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Based on my experience with the Cheap Baofeng UV-5Rs and my Icom ic-2730, there is no comparison on sound quality and interference. It pays to have a real radio and real antenna drilled into the body of the vehicle. A radio that costs 10x as much probably helps too LOL
I'll chime in too. I only have experience with the ham handheld variety. I have a couple of cheap baofeng, which I think are rated at 8 or 10 watts. The difference between those in CB's is very well defined. I found the cheap antennas that came with the units where the biggest limitation. I bought some 15 or $20 replacement longer antennas that helped immensely. I also got a magnet mount antenna for the roof of the 4Runner that really upgraded the range and clarity. All of the radios I have seen, have a plug for a headphone / microphone combo, which made it much easier to use while wheeling. For me the biggest factor on switching to ham, was that everyone I was willing with used ham radios. If they're using a different technology, it's hard to talk to them. Good luck with whatever you choose, and I'm excited to see your thoughts on the matter.
Thanks JBurt, good to know even the cheap guy beats a cb. My husband seems to be more interested in GMRS and I am on the fence, GMRS seems easier to use, Ham seems to have better reception where line of sight is iffy.
Originally Posted by chuckles89
Based on my experience with the Cheap Baofeng UV-5Rs and my Icom ic-2730, there is no comparison on sound quality and interference. It pays to have a real radio and real antenna drilled into the body of the vehicle. A radio that costs 10x as much probably helps too LOL
I sure am looking at that Icom, and I've read that same report multiple times. I'm glad to hear it from someone I know uses it as I intend to.
I sure am looking at that Icom, and I've read that same report multiple times. I'm glad to hear it from someone I know uses it as I intend to.
The only complaint I have is the speaker is not loud enough. I have it mounted under my driver's seat. I typically have the dual bands on the same frequency so I can have both volume knobs turned up so I can hear while driving.
The only complaint I have is the speaker is not loud enough. I have it mounted under my driver's seat. I typically have the dual bands on the same frequency so I can have both volume knobs turned up so I can hear while driving.
VERY good to know. What about an external speaker? I'm not sure where I'd put one...
I decided to go HAM (which can access GMRS) and on a radio model. I ordered an AnyTone AT-778UV Dual Band Transceiver Mobile Radio VHF/Uhf Two Way Radio from Amazon:
I found a few online study guides (free) and started studying for my Technician class license. Now I need to work on an antenna/mount... maybe something like this:
I have a rear tail light bracket (passenger side) I could use but haven't installed yet and if I don't have to run a cable to the rear of the truck that makes my life easier.
I decided to go HAM (which can access GMRS) and on a radio model. I ordered an AnyTone AT-778UV Dual Band Transceiver Mobile Radio VHF/Uhf Two Way Radio from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071DQPNCW...ing=UTF8&psc=1
I found a few online study guides (free) and started studying for my Technician class license. Now I need to work on an antenna/mount... maybe something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08H24P613...ing=UTF8&psc=1 I have a rear tail light bracket (passenger side) I could use but haven't installed yet and if I don't have to run a cable to the rear of the truck that makes my life easier.
I was wondering what you'd decided...and super-glad you chimed in!
I've been trying to take at least one practice test a day on HamExam.org. So far am still hit or miss, mostly passing and at least getting in the 20s. The current questions expire 6/30. There are multiple local test sessions before then, I might just get it done even if I don't get ham.
99.99% this is for truck-to-truck simplex. Still, ham is supposed to have a little better range than GMRS. So far the little weenie FRS/GMRS radios we use generally work better than our cb radios so 25+ watt GMRS would mostly cover us....but then ham might do us better.
I haven't even looked at antennas! I'll be keeping a close eye on what you do regarding an antenna if I do go with ham.
I'm currently looking at:
Yaesu FTM-6000R remote face/ amber backlight/ but not dual-receive
Icom IC-2730A remote face/ dual receive/ unfortunate white backlight that I'll have to find out if it's dimmable because OUCH!
AnyTone AT-778UV II nice price/ supposedly easier to program than its predecessor/ small, but not remote face
and
AnyTone AT-779UV (GMRS) a lot of misleading info from the manufacturer on this one and apparently awkward to program/ no remote face but wideband gmrs, unlike the midlands.
I am, as usual, over-analyzing.
Lower cost is a plus but quality of transmit/receive more important, remote face, or at least very small like the Uniden cb everyone liked back when, screen amber or brightness dimmable, easy to program because I am derp, and super-good simplex, especially in not-so-line of sight situations. Most times we are within a few miles or less of each other. Being able to chat with each other without bothering anyone else as we mostly can with the weak handheld gmrs we have now...I think that means being able to select the wattage? I have so much to learn!
Getting the '99 ready for the NWF Ecocrawler install. Took the belly skids off, and removed the transfer case. Apparently it had been leaking a little form two places - the base of the shifter and the front output.
Here's a pic of the original transfer case and the two donors built into the EcoCrawler kit:
Now all I need to do is wait for the triple stick kit to arrive, install it, and put it all back in the car. And install the new driveshaft.
And then some sort of creativity in terms of a shifter boot setup.
I can't believe I didn't take any pics. No pic = didn't happen. But after a long day Saturday it's in. Ended up clocking the front drop up a bit - with the case extended 6.5 inches back (=/- a little) and the drivetrain angled down some, it would have been down into the transfer case skid a bit. I should have noticed that a bit earlier, but I thought when I put in the trans crossmember and trans mount that it would lift it up more. So I continued installing it, and when it was all together, looked at it... and yeah, it needs to go up. I tried briefly to get all 8 nuts and studs out so I could rotate it in place, but there's not enough room in the tunnel to get to three of them. So out it came, clocked it up a couple of inches, and back in again.
Not sure what happened with the measurements on the front driveshaft, it seems like it's a couple of inches too short. But it should still work, the slip yoke is pulled out fairly far.. But it still has a couple of inches engaged, grease seal still engaged between the two halves. The rear driveshaft fit like it should.
I fiddled with the shifters a bit, got the positions dialed in with the adjusters on the shift rods going to the rear case and tightened them up. But I didn't mess with the inside too much, I was grungy from rolling around under the car all day.
So up next - getting one more 3/8 NPT plug - I seem to have one extra smaller brass plug with my parts from NWF, but missing a larger one? Putting oil in both cases, and then working on the shifter boot area to seal it off.
As far as I can tell nothing going on with the green 4Runner. I guess nothing happened or there would have been pics.
I'm finally off from work- good bye 9.5-12 hour days until August, WOOT!...
but then got jury duty
A day given to find out I'm not a suitable match. I could have told them that!
Back on track, give or take.
Did more research, found gmrs is the main form of coms for the groups around here.
Looking at system on chip 20watt:
AnyTone AT-779
Wouxun kg-XS20g
SOC 50watt:
B-Tech 50x1
and really too much for my wallet and what we do but the only gmrs radio with superheterodyne construction and the only one with a removable face:
Wouxun KG-1000g
The AnyTone is the right size for where it's going to go in the 99, the Wouxun 20 is only a little bigger so measuring has to happen. The B-Tech is too big.
I'm keeping the CB in the 96 as well. So far am strongly leaning towards the AnyTone for its size, reviews, and price.
Antennas I'm looking at Laird or Nagoya...so far.
I may still go for the ham license because for no reason other than....because.
The AnyTone 778 fit my ashtray area with slight Dremel-induced modifications, nothing too crazy. It's at the bottom right lol
I'll get some daytime pics posted into my thread soon
I went with HYS Amateur Antennas Dual-Band NMO 20 Inch Antenna VHF 144/UHF 430MHz NMO L Shape Mount Mobile Antenna Bracket W/13 ft RG58 Coax Cable NMO to UHF-male https://a.co/d/cKOGBz7
The AnyTone 778 fit my ashtray area with slight Dremel-induced modifications, nothing too crazy.
I'll get some daytime pics posted into my thread soon
I went with HYS Amateur Antennas Dual-Band NMO 20 Inch Antenna VHF 144/UHF 430MHz NMO L Shape Mount Mobile Antenna Bracket W/13 ft RG58 Coax Cable NMO to UHF-male https://a.co/d/cKOGBz7
THANK YOU! That's what the plan is for the '99, good to have the idea confirmed! Will keep an eye on your thread (I already do). I believe the 779 is the same size as the 778.
The gmrs antenna needs to be what...460-470MHz? I'll look into the HYS antenna, see what's available.
THANK YOU! That's what the plan is for the '99, good to have the idea confirmed! Will keep an eye on your thread (I already do). I believe the 779 is the same size as the 778.
The GMRS antenna needs to be what...460-470MHz? I'll look into the HYS antenna, see what's available.
GMRS uses frequencies around 462MHz and 467Mhz. The antenna I chose is a dual band (136-174Mhz 400-470Mhz) antenna and covers the 2M spectrum well.
Another popular option are the 2W stubbies, like this Bingfu Vehicle Ham Radio Mobile Radio Antenna Dual Band VHF UHF 136-174MHz 400-470MHz Low Profile NMO Mount Antenna https://a.co/d/iGWglxn
Some of the reviews trash this particular one, but there are plenty to choose from. I see this style out there a lot.
I also got a rain cap for the NMO base because I have to take the antenna off when parking in my garage. I mounted the L bracket to my roof rack https://a.co/d/4V1ATPm
Here's an easy frequency GMRS table
https://www.rightchannelradios.com/blogs/newsletters/gmrs-radio-frequencies-and-channels
Last edited by octanejunkie; 06-09-2022 at 06:36 PM.
Got it. Saw 430MHz...should have known there was more to that range. So the antenna you chose would work well for your goals, and possibly do well for me too.
It seems the low profile antennas like the ghost aren't all that great, from swr and reception reports. I don't have any personal experience though.
Interesting, putting the antenna up there, was playing with the same idea.
04-25-2022, 02:21 PM
Bwahahahahahaha...
I'll be keeping a close eye on what you do regarding an antenna if I do go with ham.
