Trail Comms

[ridered3]

Agree, that works some of the time. Also the biggest issue we run into is when some rigs can't hit certain trails due to difficulty, we get separated. Bypass and meet us at the end doesn't always work. I need to get radios but haven't. Do yall have everyone in the group certified to use them?

It is my understanding that as long as one person in the group has a Certification that can "take over" a conversation then you are all good to go. So essentially you could have 10 radios on the same channel/frequency and have one Certification.

Not needed for the basic handhelds, correct ?

It is my understanding that for listening only it is not required at all but to transmit on the radio one person in the group needs to have a Certification.

 

[ridered3]

That said, Rugged has the following info on their website:

Rugged Radios • UTV & Off Road Communication Equipment and Accessories

Rugged Radios offers communications for any environment including offroad, UTV, Jeep, Bronco, Tundra, Tacoma, Raptor, F-Series, racing, motorcycle, dirt bike, industrial, fire, and aviation. Products include business band and GMRS two way radios, intercoms, air pumpers, GPS, helmet and headset...

www.ruggedradios.com

Radio Licensing

Rugged Two-way radios operate on radio frequencies that are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). A license is required to transmit on these frequencies.

To ensure our customers are operating in compliance of FCC Rules and Regulations, Rugged Radios has licensed:
• 10 nation-wide commercial band frequencies (35 Watt)
• 60 area-specific commercial band frequencies (60-Watt)

These frequencies/channels are available to transmit for business, recreational, or race use. For a list of channels and areas licensed, please click here:



Under this FCC license, Rugged Radios' customers are authorized to transmit on Rugged brand mobile and handheld radios only, on the pre-programmed channels, in the locations designated by its license.

Rugged Licensing covers these radios:

• V3
• RDM
• RH5R-V2
• RDH16
• RM60-V-BLK
• RM45-U

So the way I read that, is that as long as you are listening and transmitting on a Rugged Radio to one of the preprogrammed channels and using one of the listed radios, then you are covered under Rugged's Certification/License.

 

[jeeptj99]

That works in theory but not always in the real world. Been left numerous times over the last few trips, so figured radios are the next best option to try.

x2

Maybe yall shouldnt ride with such **** heads.... wait.


No I get it doesnt work all the time but it beats trying to get certified and spending a ton of money on a radio that wont get used much. I always try to stop and wait on the person behind me or try to arrange the group so the people that struggle will be in the middle of the group so theres help on both ends.

 

[The-Boss]

That is good info. Yeah I thought to transmit you had to pay the $70 for a 10 year approval. I did not know that about the rugged radio channels though. That is nice as long as everyone has one.

 

[ridered3]

That is good info. Yeah I thought to transmit you had to pay the $70 for a 10 year approval. I did not know that about the rugged radio channels though. That is nice as long as everyone has one.

Rugged used to have a breakdown on their website that said over x-watt you had to have a HAM License/Certification, but I couldn't find it earlier today. Agreed on the Rugged licensing and everyone needing one to *technically* transmit.

I'd be curious of that is the case for Baofeng and other radios too. Haven't had a chance to look into that though.

 

[TBItoy]

So are the radio cops gonna swoop into the middle of the woods and write you a ticket or what?

 

[ridered3]

So are the radio cops gonna swoop into the middle of the woods and write you a ticket or what?

Reckon there is one way to find out. Although since I have the Rugged Radios already I should be covered under their license.

 

[SkinnyPedalRacing]

I don't think you can get hand free voice activation that way and everyone on the same frequency can hear your convo. Not a fan.

Plus it's impossible to stream music via bluetooth without an intercom (or a $400 helmet).

I'm looking into a 696 intercom plus AlphaBass or HL22 ultimate Headsets.

The group will not hear your conversation until you hit the push to talk (PTT) button, otherwise the conversation stays in the rig. The PTT button transmit to every one within range and on the same channel.

 

[Bebop]

Then I misunderstood what we are talking about.
Can you re-explain that to me ?

I'm talking about in-car coms between 2 people without an intercom.

Thank you

 

[SkinnyPedalRacing]

Then I misunderstood what we are talking about.
Can you re-explain that to me ?

I'm talking about in-car coms between 2 people without an intercom.

Thank you

In car com's (aka: intercom system):
- You can talk to everyone inside of the rig and it's isolated communication, meaning your not transmitting to another rig
- Capable for 1,2, 3, or 4 people to listen to each other or talk to each other
- Depending on the intercom system, music works by plug it into the intercom or by bluetooth.
- Rugged uses the word "intercom" but doesn't mean it's on a loud speaker. Everything is transmitted through headphone set, be it inside of a helmet or what you see in nascar with the crew chiefs.

You can also plug a radio in the intercom system, but again unless you push that button to communicate outside of the rig, the conversation is still isolated to everyone within the rig that is wearing a headset. The radio can be the bigger ones or the handheld that can be plugged into the intercom.

 

[Bebop]

Ok. I thought you were talking about another system that didn't require an intercom.

I agree that this is the way.

It also is way more expensive than just 2 handheld radios and some headsets

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Do we know what frequencies the rugged radios (race radios) use? It's 2m right?

HAM radio is my comm of choice. Great range, cheap to get into with the baofeng handhelds. 50w cap for a mobile unit, but that's enough to get you many miles of transmission ability.

 

[ridered3]

Do we know what frequencies the rugged radios (race radios) use? It's 2m right?

HAM radio is my comm of choice. Great range, cheap to get into with the baofeng handhelds. 50w cap for a mobile unit, but that's enough to get you many miles of transmission ability.

"Rugged Radios use frequencies that are right next to HAM frequencies in the 2m and 70cm bands."
^ from the comments section of this article v

VHF and UHF Explained – Rugged Radios Blog

 

[jeeptj99]

The feng's are picking up in the gun world all at once. Have had a bunch of customers looking for them. I know nothing about them do you need licenses or whatever for them? How far will they transmit?

 

[ridered3]

The feng's are picking up in the gun world all at once. Have had a bunch of customers looking for them. I know nothing about them do you need licenses or whatever for them? How far will they transmit?

It is my understanding that for listening only it is not required at all but to transmit on the radio one person in the group needs to have a Certification. That's the way it is written, but whether that is ever enforced, who knows.

As for distance there is a ton of variables. A 5-watt should expect 1-3 miles depending on terrain type. Two miles of flat roads would be different than 2 miles at AOP/Harlan.

 

[jeeptj99]

It is my understanding that for listening only it is not required at all but to transmit on the radio one person in the group needs to have a Certification. That's the way it is written, but whether that is ever enforced, who knows.

As for distance there is a ton of variables. A 5-watt should expect 1-3 miles depending on terrain type. Two miles of flat roads would be different than 2 miles at AOP/Harlan.

I got a buddy that sells the Fengs could they transmit to your rugged?

 

[ridered3]

I got a buddy that sells the Fengs could they transmit to your rugged?

As long as each radio is on the same frequency/channel yes.

So for the trip to RBD half the group had Baofeng's and half had Rugged's. I looked up the frequency/channel for the Rugged's and found directions on how to change the frequency/channel for the Baofeng's so we were all on the same frequency/channels.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Found the frequency lists. Most (if not all) 2M/70cm radios can transmit straight to rugged radios' frequencies.


Direct link to PDFs:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nodtser80c82xzc/AACLznC_SnLGE0sveXNCyi6Ha?dl=1

Yeah, these 2M and 70cm bands require a FCC amateur's operator's (HAM) license. There's no such thing as "only one guy in the group has to have a ham license" from a FCC standpoint. Everyone needs to have and maintain their own FCC license to be legally able to transmit.

As for enforcement, I've never heard of the FCC actually cracking down on a wheeling group, but I have my FCC license anyway.

 

[ridered3]

Found the frequency lists. Most (if not all) 2M/70cm radios can transmit straight to rugged radios' frequencies.


Direct link to PDFs:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nodtser80c82xzc/AACLznC_SnLGE0sveXNCyi6Ha?dl=1

Yeah, these 2M and 70cm bands require a FCC amateur's operator's (HAM) license. There's no such thing as "only one guy in the group has to have a ham license" from a FCC standpoint. Everyone needs to have and maintain their own FCC license to be legally able to transmit.

As for enforcement, I've never heard of the FCC actually cracking down on a wheeling group, but I have my FCC license anyway.

That's good info to know.

 

[The-Boss]

X2