I’m a newbie when it comes to two-way radios, but these are the radios that we recommend to start with… they are inexpensive and dependable.

The Retevis RT22S radios run on the FRS, which is a free-to-use (no license required) frequency.

 

To see more info on FRS, check out the FCC website and click on the DATA tab…

The FRS spectrum has 22 frequencies – but the RT22s  only have the ability to program only 16 of those channels. Due of this limitation, I’ve selected the “best” 16 channels out of the possible 22. Some channels numbers match the FCC/standard numbers, but others do not. So,  my “Channel 15” might not sync up with someone else’s standard “Channel 15.” (There is a method to my madness and I’ll explain my reasoning for the my choice of frequencies below.)

If you have a radio that can be programmed and you want to match our settings, here’s what we use.

Privacy Codes

Just to make it more complicated, the FRS frequency offers  CTCSS and DCS codes that can be programmed into the radios. I’ll just call them Privacy Codes. These codes are meant to limit the communications you can hear so you are not bombarded with a lot of other radio traffic on your channel.

For example, imagine this…

You’re at Kings Dominion amusement park with your family and each of them has a two-way radio tuned to Channel 2. Unfortunately, the Jones family is also at the park and also using radios and also on Channel 2… and little Billy Jones can’t shut up. He’s constantly keying in to tell the rest of his family what he’s thinking. If you set your family all to the same Privacy Code – you won’t hear little Billy – even though he’s on the same frequency. Your radio will only let you hear the other members of your family.

The problem with Privacy Codes is that on group trail rides, with many different people running many different models of two-ways, you might not be able to hear the other drivers – even if they are on the same Channel/Frequency as you.

To combat this – we have removed all Privacy Codes from our standard programming. We hear everybody and every transmission. Because of that it’s difficult to select a standard frequency to be used on all rides (the trail might be in range of a night club that uses the same frequency for their security guards). The actual frequency will need to be chosen at the location.

Just a note: “Privacy Codes” is kind of a misnomer. It’s not an encryption code that keeps your conversation secret. It doesn’t really stop people from hearing what YOU’RE saying. It stops you from hearing what SOMEONE ELSE is saying. If you remove Privacy Codes from your radio, you’ll hear EVERYTHING that is said on that Frequency.

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This is an embedded spreadsheet of the frequencies that should be easier to cut and paste.

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Oh yeah…  I promised to explain WHY I selected the frequencies that I did…

The FRS “band” of frequencies allows for certain power levels for each channel. This wattage measurement tells you how strong your broadcasting power is “legally” allowed to be. For some reason, the middle range of FCC frequencies is legally set to a lower wattage than the rest of them. So basically, we selected the ones that should go the FARTHEST DISTANCE.

SEE YA (and hopefully HEAR YA) on the trail.

kev

So, you just bought a new Jeep and want to go hit the trail and see what it can do. That’s a great idea and one of the most fun things you can do but there are a few things I have seen after going out with some newbies that I think can help.

How to get it into 4-Hi or 4-all

You should be moving a little and it will be a lot easier. By a little, I mean 2-3 mph, then just pull it back to 4Hi. You can actually go into 4Hi at most speeds but don’t try it stopped it will feel like you are pulling a immovable object. To get to 4lo start drifting and pull it into 4 wheel neutral then into 4Lo. The first time will seem really hard.

⁃ Air down your tires

If someone tells you air down to 7 psi don’t listen!! Unless you have bead locks on your tires, which as a beginner I am sure you don’t, don’t go below 12 and for most trails you are on set to 17-18psi is perfect. Ask the leaders what they are setting to and they are happy to give you their range. You will find you often don’t need to air down at all but it’s a more comfortable ride through rocks. Now how do you do it? Either buy a pump that inflates and deflates or if you have the standard silver gas station tire pressure gauge, flip it over. The back side of the gauge is made to press into your tire stem and it will deflate a lot quicker.

⁃ SLOW DOWN!

It’s called crawling for a reason. While you are going on gravel it’s ok to pickup the speed but when you are climbing up or down rocks take your time, it’s not a race. This is especially important if you have a spotter, first for their safety but also if you are too fast they can’t tell you where to turn

⁃ Maybe leave the roof on

While normally we all want the openness and freedom that taking the roof and windows and doors off a jeep can provide, it’s not always good on the trail. If it’s a dry trail you might be ok but the sun can get rough after a long day concentrating. Make sure to ask people who have been on the trail, if it’s muddy you will want to play and cleaning the inside of the jeep is just not that fun.

⁃ Don’t stop in mud or a hill

All too often I see new off-roaders stop or slow down when they get partway into mud or while climbing a steep incline because it’s not normal for them. That’s the opposite of what you should do, in this case keep going or speed up

⁃ Don’t always follow the built rig

Maybe you have a few upgrades or maybe you are still stock, it doesn’t matter because you don’t know what your rig can do yet. Before you blindly take an obstacle it’s ok to ask if you should or say you need a spot. This is a good time to have a CB or 2-way radio.

⁃ Be on time

If you are riding to a trail with a convoy make sure you are early. You don’t want to delay a convoy it’s already hard with multiple Jeeps but often getting to a trail at a specific time is for a reason from the leaders

– It’s ok it’s just the skid plate

The first time you go over a rock just a little too close you are going to hear what you think is the most god awful sounds, don’t worry it’s most likely just you skid plate scraping. Don’t worry we all did the same thing. That’s why you have skid plates to protect all the important parts. Now this one comes with a caveat, if you hear a loud pop or crack stop and take a look, if you aren’t sure what you went over or what you scratched it’s also always ok to crawl under you rig and check. The key point of crawling under your rig, do it before the trail also so you know what it’s supposed to look like.

This is by no means a complete guide just a few things to think about. Number one thing to remember is that it’s a community and Jeepers love helping out other Jeepers. The second rule is “But Did You Die?” if not then the Jeep is working so go try more