Do any of you out there use CB radios or any other type of radio communication while riding?
I use some 1/2watt FRS radios and sometimes they just can't cut it. I was just wandering how you have yours mounted, what kind of range you're getting, etc. Thanks

 

TrlBoss68:
I go Elk hunting with 8-10 other guys. We all use those little motorolla hand held two-way radios. They run between $50-$80 or so, and you can get the mic/ear piece for them. They work really well, just drop the radio in your pocket, and with the small mic and earpiece, it's voice activated. They work really well for my purposes, and are quiet with the earpiece, so as not to blow your cover. They will also fit under your helmet, and could be used quite easily while wheeling with a group of guys. They claim a 2 mile range, but that does vary with the terrain. In heavy cover you won't get that much, but I have been able to reach base camp from well over 2 miles away on a ridgeline before. With 10 guys in the group, we often take along new comers who have never been in the area before, and sometimes get "disoriented". The radios come in really handy to talk them back to camp if necessary, or to send out a search party in extreme cases. May not be what you are looking for, but they are a lot smaller than CB radios, and don't need the coax, or large antenna. Also operate off of 4 AA batteries, and actually do pretty well for low power draw so the batteries hold up longer. Anyhow, might be worth a look.
Mike

 

Cowboy,one question for you?Since the radio you refer to is voice activated,does wind,or engine noise ever make the radio activate?I went to the radio shack and the salesman told me that while riding,that was a problem with that type of radio.Please give me YOUR opionion,thanks====BILL

00 Xplorer 400cc 4x4
If you want to come in second ''FOLLOW ME''

 

My riding buddy and I just use Walkie-talkies that I got from Radio Shack with those earpiece earphones. When we need to talk we just hold it up close to our helmets and the engine and wind don't really bother it too much. The earpieces really work well with a helmet and we have reached as far as 2 1/2 miles before when we were on hills but in the woody trails it is more like a mile or mile and a half. Hope this helps.

 

Bill:
The radio's I refer to are just the standard Motorolla type, I'm sure you've seen them. They have a dual plug on the left side that allows for the optional mic/earpiece. The dual plug is nice if you only want the earpiece and not the mic. Anyhow, I'm not sure exactly how the system operates, or what triggers it to activate. I have used them skiing more times than I can count, and have never really had a problem like you mention. I used to do some racing on skis, so most of the time I am making runs top to bottom pretty quick, if not as fast as I can, so the wind that I pick up is quite substantial. I don't know if my jacket colar acts as a wind break, or not, but at speeds greater than 60 mph, I don't see how a simple jacket colar could block that much wind.

Also, one of our Elk hunting rigs is a '46 Willyz Flatfender. As you would imagine, it has no top, so the only real sound break is the windshield, if it is up. One of the guys has a powerstroke diesel, and in both situations, we haven't had a noticeable problem with the engine noice activating the radio. To date, I can't tell you how they perform under a helmet, yet I would assume they would be pretty good if you have the full lower face guard, or whatever it is called, that covers your mouth and chin area. I pick up the 'Cat's tomorrow morning, so I'll get back to you on that one after I have had a chance to ride a bit.

They do make several different kinds of mic/earpiece combinations. They will range anywhere from $18 up to a couple hundred depending on what style you want. We have had ours for a couple years now, and I honestly can't remember what brand they are or where we got them. I think mine were a gift in fact. Anyhow, I know they are the fairy cheap ones. What is funny though, is a friend of mine bought a really cheap set, and his would activate to the sound of the tv, or radio, and even driving down the road with the window down. He threw them out and bought a better set, and hasn't had a problem yet.

Oh sh@! I'm late for class! I'll let you know after the weekend how they work under the helmets. Hope this helps?.

Mike

 

Cowboy,thank you for the response.Mud Man,I have a pair of 40 channel hand held CB radios that also can easily reach 2 miles.I also have the earphone that fits in my ears and inside my helment.I have a full face helmet and I have'nt tried it yet,but with a full face helmet,im thinking that responding back would be difficult to do.And where am I going to fit the CB radio,they are not really big,but im betting their not as small as yours either.===BILL

00 Xplorer 400cc 4x4
If you want to come in second ''FOLLOW ME''