Guest mav375 Posted June 21 Report Posted June 21 I'm am just getting into overlanding. I don't see any reason to get a gmrs radio as cell coverage is everywhere except some areas in mountains. Am I wrong? Quote
SteveShannon Posted June 21 Report Posted June 21 1 minute ago, Guest mav375 said: I'm am just getting into overlanding. I don't see any reason to get a gmrs radio as cell coverage is everywhere except some areas in mountains. Am I wrong? Yes WRXR255, WRUU653, Blaise and 4 others 5 2 Quote
amaff Posted June 21 Report Posted June 21 Short answer: yes, you're wrong. Longer, more nuanced answer: It depends on where you are and how comfortable you are being solely reliant on cell service if something goes wrong. I spent most of last week in areas with at best spotty (but usually no) cell coverage running GMRS radios for car-to-car and hiker-to-hiker comms. Worked great. FRS radios would work for most of that, but there are places without cell coverage where I can talk through some of our mountain-top repeaters that, were I or someone I was with to get hurt, we could call for help even without cell service. That's an edge case of an edge case, mind, but it's nice to have as a backup. WRYW366, Raybestos, SteveShannon and 1 other 4 Quote
WRXB215 Posted June 21 Report Posted June 21 13 minutes ago, Guest mav375 said: I don't see any reason to get a gmrs radio as cell coverage is everywhere except some areas in mountains. Am I wrong? Ultimately only you can answer that question. SteveShannon, WRUU653, WRYW366 and 2 others 5 Quote
SteveShannon Posted June 21 Report Posted June 21 18 minutes ago, WRXB215 said: Ultimately only you can answer that question. This! If a person only goes where there’s guaranteed cell service (that’s not overlanding!), and only wants to talk to one person at a time (possibly two) and doesn’t want the convenience of pushing one button, and doesn’t need to monitor others in the party, then cell phones are fine. kirk5056, WRXB215, WRUU653 and 2 others 5 Quote
WRDJ205 Posted June 21 Report Posted June 21 30 minutes ago, Guest mav375 said: I'm am just getting into overlanding. I don't see any reason to get a gmrs radio as cell coverage is everywhere except some areas in mountains. Am I wrong? I don’t think there is a requirement to get Gmrs. If you don’t want it then don’t get it. It does prove useful in those areas without cell coverage and is fairly easy and cheap insurance. WRXR255, WRYW366 and CALO50 3 Quote
WRUU653 Posted June 21 Report Posted June 21 Since you plan on over landing I would add that if you wish to communicate with someone outside of the vehicle while they spot your tire placement or backing up, navigating obstacles, if you travel with other people in other vehicles or even a group. Sometimes a radio is better. It depends on your needs. WRYW366 and WRHS218 2 Quote
COBrien Posted June 21 Report Posted June 21 Let's be real here. You're coming to a forum full of GMRS users and asking if you really need GMRS for your situation. What kinds of answers did you honestly think you'd get? If you don't think you need it, then don't get a radio or a license. If/when you think it would benefit you, get a couple of radios and a license. It's $3.50 per year for a license. Overlanding doesn't tend to be an inexpensive hobby, so surely the entry fee for GMRS won't put you in a financial bind. TrikeRadio and WRHS218 2 Quote
WRQC527 Posted June 21 Report Posted June 21 3 hours ago, Guest mav375 said: I'm am just getting into overlanding. I don't see any reason to get a gmrs radio as cell coverage is everywhere except some areas in mountains. Am I wrong? You're stirring the pot is what you're doing. This is a website devoted to those of us who use and find value in GMRS. If you have a specific question about the use of GMRS, GMRS equipment, how-tos, etiquette, that kind of thing, fire away. I think most of us here would recommend GMRS for what you're doing, but since you've already decided it's useless to you, I think we'd be talking to a wall. WRHS218, WRYW366 and TrikeRadio 2 1 Quote
WRPG745 Posted June 21 Report Posted June 21 3 hours ago, Guest mav375 said: I'm am just getting into overlanding. I don't see any reason to get a gmrs radio as cell coverage is everywhere except some areas in mountains. Am I wrong? (assuming this is not a troll) I cannot think of anyone who off-roads who doesn't at least consider getting a radio in addition to their cell phone. If you are overlanding, I assume you are pretty self sufficient and getting high centered or somehow otherwise stuck on a trail is no big deal. Perhaps you tear a hole in your gas tank, oops. there's a zillion ways you might need help or just want the lowdown on what's around. Radios might help. do you need a GMRS radio? who knows?! what region are you offroading? are you with friends, ever need spotting on the trail? hand signals, yelling out the window work pretty well. have you thought about CB? what worries you and makes you consider it in the first place? Quote
WRXR255 Posted June 21 Report Posted June 21 7 minutes ago, WRPG745 said: (assuming this is not a troll) Kinda the feeling I had from the start. CALO50 and WRYW366 2 Quote
Lscott Posted June 21 Report Posted June 21 4 hours ago, Guest mav375 said: I'm am just getting into overlanding. I don't see any reason to get a gmrs radio as cell coverage is everywhere except some areas in mountains. Am I wrong? If you don't think you need it then why are you here? WRYW366 and WRDJ205 2 Quote
Hoppyjr Posted June 21 Report Posted June 21 I'm am just getting into overlanding. I don't see any reason to get a gmrs radio as cell coverage is everywhere except some areas in mountains. Am I wrong?Are you desperate for attention? If you don’t want a radio, don’t buy one. CALO50 1 Quote
WRHS218 Posted June 21 Report Posted June 21 You don't really need a cell phone. Or a spare tire... WRUU653, WRYW366, SteveShannon and 3 others 1 5 Quote
WRDJ205 Posted June 21 Report Posted June 21 4 minutes ago, WRHS218 said: You don't really need a cell phone. Or a spare tire... Until you do…:-) AdmiralCochrane 1 Quote
nokones Posted June 21 Report Posted June 21 I hope the OP doesn't hit the dirt in remote areas by himself (solo vehicle) and get involved in an incident. Also, don't go off-road with just a cheap Chinese POS handheld radio. You should be equipped with a reliable 50 watt mobile GMRS radio with a mobile antenna. Quote
OffRoaderX Posted June 21 Report Posted June 21 57 minutes ago, nokones said: I hope the OP doesn't hit the dirt in remote areas by himself (solo vehicle) and get involved in an incident. Also, don't go off-road with just a cheap Chinese POS handheld radio. You should be equipped with a reliable 50 watt mobile GMRS radio with a mobile antenna. In a truly remote area (like the kind of places I go every weekend) there will not be any difference between a $18 Baofeng and a $300 50-Watt GMRS radio because neither will do any good. Over2U, AdmiralCochrane, marcspaz and 1 other 4 Quote
CALO50 Posted June 22 Report Posted June 22 8 hours ago, Guest mav375 said: I'm am just getting into overlanding. I don't see any reason to get a gmrs radio as cell coverage is everywhere except some areas in mountains. Am I wrong? Ask your question on one of the forums at https://expeditionportal.com. Lot's of experience and great insight. Quote
CALO50 Posted June 22 Report Posted June 22 The question has a Sad Ham vibe. Tell me I'm wrong. amaff and WRXR255 2 Quote
WRUU653 Posted June 22 Report Posted June 22 46 minutes ago, CALO50 said: The question has a Sad Ham vibe. Tell me I'm wrong. I disagree. Author said he had cell coverage… that’s not ham speak not even sad ham speak. I think they’re a shill for T-Mobile. CALO50, SteveShannon, Blaise and 2 others 1 4 Quote
CALO50 Posted June 22 Report Posted June 22 2 minutes ago, WRUU653 said: I disagree. Author said he had cell coverage… that’s not ham speak not even sad ham speak. I think they’re a shill for T-Mobile. It's a set up. Run! WRHS218, WRXR255 and WRUU653 3 Quote
WRQI663 Posted June 22 Report Posted June 22 Where does this 'sad ham' crap come from? I think it's BS from some little mind that couldn't even pass a tech test. This thread IS a troll --- where's the OP? Quote
SteveShannon Posted June 22 Report Posted June 22 10 hours ago, CALO50 said: The question has a Sad Ham vibe. Tell me I'm wrong. You’re wrong. WRUU653 and Blaise 1 1 Quote
dosw Posted June 22 Report Posted June 22 Nobody NEEDS some technology that could save them trouble. All you really need overlanding is a backpack full of water, map, compass, and some nonperishable food, along with good hiking boots so you can walk out for help. As for GMRS vs cell, one will reach whoever is listening, which may be nobody, and one will reach the party you call if there's a cell tower in range. In both cases getting to high ground can help. GMRS isn't the only safety communication option, and in a given situation it may not even be the best option. But it has a lot of uses in group activities, and the added benefit of possibly allowing you to call for help. Or you can try smoke signals. WRUU653, WRHS218 and SteveShannon 2 1 Quote
nokones Posted June 22 Report Posted June 22 12 hours ago, OffRoaderX said: In a truly remote area (like the kind of places I go every weekend) there will not be any difference between a $18 Baofeng and a $300 50-Watt GMRS radio because neither will do any good. Totally true. That is why I have the Garmin Inreach Satellite Service and it works great. Over2U and Hoppyjr 1 1 Quote
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