Complete gear recommendations for Rocky Mountain backcountry use

[4wd]

I've (as well as others on the forum) have used DTB radio in Pennsylvania with great success

Thanks - exactly what I was looking for - I sent him a message.

 

[Turbo T]

Does anyone make/sell a radio that covers CB bands and also 10m or other spectra if I get a HAM license later on?

Yes, there are radios on the market called "export radios". They're also known as Connex 3300/4300/4400/4600, Stryker 440/490, Magnum S-3/S-6/S-9/S-175/S-45HP/257/257HP, General Lee/Longstreet/AP Hill....however be advised most of these are useless on 10 meters as many (but not all) of them don't have SSB, none of them have a full VFO and they're illegal for use on the 11 meter citizens band (CB) because they exceed the "4 watt/40 frequency" rule imposed by the FCC. In fact any of those CB looking radios with a "band" switch are exports. Now are you in trouble if you use one? You can be if you get caught, but even still, they're not really designed to be used on 10 meters, the manufacturers just do that to skirt around the FCC rules, because 99% of the CB crowd is after more power and more frequencies.

So I did some research based on your posts and if I went with Technician amatur license, what band would I target for my purposes -- 10 meter? -- and kind of range could I expect when the sun is not active? And who would answer -- do I just keep cq'ing until I get some guy in whatever-ville and give him my lat-long for an off-road wrecker, or would I expect someone in the same state to reply? Is there a standard SOS/Channel 9 equivelent? I could probably pass the Technician Class test with a class and some study, but then I'd get what band radio what and expect what capabilities? Given the cost and the time this is where the sat phone starts to look good -- I don't see myself driving around and chatting up people on 10 meter, but I may be off-base here. I'm flexible!

Your best bet, would be to get your technicians license and use the local 2 meter/70 cm repeaters. The way it works, is 2 meters and 70 cm are your "local" contacts. The repeaters are a God send. The repeaters will allow you to talk locally for anywhere from 25 to 50 miles. Get you a repeater directory and keep it in your glove box. Then program as many repeaters as you can get into, into your radio. That way you increase your chances of calling for help in an emergency.

10 meters on the other hand, is not good for local contacts. in fact 10 meters is a DX band, or a band used to communicate long distances. Like someone said, by using 10 meters for an emergency, you might get a hold of a guy out of state. Also 10 meters is not open all the time so your chances of making a distress contact on 10 meters are even more slim.

As to what radio to get....well first you need to find out what repeater frequencies are active in your area and then get a radio that works with them. If all you have is 70 cm and not 2 M then don't buy just a 2 M radio. Or buy a radio that has dual bands. I personally run a Yaesu FT7900R in my 4X4 truck since in my area, 2 M and 70 CM are both active. The FT7900R will set you back $300 and some change but it's smaller than most CB's, the face comes off as to mount it on your dash and stow the body under the seat, plus it has 50 legal watts on 2 M/45 legal watts on 70 CM. I can hit repeaters up to 30 miles easily using a shitty Tram 1180 antenna on the roof.

If you have to do a distress call on a repeater, call "this is (your call sign) break for emergency traffic". If any ham is listening, he'll probably be more than happy to assist you.

Of course I also run some sort of CB in the truck for those who have just a CB. I personally run a 108 whip from MFJ. If you don't know, the 108 is like a 102 whip but you don't need the spring. This antenna will take a beating and keep going. I have smacked tree branches, bank canopies, the drive thru at Mc Donalds, you name it, and this antenna just bends back and then returns to shape. Yes it is durable as hell plus it lets me hear AND talk farther than literally any other mobile antenna. You can get one for $26 plus shipping from MFJ. It's the best bang for the buck and you can throw as much power as you want to at it w/o damaging it. When it comes to CB antennas, height is might and this antenna is no exception.

Back to CB antenna selection, are the HotStik hood/fender antennas useful in this application, or do I need to get a taller antenna and mount it on the front winch bumper?

If I got an amp, can I switch it off and talk straight thru it with no VDC power to the amp at legal CB power, or would I have bypass the amp and put a double female union in the coax? Or is it either you always use the amp or never?

In this day and age (hey, it's not 1978 anymore!) how to I find a quality radio tech and shop that won't jack up my radio and can balance the system -- you know, like an engineer would? I'm no longer qualified to assess a technician's skill... I'm in central Colorado, or could do mail order but still need the install...

Mount your antenna on the roof if you possibly can. Remember height is might. That's why a 102 whip works best. Mount it on the roof so you can get it as high as you can.

Yes you can turn off the amp and talk thru it. When off, the radio functions normally, or should. You should only use the amp when needed, but many people today use amps just to talk across the truck stop parking lot. They're not needed but on CB people often don't give two shits less about if they're bleeding over on someones speakers or cutting the lips off on the guy who doesn't have an amp.

Finding a good radio shop is tough. Word of mouth is the best bet, but take it with a grain of salt. All too often CB shops anymore butcher up radios to make them swing big watts on the "feel good" meter, in an attempt to bilk the unknowing out of their hard earned cash. It's about the same when a woman takes her car in for an oil change, but the mechanic smears oil on the oil pan, tells her it has a major oil leak that is going to cost $500 to fix, then after she agrees to let him fix the leak, all he does is wipe off the oil. Easy $500 for him. (yes this is a true story)

 

[4wd]

Turbo T - extremely helpful, specific and actionable - thank you!!!

 

[4wd]

Just wanted to follow up in reply to those who responded and for the record for others who may follow...

While CB usage has decreased in the past 30 years and while many 4wd operators keep it switched off in the back country when alone, I sometimes travel in 4wd groups and they require I have one to drive with a group here. Also, it's nice to have on the highway. So I ordered a Uniden Bearcat 980 SSB, powered mic, Firestick antenna with heavy-duty spring and quick disconnect, and a Texas Star DX500V. Ordered all from a CB shop recommended here as a set and all tuned to work together. The reason for the Firestick antenna is that the coil is near the top, and it can take a beating from the brush. I'm not up for the "Mayberry Sheriff" bumper 102" whip antenna look yet . The the mounting location will be the antenna mount on my ARB winch front bumper. This puts the base of the antenna at level with the top of the hood. While the mounting location is not great, it's the "least worst" for my 4WD requirements. I frequently travel under trees branches that are but a few inches above the roof. I may consider carrying a simple base station antenna to assemble in the filed, as we did in the military, but this seems somewhat less practical.

I'm augmenting my communication capabilities with a Wilson cell phone amplifier (Dual-Band (800/1900 MHz) Mobile Wireless SKU: 801201) with a special antenna that has no requirement for an external ground plane. The antenna will be mounted on the other antenna mount on the ARB bumper. This should boost my cell phone power 25x. This is nice because I'm obviously already paying for the cell service, and it provides connectivity for both voice and data (weather maps) in both routine and emergency usage scenarios.

I will have a commercial radio shop install both the CB and cell amp equipment. They are certified by Wilson to install the Wilson amp, have installed many for use in rugged/high-vibration environments, and they are the provider of choice for most of the emergency services, oil field and agricultural operators in the area. Getting to them will be a 4-hour drive but I think it will be worth it to have the install done properly.

And finally, I will carry my ACR SARLink PLB-350C.

My plan is to test the CB and cell phone as I'm in the mountains. Should I feel the need for additional communications I'll consider a satellite phone as it works here, is portable (backpacking, other vehicles, etc), and also works when I travel internationally.

While I think getting a technician license for 2 meter/70 cm sounds like lots of fun, I'm not able to justify the time right now; I'm an executive and with the current business environment it's all I can do to drive to the dry cleaners, much less go 4-wheeling, and even less to pick up a new, albeit fun and useful hobby. Hence the next step perhaps being a satellite phone. We'll see.

Thanks for all the help from everyone! I hope you can see that I read and thoughtfully considered all your responses and included many into my solution.

 

[Onthecoast]

Thanks for the update. I hate when these threads just end with no conclusion. I think you are over estimating the tech license though. I got mine after about two hours of study. Not to mention the built in network of equipment and volunteers on 2 meters just dying to help someone in distress.

 

[cbradiomagazine.com]

4wd, glad to hear you got everything sorted out. My only concern with the setup would be the antenna and amp combo. You will need to make sure the antenna has a low SWR when installed and the SWR should be low when the amp is on as well.

Beyond talking to locals make sure to try talking dx on 38 lsb. With that amp you'll be able to talk all over the US and into other countries when the conditions are working.

 

[2RT307]

4WD, sounds great! I like your choices, and you should get out extremely well with it. Keep an eye on your SWR's with the amp. I (and others) have had some problems with the Texas Star's over time. Mind you, it took mine 5-6 years to goof up. Just a heads up, that's all.

For a base/camp location, have you thought of making or buying a dipole antenna? These are very easy to pack, and are easily strung up in a tree. Keep it vertical for best operation with all the mobile guys, and you should be set. Also, an end fed half wave is very portable, too. Not as easy to make, but they work really well.

73,
RT307

 

[4wd]

Thanks everyone for the follow-up. I went with the Texas Star because one the shops recommended here recommended it so I went with his recommendation. We'll see. I purchased a separate SWR meter and also the radio has one so I'll keep an eye on it.

I also may re-look ate amateur license.

 

[4wd]

I did some research on the end fed half wave; all I can say is oh, my!!! Impressive!