2 WAY Radios in RVs

rbertalotto · July 7, 2021

My 15yo Grand-Son and I are leaving on a three week cross country epic trip. We have CB and GMRS/FRS radios in the truck. He wants to place a sign on the back of the trailer telling folks we are monitoring certain channels. Are there any channels that RVs use for this type of thing?

Ranger Smith · July 7, 2021

I believe on CB they monitor channel 13

roadhobos · July 7, 2021

I do't know about GMRS or FRS, but I would monitor at last 19 and possibly 13 on CB. However having said that, one can obtain a "Tech" license easy enough, check one of the local ham radio clubs, just do a Google search or go to ARRL website and they will have the info on how to obtain a "ham license". The Tech will allow you to at least get on the 2 meter band and the 70 centimeter band. You can pick up a decent dual band HT (Handy Talky) for a reasonable price. Major brands, Yaesu, Kenwood, Icom, etc. Stay away from Boefang(?) etc, here are low quality and leave a lot to be desire. Besides, using a ham radio you have a lot more wattage available for transmitting. Both of you can take the test and be licensed ham radio operators! Hope I haven't confused you to much, but I would at least look into it.

73's Mike KN5P

Edited July 7, 2021 by roadhobos
change verbiage.

Darryl&Rita · July 7, 2021

Baefong radios aren't the worst available, but some models leave a lot to be desired. They are available in dual band models, which are common locally.

CB usage is typically 13 for general RV conversations, and 9 and 19 for "emergency" use.

GMRS/FRS radios are mostly for talking to radios in your group, and have security protocols to prevent outside radios from listening. Of course, these need to be turned on, and most people use them as is.

dartmouth01 · July 8, 2021

I don't know alot, but I do know that GMRS vehicle mount radios can go up to 50W in power, while the handhelds max out at 5W. So, if looking for a GMRS, check out the vehicle mount options for more powah!

Chalkie · July 8, 2021

1 hour ago, dartmouth01 said:

I don't know alot, but I do know that GMRS vehicle mount radios can go up to 50W in power, while the handhelds max out at 5W. So, if looking for a GMRS, check out the vehicle mount options for more powah!

GMRS allows up to 50w whether base, mobile or hand, hand units are generally limited to 5 watts for safety. However, GMRS also requires a license. FRS which does share some GMRS channels and transmits at a maximum of 2w and does not require a license. CB has a maximum power of 4 watts and does not require a license either. FRS and CB transmit in different frequency bands as well. FRS is in the 462-467Mhz range which makes it sort of equivalent to the amateur 70cm band with a slightly shorter range due to both power and frequency limitations. CB transmits in what would be considered the 11m band if it were an amateur band.

An Amateur License would get more range and is a lot of fun. HTs generally max out at 5 watts for safety, but a mobile unit can transmit at up to 75 watts. When I got mine I got it with my son. It was a lot of fun studying together and we both passed the test on the first try.

dartmouth01 · July 8, 2021

As somewhat of an aside, any of you experts have recommendations on $20-$30 handhelds that would be better than the Baofeng UV-5R? Thats what I currently have as backup radios to lend out to others in any convoy I might be in, as I've had experience with radios not making it back to me. I like the cost of the 5R's, but have wondered if there are any other brands/models I should be looking at for similar price.

Lou Schneider · July 8, 2021

Not that I know of, Baofeng pretty much has the market cornered on that price vs. performance point. There's a newer model, the UV-82 and variants but I don't know much about them.

Monochy · September 4

I know it's been a while, but Using 2-way radios in RVs is a game changer, especially if you’re traveling with a group or family. It’s like having your private communication system while on the road. I find it handy to coordinate with others, especially when you’re parked far apart or need to give directions without yelling. Plus, they’re a lot easier to use and more reliable than trying to use cell phones, especially in remote areas where service can be spotty.
If you’re thinking about getting some, check out walkie talkie australia. They have many options at different prices, so you can find something that fits your needs and budget. It’s worth investing in a good set to make your RV trips smoother and more enjoyable.

Edited Thursday at 03:32 PM by Monochy

kb0zke · Monday at 12:51 AM

I had a 2 meter radio mounted in the Foretravel. When we sold the coach I took the radio out and have used it as a picnic-tabletop radio. I'm thinking that I'd really like to mount it in the truck, or maybe get a newer rig for the truck.

We use the little GMRS on a low-power (no license) channel mainly for parking, but also when we're filling and dumping. I can tell Jo Ann that I'm ready to start filling and not to run the pump until I give the okay. When it is safe for her to run the pump I can tell her. Much easier than running around the trailer and shouting in the door.

When we were talking about driving to Alaska I was planning on adding a CB radio to the truck. Now that we're going to cruise instead, I don't think I'll bother, at least for now.

justRich · Monday at 12:52 PM

For a while I was a member of an off-road Jeep group. The GMRS radio was standard with them.
My purchase, which I am quite happy with, was a https://www.radioddity.com/products/radioddity-gm-30
GM30

Obtaining a GMRS license is no big deal. It can be done online and is good for 5 years.
I still have a pair of FRS (Family Radio Service) radios from 15 years ago that work pretty well. I purchased a newer set of FRS radios which do not work very well over much distance. (new because I misplaced one of my old Motorola radios)

The Radioddity GM30 rechargeable battery lasts a very long time and is charged with a USB "C"
It has a "Scan" mode to pickup other channels, a weather channel and much more that I don't understand.
The GM30 is complex and requires a bit of study to use. However, it is far superior to the FRS radios for use over distance or traffic.

The FRS radio is good for parking a large vehicle and close range.
We used our little FRS Motorola on occasion when my wife would drive the Jeep to scout a trail prior to me driving the truck camper up the trail.
I would be very careful about buying FRS radio nowadays and if buying new, make sure that it is returnable.

Chalkie · Tuesday at 12:26 AM

10 hours ago, justRich said:

For a while I was a member of an off-road Jeep group. The GMRS radio was standard with them.
My purchase, which I am quite happy with, was a https://www.radioddity.com/products/radioddity-gm-30
GM30

Obtaining a GMRS license is no big deal. It can be done online and is good for 5 years.
I still have a pair of FRS (Family Radio Service) radios from 15 years ago that work pretty well. I purchased a newer set of FRS radios which do not work very well over much distance. (new because I misplaced one of my old Motorola radios)

The Radioddity GM30 rechargeable battery lasts a very long time and is charged with a USB "C"
It has a "Scan" mode to pickup other channels, a weather channel and much more that I don't understand.
The GM30 is complex and requires a bit of study to use. However, it is far superior to the FRS radios for use over distance or traffic.

The FRS radio is good for parking a large vehicle and close range.
We used our little FRS Motorola on occasion when my wife would drive the Jeep to scout a trail prior to me driving the truck camper up the trail.
I would be very careful about buying FRS radio nowadays and if buying new, make sure that it is returnable.

Some comments on this. GMRS licenses are good for 10 years just like amateur radio licenses. Even the inexpensive FRS radios can have a range of 1.5-5 miles, depending on terrain. The community in the mountains where we had family cabin used them for communications. Everyone there had the better FMRS radios that would transmit the maximum 2 watts. Different channels were used for different activities. If you have a license and a proper radio you can transmit at up to 5 watts on channels 1-7 or 50 watts on channels 15-22. A lot of small businesses use GMRS for communications as 50 watts provides significant range. Anyone purchasing a 2-way radio should do their due diligence. For example, Baofeng has a horrible reputation among amateur radio operators (mainly because it is made in China) yet provides a very adequate, inexpensive, entry level radio. I have a hand held radio that i use quite a lot that is considered to be in the Baofeng neighborhood. I like it as it is a dual boot system. Boot one way and it is a 70cm/2m amateur radio or boot the other way and it is GMRS and can only be used in the radio service to which it is booted. It can transmit up to 10 watts, and best of all only around $50.