buckallred said

as a practical matter: if I have a nice hardwired ham radio in my rig, seems like I might want to keep a cheaper handheld CB just to be able to talk to all the off roaders who still use CB. . .  

Quite a few people i wheel with use both hardwired... they just use 2 external speakers. My uncle has his CB speaker attached to his roll bar overhead behind his left ear, and his ham speaker same place but behind his right ear.

You can get some great external speakers for 10$ on amazon. I have one bolted into my dashboard by my A pillar. It puts out lots of sound for its size.

f

BLTJeep said
With Logan going up to the Rubicon just about every weekend, I had a friend that is into Ham radios give me some info...

 

Don't get a cheap handheld. You will never be happy. A 2 meter is all I really need. With the repeaters, a 65 Watt radio can get out to anywhere. ICOM and Kenwood are the names to look for. I found (and am buying) the ICOM 2300H (under $200). Will be running these in my Jeep, both Logan and Casey's Cherokees, plus one at home as a base station. Will be able to talk to each other on the trail, AND home if we want / need. May get my sister-in-law in on the deal as well for her 4-Runner. 

 

Now for classes. I contacted the guy for Ham Cram sessions. One day, study and take / pass the test sessions in Orangevale. I have 4+ going to the Sept 23 class as this weekends class is cutting it too close for me. The info I got is below. Maybe some of you will want to join in...

 

We are having sessions on:

July 22, 2017
September 23, 2017
November 25, 2017

Here is the information for people to register before the sessions so I can get all the paper work completed before the sessions.
 
INFORMATION SHEET FOR
AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE APPLICANTS
 
If you are interested in becoming an amateur radio operator this information is for you.
 
Next HAM-CRAM and Testing session will be on July 22, 2017 at the LDS Church at 7950 Hazel Ave, Orangevale, CA.
 
The CRAM for Technician session will start at 8:45A.M. when we collect fees and hand out study material.  You have study time till 1:00 P.M. when at such time Examinations are given. 
 
For Registration our exam team needs some information from you.  The information is to be sent Joe Cardoza at [email protected]
 
You have to have a Social Security number or a Federal Registration Number (FRN) to obtain an Amateur Radio License.  We prefer the FRN number and don’t want to use a Social Security number.
 
To obtain an FRN number:  Go on the Web to the FCC Registration System at: https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/core.....licHome.do and click on Register and follow the instructions
 

 

INFORMATION NEEDED FOR REGISTRATION:      

Name (the same as you used to apply for the FRN).  
Address (where you receive mail) 
Phone number
Email address
Federal Registration Number (FRN)
 
 
Joe Cardoza  Jr
KA6ROM
VE - 29885  

Your buddy may be into HAM radio... but be cautious of what he recommends unless he is an avid offroader too. What works for Ham enthusiasts doesn't always work for offroaders... For instance... he may or may not have recommended you to get the icom2300 for all of your rigs, but it sounds like you based your decision off of something he told you. Just curious how you are going to use repeaters on Fordyce... as the only repeater in the fordyce area is a 70cm repeater... which you will not be able to talk to on your 2m radio. Granted, there are a couple of other repeaters that you can hit from portions of Fordyce (N6ICW and Georgetown, both 2m) but you can't hit them at all times. Also, the only repeater that covers Niagara Rim is a 70cm repeater. With Ham radio and offroading, I highly recommend the more functionality, the better. You don't want to limit yourself if you need a life or death emergency evacuation. 

The cheap radios are awesome. I absolutely love mine... I have 3 of them and don't worry about handing them out to people to borrow, or throwing one out of a window to my spotters. They have massive amounts of functionality for 25$ (more than 200$ handhelds from the "big 3"). True, they don't stand up to shock and moisture as well as the 200$ ones... but I guarantee you will be happy with your 25$ radio until you figure out exactly what you want from a radio. Plus... Dual VFO is SO SO HELPFUL on the trails as an offroader. Spend a little money now... figure out what works for you, what doesn't work for you. Figure out if you are going to be wheeling in places where only having 2m capabilities is going to screw you over. Do the research and testing for your specific needs before dropping 1,000.00 on a bunch of equipment. You will thank yourself in the long term.