An Introduction to radio communications services for overland, and off road expeditions

1. Mobile Radio
Communications
A Brief Introduction

2. Who Am I
Lars R. Noldan
Callsign: W9ZEB
Website: http://w9zeb.org
Twitter: @Absenth

3. Please Ask Questions.

4. Covered Topics
Learn What Radio
Services Exist
Strengths/Weaknesses
For Each
Common Use Cases
Special Techniques

5. Radio Services
CB Radio
FRS/GMRS Radio
Business Band Radios
Ham Radio

7. CB Radio Strengths
Reasonably Inexpensive
Easy To Operate
Wide Spread Use
No License Required
With a Good Antenna Range Is ~12 Miles

8. CB Radio Weaknesses
11m Band Requires Large Antennas
Hand Held CBs Leave a Lot to be Desired
AM is Prone to Noise
Many of The Receivers Are Poorly Made
40 Channels

10. FRS/GMRS Radio Strengths
No License Required (FRS)
License Easy to Acquire (GMRS)
Very Inexpensive (Hand Helds)
Light Weight, Portable, Use Standard Batteries (AA)
Easy To Operate (14 Channels)
FM Operation

11. FRS vs GMRS
FRS = Low Power, Not Legal to Replace Antenna
GMRS = Requires an FCC License (fee and registration
only)
GMRS Can Use Repeaters on GMRS Only Frequencies
GMRS Can Replace Antennas
GMRS Can Use More Power

12. FRS/GMRS Radio
Weaknesses
Very Low Power
Very Poor Antennas
Results in Exceptionally Short Range
Not Well Suited For Use Inside a Vehicle (Signal Loss)
14 Channels Only (FRS) / 23 Channels (GMRS)

14. Business Band Radio
Strengths
Very High Quality Hardware
Licensed Equipment, Not Users
Can Include Repeater System Use
Easy to Operate
Can Have Advanced Digital Features

15. Business Band Radio
Weaknesses
Very Expensive Hardware (Of Leasing Fees)
Limited to Your “Group”
Batteries Are Usually Proprietary
May Require Repeaters to Function

17. Ham Radio Strengths
From Local to Global Communications
Power up to 1500w
Wide Range Of Equipment Options
Global Network of Operators
Generally Extremely High Quality Equipment
Sky is The Limit

18. Ham Radio Weaknesses
License Required (Includes a Test)
Equipment Can Be Very Expensive
Operation Requires Knowledge (Ease of Use)
Rules And Regulations Can Be Restrictive.

19. Common Use
Cases

20. Caravan / Trip
Communications
Tail / Lead Truck
Spotter / Driver
Within a Region
(BigBend)
Calling For Help /
Assistance

22. Repeater Systems

23. APRS - Amateur Position Reporting System

24. Digital Modes - HF

25. Satellite Communications

26. Questions?
The Answer is 42!