Hello, my name is dennis and I'm part of an offroading group and we are currently in a debate regarding trail communication and would like some advice.

The current standby for our club and probably most of the off-road world is the CB radio. However, that standard is always being challenged by two-way handhelds like FRS.

In polling our members the pluses for CB’s are:

1. Standard for 4x4 world

2. Always in the Vehicle mounted (you can’t “forget” it)

3. Can be mounted/installed with the optimum in convenience and audio clarity. Many of us added external speakers and some mount their mike on a retractable cord.

The minuses for CB’s:

1. Need to install and tune

2. Not easy to “borrow” a CB if needed quickly

3. Extra expense for an antenna

The pluses for FRS;

1. Excellent for out of the vehicle communication (as long as people carry it)

2. Easy to borrow one if needed

3. Good when traveling to a trail with people that trailer their Offroad vehicles. Doesn’t do them any good on the road if their CB is mounted in the vehicle thats on the trailer

4. Appears to be less expense than a CB (not sure about this one)

The minuses for FRS radios:

1. Biggest complaint is volume/audio quality when in the Vehicle. Especially some of us with Jeeps and with the top down on the highway.

2. Most people just put them on the seat or console and they get bounced around and end up on the floor when you need it.

I hope you can help us is solving the #1 minus for FRS, volume/audio quality.

So first, what FRS radios would you recommend that have the best audio quality/volume (stand alone)?

Second, what accessories like external mike/speakers or headset booms would you recommend?

Thanks in advance…

You have alot of options but if range or distance is important, I believe you would have your best luck at sticking with CB radio since per the chart below it is very succesful at having more range than GMRS or FRS with the lowest powered CB radio.

Even though most off road groups seem to be utilizing GMRS radios from following facebook groups and participating in several group related events.