Thank you. Being new to the whole radio system, i've been reading and reading, but unfortunately most information is very hard to find, especially looking for things you cannot physically do vs. not legally allowed to do. I initially was under the assumption that most park rangers/park services transmit through frequencies that we could use if needed. The national park is very large and there are service roads throughout the area, but these are unmarked on any map (ATV or otherwise), I was hoping while setting up camp, we could scan all available frequencies and might pickup their signal and keep it just in case an emergency.
Right, -legally- you cannot transmit without a license or specific written permission from the license holder. There isn't any legal exception to this if you want to follow the FCC rules. Ignoring the rules might work, but it isn't usually the best solution. There isn't a guarantee that there is someone listening, and you always run the risk of them thinking it's a hoax.
If your maps do not have the trail numbers on it, then you are using the wrong maps. Contact the national forest/BLM office where you ride and ask them. They will either provide a map or sell you a map that covers the area, including the trail numbers. I think the last National Forest Service map I bought was $7.00 and it include everything we needed. Occasionally you'll find a single track that isn't on the map, but more often than not it's not a "real" trail.
I have a couple sport quads (raptor 700, suzuki z450) and they are very dangerous, i've been riding before and broke a wheel, which took over 4 hours to find someone to take me back to camp to meet others, having a radio would of definitely helped me find my party or others in the area. Usually we ride in small groups of 3-4 so its much safer, but with so many UTV's and SxS's they just can't keep up so we're constantly stopping and waiting for them.
I hear you. I used to ride quads but switched to UTV's after I crashed. Needed to carry my son, too, so out went the quad and in came a Polaris Ranger. Actually, the group I ride with includes 2 Rangers, 2 Rzr's, and a Yamaha Rhino. All 5 have mounted mobile radios with antennas on top. Our riding style changed a bit, but not much.
With the UTV's we can carry enough supplies to take care of ourselves. Our riding is pretty remote, so being prepared is key. All our machines carry the right tools. Mine usually have a 60+ pound tool box in the back. We've torn down carburetors and fuel pumps on the trail before. Bent wheels and flat tires are common, and we'll either fix those on the trail, or two of the machines carry a spare tire/wheel set.
In addition to the tools, there are 2 full trauma kits in Pelican cases. PLB, a couple of spare hand held radios, winches, tow chain, snatch blocks, survival supplies, "walk out" kits", fire starting supplies, tarps for shelters, lots of water, lots of fuel and usually 3 dogs....
Being fully prepared is absolutely key. We do our best to never rely on anyone else for our own survival. When each of us is riding $10K to $15K UTV's, going unprepared is pointless. Adding a $400 mobile radio and proper antenna is a simple and cost effective tool. Putting all that work and money into something and then cutting corners on something as simple as FCC licensing just doesn't add up to me.
A hand held radio might provide short range communications, but don't expect much. A mobile with more power will help a bit more, but you really need good antennas to make a difference. Focusing on just the wattage/power output isn't all you need to consider.
I keep a PLB in my plane next to the standard ELT but its easy for search/rescue to find a downed plane, finding a guy in the middle of the woods is much harder.
ELT's and PLB's are different. ELT's often only send out a homing signal, which can be pretty useless unless they know to be looking/listening for it. PLB's on the other hand, will send out GPS location data to the satellite, which will work in the forest unless the foliage is just way to thick.
As a group we estimated $350 a piece for decent radios, with the baofengs only being $65 and another $25 for a headset money isn't much of an issue. But it seems its not the radios but the terrain and limitations that are the issue.
The Baofengs are OK, but I'd never rely on one. I've known some people that have them, and I'm not impressed. I would not do something as risky as riding on remote trails with a $65 radio as my lifeline. Just my own personal opinion. They'd make a fine back up radio, but one solid hit from falling off while riding, and it's likely trash.
Mounting a mobile radio on a quad is going to be pretty hard, but not impossible. They work better on the UTV's. A good portable radio will work on the quads, but always carry in on the rider, not on the machine. When I crashed, me and the ATV got separated. If my radio had been on the ATV, I'd have been really stuck.
I understand what you are looking for, but a $65 radio on a random frequency you are not licensed for isn't the way to do it. Doing something risky like this takes some more respect for your tools. Use the Baofengs if that's all you've got, but consider getting properly licensed for GMRS or Amateur and get some better radios.
Just keep in mind, the radio shouldn't be the only tool in your tool box...
