Thoughts on travelling in groups…

I would look at some simple FRS radios that are handheld and will be more than fine for just taking a short trip with a group. And they're pretty cheap, I think most can be around $50 for a couple.

ResidualGenius

I would look at some simple FRS radios that are handheld and will be more than fine for just taking a short trip with a group. And they're pretty cheap, I think most can be around $50 for a couple.

I was figuring I'd install either a good high-end GMRS radio or a CB radio, or both, in my vehicle, and have a few portable handheld units as well to carry away from the vehicle.

I envision some scenarios where one vehicle might want to venture far enough from the others that it'd be best not to spare too much expense in making sure that however far one vehicle wanders, it isn't at risk of losing radio contact with the rest of the group. Short-range handheld units would be better suited for when people venture out on foot, away from the vehicles. FRS might even be adequate for that.

Bob Blaylock

I was figuring I'd install either a good high-end GMRS radio or a CB radio, or both, in my vehicle, and have a few portable handheld units as well to carry away from the vehicle.

I envision some scenarios where one vehicle might want to venture far enough from the others that it'd be best not to spare too much expense in making sure that however far one vehicle wanders, it isn't at risk of losing radio contact with the rest of the group. Short-range handheld units would be better suited for when people venture out on foot, away from the vehicles. FRS might even be adequate for that.

Yea, GMRS is a very simple and cheap license to get too. Just fill it out and pay LOL But, everyone has to have the same GMRS frequencies then. So, that's what makes FRS a better option and can get mobile up to i think like 50 watts but that really doesnt matter as all are line of sight unless you use repeaters

ResidualGenius

Yea, GMRS is a very simple and cheap license to get too. Just fill it out and pay LOL But, everyone has to have the same GMRS frequencies then. So, that's what makes FRS a better option and can get mobile up to i think like 50 watts but that really doesnt matter as all are line of sight unless you use repeaters

My understanding is that FRS is a subset of GMRS, some of the same frequencies, at lower power.

I had been wondering about the line-of-sight thing, and whether it was a limitation of GMSR/FRS.

That'd be a good point in favor of having the vehicles at least, equipped with CB as well. On foot, people aren't likely to wander far enough apart for it to be an issue, but vehicles could easily wander far enough from one another for that to be a problem.

It'd be very good if someone out there made a good combination GMRS/CB unit to mount in a vehicle.

Bob Blaylock

My understanding is that FRS is a subset of GMRS, some of the same frequencies, at lower power.

I had been wondering about the line-of-sight thing, and whether it was a limitation of GMSR/FRS.

That'd be a good point in favor of having the vehicles at least, equipped with CB as well. On foot, people aren't likely to wander far enough apart for it to be an issue, but vehicles could easily wander far enough from one another for that to be a problem.

It'd be very good if someone out there made a good combination GMRS/CB unit to mount in a vehicle.

All radios (CB, FRS, GMRS) are technically a line of sight, unlike HAM/VHF/etc that you use a tower/repeater to gain a longer distance. Line of sight is relative too, I might not technically see you but the frequencies can reach each unit.
FRS/GMRS have some similar frequencies but GMRS is allowed more watts and like 8-10 more channels plus simplex.

Join a group of 4x4 that accept more than just Jeeps. My first group ride was this past Saturday. They had extra radios to lend out. It was 28 Jeeps and one Bronco (me). We rode 45 miles on Forest Service Roads up and down mountains crossing 6 creeks. Learned alot about what the Bronco can do.

ResidualGenius

All radios (CB, FRS, GMRS) are technically a line of sight, unlike HAM/VHF/etc that you use a tower/repeater to gain a longer distance. Line of sight is relative too, I might not technically see you but the frequencies can reach each unit.
FRS/GMRS have some similar frequencies but GMRS is allowed more watts and like 8-10 more channels plus simplex.

Actually, there are GRMS repeaters out there as well. You can check here to see what's available in your area. https://mygmrs.com

JoergH

Actually, there are GRMS repeaters out there as well. You can check here to see what's available in your area. https://mygmrs.com

correct on the simplex channels. Only a handful (30 maybe) compared to HAM repeaters (1500+) in Colorado. Guessing that's probably pretty similar across the US?

I could not open the attachments. Did not seem to recognize the format.
Anyway, I have been to Death Valley & plan to go again about the end of Oct. or early Nov.
Also interested in Bodie & return trip on Cerro Gordo, in warm weather. Last time the top of Cerro Gordo was under more than a little snow(!).
Good to go in a group. 3 vehicles minimum. 5 or more is better.
We have been using both GMRS (little hand held units) and CB, both build in & hand held with good success.
Still waiting on my Bronco but not a problem, 2015 J**p still runs like new.

Only a fool goes into unfamiliar territory alone. If you know the territory and it's even slightly risky, you are doubly a fool...

Lester10-3

I could not open the attachments. Did not seem to recognize the format.

They're just plain text files. Any basic text editor should be able to open them.

If you're running Windows, then I recommend Notepad++.

PSUTE

Only a fool goes into unfamiliar territory alone. If you know the territory and it's even slightly risky, you are doubly a fool...

When I was younger I did it all the time, mainly in CO. Always map your route, bring extra supplies, and tell someone where you are going. These days there are satellite devices to use for text & phone if no cell signal. Dont push it too hard if alone either. Winter/snow is much more dangerous alone than summer/fall.

As for the trip. Sounds fun. I have a few death valley stories as a child. One was in summer in "Bad Water" location. I fell out of the over driver seat bed in our motorhome on my head. My late vietnam marine dad (cancer 2013) woke up to see what happened, thankfully I was ok. But he quickly realized our generator was broken at 3am. Thus. No A/C. It was so hot that trip we had to stick my 3yr old sister in the freezer to cool her down. This was in the 1980s. Dad had no choice but to jump on one of our quads and drive 60 miles with his 12g shotgun strapped on leaving my mom and 3 kids behind. No cellphones. Nobody around for miles. He got the part needed and drove back to fix. All ended well. What an ADVENTURE! One of many.

Always wanted to visit Pikes Peak. Many places to go in CO and on way to CO.

If you want another bronco to join and I'm not busy with work or family obligations, would love to go on behalf of one cancelled 6g member to another...cancelled for no reason at all. Lol. Fml.

Crazy times we are in these days fellas. Id much rather be stuck alone in death valley high heat temps similar to where I live now (we compete for highest heat each year) than stuck present day in a big city with a cellphone surrounded by fruit cakes.

ResidualGenius

correct on the simplex channels. Only a handful (30 maybe) compared to HAM repeaters (1500+) in Colorado. Guessing that's probably pretty similar across the US?

Looking at the list of repeaters on that website it looks like about 1,100 nationwide.

Death Valley and Pike's Peak, I've decided, represent roughly the lowest and highest places to which I can feasibly drive my Bronco (once I have it).

But Death Valley, I would only want to go there in the winter. One of the text files attached to my OP covers a lot of locations in and around Death Valley.

I'm particularly fascinated, as well, by a near-ghost town, called Ballarat. As of the most recent information I could find, it has a population of one, an old guy who runs a store there. I hope he lasts until I get a chance to visit.

Nearby, there's the wreck of a truck that is claimed to have once been possessed by Tex Watson, of the Charles Manson gang. Farther beyond Ballarat, is the ruins of the Barker Ranch, where Manson and his followers lived for a while. Sort of a mini-ghost town of its own.

I've been fascinated by Bodie since I saw a documentary about it, some years ago. Of course, there, I would only want to go in the summer. I don't think you can even get there in the winter. W.S. Bodey, after whom the town was named (misspelling his name in the process) died in a blizzard in November of 1859. His body was not found until the following spring. That's not a good place to be in the winter, probably worse than Death Valley in the summer.

If I ever make it to Pike's Peak, it'd make sense to combine that with a trip to Bodie, since both places need to be visited in the summer. Aside from being, as far as I know, about the highest place that is reasonable for me to try to drive to, I'm also fascinated by the donuts. Reportedly, they make donuts there that, due to the high altitude, are rather different than donuts made at lower altitudes. You have to eat them there, because if you take them down to lower altitude, they collapse. I'm thinking I might want to set up a video camera in my Bronco, just to film a Pike's Peak donut on its way down.

JoergH

Looking at the list of repeaters on that website it looks like about 1,100 nationwide.

The CO ones are not even close to any good trails either mainly cities: Denver, Colo Springs, Pueblo, etc
and NE/KS/SD/OK is bare too would have to be a line of sight for Storm chasing too. Was thinking maybe could use it there but not really

Yes to Pike's Peak Donuts. In the area, consider Mt Evans. Similar altitude.

Lester10-3

Yes to Pike's Peak Donuts. In the area, consider Mt Evans. Similar altitude.

Mt Evans highest paved road in NA, Pike Peak stands #2 both super easy drives but Echo Lake Lodge wins for food and staff!!!

ResidualGenius

correct on the simplex channels. Only a handful (30 maybe) compared to HAM repeaters (1500+) in Colorado. Guessing that's probably pretty similar across the US?

Its variable. We have an awsome repeater network in the SW- Check out https://swcrs.org/ I can talk basically all over New Mexico, Arizona, and part of Texas just by hitting one of our networked repeaters. We are getting a couple on the Front Range (mainly in the CO Springs area) joining in soon, so it may actually work for you.

Mal

Its variable. We have an awsome repeater network in the SW- Check out https://swcrs.org/ I can talk basically all over New Mexico, Arizona, and part of Texas just by hitting one of our networked repeaters. We are getting a couple on the Front Range (mainly in the CO Springs area) joining in soon, so it may actually work for you.

Per the rules "commercial, business, or for-profit" are a no go. Guessing there are exceptions to those for 501c3 and emergency communications, definitely worth looking more into but don't head that way much. Maybe other groups in the midwest like SWCRS