VHF Radio? Which one to get?

[ferniesnow]

I like these guys that don't really know what they are getting into by driving on active logging roads. There are places where there is no room to meet a loaded logging truck. On private land, where the resource road is on private land all the way to the mill, the trucks will have 10' bunks. That is a wide truck!

I guess VHF radios are like trail passes; a cheap piece of equipment that can save your life and everybody thinks they don't need one!

 

[LBZ]

My thoughts as someone who runs radio roads regularly, unless you're just going to a couple different roads that are radio assisted, I wouldn't recommend the handheld unit for both range and channel limitations. $400 is also pricey considering you can buy a 128 channel for $600. Or a used/refurbished for even less. For instance up where I am working right now I have to change to 5 different RR channels to get to my rig. Next pad will be a different 3 or 4 more. I have an older 128 channel Kenwood that I can receive up to 30km away on and probably transmit at least 10km through the winding hilly bush. It may not seem like a big deal and at night lots of times it's not depending on the road but during the day and heavy snow/fog it might save your life or someone elses. Worst case like previously said get behind someone else and follow them in. They will call you in/out for you in most cases.

 

[medler]

I wouldn't be with out a VHF radio now it's just another piece of safety equipment in my mind. And also handy to hear road updates or accidents if you listen to the the hi way channels. And also the RCMP in golden do monitor the LADD channels as well. I have heard them talking before to drivers

 

[TylerG]

I wouldn't be with out a VHF radio now it's just another piece of safety equipment in my mind. And also handy to hear road updates or accidents if you listen to the the hi way channels. And also the RCMP in golden do monitor the LADD channels as well. I have heard them talking before to drivers

you like yours mostly for BSing with Truckers when your driving on the highway don't even lie

 

[Zrock]

I picked up a standard horizon radio last summer. Great little radio. I got it for traveling active logging roads as well as saftery when out riding. In my area their is a repeater almost on every mountain top where i can always get radio signal but not always cell. So if something goes wrong i have a back up plan to call for help. Even though you have a radio not everyone calls out. I had a few close calls last year with people not calling out in pickups coming down forcing me into the ditch several times before i gave up and turned around. I later went and talked to the owner of the company and they rectified it at the safety meeting.

 

[sumx54]

I have a couple Kenwood handhelds and also have a large mounted radio in my pickup. I travel radio controlled roads almost daily for work. I much prefer turning off my truck radio and use my handheld. My handhelds get 10-15 km range in the foothills and 8-10 in the big hills. When you're traveling on busy radio controlled roads, most people don't want to listen to all the hen pecking and chatter for hours at a time. Never had an issue, been doing this for years. I do hate meeting people on busy roads that aren't calling their KMS out though. Just my two cents.

 

[MOUNTAIN MICKEY]

I have a spare radio mounted up in the house so that I can get a "feel'' of whats going on out there before heading out. Gives me a bit of a head start. I live real close to roads that are occupied by people out there making a living so they don't need an old guy out there messing them up.

 

[RGM]

Baofeng UV5R. We routinely get 8 - 10km range on these on mountain logging roads, and you can program whatever frequencies you want into them. Cheap too, and they've been standing up very well.

BAOFENG UV-5R Dual Band Handheld Transceiver Radio Interphone - US$36.33

banggood.com LOL that site sounds more like a porn site.

Have you checked out the 8W version?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ativeASIN=B00MAULSOK&linkCode=as2&tag=btek-20

 

[duggyb]

banggood.com LOL that site sounds more like a porn site.

Have you checked out the 8W version?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ativeASIN=B00MAULSOK&linkCode=as2&tag=btek-20

haha yeah banggood sounds funny but i have ordered lots from them and always got it. Keep in mind lots of times my stuff takes 30-35 days to show up.

If anyone wants something more local for a UV5R i would try www.clubyyc.com or NTF communications in Calgary.

Also from the reviews i have read the 8W unit seems to perform worse than the UV5R. Thats what amazon reviews state.

I have one with a Nagoya 771 Antenna and it blows all my riding buddys radios out of the water.

 

[Gsxrgrizz]

Can I input most any frequency into this with the number pad or do I need to get it programmed somewhere??

Sorry if this sounds stupid but I am literally radio literate but am looking for a good option to radio for help if needed while out in McLean. Who all can I contact with this radio? Also, can I use it to contact friends when meeting them in the bush?

Cheers

 

[medler]

Sorry if this sounds stupid but I am literally radio literate but am looking for a good option to radio for help if needed while out in McLean. Who all can I contact with this radio? Also, can I use it to contact friends when meeting them in the bush?

Cheers

VHF is mostly for forestry roads , roads where logging or other trucks drive.
You probably want a spot or in reach for getting help if need be. Not so much a VHF radio

 

[Gsxrgrizz]

What does an in reach run? Do you have to purchase a monthly plan?


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[medler]

Roughly $250. And Ya you get a plan for usage

 

[Gsxrgrizz]

Where would one go to buy one in Calgary?


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[Rbrduk]

You can try any communication store.

 

[moyiesledhead]

Where would one go to buy one in Calgary?

GPS City GPS Receivers

 

[Gsxrgrizz]

Thanks!!!! That looks like a slick unit!!!


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