IMPORTANT NOTICE!
Activities and vehicle modifications appearing, described, recommended, or linked to on this web site may be potentially dangerous.
We do not endorse any such activity for others or recommend it to any particular person.
These are simply the experiences and opinions of the writers.
If you choose to engage in these activities it is by your own free will and at your own risk.
Any and all modifications will likely cause a vehicle to behave differently than stock - some modifications may significantly increase your risk for an accident
or equipment failure when driving the vehicle or be dangerous in some driving situations.
Use common sense when engaging in any activity or making any modifications.
Do not take unwise risks, consult a certified professional if you are not sure of something, if you are uncomfortable with your mechanical ability, if you don't
have the experience to do a project, if you have not received proper training and education for the job you are thinking about doing, or if you do not have the proper tools, equipment or safety devices to do the job you are considering.
The owners, operators, members (or any associated parties) of the JEEPEXPEDITIONS.ORG web site and the writers / authors of the content contained within this web
site are not liable or financially responsible for any damages including -- but not limited to -- emotional, physical, or financial damages incurred during or after
the use of this web site or any content contain within.
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GMRS RADIOS, ANTENNAS, MOUNTING & INSTALLS
Jeep Expeditions members are required to have a minimum of a vehicle mounted GMRS radio so that everyone in the group can be in constant touch.
From chatting about the history of the trail you are on, to advising the group of an obstacle or obstruction on the trail ahead, an emergency in the group,
a breakdown in the group or the occasional "Potty Break", Communications between Jeeps in a group or other Jeeps or groups in the area you are in are essential.
We've been asked the question, why GMRS and why not CB radio. The answer is simple, we've been using CBs since 2006 but the quality of the transmission and reception varies greatly from Jeep to Jeep. Then you have that annoying interference that makes you turn up the squelch but then you can't hear some if not many of the Jeeps in your group. And finally, CBs range is limited, especially on the trail. On average we've noticed that the maximum distance you can get on the trail with a CB is a mile or less.
Nearly half of our members also have HAM Radios mounted in their Jeep and prefer them greatly over CB's, myself included. HAM Radios are more expensive than a CB with a typical
vehicle mounted unit costing $300 to $600. Good antennas can cost another $100, but the trade off is EXCELLENT communications capabilities. There is one other thing
you need an Amateur Radio License issued by the FCC. There is NO tolorance by the FCC for people who use HAM Radios that don't have a license. Fines and penalties
for operating a Ham Radio with out a license are stiff. The HAM Community also helps the FCC "police" the rules(translation-they snitch on violators of the rules,
ALL rules). Yes there are some rules but we deal with rules everywhere in everyday life. The rules keep HAM Radio from becoming the "mess" that CB became in the 1970's
and still is. Yet, there is no comparing a CB with a HAM Radio which is why so many of us are willing to get our licenses and put down the price of a pair of
Goodyear Wrangler Kevlars to enter the world of HAM Radio.
So why not go Ham radio for everyone. It's the license. While we have been advocating Ham for years the two biggest obstacles for most is #1 The cost of a good dual band system and #2 Studying and then having to take the test to get the license. We just can't overcome those two obstacles.
So back to GMRS. Those of you that have your Ham license and dual band radio have 2 meter (144.000 to 148.000) and 70cm (430.000 to 450.000) and you know the excellent quality of communications on both bands. GMRS is much like the 70cm Ham band in that the frequency range is 460.000 to 470.000. On the upper channels on GMRS (15 to 22) you can have a radio up to 50 watts compared to 4 watts or less for every CB out there. So the bottom line on GMRS is Ham Radio quality and power, none of the negatives of a CB. The best news is that Midland MicroMobile® radios are about the same price as a quality CB, same with the Midland 6db gain GMRS antenna. One big advantage of the GMRS is the fact that you can set all of your radios to a "private" channel. There are 142 privacy codes on each of the 22 channels on the GMRS. So you can set you channel, your privacy code and the only chatter you will hear is your own group. It doesn't get any better than that.
As to the license, it is a simple process, no studying, no test. Just apply online, pay the fee and your license is good for 10 years,
We didn't take this decision lightly. After all for 12 years we've required and have been using CB radios in all Jeeps. With anywhere upwards of 150 members, that's a lot of radios to replace. It however is a worth while expense that keeps safety of the group and members job number one! We've also noticed that we are not the only ones who feel this way about CB radio, there are other Jeep and off-road groups around the country who already have or are in the process of removing the CB from the rig and installing a GMRS radio. As this catches on in the next few years, you will most likely find more GMRS the trail and less CBs. or it might seem that way because you are going to hear the GMRS radios but you most likely will not hear the CBs until they are on top of you.
In the fall of 2018 we tested GMRS radios extensively on trips, most notably the 2800 mile, 6 state Heart of the West trail. The MicroMobile® Radios we tested were the Midland MXT115 (15 watt), MXT275 (15 watt) and the MXT400 (40 watt). We'll tell you how these worked for us and let you decide which one to get. One thing I can tell you, everyone on this trip was ready to have a CB radio bon fire. The difference so great between CB and GMRS that it's just hard to describe.
GMRS Radios, Antennas, Antenna Mounts and Where to Mount plus- Installation. It's all here! See what we've reviewed and our opinion of it.
The opinions stated here are for informational purposes and are not statements made by experts (what is an expert anyway), we are just real world
adventurers looking for equipment that fits our purpose and that we can rely on. We share our experience with YOU so that you can make informed
decisions as to the gear you want to purchase.
**Check back monthly as we add new reviews as they are completed**
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Want to have YOUR Product Reviewed Here?
If you have a quality product that can be used by the off-road pubic we would be glad to test it, do a fair write up about it
and make an honest recommendation about it.
Products that we feel are useful to off-road travel whether it be Jeep related or camping related will not only be posted on our website but we will submit them
to one of several magazines for more possible exposure.
Email info@jeepexpeditions.org with detailed information about your product and your interest in working with
our organization.
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*The opinions expressed in any product/item review on this website are the opinions of the writer and are based on the
writers experience with the product/item and the writers tastes and preferences. Other owners/users of the same equipment
may have been also asked for their opinion of the product/item and may also be incorporated into this review. Despite any
review (favorable/unfavorable) you are encouraged to personally try out any product that you might be interested in.
**Copyrighted images & Trademarks for any products/items reviewed or used throughout this web site are the property of that
product/items respective owner(s) and are used for identification and informational purposes only.
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Jeep Expeditions is the PREMIERE Jeep Exclusive Expedition/Overland Adventure CLUB Anywhere!
Jeep Expeditions is a non-profit corporation registered in the State of Arizona.
The state recognizes us as a fraternal
organization, we prefer to say we are a club. Our members and volunteers are dedicated to the exploration of
this great land for the educational value, historical value, scenic beauty, the geology, paleontology, the camaraderie of people
who share the same interests and to escape the confines of civilization if only for a few days. Our organization and members adhere to the
standards of "Tread Lightly" and "Leave No Trace".
Jeep Expedition Members enjoy adventures that vary in length from one day, a weekend, long weekend, week long, two weeks and like our Arctic
Expedition in 2011, a full month. Don't worry, most of our trips are one day and two day trips. We are Family Friendly and we have
a number of members who bring their friendly "Jeep Dogs".
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