OB Approved Overland Bound Comms Frequency Guide

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MTN RNR

MTN RNR

Rank VI
Member

World Traveler III

4,590
San Diego 92130
First Name
Ted
Last Name
Thompson
Member #

13782

Ham/GMRS Callsign
W6TED
Yes HF would be better in the mountains but it would be more for bringing the hobby along on the overlanding trip rather than a rescue aid I think for 2 reasons: 1) the vast majority of ham is in the 2m and 70cm bands consequently 2) the vast majority of repeaters are in those bands as well. I’ve been thinking about the Yaesu 857D which has 30m and 100W. But it’s really pricey.
There’s the question of whether to add digital for rescue/communication. But we got 3 competing standards 2 of which are essentially manufacturer specific. It’s just like AT&T vs Verizon all over again: D-Star, Fusion, or DMR which to go with. Not sure if digital is really helpful in remote areas. Most of the reflectors seem to be around urban areas, more or less. I’m not sure. That being said the Icom 5100A looks really sweet to me. But you can get into DMR digital with dual band for $300 with the TYT MD-9600.
But I don’t want to scare people off by price, you can get dual band 25W or 50W mobile units for around $115 to $170 on Amazon. Good ‘nuff for rescue or group communications. Prob even better deals on EBay or Craigslist.

But I keep lookin at that Icom 5100A....
 
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RyanC

RyanC

Rank V
Launch Member

Off-Road Ranger I

2,354
Pinckney, MI
Member #

1410

Ham/GMRS Callsign
K1RAC
MTN RNR said:
Yes HF would be better in the mountains but it would be more for bringing the hobby along on the overlanding trip rather than a rescue aid I think for 2 reasons: 1) the vast majority of ham is in the 2m and 70cm bands consequently 2) the vast majority of repeaters are in those bands as well. I’ve been thinking about the Yaesu 857D which has 30m and 100W. But it’s really pricey.
There’s the question of whether to add digital for rescue/communication. But we got 3 competing standards 2 of which are essentially manufacturer specific. It’s just like AT&T vs Verizon all over again: D-Star, Fusion, or DMR which to go with. Not sure if digital is really helpful in remote areas. Most of the reflectors seem to be around urban areas, more or less. I’m not sure. That being said the Icom 5100A looks really sweet to me. But you can get into DMR digital with dual band for $300 with the TYT MD-9600.
But I don’t want to scare people off by price, you can get dual band 25W or 50W mobile units for around $115 to $170 on Amazon. Good ‘nuff for rescue or group communications. Prob even better deals on EBay or Craigslist.

But I keep lookin at that Icom 5100A....
Click to expand...
I have a 2730a and I think I'm going to upgrade to a 5100a for the APRS and the security that brings. I could do APRS cheaper in another device but I don't want to add another antenna and voice alerts look sweet.
 
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A

Alan k

Rank 0

Traveler I

60
Southern California
I got a 25 watt tri band for about 80 bucks
MTN RNR said:
Yes HF would be better in the mountains but it would be more for bringing the hobby along on the overlanding trip rather than a rescue aid I think for 2 reasons: 1) the vast majority of ham is in the 2m and 70cm bands consequently 2) the vast majority of repeaters are in those bands as well. I’ve been thinking about the Yaesu 857D which has 30m and 100W. But it’s really pricey.
There’s the question of whether to add digital for rescue/communication. But we got 3 competing standards 2 of which are essentially manufacturer specific. It’s just like AT&T vs Verizon all over again: D-Star, Fusion, or DMR which to go with. Not sure if digital is really helpful in remote areas. Most of the reflectors seem to be around urban areas, more or less. I’m not sure. That being said the Icom 5100A looks really sweet to me. But you can get into DMR digital with dual band for $300 with the TYT MD-9600.
But I don’t want to scare people off by price, you can get dual band 25W or 50W mobile units for around $115 to $170 on Amazon. Good ‘nuff for rescue or group communications. Prob even better deals on EBay or Craigslist.

But I keep lookin at that Icom 5100A....
Click to expand...
 
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Garlic Overlander

Garlic Overlander

Rank V
Launch Member

Pathfinder II

2,390
Gilroy, CA
First Name
Jarad
Last Name
Derosa
Member #

6811

"We" should also consider adding the Zello App to our phones as well. It is another tool for the bag when it comes to one-on-one, or group communications. Plus everyone has a cell phone these days....
 
Richard Derr

Richard Derr

Rank II

Enthusiast II

422
Kent, WA, USA
First Name
Richard
Last Name
Derr
Member #

5270

Ham/GMRS Callsign
k5rkd
Service Branch
US AIR FORCE
I have Ham and Commercial radios in my 4 runner since I do wilderness search and rescue. I just added CB in my SUV because not all have Ham radios when Overlanding. FYI hams with the tech license can use 6 and 10 meters on HF.
 
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MTN RNR

MTN RNR

Rank VI
Member

World Traveler III

4,590
San Diego 92130
First Name
Ted
Last Name
Thompson
Member #

13782

Ham/GMRS Callsign
W6TED
Richard Derr said:
I have Ham and Commercial radios in my 4 runner since I do wilderness search and rescue. I just added CB in my SUV because not all have Ham radios when Overlanding. FYI hams with the tech license can use 6 and 10 meters on HF.
Click to expand...
Yes, but only CW and SSB phone in the 10m band.
 
MrCoffee

MrCoffee

Rank VI
Launch Member

Off-Road Ranger I

3,346
Springfield, Vermont
First Name
Chuck
Last Name
U
Member #

8434

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KB1PMW
KC2BUN said:
I've been a ham for 22yrs don't regret it except not getting my general ticket. 2meter is a great band but I want to get into 6meter and 10meter
The HF bands can get ya over mountains
Click to expand...
In the same boat, thinking about tackling the General ticket this winter...
 
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MrCoffee

MrCoffee

Rank VI
Launch Member

Off-Road Ranger I

3,346
Springfield, Vermont
First Name
Chuck
Last Name
U
Member #

8434

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KB1PMW
KC2BUN said:
I got to excited and couldn't wait anymore so I wired the new radio up
It's where I want it but have yet to mount it. IC2200H is a very nice 2 meter radio 65watt output is a good thing View attachment 69980
Click to expand...
Nice! The 2200H is a great rig. I just got a Yeasu FT2800M for the F150, and an older Radio Shack HTX-252 (tiny!) To put in the Escape. Had no time with moving into the new house.....

You rig looks good, and 65w ought to get the job done [emoji41]
 
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TheBeardedSam

TheBeardedSam

Rank IV
Launch Member

Off-Road Ranger I

1,071
Norman Park, GA
First Name
Sam
Last Name
Baker
Member #

14479

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KN4OSP
KC2BUN said:
I've been a ham for 22yrs don't regret it except not getting my general ticket. 2meter is a great band but I want to get into 6meter and 10meter
The HF bands can get ya over mountains
Click to expand...
You have privileges as a Technician on 6m and 10m
 
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TheBeardedSam

TheBeardedSam

Rank IV
Launch Member

Off-Road Ranger I

1,071
Norman Park, GA
First Name
Sam
Last Name
Baker
Member #

14479

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KN4OSP
KC2BUN said:
I know it's just I don't have the funds for a 6 and/or 10 meter radio
This ic2200h I got for 60bucks
Other thing is mounting in the Xterra is limited
Click to expand...
For sure. Those antennas for 6m and 10m seem relatively fragile compared to a simple whip.
 
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RyanC

RyanC

Rank V
Launch Member

Off-Road Ranger I

2,354
Pinckney, MI
Member #

1410

Ham/GMRS Callsign
K1RAC
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TheBeardedSam

TheBeardedSam

Rank IV
Launch Member

Off-Road Ranger I

1,071
Norman Park, GA
First Name
Sam
Last Name
Baker
Member #

14479

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KN4OSP
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Overland Commander

Overland Commander

Rank VI
Launch Member

Influencer III

3,534
Woodstock, Cherokee County, Georgia, United States
First Name
Randell
Last Name
Beck
Member #

13744

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KD2QMS - The Commander
Service Branch
USN
MTN RNR said:
Here is what convinced me to go the ham route. I took this picture looking at the message board at the Rubicon Trail staging area (Tahoe side):

View attachment 69012


No cell coverage. CB won’t help in an emergency. GMRS/FRMS are only good for, essentially, handheld to handheld communication. Tough to get help with them. I’ve owned several SPOT models since they first came out (well over 10 yrs). They don’t work well in wooded areas or slightly limited horizon areas. Also you never know if your message got through. I had a Globalstar sat phone for about 5 years but it seldom worked reliably in the Sierras even at 12,000 ft (reliably being the key word). And sat phones and service contracts are really expensive. That’s the same network used for the new text messaging feature in SPOT. There is probably no perfect solution for every place I might end up, but ham radio really adds a lot of coverage with repeaters and the ability to use voice. I still carry my SPOT with me as well.
Click to expand...

This is the key right here - check the photo out. This is why Ham should be primary, with the other systems as backups.
 
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Desert Runner

Desert Runner

Rank VII
Launch Member

Expedition Master III

8,507
Southern Nevada
First Name
Jerold
Last Name
F.
Member #

14991

Ham/GMRS Callsign
/GMRS=WREA307
I have a GMRS, a couple of FRMS radios(hand held), and received a small Boefang? handheld for Xmas (no license yet) . Plan on the ham license sometime in the future. I also have a 40 channel CB that is also truck mounted.
I like all the web connections listed. Thumbs up on that. It will make research much easier for those looking for Comm direction.
 
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