VHF radio

Almost everyone I've ever talked to out on the trails use CB or FRS. VHF requires licenses and the actual units are way more expensive. Plus, there is no easy way to tune them to a channel (many have to be hardcoded to a specific frequency by a shop). I looked into it a lot when I was getting in to wheeling and decided it just wasn't worth it. Plus, you don't run in to too many logging trucks unless you're in an active logging zone, which you should try not to do when they're working. Most of the best wheeling/exploring is in the deactivated zones anyway and you have like 20 years until they re-open.

More and more are using VHF, Why not just have both.
I have a cab mounted cobra and a hand held VHF.

Anyone still using CB?

I would not think so i think CB or the 11 meter band is useless am mode any ways ......VHF radios are cheap as cb now ..........programing is simple and yes you should get certified very easy free 2 day courses ...I use a tyt 2 meter dual band vhf radio with all logging ,forestry .fire base , all ham radio repeaters and BS channels ...I can scan them all or listen on one easy .........price vhf with antena around 200 or less hand helds are cheaper under 100 ...If any one is looking for more info just ask ....

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?aid=4691

http://www.scanbc.com/wiki/index.php?title=Resource_Road_Channels

My radio

I use CB, I don't need a ton of range (Although I do pickup truckers in Seattle at times) I find VHF radios (Hand helds) are hit and miss when it comes to what others are carrying. Unless I have a certain radio and enough to give to 6 other rigs it's pointless.
Most of the guys I wheel with also use CB.

Hey B&M, are the hand held any good? My only real radio experience is Military and was awhile back.

I have a working 23 Chanel AM and SSB mode 11 meter band CB Mobil if some one wants one free i repaired it for some one two years ago don't think there coming back . SSB mode with CB radio will give you alot more Range than AM mode if your just BSing with your buddy CB are great but almost useless in an emergency no range and no one is monitoring cb any more .... I was out in nit nat and could bring up ve7rsi repeater on salt spring island far out of any cell range or cb .........Pic is of the cb i have here freebee older but has more out put than most been twerked......

Hey Web....I find that with the VHF hand helds...unless everyone is running the same radio they are very spotty in my personal experience.

I'm only interested in communicating with my group that I'm running with so the CB works great...I do have weather channel and emergency channel on my CB and I can get 350+km out of it.

350 km on CB not now you wont 10 and 11 meter have been closed from beginning of summer you need skip condition to get pass about 15 to 35 km with a cb and we are heading into a low sun spot cycle for the next few years so no skip ......All the ham bands are going dead now also ....Vhf hand held radio should all talk to each other as long as there programed properly do the programing from the radio is a bitch needs to be done with usb cord and some software ............The cb emergency channel are not monitored ( REACT ) is long gone they used to monitor channel 9 but not on the Island for years .....

Well I'm definitely not going to argue with you Lauchlin, you do sound knowledgeable when it comes to radios....but I was up on Blackjack Ridge on Sunday and I was speaking with a truck driver who was driving through Tacoma which is approx. 225miles.
As for the emergency band....not a big deal. I don't wheel by myself, and do my best not to put myself in a situation to seriously hurt myself.

As for the hand helds I find that all of them will comm. with each other just some more poorly than others. I can be at the back of a 6 rig lineup and not be able to make out what the lead vehicle is saying from 40 yards.

Well the bands 11 meters or CB is going to be dead for skip for a few years but there is what is called openings at which time your CB could transmit all most around the planet for a few day but it will be mostly closed ..That all said the CB is cheap to buy the new one are small there great for short range in bush 5 to 10 km no permits needed used to be xm-135502 long gone now .CB radio is what got me started in Ham radio now VE7SHM and mostly why i use a 2 meter radio (VHF) i probably should put a CB in my tracker but i have a hard time keep the vhf antenna on lost a few out mt Brenton and the old stainless cb whips are get hard to find but great cb/ham antennas .........

Sounds like if I ever need information regarding 2 way radios, you're the guy to talk to. I really know shit about them except push the button to talk.

Thanks for the short lesson and if I ever require help with mine....hopefully you won't mind if I pick your brain.

Any time

VHF are the way to go.
I use an Icom.
I have all 36 RR frequencies on it as well as many companies who post their frequencies on logging roads. I also have Ladd 1-4 and Alberta 1-5 Plus 3 weather channels
I use them in active areas to know when the equipment is coming my way. the Ladd channels are goo on the highways and most trucking outfits use them
You don't need a course to use them and radio shops program them for a fee
To be totally compliant you need the radio licensed not the operator and it is done online at the Industry Canada Website. I have never had mine checked and have never been asked to produce a license
they are far superior to CB and the range is far sometimes 50km or more. this is for tx and rx not like a CB where you can hear someone 200 miles away buy cant talk to them.
I also have a handheld that I lend to my friends when they come along.

Hey Lauchlin, Agreed, you know your stuff. Thanks. Lets just say my military experience was the old C42's that had tubes!!! So Vanisle, what is you hand held?. I don't want one hard wired into the JK.

The handheld that I lets friends use when wheeling is Icom IP67.
It costs about $35+ to get a radio programmed. I get mine done at Victoria Mobile Radio. If I ever want to add or delete frequencies I go there they have my profile on their computer and All it takes is for them to go out to my vehicle with their laptop plug it in and do the changes.The handhelds do not have as good a range as the mobiles however they are chatter free and more reliable than a CB. I'm not knocking CBs but if I ever got into a situation and need to call out there is a far better chance of contacting someone on the VHF/UHF than on on CB. My mobile is 50w but pushes about 30w when transmitting.
the nice thing about mounting a mobile in the JK is there are existing screws on the console that can be used as a mounting point and it holds good no drilling needed. I mount on drivers side because with my radio there it limits how far forward the seat can slide and anyone getting in the back gets in passenger side. Yep I have a 2 door more versatile better turning radius and short wheel base . Eventually Ill get a 2nd one in 4 door version

Well the 2 meter ham band you do need a license and there is a course that you must take to use and that is VHF........... Many use the LADDS or also called the BS Chanel s in the bush i hear hunters logging truck drivers and long haul drivers on the Ladds and your right there is no course but the radio is supposed to be licensed to a specific frequency or set of ... On Vancouver Island we have a set of repeaters from one end to the other i can on my VHF (2 meter Radio ) in my Tracker talk to some one on a hand held in Port Hardy using the repeaters ........CB radio can can during skip conditions reach thousands of miles i have done this many times on the ten meter band which is much the same as CB or 11 meter band what ever you like to call it .............

This i a very good place to get two way radios from .bought many from them i can program any of them or it easy to do your self

https://www.fleetwooddp.com/

Sweet I will take it. What's your address. Or we could meet for a coffee

That post contains some inaccurate info. You will not hear logging truck drivers on Ladd Channels.They will be on dedicated channels of what ever company they are hauling for. If they are on RR roads they will be on what ever channel is used on that particular road.The Province is set up with about 36 RR Channels for forest service and mining roads.I have about 65 different channels programmed into my radios. Various logging company road channels, all the RR channels Ladd 1-4 and Alberta 1-4 and 3 weather channels
I

I will have to stop programing the ladds in to there radios ......But you are correct they do not operate on the Ladds in there normal operates

n/a

You should gear up for some ever nighters this spring/summer, cover some real ground and find some cool spots.

Hey i got a rebuilt transfer case for that zazooki i will sell it cheap

Wait a minute, is that the one I left in your garage.

Oh ya sorry its been sold lol

I need a new tranny mount. Zuni nation and lowrange have a guaranteed not to break one.... I nuked my new stock one I put in in no time.......... you want to buy my other t-case with a 6.5:1 gear set?

Hey Vanisle JK, what model number is your ICOM vehicle mounted VHF that you showed a photo of above? Thx, Dave

Anyone listen on the Natural Resources frequencies? I have 'em in my scanner and its good to know when a fire is nearby.

Yes can go a long time and not hear a thing or as this year kind of busy

This is all great information... Seems like CB was preferred at first but now it's gone to this VHF. Does anyone know where you can do this course to get licensed or installed?

http://cvars.com/training.html

Will a radio shop program a frequency that is used by TimberWest on their private haul road, without an endorsement letter from TimberWest ?
What model Icom are you using ?
What antenna are you using ?

I'm new to this, have an Icom IC-F121 with the 35 RR frequencies and the LAD channels.
Using a Larsen WB 34.5"
This is a 50W unit.
Would like to be licenced soon.

Yes they will and I have the same radio. They charge $35 for programming . Its a 50w unit but it wont be transmitting @ 50w maybe 20ish

IC-F121 . . . . .
High Power . . . . . . . 50W
Low Power (2) . . . . 25W
Low Power (1) . . . . 5W

Will they program an un-licenced radio/operator ?

That Radio is a commercial radio and can never be used on the ham bands as for programing it depends on the shop but they are not supposed to program a radio for any one... just the just the company that hold the license to the specific frequency .............

He want asking about HAM frequencies he was asking about RR channels which he already has and also the TW South Island Road channel which he cam also get especially since he is a firewood cutter. Macarena Man contact me PM send your phone number.

corey

My VHF/UHF rig is field programmable which is super convenient when you are rolling along and see the sign notifying you of the frequency. Makes life quite a bit easier... Have you looked into programming your radio yourself? Save some $$ and you can update it whenever you need to.

I assumed when he said he wanted to get licensed it was for ham as for programing the icom a cheap ebay dongle and any one can program it ......

And that would be a ham radio with a VFO

I'm new to VHF radios actually all radios. I was looking at getting a Kenwood TM-281A for my Side by Side mainly for safety and to communicate with others in our group. I need help on what antenna I should use for good communication #1 and will put up with going through tight wooded areas and not get damaged #2. Any help wood be very much appreciated. Thanks Al

Well its a nice radio can be programed from the mic or software lots of mods to unlock it so it can transmit any were.... 65 watts lot of range but you can dial the out put down to save battery .any 1/4 nmo base antenna will work https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/antennas-191/mobile-antennas-192/...

https://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/9994

Hi, Thanks for the help. Do I need to have a Ham licence or just licence the radio or none of the above? Thanks Al

I am a licensed ham so i have to say get a license but well nobody out there has one lol

Just saw this on Craigslist its same as the one I own. Good radio . https://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/Icom-F121-VHF-Radio_32870442

Looks good I'll check it out thanks

VHF course in Duncan . . . May

That course is free and if you get better than 80% you can use HF and get a radio like this icom 7000 will do vhf uhf and HF.......... the little radio in box is vhf uhf dual band there about 100 $ new with the 1/4 wave antenna radio is 15 watts can be programed at the mic or on computer .....on my desk is the programing dongles for different radios inducing the icom listed here theirs a pic of programing software easy to use when you get the hang of it ...Afew hand held DMR vhf and uhf a whole different ball game they can be setup to talk around the world whole different topic .....

I just got a VHF/UHF radio on line. Qyt KT 8900. It's my first radio. Can anyone give me some info on programming this thing. I read on here that someone had one of these but cant find it now.
Thanks

Wishing everyone a trouble free and fun trip!

Had lots of them what would you like to know

Cb Chanel 10 standard talk