What's the Best Off-Road Communications?

My neighbor growing up was a Ham operator and he had a big tower in the back yard with an aluminum can line (he called a signal trap). He would talk to people in Russia, Japan, Australia/New Zeland, and all over the world.

👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏: KE4*** First CB license 1962 First Ham license 1965 First pilots license1968 First CDL license 1975 First Realtors license 1982 USCG Caption’s License 1985 1968 to 2012 keep a passport USMC 1968-1972 Semper Fi 2015 had stroke All licenses are expired even car license? So I live my dreams through YouTube videos? Keep them coming! 🤗

I have had my HAM for a while now. That was the best presentation on communication I have seen. Real easy to understand. Great job.

You left off: - Pigeon with note tied to its leg - Telepathy - Ethereal plane - Coconut radio as used in Gilligan’s Island 😆😆

I have watched a lot of communication overland vehicles. You are the first to reference FRS as walkie talkies. Thanks for referring to them as such. Makes it easier to understand

Thanks, great discussion on communications Brad. I too have quite a go-bag of radios so that I can pick from, as well as a mobile Ham radio in my rig. It's always nice to be able to communicate with the group no matter what they are running... I also recently picked up one of the Garmin InReach Mini's and I look forward to that extra level of communication & protection on future adventures...

Thanks again Brad. I;ve probably thanked you a few times before for publishing this vid. I refer back to it often. Got my HAM license last year. Loved the information I studied. I felt like an Electrical Engineer by the time I was done

Great vid, MC Brad! Back in the 1970's I had a Radio Shack 40 channel CB walkie-talkie (about the size of a brick!) I would take while venturing out with others or on solo multi-day hikes into the Colorado wilderness. Took some ribbing from friends about it and had to carry the extra weight (About 3-4 Lbs with batteries!). But the assurance of having the chance of contacting help sooner in case of emergency totally offset those inconveniences. And I don't mean just help for myself but, more importantantly, in case I came across anyone else who needed help. Now, approaching 50 years later, I am in the process of outfitting my 2012 WK2 to cover all of the communication options you mentioned in this video. Being able to reach anywhere with satellite texts now instead of 'maybe 5 miles' like back in the '70's sure shows how far we've come. While I've never had to use a radio in a life-or-death situation in the back country, It sure helps me sleep better in the tent knowing it's there if I need it. Thanks for your service and always look forward to your next vids.

Greetings! I look forward to all your videos as I always learn something. The real benefit of studying for a HAM license is the knowledge you gain that applies to ALL radio transmission! Even if you don't pass the test (almost everybody does) you are a winner from the knowledge you have gained. It is time well spent.

GMRS with the right antenna on a mounted unit can transmit like 25 miles...sometimes. The handheld won't go that far, but they're better than most CB's and almost as good as most handheld ham radios. GMRS is the best radio for longer distances without studying up and taking a ham test. GMRS is as simple as a CB with much better range on a normal day.

Brad, I just got my Jeep Rubicon Gladiator, and have learned soooo much from your channel in all aspects of off-roading. (just bought a GMRS radio...) Wish I could say "thanks" in person on some epic adventure..... I'm in New England. Keep doing what you're doing!!

Brad, I used CB for many years, and now use GMRS, but also carry a NOAA 406 MHz Beacon as a safety net in the event we are truly stuck or injured and need help. My wife and I had an 'aha moment" on one of our simple day trips, and now we have one in our JK at all times. They require a registration every two years, but our ability to get a message out is virtually assured.

Excellent coverage to get new folks thinking. We have always groups and to be able to chat along the route is vital. Bio breaks, issues or general chat bands the group together. We migrated to Ham and along the trail use our handheld units also one of us always has a Spot running as well to post our location

I just bought the Midland MXT275 GMRS. I like it so far. I plan on getting their whip antenna and A pillar mount. Right now I am just using the magnetic one the kit came with.

Thank you for your Ham recommendation. I first got my Ham Tech 30 years, and did not renew. Scheduled a new test last week and after $35 fee I am license as Technician again. Mounted a 5/8 wave 2M/.70 antenna on my Tacoma SR5 and a permanent dual band. You got me to get back into Ham, driving to Great Basin Lehman caves area in a couple of weeks

Thank you Brad for the topic I know I asked atleast once for discussion on it ☺️ I am a ham operator base only atm but plan to go mobile once I can afford a proper antenna for low band ☺️

Thanks for a handy synopsis about 2-way radio communications for off-roading.

A thing about Privacy mode: It is not private. Privacy mode is more of a filter. It allows you to hear others in your group on the same privacy channel. Anyone else on the same channel, and not in a privacy mode, can here everything you say. But if they talk, you wont hear them, because your radio on a privacy mode is filtering them out.

Always the best timing! Was in the market for one!

Ham APRS is a good alternative to the Garmin InReach without the monthly service fee. Family and friends can see your location via a web page. Most APRS radios offer a QSY frequency message which changes whenever the radio frequency changes. That way, any ham operator can talk to you. And APRS is able to send/receive text messages and email. I'm willing to wager I can get emergency help faster with a ham radio than the InReach. Great video!