Hello fellow OB'rs. I've been trying to find this info and I'm sure its here somewhere spread out in these 25 pages but I'm struggling. My GF and I have gotten into overlanding/dispersed camping over the past 1.5-2 years. We do not go super far off grid. Most our trips have taken us no more than a few hours of dirt driving to reach our destinations. We have thus far traveled by ourselves but leave our plans with friends to be safe. We would like to get some communications with the world in case something goes sideways with us. Or if something goes sideways with someone else we could offer assistance. I have been leaning towards GMRS due to price and ease of license. I just dont have desire to get into becoming a HAM guy. Can some one point me in the direction of something along the lines of 'GMRS for dummies"? I would like a mobile rather than portables. I see Midland is a popular brand, I'm familiar with Midlands due to my occupation. Trying to figure out the best course for the right $$ is a bit overwhelming. Thanks!
Matt
Hi Matt,
First, let me say that my reasons for adding 2-way radio to my vehicle are pretty much exactly what you've described. I have and use both GMRS and ham in my vehicle (more below).
Operationally, there isn't much difference between ham and GMRS except that you can run a ham at higher power - the GMRS channels are near the 70cm ham band, and as both use FM, the short range performance is comparable. Using either is basically "push the button to talk" and "release it to listen" just like a walkie-talkie. Configuring "repeater" stations works a little differently for each brand of radio, but the instruction manuals provide step by step walkthroughs. The license cost used to be a differentiator, but that seems to be going by the wayside also. The test is a little bit of a barrier, but it is NOT difficult to pass the technicians test - which covers the privileges needed for most vehicle-mobile units. On the bright side, by studying for the test, you actually learn what you need to know to properly install a radio and troubleshoot the installation (again not difficult).
What is a major differentiator is the availability of what we call "repeater" stations. These are automated radio stations on high ground that can repeat your signal to increase the distance over which you can communicate, often to distances of a hundred miles instead of the limited 5-15 miles you might get from just the vehicle mounted radio itself (this limit is more about line-of-sight between transmitter and receiver than power output - hills block radio signals). I see that you're from Santa Cruz County, CA, so checking repeaterbook.com for GMRS and ham listings, I see:
- GMRS Repeaters: 8
- 5 open repeaters in Ventura, LA, Siskiyou, and San Bernadino(2) counties
- HAM Repeaters: 2,699
- 772 on the 2m band (digital and analog)
- 1,237 on the 70cm band (digital and analog)
- plus other bands
- CA is very well covered
In other parts of the US, GMRS comes closer to parity with ham. Here in New Mexico, we have pretty good coverage for both, but I tend to use the ham radio most, and only use the GMRS radio to talk to the folks in the group that don't have ham.
I'm not sharing this to sell you on on a ham license, but rather to illustrate where the expectations should be on GMRS. They work great for groups where the distances are short enough that no repeaters are needed - essentially like a "better" CB. The also work great in areas where GMRS repeaters are available. However, where the adoption is lower and there are few repeaters available, GMRS isn't a good longer distance communication option.
In any case, there are a bunch of us here who use both ham and GMRS, so feel free to ask your questions!
