Off Road Radio

Pthorpe84

Moderator
Staff member
What radio set ups are you all running? I only have a CB right now and want to move to a Rugged Radio type set up. Not sure which one is the right setup for a jk or if there is something better. Let me know your thoughts. Pros and cons.
 

tcdawg

Jeep Newb
I have been using the BTECH Mini UV 25x2 25 watt radio for the jeep for about a year now, very pleased with it. My club uses the GMRS channels on this radio, same as the Rugged Radio Channels. This radio is a perfect size to mount just about anywhere. I had it mounted on my roll cage on the JK but moved it to a lower position on my center console on the LJ.

I also have a handeld Rugged Radio RH5R that works nicely. I use it in the tow rig and also keep it in the jeep to lend out to someone that may need it or to give to a spotter.
 

Pthorpe84

Moderator
Staff member
I have been using the BTECH Mini UV 25x2 25 watt radio for the jeep for about a year now, very pleased with it. My club uses the GMRS channels on this radio, same as the Rugged Radio Channels. This radio is a perfect size to mount just about anywhere. I had it mounted on my roll cage on the JK but moved it to a lower position on my center console on the LJ.

I also have a handeld Rugged Radio RH5R that works nicely. I use it in the tow rig and also keep it in the jeep to lend out to someone that may need it or to give to a spotter.

What antenna did you go with?
 

Todd Ockert

Moderator
I run the Rugged Radios RM-50 (50 watt), which it appears that they no longer sell this radio or the their RM-25 (25 watt.)
I liked the RM-50 because I could mount the radio under my seat and have the face plate section mounted up on my roll bar.
You can find this same basic radio on Amazon from TYT. There are a few others of the same design. The TYT TH-7800 is listed in Chirp as a compatible radio that you can program with Chirp.
That is one of the issues with my rugged radio, is I have not been able to program it as easy as I would like with chirp.

There are a few radios on Amazon that I think I would not buy, and they are the Anytone radios or anything not listed in Chirp.
Btech radios are made my Baofang and seem to be the standard.

The new TYT TH-9800 is a quad band radio, and I think it also includes CB frequencies. You would have to program it to the exact frequency and then list the name as CB 1 or something on the display. This radio was not listed on the chirp list of programmable radios, though I am sure the software would work with some playing with it.

I love my Rugged Radio, but it seems like lately they have gotten away from the dual band radios for some reason.

People accuse them of selling radios and not providing any details on if you need a license to operate the radio and radios that are not FCC compliant.
Technically these radios need a license to operate, and you pay for a specific frequency for a specific location. The frequencies these radios operate in use the VHF/UHF business bands. That is why the radio/Frequency is licensed and not the operator in this band. If you own a business, you can license the frequency for your area and you and your employees can use this frequency.

Todd
 

Pthorpe84

Moderator
Staff member
Thanks Todd. I ended up getting a RH5 Handheld from rugged. After being in Moab last week, I really want an in-can unit with headsets. My hearing is getting bad and think a headset may be the safest way for me to communicate on the trail....or driving down the interstate for that matter. Dang Jeep is loud. I wish there was more info on programming. RT Systems has some software I am considering purchasing but I just don’t know enough about them.
 

Todd Ockert

Moderator
Programming is pretty easy with Chirp. For the RH-5 and Chirp, you down load what is in the radio to give you the basics and settings in the radio.
Make changes, add channels, frequencies and name them, set any tones and then can upload to the radio.
With Chirp you can also change the front display message when the radio is booting up. Mine display my name so I know it is my radio if I loan it out.
You can find the programming cable on Amazon for the RH-5.
You can use this web site to see what frequencies are being used in your area that are registered. All of your local government frequencies will be listed. If a small business is running radios without a license, they would not be listed here.
https://www.radioreference.com/

I also would like to install a comm system in the Jeep, as it would make communications in the Jeep easier with the softtop on or no top at all.

I checked out the RT Systems site. I may pay for their software for my RM-50 to see if I reset it to factory and then reprogram it if it will fix a few of the issues I am having with it.

If you need help programming with Chirp, let me know.
Might be an article also on how to!

Todd
 
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