Your guide to CB, HAM, GMRS and other ways to stay connected on the trail or in the wake of a disaster.
May 17, 2022
Your guide to CB, HAM, GMRS and other ways to stay connected on the trail or in the wake of a disaster.
Appalachian Trail Hikers Always Looking for Bars
While many hikers might welcome a cold beer when getting to a town, the bars they’re searching for more often are the bars that indicate signal strength on their cell phones. From remote mountain tops to deep ravines, much of the AT is out of cell phone range.
“When my editor asked me to write a story on HAM radio operation and employment, to say I was a little unsettled would be an understatement,” writes Brian M. Morris. “Throughout my previous career as an Army Green Beret, there were probably more than one or two ongoing jokes concerning my “troubled” relationship with electronic gadgets—and radios were at the top of the list!”
This quick-start guide helps you select the system that will work best for you in the backcountry. Plus, how to sync channels and privacy codes, and what kind of range you can expect. [Gear Junkie]
There are three main types of communication devices used in overland and off-road vehicles: Amateur Radio (sometimes referred to as “ham” radio), citizens band radio (CB), and general mobile radio service (GMRS).
The Best Two-Way Radios, From Ham and CB to Increasingly Popular GMRS
If you think CB radios went out with Smoky and the Bandit, think again. “CBs are still in widespread use because of their low cost and, unlike with ham radios, no license is required.” [Popular Mechanics]
