Off Road Racing Radios

[Mustang 131]

I noticed every single radio was either a 60watt or 110watt buisness band radio. These are sold by a company sponsoring the race as MURS license free radios.
I don't have problem with it, but who breaking the law?

 

[AudioShockwav]

I think they are misrepresenting these radios, MURS , as far as I know, are limited to 2 watts output and must be approved by the FCC.
I know there were some rule changes recently and I may be behind a bit but that is what it used to be.
Are they saying MURS or GMRS?
GMRS requires a license.

73
Jeff

 

[AudioShockwav]

Wow!
After doing some reading on a half a dozen off road forums these guys are all over the place.
Some forums are telling people to get Marine radios, some FRS and others are talking about GMRS and MURS radios. There is little being mentioned about license requirements or power limits.
Maybe there is a blurb in the owners manual about needing a license but the feeling that I get in general is just buy it and use it.

Move over export radios, you have company.
73
Jeff

 

[fogdog]

I've read about this a lot on the Side By Side (SXS) Forum I'm on, and basically they figure their out in the woods, so who's going to know.
Myself and others have educated as many as we can, but most of them don't really figure it's a problem.

 

[Mustang 131]

It seems there is no legal way to do what they are doing. But I had race chatter on MURS and near MURS channels. I was told they pay extra for those "private channels".

 

[Rob_MA]

Some 4x4 organizations have commercial business licenses and by being a member you are authorized to use those frequencies. A lot of hunting clubs and even prepper groups do this as well... pretty common practice especially with itinerant freqs (commonly called dot frequencies).

https://myoffroadradio.com/private-radio-channel-for-my-off-road-club/

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

What mode do these things use? FM?

 

[Mustang 131]

What mode do these things use? FM?

Just regular FM.

 

[Mustang 131]

Some 4x4 organizations have commercial business licenses and by being a member you are authorized to use those frequencies. A lot of hunting clubs and even prepper groups do this as well... pretty common practice especially with itinerant freqs (commonly called dot frequencies).

https://myoffroadradio.com/private-radio-channel-for-my-off-road-club/

Thank you. That's some good info. Looks like I've been drafted as the "radio guy" now.

 

[Rob_MA]

Thank you. That's some good info. Looks like I've been drafted as the "radio guy" now.

Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. I've assisted in numerous radio licensing and equipment acquisition projects for various groups.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Wow!
After doing some reading on a half a dozen off road forums these guys are all over the place.
Some forums are telling people to get Marine radios, some FRS and others are talking about GMRS and MURS radios. There is little being mentioned about license requirements or power limits.
Maybe there is a blurb in the owners manual about needing a license but the feeling that I get in general is just buy it and use it.

Move over export radios, you have company.
73
Jeff

Now we need an amplifier and a big old honking antenna.........

 

[w9cll]

Now we need an amplifier and a big old honking antenna.........

It all comes back around...

 

[Mustang 131]

Now we need an amplifier and a big old honking antenna.........

I'm new in this pond and trying to work within the system!

 

[Mustang 131]

Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. I've assisted in numerous radio licensing and equipment acquisition projects for various groups.

Thank you, I'll let you know. Long story short. Since everyone in the area knows I'm into radio, I was asked if I can program business band radio's for offroad. That part was simple, but no without knowing the rules. It seemed it was the "norm" to run 110w on the MURS channels...huh???
I wanted to know what I don't know before I step on sh1t. What I saw at the race was awful. Terrible antennas that where out of tune. Most radios could not be heard at around the course. Some in one, some in both. So I set up a quick radio and had no issues being heard my mobile CDM. So I knew it wasn't just the terrain.
Have no time for this and even less interest in taking anyones buisness. But I love this kinda sh1t. Just find it interesting and like to help people who have no radio aptitude. Seems everyone wanted my radio.

 

[Rob_MA]

Normally it isn't a good idea to run excessive power on low power frequencies. There are a lot of adjacent frequencies to MURS that might object to interference.

I've found that most people assume they can just buy a radio and antenna and start using it without regard to the frequency it is programmed on or antenna tuning. You certainly won't get the range with an improperly installed antenna system. Even had an issue with a legit two-way install a VHF 1/4 wave on a UHF radio in a plow truck. Just sloppy.

It is fun being the radio guy if you are appreciated (cash or beer) and you get to be involved in some fun off road stuff, too.

- Rob