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VHF radio

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EricW

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Nov 26, 2007
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NE Washington
I use the Motorola marine vhf radios. They are fairly small, waterproof, and 25 watt. Night and day difference in range in mountain terrain. It's also surprising how many places,in the back country you can still get out to a marina or water operation that monitors the marine channel 16. I have been very happy carrying and using them. EW
 
F
Dec 10, 2010
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Whistler, BC
I think you're supposed to have a license to own and operate a vhf (or 2 meter) radio, at least in canada. Maybe that's just for vehicle-mounted units though. 4x4 guys use them all the time to talk to each other, but also to drivers on active haul roads.

We had one out at a heli shoot one day to talk to the pilot, that was pretty crucial. In an emergency situation it sure would be handy to be able to talk to SAR directly instead of a sat phone relaying through someone in an office a thousand miles away.
 

Gracefull

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Nov 26, 2007
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Ultimate mtn Setup

we use These radios and kits for everything from sleding,jet boat racing, desert racing, quadding...... they are the best. they use VHF radios and have awesome range in the mtns and trees.
 

snowpatrol

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Nov 26, 2007
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Puyallup WA.
vhf

do those vhf radios work with all the other handhelds, like the motorola talkabouts, or does your whole riding group need to have the vhf radios ?
 

christopher

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Nov 1, 2008
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Rigby, Idaho
Anyone ever buy one? Which models and how much. Would be handy in the logging areas.
Question.
Will you be buying a pair of them just for one to talk to the other, or are you trying to be able to talk to different people who might be out there in the woods with you.
 
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BackCountryBob

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Aug 7, 2001
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Arvada, Colorado
VHF radios require a FCC license when use on land. this is a Federal requirement. You have to have a special license to have a VHF with a Forest Service emergency repeater chip which is a specific channel out side the standard VHF frequencies. VHF is a line of sight transmitter, 5/25 watt power. Channel 16 is a standard hailing channel.

BCB
 
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christopher

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Unless of course it is an emergency in which case you can use all available means to make contact


Sent from my Apple iPhone 4S using the TapaTalk app.
 
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McTwist700

Well-known member
Dec 2, 2010
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Whitehorse Yukon
VHF radios require a FCC license when use on land. this is a Federal requirement. You have to have a special license to have a VHF with a Forest Service emergency repeater chip which is a specific channel out side the standard VHF frequencies. VHF is a line of sight transmitter, 5/25 watt power. Channel 16 is a standard hailing channel.

BCB


Would this be the reason behind all the truckers primarily using cb in the states? Here in Canada you can walk into a store that sells them and buy one without any license. All we use here for trucking is VHF.
 
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BackCountryBob

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Aug 7, 2001
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Arvada, Colorado
Would this be the reason behind all the truckers primarily using cb in the states? Here in Canada you can walk into a store that sells them and buy one without any license. All we use here for trucking is VHF.

You do not need a FCC (US)license to use a VHF for marine (in boat)use. Canada-must have for land and sea. As soon as you go ashore you're supposed to have a license. Since there is little or no enforcement most of us ignore the license requirement. You are required to give your station call letters with each transmission-doesn't happen:face-icon-small-ton

BCB
 
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M
Dec 3, 2008
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Grande Prairie AB
Just recieved 9 of the radio kits Gracefull suggested. Thx. Got them installed in the helmets and they work great, at least around the yard. When we get a bit more snow they will be even more fun.

We had the local log haul road frequency's programmed as well which will be nice for travelling with someone who doesn't have one in their truck.
 

Gracefull

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Just recieved 9 of the radio kits Gracefull suggested. Thx. Got them installed in the helmets and they work great, at least around the yard. When we get a bit more snow they will be even more fun.

We had the local log haul road frequency's programmed as well which will be nice for travelling with someone who doesn't have one in their truck.

Thats exactly what we did. we use them on the drive in and then on our sleds.
We usually run AB-open6 channel in kakwa. maybe catch you on the trail.
 

Gracefull

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grandpaj

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Menan, Idaho
Vhf Frequencies

Just for everyone's info, at least the USA guys. There are 5 Vhf frequencies that are called MURS, stands for multiple use radio service. They do not require a license and can be used for business or general radio use. They are only allowed 2 watts, most commercial radios can be programmed to them, and most manufacturers make a radio that can do them. Motorola makes the CP110MURS radio, that is all it will do is those freqs.
151.820
151.880
151.940
154.570
154.600
There are bandwidth restrictions on these, if you really care.
So if you want to be legal use those freqs and then there isn't any real questions.
The talkabout radio type, the Frs channels, 1-14 don't require a license but the channels 15- 21 or so are GMRS and require a license, and there is getting to be a bunch of self appointed GMRS police out there that like to cause trouble because they went to the effort to get a license and then think that the GMRS are all theirs. Of course these GMRS freqs have the highest power out, so they have better range. Anyone can qualify for a GMRS license and then your immediate family can operate on your license.
Hope this helps.
OH and no it is not legal to use a Marine radio for non Marine use. Does that stop a bunch of people NO.
 
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