I made this summary for someone else and though it might be helpful here. Let me know if I got anything wrong.
CB:
These are a feature on most FRS and GMRS radios. These are not private and do not encrypt your conversations. All they do is mute anyone else on the same channel who does not have the same privacy codes. Everyone else on that channel can probably hear you, but you can't hear them.
A word about using radios for emergencies:
If you are wheeling where there is no cell coverage, FRS, GMRS, and CBs are not likely to be able to reach anyone but your immediate group (that's what they are designed for). A HAM radio's distance can help you contact the outside world. BUT, you have to know how to use it and in many cases you need to know how to reach local repeaters before your trip. Also, if you are unable to use the HAM (got hurt, vehicle is wrecked, etc...) you're SOL unless someone else has the knowledge and equipment.
The best radio to have is a satellite phone. There are other satellite devices (Garmin, etc...) but in my experience they are slow and you'd have to train someone else to use it in case you are the one who is hurt. Sat phones need almost no training. I rent sat phones several times a year for around $100 for a few days. Split the cost with your group. I have a friend who had to be life-flighted out of an area and the cost for a sat phone is priceless.
TLDR, So what should I get for wheeling?
- How far can we talk?: This has much more to do with factors like terrain (hills, trees, etc...) and your antenna than other seemingly important factors like wattage. It basically comes down to how good your Line of Sight (LOS) is. More wattage will not punch a hole through a mountain.
- Who can I talk to?: Since the whole point of these radios is to communicate with other people this needs a lot of consideration. For the purposes of this forum, I'll say you primarily want to talk to your immediate convoy. This summary is not intended for people who want to talk to people thousands of miles away and make radio a hobby that is fun and rewarding in other ways.
- Convenience: We want to spend our time wheeling and having fun, not setting up equipment and messing with settings.
CB:
- License: None required
- Cost: $50 - $150 for something decent.
- Range: Generally 1 - 4 miles, but terrain, transmitter, and antenna configuration can change that to 10 to 20 miles.
- Will it work for wheeling: Yes, this is grand-daddy of radio communication so lots of long-time wheelers might have CBs. However, many large events and local clubs have dropped CBs in favor of GMRS/FRS, so check your local usage before buying one. IMHO, don't bother with it if you're starting from scratch unless you have the $$ for a CB and a GMRS, or your wheeling buddies are already set up for CB.
- License: None required
- Cost: Very inexpensive ($10 and up)
- Range: While wattage isn't a good measuring stick, these suffer from extremely low wattage (.5W ) to minimal wattage (2W). Combined with a tiny, non-removable antenna (per FCC requirements), these have limited range (often times less than a half mile for cheap models).
- Will it work for wheeling: Probably. As long as the terrain isn't too crazy you should be able to talk to the whole group if you stay close together.
- License: Yes, but there is no test and it's only $35. It also covers you and your immediate family for 10 years. It's more like a registration or a fishing license.
- Cost: Great handhelds are around $40, but more power and complexity can be hundreds of $$.
- Range: Since you can change antennas (not on handhelds) and can have up to 50watts, range can be anywhere from a mile to dozens of miles. Plus many GMRS radios can significantly extend their range by using repeaters (not all GMRS radios work with repeaters).
- Will it work for wheeling: Yes. The better range (terrain allowing), will let your group be much more spread out. With decent LOS you can camp miles away from each other. It also shares channels with FRS, so you can talk with people who don't have GMRS - but they might not have as much range as you. It's about as plug and play as you can get. Just pick a channel and talk. Some people say channel 16 is for wheeling (because 4x4, get it?)
- License: Yes and a test is required. Cost varies depending on your license.
- Cost: Generally more expensive than GMRS ($50 - thousands)
- Range: Like GMRS you can change your antenna and you can use repeaters. Range can be a few miles to the entire world. HAMS also like to point out that you can talk to the Space Station too.
- Will it work for wheeling: Yes, but only if everyone in your group is a HAM.
These are a feature on most FRS and GMRS radios. These are not private and do not encrypt your conversations. All they do is mute anyone else on the same channel who does not have the same privacy codes. Everyone else on that channel can probably hear you, but you can't hear them.
A word about using radios for emergencies:
If you are wheeling where there is no cell coverage, FRS, GMRS, and CBs are not likely to be able to reach anyone but your immediate group (that's what they are designed for). A HAM radio's distance can help you contact the outside world. BUT, you have to know how to use it and in many cases you need to know how to reach local repeaters before your trip. Also, if you are unable to use the HAM (got hurt, vehicle is wrecked, etc...) you're SOL unless someone else has the knowledge and equipment.
The best radio to have is a satellite phone. There are other satellite devices (Garmin, etc...) but in my experience they are slow and you'd have to train someone else to use it in case you are the one who is hurt. Sat phones need almost no training. I rent sat phones several times a year for around $100 for a few days. Split the cost with your group. I have a friend who had to be life-flighted out of an area and the cost for a sat phone is priceless.
TLDR, So what should I get for wheeling?
- GMRS: Pay the $35 fee and buy a good handheld or mobile unit for your rig. You'll be able to talk to anyone with the cheap FRS radios from the box stores and you can talk with the GMRS people who want more range and features. You can also use repeaters. Several large 4x4 events have dropped CBs and have officially adopted GMRS.
- FRS: These are cheap and anyone can use them. You might have range issues if you're more than a couple hundred feet apart and you have really cheap radios.
- HAM: A bit of overkill for wheeling and somewhat limiting if you're the only HAM in the group.
- CB: Check your local usage.
