Radio for overland and off roading.

I've recently received a CB radio for free so of course I'm gonna mount that but I've also been looking at other forms of radio and I'm trying to find the one that best suits my needs. I've been leaning more towards HAM or GSMR but can really make up my mind. I know CB is very common and cheap so for large groups and just in general most will have that but the quality isn't that great and the range severely lacks. Mainly what I need is something with a high range that can get me out of a hairy situation if I'm stuck in a remote place but also doesn't break the bank.

 

Why don't you use what your groups or friends run?

That's a question you should ask them versus us.

If I needed a radio because I'm in a hairy situation, then I failed to do the most basic things. Those being giving loved ones a drop-dead time and location of where I'm traveling. Also having the proper recovery equipment, and knowledge on how to use it

 

I would choose GMRS over CB - always. As for a 'hairy situation' in a remote place, you're going to want HAM.

GMRS is simple, pay the fee and submit your app for a license. Worth it and done.
https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/universal-licensing-system

HAM you'll need to study and test in-person along with the fee of course..
http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session

 

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As someone with a Ham license, and who uses a Ham radio reasonably extensively as part of getting out there, it's important to realize that a Ham radio is not a solution for a 'hairy situation.' Even with 50W of power, there are plenty of times where the terrain will severly limit ham communications. In a lot of other situations, there may not be a repeater nearby.

For a hairy situation, you also don't really want a sat phone, IMO. A better option is something like a Garmin InReach Mini and the basic plan. That allows you to send an unlimited number of "I'm OK" or "I need help" texts (which you pre-program) to your friends/family, but also provides the SOS capability that actually gets SAR on their way to you in a 'hairy situation.' It's better than a sat phone in that once you press the button, it runs unattended until it can communicate with the constellation, you're found, and without the airtime limitations of a sat phone.

Personally, I use CB (b/c that's what the people I go out with use), Ham (mostly for APRS for my family, but also for slightly longer comms with people on the trail when we're in the canyons), and a Garmin InReach Mini with the basic plan.

Also, @Kwikvette's statement about telling peole where you'll be and when they should call in the cavalry if you aren't back - that's good advice.

 

Yes to ^^. Don't forget cost. Not just for you, but for the people you want to reach. The more costly/complex (ham) the more the average Joe will not want to mess with it. I switched to GMRS for clarity, and with a small mobile unit you can get far better range than with a CB generally speaking. But if they have a handheld and are in a vehicle, they will likely hear you, but you won't hear them. Lots to consider...

 

Passing the Ham Tech exam is the easy part. Learning how to use one is a whole other kettle of fish.

 

Don't go to deep into spending a ton of money on a Ham radio unless you really want to pursue another hobby. A Yeasu 1900 R will only set you back around $250 with an antenna. And if I told you its a 2 meter radio, well what the hells that mean right?, same thing happen to me.

Had a 1900 in my Jeep, we used to off road all over the desert out past Indio Ca.
Its a great little radio that has lots of features. You can monitor Police and Fire, of course you can't talk to them because the radio has a lock out for that's built in. There's a lot to learn just to use it, but well worth it. And if you learn to use it well, many other opportunity's will show up.
I won't bore you with it. But lets say with the more expensive radios ( I have the Yeasu FTM-400 ) you can not only talk, you can send text and email messages to a cell phone or computer and a bunch of other stuff. I've had to communicate that way when we've had no Cell service. One other great feature the FTM-400 has and many others as well, Is APRS. google it. As an Overlander you might find that very useful.
If you have any other questions just let me know.

Best of luck and be safe

 

DITTO