I am posting this to answer a few of the questions in the thread.
Around here we use the Ca4x4 assoc trail equipment list as a minimum for a safety check list before organized runs, and that list a CB.
Like I said it is fun, and Important to have one. Instant communication is vital on all runs, such as bikes or quads coming down the trail, Member of the run having to stop for a minute. Problems and just chewing the rag. It really does make for having a better time and keep group dynamics tight.
Because we live near a heavily populated area, I guess is why we explore other avenues of communication so readily. The channels here are overrun and there is always someone with a powerful unit being as <-BAD WORD-> on the CB. The family radio group of radios do not work, trust me on that, one hill and no service, just not powerful enough, Cb will get you about 2 miles here if no major obstacles. Every one needs to be on one system to be fluid also, having to run 2 systems is a pain.
So naturally Ham has evolved here.
So like i said, a lot of us have become hams. Many of us use CB and 2 meter (70 CM is also very popular)and CB. If we have a group that all have 2 meter we jut use that. But how the ham normally comes in real handy is we will pick a band for the trail ride, using simplex technology, just like using a CB, making sure the leader and gunner( large groups a middle man also) all have a 2 meter they use it to keep the group bunched and for any issues. That leaves the CB to be used within the group for more of a social thing, or as a guide service if we are in an historic or overly scenic area. Believe me on a run among friends or larger groups ragging on each other along with passing info back and forth can keep the Cb squawking pretty well.
Besides that, most good Ham FM units have a dual channel watch where you can monitor 2 channels at once,(2 meter phone(voice) mode is FM) so you can use repeater technology to keep information between trail rides and base. OK, most areas have a repeater set up, and you set your radio just powerful enough to reach the repeater, it then repeats the message at a much higher power and gets you out to whatever area it's coverage is. So if you are 20 0r 30 miles from the event base you can be in contact. I think it would not take much imagination to see how valuable it would be to have the event in contact with all the runs, especially when coordinating other things going on within the. Plus maybe emergency contact with a trail ride with an accident. Anyway it has been developed in some clubs so much they set up temporary repeaters for just the event.
I go to an event each year set up in Logandale NV by the Las Vegas 4x4 club where some of the runs can be 30 miles from base. Knowing some of the organizers as personal friends and all of us being hams it was not long before this came to be a necessity and we put the repeater together and got a license for it.
Now, I can get a 5 watt HT (hand held) and talk the 30 miles to base on these runs.
My personal setup in my Jeep will be a 3 watt cb, usually the little cobra unit that is all in the mic piece, a 50 watt 2 meter with dual watch, my personal choice in that is Yeasu unit that is known world wide for ruggedness and is a bit pricey, and a 5 watt HT so I have something when not in the jeep to keep in contact.
Another place besides group runs I have found the Ham valuable is when we are out camping, got the wife to get a ham license and we use a repeater to keep in contact. Now I can go out and go exploring in the jeep, or go to town for supplies, or what ever and we can get in touch with each other. That has come in very handy a few times, like when visitors hit camp I can be told to get back, or when I have a brain fart in town getting groceries. etc.
I hope I have explained why Ham is very handy, it is a great system. The biggest reason I think besides the ones mentioned though is that it is a policed system, we do not have to put up with the idiots you do on CB. Those guys are found quick and fined heavily so the air waves are clean and clear. Everyone operates politely and you do not have to listen to the F word every other sentence.
