RADIO GEAR
Complete Starter Kit ~ $75
Handheld 10watt radio for 70cm and 2m and more (GMRS, Aviation, WX) - Baofeng 5RM (10watt)- $58 for two radios
The below radio comes with a small kit with external mics, programming cable, extra antennas, etc. It has USB-C so it is easy to charge in the car.
These radios are great, but modern vehicles can act like a faraday cage (blocking radio waves) and an external antenna is a MUST on the trail for any range. This external antenna comes with an adapter from your handheld radio, but will also work with a mobile style radio when you decide to upgrade. External antenna - $35
If you'd like to program your radio you'll need a USB programming cable.
(The above kit comes with one, but if you got a kit without one, use this to get one)
This cable is sold by Baofeng and works great with the free software CHIRP. - $10 Link to a CHIRP radio image you can use to give yourself a jumpstart programming.
*Disclaimer - Please get the appropriate radio license. GMRS is very affordable and covers the whole family (no test required)
Details on how to get yours for $35 here
Getting your Ham license is strongly encouraged and is what a lot of clubs have moved to and require. HAM tests can be done locally at a "HAM CRAM" and no longer require Morse code.
Lastly, whatever you do, don't buy a Rugged Radio brand handheld. Their radio is just a stripped down Baofeng that can not be field programmed. It requires a computer to load a frequency. It is similar for "Rocky Talkies", they are just overpriced GMRS radios.
Frequency | Channel | FRS power | GMRS power | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
462.5625 MHz | 1 | 2 W | 5 W | (1) |
462.5875 MHz | 2 | 2 W | 5 W | (1) |
462.6125 MHz | 3 | 2 W | 5 W | (1) |
462.6375 MHz | 4 | 2 W | 5 W | (1) |
462.6625 MHz | 5 | 2 W | 5 W | (1) |
462.6875 MHz | 6 | 2 W | 5 W | (1) |
462.7125 MHz | 7 | 2 W | 5 W | (1) |
467.5625 MHz | 8 | 0.5 W | 0.5 W | (1) |
467.5875 MHz | 9 | 0.5 W | 0.5 W | (1) |
467.6125 MHz | 10 | 0.5 W | 0.5 W | (1) |
467.6375 MHz | 11 | 0.5 W | 0.5 W | (1) |
467.6625 MHz | 12 | 0.5 W | 0.5 W | (1) |
467.6875 MHz | 13 | 0.5 W | 0.5 W | (1) |
467.7125 MHz | 14 | 0.5 W | 0.5 W | (1) |
462.5500 MHz | 15 | 2 W | 50 W | (2) |
462.5750 MHz | 16 | 2 W | 50 W | (2) |
462.6000 MHz | 17 | 2 W | 50 W | (2) |
462.6250 MHz | 18 | 2 W | 50 W | (2) |
462.6500 MHz | 19 | 2 W | 50 W | (2) |
462.6750 MHz | 20 | 2 W | 50 W | (2)(4) |
462.7000 MHz | 21 | 2 W | 50 W | (2) |
462.7250 MHz | 22 | 2 W | 50 W | (2) |
467.5500 MHz | 15R | — | 50 W | (3) |
467.5750 MHz | 16R | — | 50 W | (3) |
467.6000 MHz | 17R | — | 50 W | (3) |
467.6250 MHz | 18R | — | 50 W | (3) |
467.6500 MHz | 19R | — | 50 W | (3) |
467.6750 MHz | 20R | — | 50 W | (3) |
467.7000 MHz | 21R | — | 50 W | (3) |
467.7250 MHz | 22R | — | 50 W | (3) |
Table notes:
(1) Shared FRS and GMRS simplex.
(2) Shared FRS and GMRS simplex; GMRS repeater output.
(3) GMRS repeater input. The output frequency of this repeater input is the input frequency minus 5 MHz.
(4) National GMRS calling channel (CTCSS tone 141.3 Hz).
COMMS
Nationwide simplex frequencies
-
2m - 146.520
-
70cm - 446.000
4x4 club simplex frequencies
-
Esprit de Four (ED4): 146.430
-
Madhatters: 147.555
-
Overland Bound: 146.460
King of the Hammers Frequencies (simplex)
-
Ops: 151.625
-
Race 1: 151.700
-
Race 2: 151.5125
Rubicon Trail details:
-
CALSTAR Emergency helicopter: 156.075
For Local trail coverage from Loon to Tahoe staging area, use:
-
444.9875 (+) PL 156.7
The repeater is located in the Rubicon so coverage is great.
For communications out of the Rubicon, use:
-
444.9875 (+) PL 107.2
This is linked to 146.805 (-) PL. 123 on the west side of the sierras.