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GMRS/FRS With Bluetooth Capability

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JASII

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My wife and I were ATVing today and she mentioned that it might be nice to talk to one another while we are riding on the trails. I am just wondering what radios, if any. currently have Bluetooth capability built into them? A couple of friends of ours, who are also ATVers, use radios, but they have hard wired speaker microphones. Also, if something other than GMRS/FRS has Bluetoth and is a better option, let me know. I am not opposed to MURS or 900 MHz ISM radios. WE are both also licensed amateur radio operators, but I haven't kept up as much as I used to with models and features of the various HTs.
 

mmckenna

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I rode ATV's for years until my son came along and we switched to UTVs for the extra space and ability to bring him along on the rides.

We used commercial UHF hand held radios running on GMRS for a long time. After a while, I was able to get the others to get their amateur licenses.
A bit more range on VHF than UHF in many cases, so amateur might be a good option.

However, if you ride with a lot of others, FRS/GMRS might be a good common option.
There are lots of options, speaker/mic adapters, etc. so making just about any radio work with BlueTooth is possible.
Pryme makes some nice in-helmet speaker/mic systems that work pretty well. Used their stuff for a long time, but it was all wired, not bluetooth. Prices were reasonable, and pretty durable, given the cost.

I can say that having communications between riders improved our experience greatly. Where we ride, it's really easy to get separated on the trails, make a wrong turn, etc. Spending 30 minutes trying to track down a wayward rider can take some of the fun out of the day
 

blastco2

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I ride atv's and snowmobiles. We use radios much more for snowmobiling than atv'ing. The HT is placed in a backpack with a speaker mic clipped to the shoulder strap. Using the radios has changed the way we ride. Much more riding and a lot less looking for each other. We cannot understand what is being said when moving. Stop, let the engine idle, then talk. Cross country snowmobiling in the mountains is like herding cats.... We dont use the radios for conversations or chit chat. It is for warning others about obstacles or which line to take coming up a technical climb, ect. Anyway, there is an outfit named Backcountry Access, they sell a frs/gmrs radio built for snowmobilers and crosscountry skiers. It is known as the "BCA Link". No bluetooth. The speaker mic does have a ear bud jack. There is also a thing from scala rider that is designed more for motor cycle riders. It is all contained in/on the helmet. Rather short range, a couple thousand feet or so. There is a install/review write up on the snowest forum.
Edit:
Beartooth Radio, Bozeman Mt, they sell a thingy that connects to your smartphone turning it into a ht'ish thing. They make some good range claims, 5 miles or there about.

Sent from my SM-T700 using Tapatalk
 
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