2 Way radios in the truck

[handirifle]

Just wondering what you guys use the most, and has the best range? My uses are for communicating truck to truck when caravaning with other RV's. Currently am using an older hand held FMRS type of radio. Not sure if FMRS or GMRS but it has a very limited range, maybe 1/2 mile in open terrain. Wouldn't mind having something in the 3-5 mile range, maybe more.

I came across a web site a few months back and the guy there had a radio that was about 40-45 watts, and he sad he could program it to GMRS freqs. I lost that web site and contact info unfortunately. The only reason I was interested, was to be able to still carry one on my person and communicate with the truck. I do this when fishing and the wife is back at the RV.

Suggestions?

 

[handirifle]

I also want both hand held and truck mount if that makes a difference.

 

[devildog1]

We use to use CB's from truck to truck when we traveled across the USA many different times, Had lots of trouble communicating going through any mountain ranges, best reception was on open roads and flat states but at best it was not real good. Now the best is cell phones with messaging, almost no drops and un-limted messaging makes me wonder why anyone would want to use something inferior?
DevilDog

 

[newbury]

We use to use CB's from truck to truck when we traveled across the USA many different times, Had lots of trouble communicating going through any mountain ranges, best reception was on open roads and flat states but at best it was not real good. Now the best is cell phones with messaging, almost no drops and un-limted messaging makes me wonder why anyone would want to use something inferior?
DevilDog

Have you ever seen a massive traffic jam and tried to listen to the truckers for the best way to get around?
They never message me on my phone.

To the OP -
I use a Midland 75-822 Portable. It's a handheld designed to be hooked to a vehicle for power and antenna OR on a battery pack with it's own antenna.

.

I don't know the effective range etc. but it does reach out several miles and has saved us many hours from being stuck in "interstate shut down traffic jams".

I move it and my magnetic mount antenna between vehicles EASILY, it doesn't take up much space, and it gets the weather channels.

We'll be doing the Mississippi to DC run, see traffic start to slow down, check the CB and often get the best real time path around a major traffic jam.

Sometimes I'm pulling my trailer, thus the GPS routes are not always the best, but if a loaded semi can make it so can't I.

Plus I can find out where a good diesel stop is.

I bought it in 2011 and it's paid for itself several times over.

 

[aczlan]

Just wondering what you guys use the most, and has the best range? My uses are for communicating truck to truck when caravaning with other RV's. Currently am using an older hand held FMRS type of radio. Not sure if FMRS or GMRS but it has a very limited range, maybe 1/2 mile in open terrain. Wouldn't mind having something in the 3-5 mile range, maybe more.

I came across a web site a few months back and the guy there had a radio that was about 40-45 watts, and he sad he could program it to GMRS freqs. I lost that web site and contact info unfortunately. The only reason I was interested, was to be able to still carry one on my person and communicate with the truck. I do this when fishing and the wife is back at the RV.

Suggestions?

GRMS is limited to 5 watts (per: https://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs), so a 40-45 watt rig could get you into trouble.
I might look at using MURS frequencies and a Baofeng BF-888S (See my review of one here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/348724-cb-radio.html).

Aaron Z

 

[Al 2]

Have you heard of Zello? It's a free walkie talkie app for cell phones. Of course it would only work if you have cell coverage. I haven't used it but 65 million others have. Sounds like it would be useful in many situations. Make your own channel or join existing ones. If anyone here is using Zello now may be the let us know what you think about it.
Look here: Zello walkie-talkie app

Al

 

[newbury]

Have you heard of Zello? It's a free walkie talkie app for cell phones. Of course it would only work if you have cell coverage. I haven't used it but 65 million others have. Sounds like it would be useful in many situations. Make your own channel or join existing ones. If anyone here is using Zello now may be the let us know what you think about it.
Look here: Zello walkie-talkie app

Al

Do the truckers use it?

 

[k0ua]

Have you heard of Zello? It's a free walkie talkie app for cell phones. Of course it would only work if you have cell coverage. I haven't used it but 65 million others have. Sounds like it would be useful in many situations. Make your own channel or join existing ones. If anyone here is using Zello now may be the let us know what you think about it.
Look here: Zello walkie-talkie app

Al

I have used it for a while.. It did not seem to be 100 percent reliable. I created my own "channel" and had the wifes and my cell on it. It worked most of the time, but not always. not sure why. But calls would be missed or delayed at times. We decided to just go back to calling each other over the cellphone. the setup time is a little longer, but not much. And you can just leave the "line" open as we have unlimited minutes. Might as well burn them up..."smoke 'em if you got em"

 

[devildog1]

This below is what OP asked for, and it doesn't get any better then cell phones from RV to Rv.
DevilDog

Just wondering what you guys use the most, and has the best range? My uses are for communicating truck to truck when caravaning with other RV's

 

[Industrial Toys]

I am a ham and always used commercial equipment. Motorola being my preffered brand. Nice performance and police/fire type of rugged construction. There is tons of this stuff available on E-Bay, cheap! You just need to find someone that knows what is what and can program it. There is always some radio type geek around, you just need to find them.