am not a GMRS person, so off hand I did not know the frequencies.. I know I can get them on my Ham radios.. but I never talk on them.. Mainly because it is locked to channels and you can only talk on those channels, where HAM radio is much different... .. The CB when i head all the way up on I-81 to Watertown/Fort Drum area in the winter time.. 19 is a must, since you can have no snow, the a mile up the road there is 2 feet of snow on the road.. 2-meter north of Syracuse works great as I can hit repeaters pretty steady and talk to locals about road conditions all the way through St Lawrence County NY..
I must live in a repeater rich area in the Midwest, I need to appreciate being able to talk on a large linked network across multiple states. My tiny repeater works for me, and I keep it parked on a Texas network with plenty of traffic using a different linking network. I can travel 1-300 miles and have access to GMRS repeaters easily in multiple states....that being said when it comes to simplex I only hear stores and kids. Indiana has simplex nets, no one in my area cares for them because they are not in the middle of nowhere Indiana.
That sounds like a fantastic system. For me to use repeaters on that trip I need access to at least 5 repeaters a long the way. All with different frequencies and PL codes. I just tried simplex on this trip and was very disappointed. I’m doing that trip again in a couple weeks and I’m going to try a CB radio this time. Thanks for the comment.
Interesting I know of no repeater system here in Wisconsin at least in north central Wisconsin. Most people here either use high power (100 watts plus on CB) or do like I did and get ham radio license. We have plenty of 2m repeaters!
Here in arkansas out in the boondocks all you hear is the local chicken farms or kids that have those wal mart blister pack radios playing. I got my license so the family can keep up with each other on our 90 acres mainly when hunting or out dealing with the cattle. Ticked me off the year after I got my license is when they lowered the price and all that crap. The truckers and offroaders still are on CB around here. All the 4x4 guys I run around with we still have cbs in our trucks. There are a few of us with handheld GMRS but we only use them when we go to an offroad park where the park office has it. Out in the woods locally CB still rules.
Thanks for commenting. It really does depend on local use. Some are still using CB and other are GMRS. I like both because they are both unique and have pluses and minus. That little Midland GMRS I have works great and its so small you can move it vehicle to vehicle super easy. I can run it in my 4Runner or my Jeep and it takes about 5 min to install.
I have Midland GMRS radio like you and Midland FMRS radios. I do hear supermarkets on the GMRS on there sometimes. I have been able to make contact with people about 55 mile away sometimes. Some say if it is good and some clouds of atmospheric pressure that can carry the waves some time further, not for sure though. Im not an expert but am still learning.
Thank you for commenting. Yeah there is a lot to learn for sure. Im always learning something new. Line of sight seems to be the biggest factor for me in my area because of the mountains.
@@paulethier3416 11meter band is the 27Mhz CB band (used for many years). Search 11m CB band it's all there. Ch38 LSB on the 11meter band is known all over the world as we often speak back to the U.S from the other side of the world (using something called a skip). One could listen to Australian CB chat on CH35 LSB ( u.s afternoon).
Ok thank you for explaining. I've never heard it called 11 meter. I've used CB but not like you're explaining, you have much more experience with that and it sounds fun.
Just got done watching this video and the one you did taking the CB on a road trip. I did the same thing when I first got my license several years back, I did testing and shouted out just to see if anyone would respond, but for years it was dead silence. Fortunately though in the last few years there have been a lot more repeaters go up and there's one in my local area now. Every year I travel down to Alabama on I-55 & I-22, A couple of times I did the same thing you did, I took a GMRS mobile radio and a CB radio and just scanned the bands to see what I could hear. I heard a lot of skip on CB but other than going into the towns along the way you almost heard nothing on GMRS, certainly nothing high powered. I also enjoy scanning so the last few trips I've taken my handheld Uniden BC-125 Scanner and put a GMRS antenna on the roof, i'm able to scan both CB and GMRS stations in about one second. But even then you weren't sure if the CB traffic was local or skip I did hear a little bit more on FRS/GMRS, but again it was mostly low powered traffic in the towns. Since the last time I made the trip there have been a few new open repeaters go up along I-55 so I might have to try to reach them next time I go down. In the several years I've been doing testing and listening I think CB is still a good choice for road travel overall but I think it's better used for home based communications where you can take full advantage of a better antenna and grounding. For GMRS I sometimes tap into the repeater here and talk, but other than that I mostly use my handheld radios when I reach my destination, and it's usually to talk to someone in a vehicle or back at the house, So for that GMRS' UHF frequencies and radios work a lot better than handheld CB radios.
The new breed of seat warmers spend more time playing with their phones,than paying attention to anything going on around them,that is why we have so many truck wrecks.
Unfortunately, it's not just trucks. Everyone is on their phones. If I look while driving I would be confident in saying that 1 out of every 3 cars the driver is texting.
CB is extremely common in my area. I cant go into town without seeing 3 pickups with them. I always can get someone. Id like to get GMRS but seems pointless right now
GMRS is blowing up! I got GMRS so I could transmit while studying for my ham. I ended up getting my ham but 90% of my time on the radio is GMRS. So many repeaters in MO that I can travel and just switch repeaters and always be able to hit one. My club has 2 repeaters that reach from Jeff to halfway to KC. If you plan right I bet you could find repeaters on your next trip all the way to your destination and back. MyGMRS is awesome.
@@thetravi1348 I have the app but I live on the north side of Chicago. Very little GMRS here but plenty of ham. There's two meter 1.25 meters, 73cm. I find their nets boring and I usually hear the same few people blabbing on about nothing. Maybe they mention their equipment some of the time but it's usually just a check in. CB is the exciting wild west of RF. there's no two ways about it
I run GMRS, CB and HAM in my XJ. All the radio bands are mostly dead unless you want to hear truckers screaming about BS on overpowered amps/radios. The majority of the population is using text/cell for communication in their day to day lives.
That's the way it will continue to be! "Normal" two way radio as we know it is fast becoming obsolete. There are more options now than ever before! But the cell phone has just taken over.
This in a way is true , but on my CB Radio during hurricane Maria I was stuck in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷, no electricity no cell phone service, for 3 months a true nightmare, so o hooked up my CB Radio (4watts) to a car battery, used a cb base antenna very low height on the roof , and was able to make contact with 5 cb stations that took down my aunts tel # in NYC, they all called her to tell her I was ok , my aunt was amazed that they got her tel# over a CB Radio that day on a contact they on a CB Radio , this was not a normal contact, it is called " Skip" its when a signal reaches the coast line and starts like say a zigzag form from the Earth to the sky and it reaches other coast lines with the power it left your coast line , anybody can do skip , it all depends on the conditions on day you are transmitting , We see this on the Ham bands and on CB 11 meter band, much more than on any other band say VHF / UHF bands , with I have to say CB Still Rules , it's the cheapest and effective way to go , for long range comunicacions , just remember, the better you you setup the better . I live in Brooklyn NY, and with a mobil ant on my window I talk all over the world everyday if conditions permit. Unit 21 on ch 23 most of the time. And also on ch 9 where I talk to my friends in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 all day long , I call plan B just in case the internet fails which will take down cellphones and so many others things we are so use to . The radios have always been ahead of the game if you cone to think about it , back in the day we had something called Packet. Where we would type into our early windows 3.1computer that was connected to a interface called a TNC that box turn the typing into a sound that was then transmitted using a radio. On the other side , the other guy would have to have the same setup and what you typed he would see on his screen , this was big back in the day where there was no internet in site, when the smartphone came that all faded away. But it was fun while it lasted . While we have internet everything is cool , but if it ever goes down for whatever reason, WHO WILL STAY IN CONTACT you guess it . The ones with radios, CB RULES.
The only way GMRS will work for highway communication is if we users start setting up repeaters like the cell phone networks have done. All we need to do is decide a channel, 19 works for me too. The higher you mount your antenna the better, the more power output the better, the closer to the highway the better. The high freqency of GMRS band makes it is important to keep your coax runs as short as possible, using the best shielded coax you can afford. This is my goal. WRON903 or just get you a CB radio, that works too
Thanks for leaving the comment. I’m gonna be doing that same trip in a couple weeks at the beginning of December and I’m gonna take a CB radio with me and see how that works
I usually catch a few people here and there using GMRS/FRS radios in road trips. Almost nothing on CB other than what comes through on skip. I've even loitered around Semis with big CB antennas and tried to get them on 19 with nothing.
You should know that channel 20, often referred to as the Travel Channel (which uses the common Travel Tone of 141.3 CTCSS for repeaters), is still more likely used than channel 19, which is only a more recent effort to change the travel channel. As well, using a 15W radio with a lower end antenna is not an optimal station if you really want to see who's out there, especially operating in a more rural area. True, it's what many people will be using, but those serious about emergency travel comms will more likely be using a 35+ Watt radio and a good antenna with more gain/range. It could have also just been bad luck that you didn't encounter other users. I don't know how many times you tried to call others, but you aren't necessarily just going to hear truckers backing all day as they drive. If one is pulled over or there's an accident or some other problem on the roads, that's more likely when you'll hear something. Some areas are way more active than others. Finally, pro tip, you don't need to say your callsign at the beginning of each call, only at the end of a single call or series of calls (or every 15 minutes). So, ypu could call for contacts several times for a few minutes, making it more likely to be in range of someone else, and then only give your callsign at the end when you are clearing the channel after not getting a response - it will save you some tongue-twisting with your calls. ;)
Ok thank you for all of this great information. I’m planning to upgrade the antenna to a ghost antenna that should help a little. I wasn’t aware of channel 20 so thank you for that information also. This whole test that I did was to just see if GMRS could be used like a CB radio. More or less I was trying to see if somebody could buy a lower end radio and use it on the highway. I’ll be doing that same trip in a couple weeks and this time I’m going to be using the CB radio to see what the difference is. Now based on the information you gave me on channel 20 maybe I’ll try that as well. Thanks for the comment and great advice.
@@paulethier3416 You are better off buying a quality mobile GMRS unit that puts out power. This way you can use it on simplex to hail other users and you can reach repeaters that are on the distance. GMRS users will respond to you if you use the proper radio protocol. There are plenty of RUclips videos on this. CB has its place but GMRS is another tool in the communication tool box. It is higher powered, VHF, and FM. A license is only $35 and can be shared by all your family members. It is valid for 10 years and there is no test. It also doesn't hurt to have a cheap handheld that will work on ham frequencies even if you are not a licensed ham. You may not be legally authorized to transmit but you are allowed to listen. In case of an emergency, you can use it to contact a ham operator. Just think about how large an area still has poor cell service. If your vehicle breaks down in the middle of nowhere, you want to be able to contact anybody who can get you help.
In some of the tourist towns in Colorado the channels were overrun with use by vacationers and RV campgrounds. I am trying to get permission to buy a Midland Repeater from my Corporate office as one of our Consessionaire run campgrounds at 10,000' has electrical power and our maintenance trucks can really benefit from being able to communicate as cell service is very weak to non-existent there. Cheers, Davey --KU9L/WRTI-814
Just a note, Businesses can legally use FRS but not Gmrs, even though they are shared, I hear one of the local grocery stores on FRS about every day. They usually are on FRS channel 8 though.
@KU9L if I may ask what campground are you working at here in Colorado? My wife and I camp frequently and are always looking for a good place. KC0AQU/ WRDA382 CHEERS from Colorado
The only time I've heard chatter on GMRS while traveling long distances is either when people are convoying (rare) or hearing kids playing as I drive by (which can be amusing to listen to for a few minutes). The most amusing place to have a GMRS radio is on a cruise ship. I brought the Midland 5w radios and it transmitted from bow to stern. Sometimes I helped relay messages from other "weaker" radios. But for me, while doing long drives it's mostly ham bands that are active. In FL we have SARNET which is state wide and actually saved our tails one time from a bad hail storm on the FL/GA line. I mostly have ham and GMRS repeaters programed in for traveling as they usually reach out the furthest. Simplex on both is usually quiet.
honestly gmrs is good for traveling in closed or small private group's its suprising to me how readily available a gmrs license is and not as widely used. at least near me
As a truck driver i can honestly say I've gone days without hearing anything on the cb, either most people have them turned off or turned down to the point they don't hear ya. I'm actually getting a gmrs radio for my truck now that I'm starting the process for my license
Thank you for commenting. GMRS is fun, I'm enjoying it and trying to find repeaters. Since the video I have access to GMRS repeaters all along the way for this trip. 600 miles of repeater access.
Here in NC, trying to have random highway conversations with other drivers is frustrating because no one is out there listening. There's pretty good repeater traffic though. GMRS is great for family & friends, but I have better success on HAM if I just want to chit chat with strangers.
A lot of truckers now are on 2 meter ham using repeaters to chat with friends. Also when unlimited cellphone services dropped in price that killed a lot of the regular CB chitter chat.
I just bought a old cobra cb radio yesterday from a thrift store and not only do I get CB traffic I also seem to get ham and GMRS traffic too since I keep hearing repeaters going off.
One reason that road driver don't use GMRS could be because you need a license for it. Our 4x4 club in AZ recently switched from CB to FRS/GMRS on our runs because FRS/GMRS seems to have a clearing signal.
Interesting. I was just thinking though. Many states have outlawed the use of cell phones while driving but I have never heard of any bans on CB or HAM radio use while driving.
Half duplex which sends communication in one direction only. Meaning you have to un key the radio to hear the other party. (Ham or cb). Full duplex is what cell phones use means as it says you can talk and hear at same time which has a proven track record at causing accidents while driving!
Thanks for leaving a comment. I don’t have much experience with CB but I’m gonna do this trip again in December and I’m gonna take a CB with me this time and see how we do.
I keep a CB in my vehicle to receive information about backups and acidents. The duel band raidio VHF/UHF I have is for small talk on repeters. I have a Ham and GMRS license. But I manly stay on the Ham bands.
@@paulethier3416 I have a dual-band radio at home and in my SUV. I do have multiple HT's. That can stand for Handheld Tranciver or Handy Talky. Bacicly a walky-talky. But if you hear hams us the turm HT or potabal. That's what we are referring to.
I use vhf and uhf also, both mobile and HT. I’m going to get a CB and give that a try. I’m just not sure if I’m going with an HT or mobile for my vehicle.
@@paulethier3416 If you do decide to use a walkie-talkie your only obstacle would be an adapter for a magnetic mount and batteries. Or you can skip a complete install if you find a small moble that already has a DC or an auxiliary jack that comes out the back. That way you don't have to worry about running wire to the fuse box or battery.
I've been looking at the President Randy and the Cobra 75 All Road. Think either of those would work. If I go with the Randy I'll have to find a roof top mag mount antenna.
its going to be a LOOOOONG time before GMRS replaces CB on the road. IF you want to keep in touch with truckers and a few other people you definitely need a CB. If you are traveling in a group of cars that is where you need GMRS.
So many repeater operators use "secret" DPL (Digital PL) due to multiple local repeaters on the same channel. The receive and transmit DPL are often different also. Midland does not allow "split" DPL, either. So if you set a transmit DPL to trip the repeater, your receive DPL must match. Chances are the repeater set a different DPL on his transmit, and you won't hear the repeater. In the ham world, we match the PL's, so you can select your transmit PL just by hearing the repeater. If you are traveling, and not using a repeater, make sure you are transmitting on the simplex, not the RP (repeater) frequency.
This is very important, that's why I don't recommend Gmrs to new users , for long rides just do the CB setup I mentioned before. You'll be happy you did . Unit 21 ch 23 . Hope to catch you on roads airwaves.
Yes, I have access to one distant repeater that can be tricky at times but I mostly run on simplex with other Jeeps. Repeaters, if you have any in your area are great. Thanks for commenting.
I'm curious Paul. I have the same Astatic SWR meter. I noticed that when you set the mark with the dial, you went all the way to the power mark at the end of the scale. In the instructions it states to go to the SWR mark which is at the midpoint at 12 o'clock. Which one of us is wrong. The instructions aren't clear. Thanks for the video.
I’m not sure. You are correct the instructions were a bit unclear so I watch a RUclips video on how to use it and that’s how they use it in the video that I watched. So I could have been doing it wrong. I had a new radio with a new antenna and a new SWR meter and the SWR level was acceptable so I never gave it a second thought.
Go all the way to the mark on the extreme right side of the meter to calibrate. The SWR logo at the midpoint is just to identify what type of meter it is. The instructions are poor. Check out RUclips videos on how to adjust SWR. Everyone calibrates at the extreme right side mark. Hope this helps.
GMRS is for people who take their friends with them, IMO. It's great for traveling caravans, hunters, families who disperse at the destination (when you turn the kids loose at the amusement park, beach, ski mountain, campground, etc.). You must identify with your callsign which usually keeps the conversation polite. CB is still best for driving when you're the only radio operator in your group. The problem with CB is (still) it's sometimes offensive for some people or inappropriate for young ears...again, IMO.
As a prior truck driver (went back to truck mechanic) 99% of the time drivers have a blutooth headset just listening to music of their liking. I have a GMRS and General ham ticket and between CB and GMRS, as far as my location in north Florida, they are both practically dead. I have a 10m wire jpole strung up in a tree and will pick up lots of CB chatter but its off in other states. Guess its just location specific for both.
Licensees who operate North of Line A and East of Line C may not operate on channels 462.650 MHz, 467.650 MHz, 462.700 MHz and 467.700 MHz (ch. 19 and 21). Most of I90 in NY is north of Line A.
Thanks for sharing this information. I learned of this after I did the video from another viewer. I looked it up and it is true. Who knew? I love learning new stuff.
G-R-E-A-T idea for a topic but a bit confusing when u referred to being "...on 'CH 19' when traveling...." Of course, that's CB channel 19; & to be heard on GMRS (by the most people), u must be going thru a repeater; however, I cudn't tell if u were or not🤔
Thanks for the feedback. Yes I agree, a repeater is great with GMRS. What I was trying was using the GMRS radio on simplex on a trip like a CB to see if GMRS is being used at all while traveling. Based on all the feedback and comments I received the answer is it depends. Some areas have a robust GMRS use while other are still CB and the there are areas where both GMRS and CB use are minimal. Thanks for the comment. Stay tuned I'm trying CB radio on the same trip in a couple weeks.
Some are using a HT app I think it is in conjunction. Some are on the ZELLO app but it’s dying also. The skip talkers keeps the Cb alive especially lately. I don’t have a gmrs license and can’t see any reason to get one.
@@paulethier3416 the ht app is a way to link gmrs to the internet. It was first for a particular radio It’s hard to figure out the app. Not very user friendly
Last summer I traveled 2200 miles from Florida to New Hampshire and back with a 20W GMRS Mobile Radio. I had preprogrammed every repeater along the way in advanced and had a cheat sheet for when to try working them. I didn't have even one single conversation or contact for the entire 2200 miles. Totally dead. I now don't use it at home either.
I've heard some truckers are switching to FM C.B. I rarely hear any local chatter on channel 19. There is a lot of long distance skip from more powerful radios far away.
Most of GRMS got rebanded into FRS and doesn't need a license now. They have better range than CB for small consumer units including portable, IMO. One thing to know when choosing a channel is that some channels allow higher power than others and most radios will have an indicator to let you know if you are on a high or low power channel.
The big advantage that CB has is that most over the road drivers (truckers) use it and they have a wealth of knowledge. After coming out of a restaurant on I-65 there was a lot of chatter on Ch. 19 about a multi-car accident about 20 miles ahead. The drivers shared a workaround: Take this exit, drive four miles East, turn left and follow that highway and it will take you right back to I-65 beyond the accident. Great to hear. I was thankful to those drivers for saving me hours sitting in a three lane parking lot.
Thanks for commenting and sharing that story.
I had the opposite happen. My GPS alerted of a slow down due to an accident and had me hop off. The CB was surprisingly inactive. I tried calling out to others on Ch 19 to warn them but no one answered 🤷♂️ my mother always said that I have a face for radio so maybe that was the reason. I opened up Waze and it was quite the back up, easily saved 30 minutes
Thanks for the reply. It is great when other drivers are willing to give a heads-up!@@RustyZipper
Truckers are actually switching to gmrs now
No don’t leave cb 😢😢😢😢
As a truck driver even on CB radio there's not a lot of chatter but if there's a wreck that son of a gun will light right up
Thanks for commenting and sharing. I’m going to be trying CB soon.
@@paulethier3416Anytone AT6666 is my favorite right now
@@timin770 ok thanks I’ll check it out
That's why they're called "backup radios". People only use them to ask why there is a back up.
and then there's that one dude somewhere with a booster preaching on a sunday morning. That was crazy.
Here in Washington State we have a whole series of repeaters on the west side of the state. A couple are located high in the mountains and offer coverage of 130 miles or so. I regularly communicate with general contacts, friends and coworkers not only from my mobile radio, but also from a HT. I spend a lot of time hiking the mountains of the Olympic Peninsula and from above 200p feet, I can easily reach friends in Seattle over 35 miles away on 5 watts.
Thanks for leaving a comment and for sharing all of this information. We don’t have any repeaters in our area, but I do use repeaters, but they are on a fringe area for me. I do have access to a mountaintop site that I am looking to install a repeater, probably in the spring.
Yes, he can! I am Extra Class and have experienced similar results with a 5 watt radio.
I have both GMRS and CB Radio... and all the internet forum experts say that CB is dead and GMRS is the way to go. I disagree, thus your video is spot on correct!
When traveling the highways CB radio is as alive as ever. All the gypsies, clowns, and trouble-makers that I used to love to harass as a kid are still are still cuttin' it up with their power boosters and echo microphones on the 11 meter band.
Thank you Paul (and Mrs. Paul too) for a great factual video!🙂
Thank you for the comment I'm happy you enjoyed the video. We are doing the same trip in a couple weeks and this time we are taking a CB with us. Stay tuned for another video.
I’ve traveled many miles this summer/ fall with two CB’s on. One dedicated on 19 and one on scan. It’s very quiet from actual trucker traffic. Lots of skip on 6, 9, 19 and 28 from high power base stations. Really about the only traffic is the Wide load (escorts) or two drivers from the same company running in convoy. And they are transmitting on low power so only 2 miles of range.
@@RustyZipper But ya' got to admit... The Boomhour boys working skip are hilarious.😅
It will not be long and cb slop shops will be doing mods and selling high power amps and noise toys to people on the GMRS and FRS frequencies too. Wait for it,,,,wait for it!!!
Not many people using GMRS radios yet. I got my Midland 50W with 3 dB Ghost antenna, it works very well, clear and loud, talk to people 30 miles away in the Portland area. I'm happy with the radio, quality and simplicity. Got my call sign by the way, $35 for 10 years
Thanks for commenting and sharing
@@paulethier3416 IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LICENSE YOU ARE ILLEGAL ON GMRS!
Good video. I'm in Western MA and new to GMRS but have been using a CB for decades. Over the last 9 years we have traveled the Pike every couple months to take our daughter for doctors appointments in Boston. In that time the CB chatter has died down drastically; we have completed whole trips hearing nothing at all: no replies to road reports, no reports made by other drivers, not even drivers talking back and forth in the rest stops. I was a young teen in the 70's when CB's were huge; its a whole different world now. FWIW, if you haven't found it yet, there is a GMRS repeater on Mt. Tom
Hi. Thanks for commenting. Yes I am part of the Holyoke repeater group. I don't get over there on that side of the mountain much but on good days I can hear them at my house, but I can't talk to them. Someday I feel like CB might comeback. Its to simple of technology for it not too.
i was 14 when CB hit the big time - we used to hang out in my buddies home (still my great friend) and harass the truckers - somewhat of an improvement over harassing Ma bell operators (i wish i could go back in time and apologize haha)
Drove from Orlando to Gatlinburg, Tennessee using both CB and GMRS. Nobody answered on CB. I got plenty of contacts simplex and repeaters on GMRS
That is awesome. Thanks for the comment and info
On that route, you were in the North GA GMRS network which stretches from central FL to Cafe's Cove,TN. They have almost 50 linked repeaters.
How did you manage to install BOTH CB and GMRS equipment in the same vehicle at the same time without their respectively approved wires or transceivers interfering with one another or the vehicles equipment?
@@dariusvilla5680 They don't interfere at all. Both Antennas are about 5 feet apart
And the CB band is much much lower than the Gmrs band. @@dariusvilla5680
We recently used the Baofeng 2w radios on a trip to N Ga. Traveling with 2 other vehicles they worked great communicating with each other vs cell phones. We stayed on ch 22 so did not hear any other radio traffic. Our main purpose for GMRS is for traveling with others, camping, and trail riding. Also very handy around the property.
Yes, that is what they are best for. In this video I was trying to see if it was being used for traveling in general but its not. Its a friends and family thing for sure. Thanks for commenting.
cb would have been better and more useful than your bufangz
The Baofeng radios are not type accepted for GMRS.
Thats exactly what I would use them for.
@@RichPohlman They have GMRS 'only' radios.
And hacking one handheld to push 8 watts with a 3-5dBi gain antenna still keeps them well within legal limits outside the FMRS channels.
No one cares what you transmit with as long as you are not interfering with a channel.
This is good news. It means the GMRS frequencies are open. Great for folks at an event (as long as you avoid the FRS frequencies) or out in a hunting party, etc..
Thanks for commenting. Yes I believe that’s exactly what GMRS was meant for so that is good news.
It is good that the frequencies are open. However, it is also not a good thing. The way .gov works nowadays, lack of use could cause them to re-catagorize the band to commercial use. Then there would be no more availability to casual users.
The best way to enjoy GPRS is to program the repeaters that you will come in contact with on the trip to your destination.
I’m panning to do that on my way to cali. Good idea
We travel with a group and we usually carry GMRS as we move along to communicate vehicle to vehicle. We have also used then when flying to out of the way spots (ALASKA) by taking portables. In my area I get some comms on my base station, especially from Va and Pa.
Thanks for commenting and for sharing. I’m finding the same thing here with GMRS.
Cool relaxing video. Beautiful couple. CB for Life ✊
Thank you for the comment. Happy you enjoyed the video.
I use CB for situational awareness while travelling. We use GMRS for convoy comms while travelling in groups.
That sounds like a great way to use both radios. Thanks for sharing.
I did a trip from west MI to central South Dakota in September and again in November. Had my BTech GMRS Pro scanning for some of the journey. In September I picked up a couple guys chatting somewhere southwest of Chicago while I was on I-80, but other than that, nothing. I'm still glad to have the radio as an alt means of reaching out if needed, but yeah, not a lot of casual conversation on the highways.
Thanks for commenting and sharing your experience. I’m going to give CB a try in two weeks when I do the same trip again.
I live in West Michigan. I have 2 Baofeng gm-15 pro ht units. On channel 16 I can pick-up a repeater in Grand Rapids and listen on conversations.
I drive the masspike/128 from Sturbridge to Burlington twice a week and don't hear much even when traffic is backed up. There is one repeater in the Sturbridge area I hear activity on sometimes. I also heard a pet store in Palmer, MA once. Like you said, I think GMRS is best for when you need to talk car-to-car to someone you already know.
It was definitely different than what I was thinking was gonna happen. I didn’t think it was going to be like CB but I didn’t expect to hear nothing.
I spend a lot of time in the Waltham area and my experience has been the same with GMRS. I used to scan all channels and listen on ch 16 and still nothing. I recently got my general ham license and have had more success on 2M simplex calling (146.520). I'm looking into possibly setting up a "GMRS live" node if the landlord will let me put an antenna on the roof.
@@paulethier3416I travel from Rhode Island up through mass it’s dead unless your on repeaters lol
Back in July i made a road trip from Missouri to northern Indiana. Ran my CB and gmrs. Going through Illinois pick up traffic fro. A guy who bought his mom a gmrs handheld and was testing it that day. Later in the trip picked up traffic from 3 guys in Queens/ Manhattan that worked for Amazon. One of them was on a train headed home. I get local traffic in my area from farmers that have switched to gmrs.
Thanks for sharing your comment. When we were traveling we heard somebody talking about traveling from Pennsylvania that day so I think if you’re on a repeater you can get some pretty good coverage but running Symplex on a GMRS is tough.
The guys from queens were definitely running on a repeater where I was on a handheld.
i been playing with GMRS for a couple months now -- i have yet to talk to anyone, am fixing to hook up a Mobile unit in my Truck very soon, waiting on parts. When i was a teen and had a nice high power CB Base,,, i could turn it on no matter what the time was and talk to someone -- even far away a Tahiti... :) Nice informative Video - Thanks.
My experience as well. Ham also. Off roading GMRS is used. Thanks for doing this.👍👍😎🇺🇸
Thanks for commenting. Seems to be a regional thing to. Some areas are GMRS more than others.
I have CB in my car with SSB. I live near Toronto. There isn’t as much chatter as there used to, but people, mostly truckers still do use it. Ask for a radio check and someone will get back. CB has saved me many hours of frustration on the road, thats why I use it. There is a few people in my neighborhood that use SSB CB base stations. If I’m not on channel 19, I’m on LSB 38. Theres lots going on on SSB, especially right now with the sun cycle.
Thanks for commenting and sharing
We use a similar system in the UK called PMR (446-446.2 mhz) normally with 16 channels, all licence free. The limitations are that the TX can not exceed a 1/2 Watt and the antenna must be of the fixed type, I can get good distances line of sight but can also trigger repeaters for greater range, it is not uncommon for people to use 10 watt TX sets which are readily available and cheap to purchase.
That sounds similar to our FRS system. Thanks for sharing your comment.
I recently got my callsign and a TIDRadio H3, should be here (Amazon) today around 1800. cannot wait test it out and am glad I purchased it for mainly emergency comms. I plan on buying more and am prepping as we speak for the chinese and T ists to come and mess up my day, (thanks uncle joe)
Awesome! Thanks for sharing and be safe out there.
I recently traveled from GA to PA and back using a pair of GMRS radios. We use them primarily to chat from vehicle to vehicle, not the general public. It’s more handy than messing with the cell phones. We were always pretty close to each other, so we could transmit on the low power setting to extend battery life. We got about 11 hrs of use out of them before their batteries ran out.
There’s an extensive network of repeaters here in GA and I can hear people talking on them all the time but I don’t have the ability to connect to the repeaters myself yet.
CB in general could be so much better if adults could act like adults. I definitely wouldn’t have a CB on if I was traveling with my kids
Thanks for sharing your experience. Our nearest GMRS repeater is about 30 miles to the west with a mtn in the way
@@paulethier3416 , my older daughter lives about 15 miles away from me. So what I’m thinking of doing is setting up a repeater here at the house, and then getting Midland’s MXT115 since it’s the smallest radio they have that can talk to a repeater. Then I will have to see which model I’ll need to put at her house to reply back to the repeater
That sounds like a good plan if you have a good spot for a repeater. You might want to try some testing with two 50watt radios. 15 miles could be doable depending on your terrain without a repeater. @@mikeingeorgia1
@@paulethier3416 another idea I’ve been pondering is having the repeater in the attic to give me elevation, and then I’ve found out that Radioddity makes a small HT that is repeater capable. I could carry the HT around when I’m outside. I’d only need to be able to transmit as far as the house with the HT, then the repeater would handle it from there. Then I could just get a mobile unit for when I was actually mobile and away from the house. The Radioddity that looks to me like it would work is called the GM-30
Retevis also make this 10 watt repeater with some radios. I've been looking at this for a mtn top repeater I've been thinking about but I've not pulled the trigger. Maybe it would work for your application. Here is a link amzn.to/3Ru5fZK @@mikeingeorgia1
In Australia, we have a 5w 80 channel CBRS with repeater channels allocated, and the Road Channel is 40, although 29 is used between Sydney and Brisbane along our M1/A1 route, 40 everywhere else throughout the Continent.
The Call Channel is 11 and Channel 05 (and it's repeater input 35) are the government allocated Emergency Channel.
Frequency range 476-477Mhz. In wide use here with trucks, businesses, 4WD's/SUV and the grey nomad recreational folk using the service.
Service is identical to that used in NZ, often the same radio gear, but also in Malaysia, PNG and Pacific islands etc.
Many homes do use the 27Mhz CB etc 11m bands, more for DX and ranged local contacts. Here, our CB Class License will upgrade to accept FM mode and in all likelihood CTCSS/DCS function, to mirror US upgrade of its CBRS. NZ is part of the same "Standard", and change in AUS will likely automatically reflect in NZ.
NZ has a specific 26Mhz 40 channel allocation between 26.330Mhz Ch 01 to 26.770Mhz being Ch 40, modes are AM & SSB, but will likely accept FM with the class License upgrade. AM call is 15 26.500Mhz, and their road channel is 11 26.450Mhz.
The use of CTCSS on CB FM is terrific for Homebase, you set a code, even with the radio squelch OFF, it stays dead quite UNLESS it received the code. Makes for a nice quite home, free of random carriers breaking squelch, driving households tempers:-)
It sounds like a great system. Thanks for sharing this info with us. We just got FM CB here 2 years ago. I'm going to try it in a couple weeks for the first time in 30 years.
Some of that other chit chat you mentioned probably came from FRS radios... that's the bubble wrap cheapo radios you see in the sporting goods store and elsewhere that use some of the same frequencies as GMRS. We have a local motel that housekeeping uses FRS to get their chores done and some of our utility crews working out on the roadway uses them as well. They are low wattage and don't require licensing as a GMRS user does. I've come to the realization that GRMS is useful for interpersonal communication and you will rarely find anyone that just wants to rag chew. My area has a fairly active 11 meter (CB) contingent that will chat with you occasionally when they aren't running skip.
Thanks for the comment. I’m finding the same with GMRS. I’m doing that same route in a couple weeks and I’m going to run a CB and see what happens.
I have the road king CB in my truck the antenna is wilson 5000. i have Midland 15 watt radio also in my truck cant go bad with both, happy travels.
Thanks for the video, I had CB radio for a short time when I was younger back in 1977 and was thinking of getting a hand held one again. Then I saw people on RUclips talking about GMRS and was wondering which would be better for emergency situations.
I'm not sure. I have both. GMRS seems to be monitored more but CB is still active. I guess its what's being used in your area. I think FRS & GMRS is popular with most hunting and ATV groups.
I live in a tourist area here in the Florida Keys, so I do hear some travelers communicating vehicle to vehicle when they come through town. If they are using PL or CTCSS tones for simplex, you will be able to listen but not talk to them. Most regular people don't use them, but most GMRS repeaters require them to transmit but you can still listen but sometimes only one side of the communication without the proper codes and frequencies. If you use a scanner like a Uniden BC125 while scanning GMRS frequencies, it will give you their PL code. Some retail stores use GMRS radios for their employees. I hear them when I am around strip malls, lumber yards, rail yards, etc. The Uniden SDS Flagship scanners will give you these and a DMR ham radios' color code and slot number of a radio that is being used if you are into digital ham radio. More retail stores and businesses use digital radios to communicate along with some racetracks and other spectator events.
Thanks for commenting and sharing all of this great information.
Paul, tried the same up here in NH and don't get a lot of mobile traffic. In the winter I pick up some plow companies in what sounds like Townsend/Fitchburg and I must be catching them on a repeater. Used to pick up some box stores but not hearing much lately either. I use the handhelds up in the White Mountains when we don't have cell signal. Keep the faith it will come slowly
Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it
NH. Here also, I’ve connected to two repeaters in southern NH. And I very rarely hear anything, I try channel 19 while traveling, I’ve never heard any chatter, ever, in the past two years.
You need to get on repeaters unless you are in a convoy using simplex direct. UHF is mostly line of sight so your range is limited to a few miles directly. A repeater will be elevated so the range is much more profound. The repeater my group uses covers about 70 miles in central VA. We are all over the central and northern half of the state talking to each other. All the commenters are missing the point of GMRS entirely. Short range direct, long range repeater. CB is HF so it has better propagation except it’s technically limited to 4 watts. GMRS is UHF, line of sight, with 50 watts maximum to help with range. GMRS IS NOT a CB replacement. C’mon folks do your research.
Thanks for the comment. I’m on gmrs repeaters I was just seeing if it would work as a CB and I or it failed miserably. I also use VHF repeater for emergency services and UHF repeater for work. That’s why I like GMRS so much because it works well with repeaters and if out with the Jeep it works well short range in simplex.
Try taking your own advice,do some research. ALL simplex is line of sight and if you think 27 mhz. @50watts will outperform uhf @5 watts line of sight you need to come back to the world of science.
Don’t be such a sad ham. He was doing actual practical research. Based on your comment it appears you saw the title and became a keyboard warrior instead of actually watching the video.
I smell a sad ham......literally.
For long ride I strongly recommend good cb setup like I posted here before .
It varies wildly by area. In Sarasota County where i live there are quite a few users. Most of us are using repeaters most of the time simply because they are there and give much further range. If you want to maximize your chances of being able to reach someone or a distant repeater, get a high gain antenna (5db+) and a radio with as close to 50 watts that you can afford.
That sounds awesome. We have nothing but mountains around here and no repeaters for GMR us it’s kind of frustrating. But I’m hoping to build out and install my own repeater. Maybe next year. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for commenting.
Cb is the king of the road. Now it's even better with the added FM to cb.
Looking forward to trying CB on our next trip. Thanks for the comment.
CB RULES more people than any other band . Trust me I have been on CB since the 60s. I even remember when cars has a AM/FM/ CB Radios in the dash . Wish that came back, one antenna for music and comunicacions , sweet .
We just did a 3500 mile round trip to Mississippi and back home to South East Arizona in October with my sister's in laws. GMRS works great in convoy situations. Not a lot of other traffic other than larger cities. I did hear another couple in West Texas who were using them between their vehicles. I also use it on trails like a lot of off roaders.
Thanks for the comment. That seems to be how gmrs is being used by most people.
I have a feeling I may have heard you before. I'm also in southeast Arizona and use the SWCRS system all the time.
@@Porty1119 I mainly use GMRS while while wheeling with a friend in Las Cienagas
CB w/ FM & SSB for the road. Lots of traffic. GMRS for convoys, fairs, concerts, with family/ friends. San Diego only has a few repeaters. The SoCal desert has really good GMRS coverage.
I've had similar experience. I use HAM, GMRS, FRS, and CB sometimes. Just part of the hobby. It seems that the off-road community has bought in on GMRS for the most part. Highway or freeway is still mostly CB. HAM has plenty of repeaters nationwide, especially if you get into the digital side. If you get an Open Spot connected to the hotspot on your smartphone, you can join chat rooms. A few of those rooms are dedicated to freeway travel. But then you're dependent on your phones data connection. Still, it's a fun option for most areas.
Thanks for commenting. I agreed, its fun to have all of these options.
In Australia, we have 477MHz FM CB band with repeaters, limited (legally) to 5 watts. The lower 27mhz frequency CB band generally will have better range (radio to radio). But the repeaters with the UHF band increases range dramatically. The truck/road channel here is UHF channel 40. It used to be channel 8 on 27mhz here many years ago.
Also the UHF band allows for much smaller antennas and hand held radios which is a advantage over 27mhz.
Yes, the smaller antennas are a big advantage.
That makes sense. Here in Arizona, the only other people I've heard on the road are groups of people communicating between cars. And I have used it with family members for the same reason.
Thanks for sharing and commenting
Drove from northern part of Nebraska to Branson Missouri I talked to many people. I have found all the repeaters programmed them in.
Thanks for commenting and sharing this. That is good to hear
I just made a trip from PA to NC and had CB, GMRS, and ham radio. Heard CB being used, GMRS repeater around Washington DC, and had a conversation on ham radio on I-95.
Thanks for sharing and the comment. I'm going to be doing the same trip again in a couple weeks with a CB Radio.
I've got to make the trip again in about two weeks myself.
I'm a driver, here's what's going on. We use cell phones to kill time with our friends, but when weather or construction slows us down we go back to channel 19. CB is not dead! Heck they just added FM to the new radios. Hope this helps! I was gifted some Cobra walkie talkies trying to learn about these. Pretty fun 👍
Thanks for the comment and for sharing. When we traveled, we didn’t have any bad weather any construction issues or any bad accidents so there was no chatter at all on the CB. That confirms your experience. Good luck with the walkie-talkies have fun.
GMRS is active here in Houston. We have a statewide repeater network that also covers much of Louisiana. A small donation of $25/annually gives you the tones and a node on the network. When I tune in to channel 19 anywhere in the Houston Area, all I hear is static. The range on some of the repeater sites is pretty impressive, About Fifty miles from Downtown Houston. Many of the repeaters are connected to places like Milwaukee and Tampa too. About 40% of the users are mobile and the rest are at home.
I’m not familiar with nodes but I’ve used repeater and that network sounds awesome.
When the young lady says 5309 I starting singing Jenny by Tommy Tutone. #2, Good video, thanks for the laughs.
Her name is Angela and you made her day with this comment. Thank you for commenting and I'm glade you enjoyed the video.
i like how you mounted that radio in your 4runner...
Its a custom install 😂. With these one hander radios you can stick them anywhere. Thanks for commenting.
GMRS is in its infancy still as it grows in popularity you might see GRMS radios mounted next to your cb radio if I could drive I would have both in a car ,truck or motor home
I've been using a CB on the road for over 50 years. I use GMRS handheld radios on the deer lease. Lots of hunters on surrounding deer leases use GMRS radios too.
Thanks for commenting. Same around here, GMRS is popular with hunters.
We tried using GMRS radios (Midland) when we moved cross-country in a two-car convoy. One car was a Ford CMax Energi plug-in hybrid. Standing still was fine, when rolling down the road the qrm was so bad the radios were almost useless.
Thanks for sharing this information. QRM I’m guessing is electronic noise?
@@paulethier3416 Yep.
@@paulethier3416 Yeah. Look on Wikipedia for "Q code". QRM is man-made interference, QRN is natural or atmospheric interference.
For convoy cb made emergency cb radios that come complete ready to use in the car , the brand FOX made a nice one with an external mic that could still be found on ebay, market place , or Mercari. www.google.com/search?q=fox+emergency+cb+radio&oq=fox+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCAgDEEUYJxg7MgYIABBFGDkyBggBEEUYPDIGCAIQRRg8MggIAxBFGCcYOzIGCAQQBRhAMhMIBRAAGIMBGJECGLEDGIAEGIoFMhUIBhAuGEMYxwEY1AIY0QMYgAQYigUyEAgHEAAYkQIYsQMYgAQYigUyEggIEC4YQxjHARjRAxiABBiKBTINCAkQABiDARixAxiABNIBCDU2MjVqMGo0qAIAsAIA&client=ms-android-tmus-us-revc&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#vhid=20683095078580459-16-4071192616619995440--0-0&vssid=uvpv-713&piu=ps:2
A solution for that could be a digital 900 MHz ISM radio, like the Motorola DTR series.
Ham radio operator here... I have my 2m radio with me on long trips along with my 10/11 meter rig.. 11 meter gets channel 19.. 2m does pretty well while traveling as you hit repeaters and my 2m rig is a 70 watt radio so it does well.. And 2m is popular with a lot of Hams.. All that said.. Nothing beats the CB and Channel 19 when you want to know.. I drove over 30 years big truck and was in transportation management another 20 years.. currently retired.. I still stay in touch with the trucking community.. there are still the local channels, like 14 and 7 and 3 that are pretty popular around here..
But on the highway traveling.. I always monitor Channel 19.. I also monitor 2m 146.520 ..
if I remember right GMRS main frequency (repeater frequency) is 158.880
Thanks for commenting and for sharing. GMRS is UHF 462 - 467. I've tried CB on 19 and have had mixed results.
@@paulethier3416 Yeah, I am not a GMRS person, so off hand I did not know the frequencies.. I know I can get them on my Ham radios.. but I never talk on them.. Mainly because it is locked to channels and you can only talk on those channels, where HAM radio is much different... ..
The CB when i head all the way up on I-81 to Watertown/Fort Drum area in the winter time.. 19 is a must, since you can have no snow, the a mile up the road there is 2 feet of snow on the road.. 2-meter north of Syracuse works great as I can hit repeaters pretty steady and talk to locals about road conditions all the way through St Lawrence County NY..
I must live in a repeater rich area in the Midwest, I need to appreciate being able to talk on a large linked network across multiple states. My tiny repeater works for me, and I keep it parked on a Texas network with plenty of traffic using a different linking network. I can travel 1-300 miles and have access to GMRS repeaters easily in multiple states....that being said when it comes to simplex I only hear stores and kids. Indiana has simplex nets, no one in my area cares for them because they are not in the middle of nowhere Indiana.
That sounds like a fantastic system. For me to use repeaters on that trip I need access to at least 5 repeaters a long the way. All with different frequencies and PL codes. I just tried simplex on this trip and was very disappointed. I’m doing that trip again in a couple weeks and I’m going to try a CB radio this time. Thanks for the comment.
Interesting I know of no repeater system here in Wisconsin at least in north central Wisconsin. Most people here either use high power (100 watts plus on CB) or do like I did and get ham radio license. We have plenty of 2m repeaters!
Here in arkansas out in the boondocks all you hear is the local chicken farms or kids that have those wal mart blister pack radios playing. I got my license so the family can keep up with each other on our 90 acres mainly when hunting or out dealing with the cattle. Ticked me off the year after I got my license is when they lowered the price and all that crap.
The truckers and offroaders still are on CB around here. All the 4x4 guys I run around with we still have cbs in our trucks. There are a few of us with handheld GMRS but we only use them when we go to an offroad park where the park office has it. Out in the woods locally CB still rules.
Thanks for commenting. It really does depend on local use. Some are still using CB and other are GMRS. I like both because they are both unique and have pluses and minus. That little Midland GMRS I have works great and its so small you can move it vehicle to vehicle super easy. I can run it in my 4Runner or my Jeep and it takes about 5 min to install.
I have Midland GMRS radio like you and Midland FMRS radios. I do hear supermarkets on the GMRS on there sometimes. I have been able to make contact with people about 55 mile away sometimes. Some say if it is good and some clouds of atmospheric pressure that can carry the waves some time further, not for sure though. Im not an expert but am still learning.
Thank you for commenting. Yeah there is a lot to learn for sure. Im always learning something new. Line of sight seems to be the biggest factor for me in my area because of the mountains.
Some businesses do use FRS , which as you know, is shared with gmrs. Not surprised you heard that.
Thanks for the comment. Yes FRS is super popular for that for sure.
GMRS is great for line-of-sight comms, yet if you need more, then the good 11m band is still king.
I’m not familiar with 11m? Can you explain a little?
@@paulethier3416 11meter band is the 27Mhz CB band (used for many years).
Search 11m CB band it's all there.
Ch38 LSB on the 11meter band is known all over the world as we often speak back to the U.S from the other side of the world (using something called a skip).
One could listen to Australian CB chat on CH35 LSB ( u.s afternoon).
Ok thank you for explaining. I've never heard it called 11 meter. I've used CB but not like you're explaining, you have much more experience with that and it sounds fun.
@@paulethier3416 Get yourself a 40 ch SSB CB radio and have fun.,
Here is an example.
ruclips.net/video/Tt8i51aulPc/видео.html
Just got done watching this video and the one you did taking the CB on a road trip. I did the same thing when I first got my license several years back, I did testing and shouted out just to see if anyone would respond, but for years it was dead silence. Fortunately though in the last few years there have been a lot more repeaters go up and there's one in my local area now.
Every year I travel down to Alabama on I-55 & I-22, A couple of times I did the same thing you did, I took a GMRS mobile radio and a CB radio and just scanned the bands to see what I could hear. I heard a lot of skip on CB but other than going into the towns along the way you almost heard nothing on GMRS, certainly nothing high powered.
I also enjoy scanning so the last few trips I've taken my handheld Uniden BC-125 Scanner and put a GMRS antenna on the roof, i'm able to scan both CB and GMRS stations in about one second. But even then you weren't sure if the CB traffic was local or skip I did hear a little bit more on FRS/GMRS, but again it was mostly low powered traffic in the towns. Since the last time I made the trip there have been a few new open repeaters go up along I-55 so I might have to try to reach them next time I go down.
In the several years I've been doing testing and listening I think CB is still a good choice for road travel overall but I think it's better used for home based communications where you can take full advantage of a better antenna and grounding.
For GMRS I sometimes tap into the repeater here and talk, but other than that I mostly use my handheld radios when I reach my destination, and it's usually to talk to someone in a vehicle or back at the house, So for that GMRS' UHF frequencies and radios work a lot better than handheld CB radios.
Thank you for sharing your experience, I agree and have come to the same conclusion.
The new breed of seat warmers spend more time playing with their phones,than paying attention to anything going on around them,that is why we have so many truck wrecks.
Unfortunately, it's not just trucks. Everyone is on their phones. If I look while driving I would be confident in saying that 1 out of every 3 cars the driver is texting.
@@paulethier3416 your right ,you have to wait three times at a traffic light because of people playing with their phones .
True and sad
Alot of traffic on Channel 18 here in western WA. Also, I would try scanning for more traffic.
Thanks for sharing. Its kinda dead around here.
CB is extremely common in my area. I cant go into town without seeing 3 pickups with them. I always can get someone. Id like to get GMRS but seems pointless right now
Unless you have a purpose and someone to talk to GMRS is tough. I’m gonna try a couple local GMRS repeaters around here and see what that looks like.
@paulethier3416 yes. GMRS repeaters would be a good option in you're interested in that. I'm talking about strictly highway driving
Cb rules if you want to hear and talk to people. Unit 21 ch 23 Brooklyn NY
@papotorres9064 Yeah, the skip is crazy right now. Working on a base station for in the house
@@Texas12valve I’m getting CB skip from Tampa up here in MA. 2hrs ago rocking the meter crystal clear.
GMRS is blowing up! I got GMRS so I could transmit while studying for my ham. I ended up getting my ham but 90% of my time on the radio is GMRS. So many repeaters in MO that I can travel and just switch repeaters and always be able to hit one. My club has 2 repeaters that reach from Jeff to halfway to KC. If you plan right I bet you could find repeaters on your next trip all the way to your destination and back. MyGMRS is awesome.
@@thetravi1348 I have the app but I live on the north side of Chicago. Very little GMRS here but plenty of ham. There's two meter 1.25 meters, 73cm. I find their nets boring and I usually hear the same few people blabbing on about nothing. Maybe they mention their equipment some of the time but it's usually just a check in. CB is the exciting wild west of RF. there's no two ways about it
Thanks for the comment. I use the GMRS app and have access to about 5 repeaters. My longest contact has been 77 miles away. Thanks for the comment.
I run GMRS, CB and HAM in my XJ. All the radio bands are mostly dead unless you want to hear truckers screaming about BS on overpowered amps/radios. The majority of the population is using text/cell for communication in their day to day lives.
Agreed. Thanks for commenting.
That's the way it will continue to be! "Normal" two way radio as we know it is fast becoming obsolete. There are more options now than ever before! But the cell phone has just taken over.
This in a way is true , but on my CB Radio during hurricane Maria I was stuck in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷, no electricity no cell phone service, for 3 months a true nightmare, so o hooked up my CB Radio (4watts) to a car battery, used a cb base antenna very low height on the roof , and was able to make contact with 5 cb stations that took down my aunts tel # in NYC, they all called her to tell her I was ok , my aunt was amazed that they got her tel# over a CB Radio that day on a contact they on a CB Radio , this was not a normal contact, it is called " Skip" its when a signal reaches the coast line and starts like say a zigzag form from the Earth to the sky and it reaches other coast lines with the power it left your coast line , anybody can do skip , it all depends on the conditions on day you are transmitting , We see this on the Ham bands and on CB 11 meter band, much more than on any other band say VHF / UHF bands , with I have to say CB Still Rules , it's the cheapest and effective way to go , for long range comunicacions , just remember, the better you you setup the better . I live in Brooklyn NY, and with a mobil ant on my window I talk all over the world everyday if conditions permit. Unit 21 on ch 23 most of the time. And also on ch 9 where I talk to my friends in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 all day long , I call plan B just in case the internet fails which will take down cellphones and so many others things we are so use to . The radios have always been ahead of the game if you cone to think about it , back in the day we had something called Packet. Where we would type into our early windows 3.1computer that was connected to a interface called a TNC that box turn the typing into a sound that was then transmitted using a radio. On the other side , the other guy would have to have the same setup and what you typed he would see on his screen , this was big back in the day where there was no internet in site, when the smartphone came that all faded away. But it was fun while it lasted . While we have internet everything is cool , but if it ever goes down for whatever reason, WHO WILL STAY IN CONTACT you guess it . The ones with radios, CB RULES.
You may be hearing a lot of skip as well.
The only way GMRS will work for highway communication is if we users start setting up repeaters like the cell phone networks have done. All we need to do is decide a channel, 19 works for me too. The higher you mount your antenna the better, the more power output the better, the closer to the highway the better. The high freqency of GMRS band makes it is important to keep your coax runs as short as possible, using the best shielded coax you can afford. This is my goal. WRON903 or just get you a CB radio, that works too
Thanks for leaving the comment. I’m gonna be doing that same trip in a couple weeks at the beginning of December and I’m gonna take a CB radio with me and see how that works
And who pays for this system you want to put up? How will it be maintained? And by who?
You hit it on the nail ,good comment here .unit 21 ch 23
I usually catch a few people here and there using GMRS/FRS radios in road trips. Almost nothing on CB other than what comes through on skip. I've even loitered around Semis with big CB antennas and tried to get them on 19 with nothing.
You should know that channel 20, often referred to as the Travel Channel (which uses the common Travel Tone of 141.3 CTCSS for repeaters), is still more likely used than channel 19, which is only a more recent effort to change the travel channel.
As well, using a 15W radio with a lower end antenna is not an optimal station if you really want to see who's out there, especially operating in a more rural area. True, it's what many people will be using, but those serious about emergency travel comms will more likely be using a 35+ Watt radio and a good antenna with more gain/range. It could have also just been bad luck that you didn't encounter other users. I don't know how many times you tried to call others, but you aren't necessarily just going to hear truckers backing all day as they drive. If one is pulled over or there's an accident or some other problem on the roads, that's more likely when you'll hear something. Some areas are way more active than others.
Finally, pro tip, you don't need to say your callsign at the beginning of each call, only at the end of a single call or series of calls (or every 15 minutes). So, ypu could call for contacts several times for a few minutes, making it more likely to be in range of someone else, and then only give your callsign at the end when you are clearing the channel after not getting a response - it will save you some tongue-twisting with your calls. ;)
Ok thank you for all of this great information. I’m planning to upgrade the antenna to a ghost antenna that should help a little. I wasn’t aware of channel 20 so thank you for that information also. This whole test that I did was to just see if GMRS could be used like a CB radio. More or less I was trying to see if somebody could buy a lower end radio and use it on the highway. I’ll be doing that same trip in a couple weeks and this time I’m going to be using the CB radio to see what the difference is. Now based on the information you gave me on channel 20 maybe I’ll try that as well. Thanks for the comment and great advice.
@@paulethier3416 You are better off buying a quality mobile GMRS unit that puts out power. This way you can use it on simplex to hail other users and you can reach repeaters that are on the distance.
GMRS users will respond to you if you use the proper radio protocol. There are plenty of RUclips videos on this.
CB has its place but GMRS is another tool in the communication tool box. It is higher powered, VHF, and FM. A license is only $35 and can be shared by all your family members. It is valid for 10 years and there is no test.
It also doesn't hurt to have a cheap handheld that will work on ham frequencies even if you are not a licensed ham. You may not be legally authorized to transmit but you are allowed to listen.
In case of an emergency, you can use it to contact a ham operator. Just think about how large an area still has poor cell service. If your vehicle breaks down in the middle of nowhere, you want to be able to contact anybody who can get you help.
GMRS is popular in the off-road Community but most of the time if someone's really close, I use the low channels.
Thank you for leaving a comment. We are usually up around channel 15-18 in simplex. Ch 19 & 21 on repeater.
We have a few semi-active repeaters in the Nashville area. I am considering getting a dedicated GMRS for all my cars.
In our area repeaters are a must but we don't have any local, only regional. Thank you for leaving a comment.
In some of the tourist towns in Colorado the channels were overrun with use by vacationers and RV campgrounds. I am trying to get permission to buy a Midland Repeater from my Corporate office as one of our Consessionaire run campgrounds at 10,000' has electrical power and our maintenance trucks can really benefit from being able to communicate as cell service is very weak to non-existent there. Cheers, Davey --KU9L/WRTI-814
Thanks for commenting and sharing. I think GMRS is used more out west. Repeaters are game changers.
Just a note, Businesses can legally use FRS but not Gmrs, even though they are shared,
I hear one of the local grocery stores on FRS about every day. They usually are on FRS channel 8 though.
@KU9L if I may ask what campground are you working at here in Colorado? My wife and I camp frequently and are always looking for a good place. KC0AQU/ WRDA382
CHEERS from Colorado
The only time I've heard chatter on GMRS while traveling long distances is either when people are convoying (rare) or hearing kids playing as I drive by (which can be amusing to listen to for a few minutes). The most amusing place to have a GMRS radio is on a cruise ship. I brought the Midland 5w radios and it transmitted from bow to stern. Sometimes I helped relay messages from other "weaker" radios. But for me, while doing long drives it's mostly ham bands that are active. In FL we have SARNET which is state wide and actually saved our tails one time from a bad hail storm on the FL/GA line. I mostly have ham and GMRS repeaters programed in for traveling as they usually reach out the furthest. Simplex on both is usually quiet.
Great information. Using them on a cruise ship. That is fantastic.
honestly gmrs is good for traveling in closed or small private group's its suprising to me how readily available a gmrs license is and not as widely used. at least near me
As a truck driver i can honestly say I've gone days without hearing anything on the cb, either most people have them turned off or turned down to the point they don't hear ya. I'm actually getting a gmrs radio for my truck now that I'm starting the process for my license
Thank you for commenting. GMRS is fun, I'm enjoying it and trying to find repeaters. Since the video I have access to GMRS repeaters all along the way for this trip. 600 miles of repeater access.
You should’ve had something to put the stick in the road a little bit Lol…… Cool video
Here in NC, trying to have random highway conversations with other drivers is frustrating because no one is out there listening. There's pretty good repeater traffic though. GMRS is great for family & friends, but I have better success on HAM if I just want to chit chat with strangers.
Thank you for commenting.
We drove from Raleigh to Winston-Salem and monitored GMRS the entire time. Nothing on channel 19 going and coming.
Just got my license for GMRS, wondering if I will have the same experience here in SoCal. So many letters on our call sign.
I'm sure you will have more activity in SoCal.
A lot of truckers now are on 2 meter ham using repeaters to chat with friends. Also when unlimited cellphone services dropped in price that killed a lot of the regular CB chitter chat.
I just bought a old cobra cb radio yesterday from a thrift store and not only do I get CB traffic I also seem to get ham and GMRS traffic too since I keep hearing repeaters going off.
Sweet. I didn't know they made such a radio that had all 3 bands.
One reason that road driver don't use GMRS could be because you need a license for it. Our 4x4 club in AZ recently switched from CB to FRS/GMRS on our runs because FRS/GMRS seems to have a clearing signal.
I run both cb & gmrs in my truck. CB is still kk g on the road. Every now & then I’ll pass a group of Jeeps on the highway using gmrs.
Nice! I love that you have both. Stay safe out there.
Channel 20 is the travel channel with a PL of 141.3.
Ok thank you
Channel 19 is for information,( truckers use it all of the time), channel 9 is for state police or Emergency
Didn’t know what GRMS is. Googled it. Looks like it requires a license ?
I’ll stick to my 150 watt Stryker CB.
Yeah that sounds like its a good system you have there. Thanks for commenting.
Interesting.
I was just thinking though. Many states have outlawed the use of cell phones while driving but I have never heard of any bans on CB or HAM radio use while driving.
Me neither but it’s the government so there’s probably some loophole.
It’s the government so there’s probably some loophole. Thanks for commenting.
You don't have to dial anything, so we will be fine . Cb Rules .
Half duplex which sends communication in one direction only. Meaning you have to un key the radio to hear the other party. (Ham or cb). Full duplex is what cell phones use means as it says you can talk and hear at same time which has a proven track record at causing accidents while driving!
PTT (push-to-talk) is not illegal in any state. You are free to go.
I like 25 to 50 watts CB with a good vehicle mounted antenna. I don't like getting stuck at the bottom of a steep valley.
How do you get the watts?
Our unit uses GMRS and MURS for onsite utility and for caravanning to sites.
I use GMRS (simplex & duplex) but I've not had the opportunity to use MURS. Thanks for commenting.
CB is still very strong. CB gets out so much better VS GMRS.
Thanks for leaving a comment. I don’t have much experience with CB but I’m gonna do this trip again in December and I’m gonna take a CB with me this time and see how we do.
I keep a CB in my vehicle to receive information about backups and acidents. The duel band raidio VHF/UHF I have is for small talk on repeters. I have a Ham and GMRS license. But I manly stay on the Ham bands.
Thanks for the comment. Do you use mobile or portable radios or both?
@@paulethier3416 I have a dual-band radio at home and in my SUV. I do have multiple HT's. That can stand for Handheld Tranciver or Handy Talky. Bacicly a walky-talky. But if you hear hams us the turm HT or potabal. That's what we are referring to.
I use vhf and uhf also, both mobile and HT. I’m going to get a CB and give that a try. I’m just not sure if I’m going with an HT or mobile for my vehicle.
@@paulethier3416 If you do decide to use a walkie-talkie your only obstacle would be an adapter for a magnetic mount and batteries. Or you can skip a complete install if you find a small moble that already has a DC or an auxiliary jack that comes out the back. That way you don't have to worry about running wire to the fuse box or battery.
I've been looking at the President Randy and the Cobra 75 All Road. Think either of those would work. If I go with the Randy I'll have to find a roof top mag mount antenna.
its going to be a LOOOOONG time before GMRS replaces CB on the road. IF you want to keep in touch with truckers and a few other people you definitely need a CB. If you are traveling in a group of cars that is where you need GMRS.
Thanks for commenting. I totally agree.
So many repeater operators use "secret" DPL (Digital PL) due to multiple local repeaters on the same channel. The receive and transmit DPL are often different also. Midland does not allow "split" DPL, either. So if you set a transmit DPL to trip the repeater, your receive DPL must match. Chances are the repeater set a different DPL on his transmit, and you won't hear the repeater. In the ham world, we match the PL's, so you can select your transmit PL just by hearing the repeater. If you are traveling, and not using a repeater, make sure you are transmitting on the simplex, not the RP (repeater) frequency.
Thanks for the great feedback. There is only one repeater I use that has split tones. It’s not that popular so it’s not a huge deal.
This is very important, that's why I don't recommend Gmrs to new users , for long rides just do the CB setup I mentioned before. You'll be happy you did . Unit 21 ch 23 . Hope to catch you on roads airwaves.
Thanks for the comment. I'm doing the CB thing in a couple weeks on the same trip. We will see how it goes. @@ALFREDUNIT21-t9z
Have you made any contacts since making the video, either mobile or at home? Thank you.
Yes, I have access to one distant repeater that can be tricky at times but I mostly run on simplex with other Jeeps. Repeaters, if you have any in your area are great. Thanks for commenting.
@@paulethier3416 Sounds good, sir. Thank you.
I was planning on getting one for hiking. If you come across a snakebite victim or heatstroke, I thought it might be useful.
Yes I think it would be useful, especially if there are repeaters in the area. Thank you for leaving a comment.
I'm curious Paul. I have the same Astatic SWR meter. I noticed that when you set the mark with the dial, you went all the way to the power mark at the end of the scale. In the instructions it states to go to the SWR mark which is at the midpoint at 12 o'clock.
Which one of us is wrong. The instructions aren't clear.
Thanks for the video.
I’m not sure. You are correct the instructions were a bit unclear so I watch a RUclips video on how to use it and that’s how they use it in the video that I watched. So I could have been doing it wrong. I had a new radio with a new antenna and a new SWR meter and the SWR level was acceptable so I never gave it a second thought.
Go all the way to the mark on the extreme right side of the meter to calibrate. The SWR logo at the midpoint is just to identify what type of meter it is.
The instructions are poor. Check out RUclips videos on how to adjust SWR. Everyone calibrates at the extreme right side mark.
Hope this helps.
GMRS is for people who take their friends with them, IMO. It's great for traveling caravans, hunters, families who disperse at the destination (when you turn the kids loose at the amusement park, beach, ski mountain, campground, etc.). You must identify with your callsign which usually keeps the conversation polite. CB is still best for driving when you're the only radio operator in your group. The problem with CB is (still) it's sometimes offensive for some people or inappropriate for young ears...again, IMO.
I agree. I’m uploading a video about CB right now. Thanks for commenting and sharing.
GMRS is all about the repeaters. Program a bunch before you leave home, and scan a lot!
Thanks for commenting. I have access to 5 repeaters on the trip. I was just messing around using a GMRS radios in simplex.
As a prior truck driver (went back to truck mechanic) 99% of the time drivers have a blutooth headset just listening to music of their liking. I have a GMRS and General ham ticket and between CB and GMRS, as far as my location in north Florida, they are both practically dead. I have a 10m wire jpole strung up in a tree and will pick up lots of CB chatter but its off in other states. Guess its just location specific for both.
Thank you for commenting.
Licensees who operate North of Line A and East of Line C may not operate on channels 462.650 MHz, 467.650 MHz, 462.700 MHz and 467.700 MHz (ch. 19 and 21). Most of I90 in NY is north of Line A.
Thanks for sharing this information. I learned of this after I did the video from another viewer. I looked it up and it is true. Who knew? I love learning new stuff.
G-R-E-A-T idea for a topic but a bit confusing when u referred to being "...on 'CH 19' when traveling...." Of course, that's CB channel 19; & to be heard on GMRS (by the most people), u must be going thru a repeater; however, I cudn't tell if u were or not🤔
Thanks for the feedback. Yes I agree, a repeater is great with GMRS. What I was trying was using the GMRS radio on simplex on a trip like a CB to see if GMRS is being used at all while traveling. Based on all the feedback and comments I received the answer is it depends. Some areas have a robust GMRS use while other are still CB and the there are areas where both GMRS and CB use are minimal. Thanks for the comment. Stay tuned I'm trying CB radio on the same trip in a couple weeks.
Aqui en San Diego ca. y Baja Mexico se usa aun cb radio y esta muy activo gmrs 73.
Thanks for leaving a comment and sharing.
Bottom line if you want to talk to strangers or make friends with a radio get your ham license or get a CB.
We will find out if CB works in a couple weeks when we do the same trip again with a CB Radio. Thanks for the comment.
Ham bands require expensive radios , do the same comunicacion with a CB Radio.
Some are using a HT app I think it is in conjunction.
Some are on the ZELLO app but it’s dying also.
The skip talkers keeps the Cb alive especially lately.
I don’t have a gmrs license and can’t see any reason to get one.
I use the Zello but not familiar with the HT app.
@@paulethier3416 the ht app is a way to link gmrs to the internet. It was first for a particular radio
It’s hard to figure out the app. Not very user friendly
Last summer I traveled 2200 miles from Florida to New Hampshire and back with a 20W GMRS Mobile Radio. I had preprogrammed every repeater along the way in advanced and had a cheat sheet for when to try working them. I didn't have even one single conversation or contact for the entire 2200 miles. Totally dead. I now don't use it at home either.
That’s terrible. I feel ya. Most people don’t use radios anymore and some of those that do a rude. It’s sad
I love GMRS radios but keep a handheld CB for roadtrips just so I can get trucker reports in construction areas and the such.
Thank you for commenting.
I've heard some truckers are switching to FM C.B. I rarely hear any local chatter on channel 19. There is a lot of long distance skip from more powerful radios far away.
Thanks for commenting. I'm just now getting back into CB radio. You are 100% correct about the skip. I'm hearing guys 1000 miles away on certain days.
I have a GMRS radio in my SUV and I use it often, but I have never heard any travel talk. Lots of CB though.
That exactly what we found. If your traveling CB is the way to go. Thanks for commenting.
Most of GRMS got rebanded into FRS and doesn't need a license now. They have better range than CB for small consumer units including portable, IMO. One thing to know when choosing a channel is that some channels allow higher power than others and most radios will have an indicator to let you know if you are on a high or low power channel.