OB Approved Overland Bound Comms Frequency Guide

[JeepGuy91]

Everyone I run with including myself have C4FM radios. This makes it easy to use C4FM digital on 145.5625 while using GM. (Group Monitor) This frequency is also the (somewhat) official C4FM calling frequency in the US. Group Monitor is a fantastic tool to know the location of everyone in your group and send messages to one, two or all members at the same time. Its worth checking out. FYI: All Yaesu radio's with C4FM have the GM function, but not all have GPS. Do your research before buying.

I've heard 147.525 is what most people use. I found that through a Google search as well as saw it listed as posted messages on various Wires-X rooms.

Do a lot of people in your area use 145.5625?

 

[Trad77]

I've heard 147.525 is what most people use. I found that through a Google search as well as saw it listed as posted messages on various Wires-X rooms.

Do a lot of people in your area use 145.5625?

Yes, everyone that I know with a C4FM radio uses 145.5625 with GM active (around north Oregon anyway) I have heard of 147.525 but that was a few years ago. Also John Kruk from Yaesu has confirmed that 145.5625 is the World Wide C4FM calling frequency I recently discovered.

 

[JeepGuy91]

Yes, everyone that I know with a C4FM radio uses 145.5625 with GM active (around north Oregon anyway) I have heard of 147.525 but that was a few years ago. Also John Kruk from Yaesu has confirmed that 145.5625 is the World Wide C4FM calling frequency I recently discovered.

Fair enough. I'll program that one in as well. Thanks for the response!

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Just a little more detail about US CB...it is similar to the UK version, whereas there are 40 channels at AM frequencies 26.965 through 27.405 Mhz. Usually the channels are separated by .010 of a Mhz, so channel 40 is 27.405 Mhz, 39 is 27.395

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Etc etc. Though there is a minor discrepancy around channels 25 to 23 as the frequencies are out of order.

 

[kooner2k]

I hope to get my Ham License as soon as they start testing again. I have a Standard Horizon Marine Radio that I use when Kayaking in the Ocean that also has FRS capabilities. I have been watching a few Ham Vids on you tube including the ones done here. I have also downloaded the APP on my phone and started to go through the tests, but My memory isn't what it used to be so I will really cram just before the test.

 

[donj51]

Well, I have received notice today that I was granted a GMRS license and hopefully be ready to take the technician test if there is a virtual test or wait until we "get back to normal."

 

[Blue Moser]

Well, I have received notice today that I was granted a GMRS license and hopefully be ready to take the technician test if there is a virtual test or wait until we "get back to normal."

Congrats on getting the license
I’ve been running gmrs for about 2 years and have multiple repeaters setup within central Pennsylvania. Just like you, I was setup to take my tech exam and was cancelled due to everything going on. Hopefully soon I can test.

 

[donj51]

Congrats on getting the license
I’ve been running gmrs for about 2 years and have multiple repeaters setup within central Pennsylvania. Just like you, I was setup to take my tech exam and was cancelled due to everything going on. Hopefully soon I can test.

I wish you luck on your test, we will soon be able to test, one way or another. I was fortunate to find a "local" group that was excited to hear of new people in my area that wanted to take the technician test, I also found by looking for loacal groups, that the Boothill Club faded away after a few of the members died quite a number of years ago. Exciting time and looking foward to this bucket list item.

 

[JeepGuy91]

Congrats on getting the license
I’ve been running gmrs for about 2 years and have multiple repeaters setup within central Pennsylvania. Just like you, I was setup to take my tech exam and was cancelled due to everything going on. Hopefully soon I can test.

I don't know if you've heard, but they're allowing "remote testing" now. Might be worth looking into.

 

[MrChris]

Was Commo in the Army, but that was too long ago to remember LOL thanks for the info :D

 

[Trad77]

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

I have a Azden 7500H in the Jeep and I use 52.525 FM almost everyday. 6 meters is my favorite band. I also use 29.600 but that is for general and extra class only.

 

[M Rose]

I have a Azden 7500H in the Jeep and I use 52.525 FM almost everyday. 6 meters is my favorite band. I also use 29.600 but that is for general and extra class only.

The official Overland Bound Frequency is 146.46 . With that out of the way I hear that the 6 and 10 meter are opening up for long range DXing. I really need to get my antenna up today so I can start playing on the new to me bands.

 

[Richard Derr]

What are you using for a 6 meter ant. using a fire stick?
Is this for mobile or base?

 

[Trad77]

What are you using for a 6 meter ant. using a fire stick?
Is this for mobile or base?

I use a 102" steel whip that I cut at 54 inches then fine tuned the length using my SWR meter to get it resonant on 52.525. I run the Azden mobile. For the base I have a 6 meter Ringo antenna. Those are great antennas for 6 meters.

 

[Trad77]

The official Overland Bound Frequency is 146.46 . With that out of the way I hear that the 6 and 10 meter are opening up for long range DXing. I really need to get my antenna up today so I can start playing on the new to me bands.

6 meters is my favorite band. 6 meters is best at the Equinox's, June/July December/January, but they dont call it The Magic Band for nothing. It could open up anytime.

 

[Snowwalker]

" CTCSS / Privacy Codes: Some FRS and GMRS radios offer the ability to use what are called Privacy Codes or CTCSS tones as a way to limit the incoming transmissions to only the people in your group. Look at your radios manual for details and be aware that in order to use this option, all radios in your group must also support this feature."

Just to point out that while this does prevent you and your group from hearing Other people that are not using the same CTCSS Tone, they can hear you if they do not have feature turned on. CTCSS does not stop others from hearing your conversation and COMMENTS. Please watch your language and remember other can ALWAYS hear you.

 

[BullNV]

The Overland Bound community has settled on some common "calling" frequencies for the most common radio types. These are meant to be a starting point for making contact with a Overland Bound members. If your local region already has other generally accepted practices, you may want stick with them instead.


U.S. & Canada 2 Meter Amateur Radio
Frequency: 146.46
This frequency is the generally accepted off-road calling frequency. Amateur operator etiquette means that this common calling frequency should be used primarily for initial contact. Any extended conversations or group use, like communication while on a trip or a trial run, should likely be moved to a different nearby frequency.
Licensing: In order to operate an amateur ("ham") radio in the United States of America, you must be licensed by the FCC. Other countries have their own licensing systems, so check with your local regulations. There are other threads here on the Overland Bound forums that discuss licensing, so refer to those for more details.
(links to existing bootcamp about getting licensed)
Range: Range varies quite a bit depending on radio, transmit power, antenna, and geography. A typical range of a handheld on the trail is realistically around 2-6 miles, but with clean line of sight, a good setup, and higher power output, distances of well over 25 miles can be obtained.

U.S. GMRS / FRS
Channel: 15
License: The FCC certifies specific radios for use on GMRS and FRS which share the same channels. Only an FCC certified device can be used on these frequencies, and additionally, GMRS use requires a household license to be purchased from the FCC that is good for 10 years.
CTCSS / Privacy Codes: Some FRS and GMRS radios offer the ability to use what are called Privacy Codes or CTCSS tones as a way to limit the incoming transmissions to only the people in your group. Look at your radios manual for details and be aware that in order to use this option, all radios in your group must also support this feature.
Range: Similar to the VHF amateur radios, a typical range for GMRS on the trail is likely somewhere around 2-6 miles. FRS radios (which do not require the additional FCC license) are much lower power, and therefore the range is significantly reduced, making them less desirable.

U.S. Citizen's Band (CB)
Channel: 16
License: There is no license requirement for CB use in the United States of America.
Squelch: Almost all CB radios will have a squelch control, this additional knob is used to adjust the noise cut-off on the incoming signal. If you find that other people in your group can hear you, but you can't hear them, adjust the squelch down as you may be filtering too much of the incoming signal.
Range: CB power output is limited to 4 watts, so in a typical trail situation, the range is realistically about 3-4 miles.

Australia & N.Z. UHF CB
Channel: 21
License: There is no license requirement for UHF CB use Australia or New Zealand
Range: UHF CB power output is limited to 5 watts, so in a typical trail situation, the range is realistically about 10km. In ideal conditions, you can probably double that distance, and for raised repeaters, you can probably reach up to 100km.

U.K. 27Mhz CB
Channel: 10
License: There is no license requirement for 27Mhz CB use in the U.K.
Squelch: Almost all CB radios will have a squelch control, this additional knob is used to adjust the noise cut-off on the incoming signal. If you find that other people in your group can hear you, but you can't hear them, adjust the squelch down as you may be filtering too much of the incoming signal.
Range: CB power output is limited to 4 watts, so in a typical trail situation, the range is realistically about 4-7km.

E.U. UHF CB / PMR
License: There is no license requirement for UHF CB use in the E.U.


Comms In a Group Run
Before any organized run, select a trail leader and hold a quick drivers meeting where, among other things, you can announce the details of how communication will be managed on the run. Select a "tail gunner" to monitor the rear of the pack, and if the group is large, a "mid gunner" as well. Announce the chosen radio type and the frequency/channel that will be used. Many times not every vehicle has a radio, or there may be some vehicles that do not have the radio type chosen as the primary means of communication. Consider relaying some important turn callouts and such to a secondary radio. For example, if ham radios will be used primarily, you might still announce important turns or warnings on a CB channel as well. Always let drivers know to keep an eye on the vehicle behind them in the rear view mirror and to stop if they ever lose sight. This will keep the group together even in the case that radio contact is lost or unavailable. When leading a moderate to large sized group, it's best to keep the radio chatter mostly focused around trail direction. Socializing on the radio in a larger group can end up making it difficult to call out important turns or obstacles. To make up for this, it's a good idea to have some regularly time stops for bio-breaks and socializing in person.

Thank you for the much needed info!

 

[BigH2OChief]

Great review and reinforcement that i need to stop kicking the HAM licensing process down the road. I need to buckle down, schedule it and knock it out. I’m committed to it this year.

 

[Snowwalker]

Great review and reinforcement that i need to stop kicking the HAM licensing process down the road. I need to buckle down, schedule it and knock it out. I’m committed to it this year.

Don't just get your tech and stop. It is well worth it to get your General License. As you move up in License class more things open up for you.

I would love to see more use of NVIS among Overland travelers. A base, an 8 foot post/mast, four short wires, a tuner and you can cover hundreds if not thousands of square miles. You can communicate even if there are multiple mountain ridges between you and the other party.