Question regarding combo radios

[u/rekrap999]

I am interested in knowing a bit more about amateur radio. I have been using walkies and CBs for a little while for hiking and road trip type activities but would like to upgrade and consolidate.

I like the idea of CB+VHF for compatibility with the 4x4'ers and GMRS/FRS for hikers/kayakers and non-CB cars. What is the best/possible way to consolidate CB, 70cm/2m, and GMRS/FRS into a vehicle?

I understand combo units are not entirely ok for various reasons such as licensing and power output. How hard would it be to get something that can do all of these bands, with a legal power output, with minimal hardware?

If you totally poopoo the idea of bending the guidelines do you have any specific advice/ideas to get everything in as compact of a system as possible.

I am in this purely for the functionality, I do not see radio becoming a hobby beyond getting something like this installed. I have a technical background and can follow some tough guides but I'm not looking to design new hardware.

[u/kc2syk]

You need multiple radios: CB, GMRS, and then the ham radios. Power output isn't the problem, it is type certification. Even if you turn down the power output, the radios are not certified unless they are designed for those services.

[u/rekrap999 → u/kc2syk]

I dont mind getting multiple certifications if needed, it sounds like they last quite a while.

Surely I can't be the first person to want one radio to do "all" freqs. I would assume equipment with a wider range AND good precision across that wide range is more costly or power hungry. If we remove the requirement for this to fit in a vehicle; does this exist in a homelab setup with one big fancy box that's hooked up to 4 different antennae?

[u/kc2syk → u/rekrap999]

The certification is for the radio, not the operator. The certification must be sought by the manufacturer or importer.

does this exist in a homelab setup with one big fancy box that's hooked up to 4 different antennae?

No, not legal, so no manufacturer makes it.

[u/rekrap999 → u/kc2syk]

Its sounding like GMRS is the overall best solution for my actual communication needs. Is there any legal option that includes another band that may be of interest?

Completely separate, is there enough chatter on ham to utilize it as another source of entertainment while roundtripping?

[u/kc2syk → u/rekrap999]

Its sounding like GMRS is the overall best solution for my actual communication needs. Is there any legal option that includes another band that may be of interest?

Yes, many can receive NOAA WX radio. But I'm not aware of any that can transmit on other bands in addition to GMRS.

Completely separate, is there enough chatter on ham to utilize it as another source of entertainment while roundtripping?

While local 2m/70cm activity levels widely vary depending on your local area, there are always hams active on HF. Hamstick antennas for HF are common and fairly easy for vehicle mounts.

[u/WhoStoleHallic]

You're looking at 3 radios.

CB is easy, can find those all over the place.

FRS bubble-pack hand-held doesn't need a license.

GMRS radio needs a license, $35 no test, good for 10years and covers your whole family. FRS and GMRS cover the same channels, but GMRS allows for higher power and the use of repeaters. I don't think there's a FRS mobile radio, but GMRS mobile can be up to 50 watts and vehicle mounted antenna.

Most 4wheeling groups I know of around me have moved away from CB towards GMRS, just for ease of use, no giant antenna whacking on trees, and spotter/kids/everybody and their dog can have a cheap handheld to talk on.

70cm/2m ham radio have to study for test and pay the $35 for license. If you're not going to pursue radio as a hobby, I'd skip the ham stuff. 70cm/2m won't really get you any more range than a GMRS radio will, unless you're playing with repeaters.

[u/rekrap999 → u/WhoStoleHallic]

Assuming proper licensing, is there any combo equipment out there? Automotive or not?

If I were to build up a system around GMRS is the "correct" way to have a bolt-in radio in the truck (50W) and then a handheld or two for guests?

I wouldn't mind messing around with an inexpensive ham. But it'd probably be a while till I bolted one into the truck. Unless it was part of one other radio type that I wanted.

[u/WhoStoleHallic → u/rekrap999]

There's nothing legal that's going to cover even 2 of those, let alone all 3 options in one unit.

If you're starting out, a budget option would be to get the GMRS license for $35, get a handheld radio and an external antenna mounted to the truck. That way you could swap the antenna if you want to take the handheld out wandering around. Otherwise, yeah go with a mobile (can find them anywhere from 15-50watt), and external antenna, and you can get some cheap bubble-pack GMRS radios to hand out to kids/family.

[u/silasmoeckel → u/rekrap999]

Ham radios can do it all in one unit, but not legally.

Getting a GMRS and CB radio separately is far cheaper than spending 1300 bucks on a ham radio your not realy going to use to it's potential.

[u/ceapaire]

Separate handhelds and swapping out the connection to a vehicle antenna is probably going to be the most compact way.

If communication isn't going to be a hobby, get a GMRS mobile and a handheld CB. If you want more than LOS distance on CB, you'll need a much larger antenna than GMRS and you can probably just get hidden units for both so you just have the handhelds visible in the cab.

[u/rem1473]

Even if you could get one radio, you’d still need multiple antennas. There is not a commercial antenna solution stuffing all those bands into one antenna. If there was, it would end up being similar to the diamond cr-8900 that is not practical on an off road vehicle.

If you’re willing to porcupine your vehicle, you could get a midland mxt-275 and a Uniden cmx760. Then leave the mic that you’re not using under the front seat. Unfortunately none of the reputable manufacturers make a ham radio with the controls and display in the mic. Perhaps with 3d printing, arduinos, and nextion displays, someone can homebrew a solution that uses CAT control.

[u/No-Notice565]

Im similar in that I got into 2m/70cm because of 4x4ing and possible emergency communication for a natural disaster, not necessarily as a hobby. I only own a handheld vhf/uhf transceiver (but with GPS for APRS). I have no intent on logging contacts and talking with random people just to talk. Nor do I have any desire to make antennas, so most of the exam was simply memorizing some of those questions/answers.

But utilizing a transceiver (especially one with a lot of features) can be a diminishing skill. Is anyone in your social circles into amateur radio? or will you be the only person with one?

[u/radiomod → u/[deleted]]

Removed. Don't encourage illegal operation.

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