ATVUtah Forum - Comm Radios?

Retboiid

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Comm Radios?
10/24/19 at 17:09:20

I am interested in communications radios for my two UTVs. I have tried the Cardo wireless intercoms and handheld CB radios with external antennas on the roofs. The range is slightly better with the CB radios, but not much when in a heavily treed area and the lead vehicle goes around a corner. While I was pulled off P74 to let a 14 Jeep caravan pass by, I asked a number of them what radios they used and they said that CB were standard but some had ham also. One told me that lead to tail end comm is not always reliable in wooded areas, but not all have ham radios. Would I have reliable comm maybe a 1/2 mile apart on 74 with a 60W Rugged Radios VHF or UHF radio, or just live with CB range, or maybe even GRMS built in. My real goal would be the ability of contacting the Grandkids while laying back far enough to be outside the bulk of the dust.

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BruteForce

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Re: Comm Radios?
Reply #1 - 10/24/19 at 17:47:56

I just bought a HAM radio:

Baofeng w/tactical high gain antenna, extra batteries and am slowly studying to get my HAM license.

I have a CB radio in my truck and almost nobody uses CB anymore. SAT phone or HAM seems to be the way to go..

I even have a handful of GMRS/FRS ~40 mile rated radios and they're crap once in the trees, or not in open land..

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Retboiid Junior Member Offline I Love Utah! Posts: 30 Boise, ID Gender:	Re: Comm Radios? Reply #2 - 10/24/19 at 20:06:52 Thanks for the info.
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BruteForce Super Sponsor Offline Posts: 8710 Garfield County, Utah Gender:	Re: Comm Radios? Reply #3 - 10/25/19 at 07:37:13 Retboiid wrote on 10/24/19 at 20:06:52: Thanks for the info. Something to consider: Multimedia file viewing and clickable links are available for registered members only!! You need to or !!
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RazorChan800 Post Ho Offline Ride Safe and be Smart Posts: 1753 Cedar City, Utah Gender:	Re: Comm Radios? Reply #4 - 10/25/19 at 09:28:03 I run the Baofeng UV-5R great radio with good distance !!! Multimedia file viewing and clickable links are available for registered members only!! You need to or !!
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ATVUtah

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Re: Comm Radios?
Reply #5 - 10/25/19 at 10:14:24

I have a pair of Yaesu VX-7R Submersible Amateur Ham Radio's.
Not cheap by any means but are totally submersible, waterproof and dust proof, and best of all programmable to work on the FRS/GMRS frequencies as well as the 144, 220 & 430Mhz Amateur Ham Radio Bands, & receives 0.5-999Mhz!
Meaning there is not many frequencies I cant access. I could literally call the Forest service or BLM via their frequencies as well as many others in an emergency.
The first one was a gift from a forum member then later I purchased a second one. Somewhere here in the forum is a lengthy post discussing them and many other communication options but it always seems to come back to if you want real communications then go HAM, getting the license is now pretty easy since they eliminated the need to learn Morse Code.

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Retboiid

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Re: Comm Radios?
Reply #6 - 10/25/19 at 10:50:22

I wish I could understand a bit more about this entire subject. It seems like the freq band of the Rugged radios 60w radios (and PCI) are in the ham bands yet only require a ~$70 license/permit to legally operate (No test). I ran across this thread and muddies the water even more. Multimedia file viewing and clickable links are available for registered members only!! You need to

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I appreciate your comments and sharing of experiences. Maybe I'll try a couple of Baofengs and see how they work. I would really like to be able to talk to my Wife, sitting beside me, and be able to call our Grand Daughter and tell her to stop and wait so we can have a sandwich...... I have a pretty bad hearing loss and the Cardo wireless intercoms work well to talk to my Wife, it just would would be nice to talk to the other unit.

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Radarsdad

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Re: Comm Radios?
Reply #7 - 10/25/19 at 22:51:44

Rugged handhelds are the same radios as the Baofengs, just blue with Rugged's name on them (and a lot more expensive). If you buy them from Rugged, they come with a pre-programmed assortment of channels used by many off-road race groups. If you buy the 50 or 60 watt Rugged in-car radios, they come pre-programmed with the same assortment of off road race channels so any Rugged radio will communicate with any other Rugged radio, provided the frequencies have not been modified. Keep in mind however that these pre-programmed channels are VHF frequencies.

The main difference between the Rugged (and Baofeng) handheld radios and Rugged in-car radios is that the handheld radios are dual band radios, which means you can program both VHF and UHF channels into them. FRS and GMRS channels are UHF frequencies that can be programmed into the handheld radios so you can communicate with those in your group who purchased the inexpensive “over the counter” FRS/GMRS “walkie talkies” available at most sporting goods stores, WalMarts, etc.

I started out with the Rugged handhelds and added the FRS/GMRS channels because some people I ride with use the “over the counter” walkie talkies.

Last year, I bought my Can Am RC and installed the Rugged 60W radio and intercom kit. I purchased the software and cable from Rugged thinking I could add the GMRS and FRS channels, but discovered I’d wasted my money as I could not add those channels because they are UHV frequencies and the in-car radio is VHF only. It’s not a problem with my radios because I have the Rugged channels programmed into all of them. Because it’s VHF only, I wouldn’t be able to communicate from my SXS with someone using an “over the counter” walkie talkie.

I have to say that as expensive as the Rugged accessories are, the helmet kits and mounts, PTT buttons, headsets w/boom mics and cables are well made and durable The helmet to radio connections are water resistant. My wife and I were caught in a downpour last year on our quads and were soaked when we got back to camp. The radios, cables and helmet mic were all out in the open and soaked as well and never skipped a beat, even to this day. The only issue we ever had with the radio reception was with the short plastic antennas that come with the radios. Seems like they would last a couple months and then start creating a lot of static. I changed the antennas and a month or two later, the static returned. I wound up purchasing some highly rated antennas from Amazon and the static has not returned and radio range increased dramatically as well.

I love the Rugged RRP660 intercom and 60W radio system in the SXS. With the helmet kit or headsets, engine noise is greatly reduced and conversations with passengers is clear and doesn’t require one to yell to be heard... just speak normally and adjust the volume as needed. Just keep the mic close to your mouth and adjust the VOX setting to silence the intercom when not speaking, or you can adjust the sensitivity so the mic is live. With the integrated radio, you can converse with your passengers via the intercom, but also hear and speak with others in your group through the radio by pressing the PTT button to transmit.

Programming the handhelds is easy using the programming cable and driver available on Amazon: Multimedia file viewing and clickable links are available for registered members only!! You need to

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Radio kit: Multimedia file viewing and clickable links are available for registered members only!! You need to

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“Chirp” software allows you to program every aspect of the radio (display mode, delays, frequencies, etc.) The free download is available here: Multimedia file viewing and clickable links are available for registered members only!! You need to

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Chirp software overview: Multimedia file viewing and clickable links are available for registered members only!! You need to

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The Rugged and Baofeng radios require FCC licenses and like Jim, I am in the process of getting my HAM radio operator’s license. I'd be willing to bet however that only a very small percentage of Rugged/Baofeng radio users actually possess a FCC license. Shocked

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Radarsdad

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Re: Comm Radios?
Reply #8 - 10/26/19 at 00:16:53

Retboiid wrote on 10/24/19 at 17:09:20:

I am interested in communications radios for my two UTVs. I have tried the Cardo wireless intercoms and handheld CB radios with external antennas on the roofs. The range is slightly better with the CB radios, but not much when in a heavily treed area and the lead vehicle goes around a corner. While I was pulled off P74 to let a 14 Jeep caravan pass by, I asked a number of them what radios they used and they said that CB were standard but some had ham also. One told me that lead to tail end comm is not always reliable in wooded areas, but not all have ham radios. Would I have reliable comm maybe a 1/2 mile apart on 74 with a 60W Rugged Radios VHF or UHF radio, or just live with CB range, or maybe even GRMS built in. My real goal would be the ability of contacting the Grandkids while laying back far enough to be outside the bulk of the dust.

Not sure what UTVs you have but Rugged Radios has mounting solutions for many brands and models and tutorial videos for their products on YouTube:
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Retboiid

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Re: Comm Radios?
Reply #9 - 10/26/19 at 09:50:19

Thank you so much Radarsdad. Your reply has me researching even more now. If I were to get a 60W radio like yours, it appears that if I were to program my radio, avoiding 144 to 148mHz, I would not need a ham license. I’m just thinking that I could avoid that frequency range and be legal with the commercial license. Trying to license my Kid’s family would be an impossible task and seems like for a family outing, an unused frequency could be found. Am I mistaken?

A setup like yours is what I’m tending toward, except that I have a pretty extreme hearing loss and can get enough volume with our Cards intercoms to work, but the 660 has only one volume control. The 6100 has two volume controls, but hot mics, but I’m thinking that may be the way I might have to go. Still, to equip a Commander and a MavTrail, its not a small step…..

I see references to lack of protection from the weather/dust. How do you protect the radio/intercom when you wash your rig down?

I would ask Rugged Radios directly, but its seems as though they aren’t real strong on FCC adherence and I believe that I might be able to get a straighter answer from this group. Their FAQs help, but being completely in the dark, I need clearer answers.

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Radarsdad

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Re: Comm Radios?
Reply #10 - 10/26/19 at 11:40:21

Sorry, I’m not yet savvy on specifics as far as frequencies and what VHF frequency range the Rugged radio is capable of. Like you said, hopefully someone with more knowledge about radio licensing will chime in.

As far as volume control, do you wear helmets in your SXS’s? If not, over the head or behind the head headsets with individual volume controls would allow each passenger to adjust the volume to suit their comfort level, but headsets can be uncomfortable in hot weather. I purchased the Rugged H42 headset last year for an occasional passenger to use but have yet to try it myself as my wife and I both wear helmets with the helmet kits. I have a fairly significant high frequency hearing loss but can hear my wife fine and she can hear me fine with the single intercom and radio volume controls. Or, if you go with helmet kits, you can adjust the volume to suit your hearing and have your passenger(s) wear foam earplugs under their helmets to compensate for the increased volume.

Regarding protection from the elements, the mount for my radio tucks it and the intercom mostly under the dash where rain is less likely, but still can, get to. I also try to avoid riding if it’s likely to rain, but we’ve all been caught off guard at some point or another. As far as washing my machine, I’ll hose down the interior (seats, door and wall panels and floorboards), but make every attempt to avoid getting water on any electronics, switches, panels, gauges or wiring. I vacuum or use compressed air to clean those parts of the interior, and wipe them down with a damp cloth.

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Retboiid

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Re: Comm Radios?
Reply #11 - 10/26/19 at 19:24:24

Radarsdad, Thank you so much for the pertinent information. Most of the time I have in either of our machines, my wife is with me. Because of my problem with hearing her commands - I mean comments, the intercom inside helmets have kept her happy. Our Cardo wireless intercoms have been great, made only better if we could somehow add comm with our other vehicle.

I'm envious of your setup. Rugged R has a mounting solution for the Commander, but I'd have to scratch my head a bit for the Mavtrail.

With the frequencies you have programmed, have you had any problem finding a clear channel to use? When operating in wooded areas, is there a problem of reception, just a 1/2 or 3/4 mile apart?

Thanks again for the help.

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Radarsdad

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Re: Comm Radios?
Reply #12 - 10/26/19 at 23:04:13

Retboiid wrote on 10/26/19 at 19:24:24:

Radarsdad, Thank you so much for the pertinent information. Most of the time I have in either of our machines, my wife is with me. Because of my problem with hearing her commands - I mean comments, the intercom inside helmets have kept her happy. Our Cardo wireless intercoms have been great, made only better if we could somehow add comm with our other vehicle.

I'm envious of your setup. Rugged R has a mounting solution for the Commander, but I'd have to scratch my head a bit for the Mavtrail.

With the frequencies you have programmed, have you had any problem finding a clear channel to use? When operating in wooded areas, is there a problem of reception, just a 1/2 or 3/4 mile apart?

Thanks again for the help.

The only opportunity I’ve had to use the 60W in-car radio was in the desert near Mesquite, NV. It’s mostly open washes, desert hills and valleys but I was able to communicate clearly with another in-car radio in our group that was about 3 miles ahead.

When on our quads, typically on the Paiute Trail system around Marysvale, I use the 5W portable Rugged/Baofeng radios tuned to a GMRS channel. I usually lead and my wife follows on her quad, maintaining enough distance to avoid my dust. I routinely announce a waypoint as I pass it (cattleguard, trail sign, etc.) and check my GPS trip odometer. When she reaches the same waypoint, she announces it over the radio and I’m able to determine the distance I am ahead of her. She’s typically .3-.5 miles behind but has been as far behind as .9 miles and radio communications were loud and clear, even in canyons with trees. That is with the upgraded antennas so I don’t know if the OEM plastic ones would be as effective. I was near Monroe Peak on Monroe Canyon Rd. just above Hunts Lakes a few years ago and received a call on the radio from a friend who had just arrived at Rose Ranch Resort in Marysvale. He too was using a 5W Baofeng and the call was crystal clear at 10.3 miles (straight line with almost no obstructions).

With the Baofeng/Ruggeds handhelds, you can choose an “A” and “B” channel. If another party starts talking on the “A” channel, I just tell my wife to hit the A/B button and the radio switches to the alternate “B” channel. For example, you could choose GMRS channel #2 as your “A” channel and FRS channel #5 as your “B“ channel. Keep in mind however that using the channel choice mentioned above could reduce your range as the FRS radio frequencies are limited to 2 watts of power whereas the GMRS radio frequencies are allowed up to 50 watts, but 5 watts is typical in the smaller handheld radios. I use two different GMRS channels for my A/B choices when I ride. You just have to make sure that the A/B choices are the same for all radios in your group.

You might consider calling or e-mailing Rugged to see if they’re close to releasing a mount for the Maverick Trail. It’s been out for two years now and as popular as they are, I can’t imagine them not tapping into that market with a custom mounting solution.

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Retboiid

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Re: Comm Radios?
Reply #13 - 10/27/19 at 09:54:52

Radarsdad, I appreciate the time you’ve spent discussing this subject that has troubled me. I’ll contact RR tomorrow, concerning the development of a mounting solution for my Trail. I think I might try 2 of the RR handhelds and see how that works and then possibly go to an intercom/radio install later, if a Trail solution isn't in the near future. Switching for me requires me to work something out, as I need to have the same intercom/helmet kit in order to use both machines. I might have to try a 660 intercom and see if it works for my situation before jumping into the 6100 for both machines.

I also appreciate your sharing of how you use your radios as to what works for you.

Thank you again for sharing your information.

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Radarsdad

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Re: Comm Radios?
Reply #14 - 10/27/19 at 11:28:59

Retboiid wrote on 10/27/19 at 09:54:52:

Radarsdad, I appreciate the time you’ve spent discussing this subject that has troubled me. I’ll contact RR tomorrow, concerning the development of a mounting solution for my Trail. I think I might try 2 of the RR handhelds and see how that works and then possibly go to an intercom/radio install later, if a Trail solution isn't in the near future. Switching for me requires me to work something out, as I need to have the same intercom/helmet kit in order to use both machines. I might have to try a 660 intercom and see if it works for my situation before jumping into the 6100 for both machines.

I also appreciate your sharing of how you use your radios as to what works for you.

Thank you again for sharing your information.

It's always a pleasure to help someone else spend their money! Rolling on floor laughing

If you go with the handhelds, I'd recommend changing the antennas to these and storing the OEMs for later, just in case you lose one. These are the ones I use:
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Also, you may want to sign up for e-mail alerts from Rugged. I get sale info weekly from them and with Christmas and Black Friday just around the corner, I would anticipate some really good sales to roll out in the very near future.

If you buy handheld radios and need help with programming or adding channels to them, or have other questions about the radio/intercom, PM me and I'll help you if I can.

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