Actually, unless you have a General Mobile Radio Service license from the FCC for channel 7 (which I believe is 151.925 Mhz), you'll generally get in trouble for it.
I highly recommend anyone who wants to use a VHF frequency to use either the old Motorola Blue Dot (154.570) or Green Dot (154.600), which have been reassigned to the Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS). MURS is now part of the Citizens Band Radio Service classification. It's license free now per the FCC.
On a lot of AZHOG runs, we will use the Motorola Blue Dot frequency as one of three radio types. The other we use are FRS/GMRS and CB.
I think the biggest thing is this: What will most of the people you are travelling with use as a communication method?
Many people in Arizona still use CB. It's cheap, effective, and providing it's mounted and tuned correctly, should reach everyone in your group.
Others use FRS/GMRS. Others use VHF. Because of the fractionalized communication methods out there, I carry and use all three on the trail.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by GeneseeMtn:
When you order the VHF, you'll want it "unlocked" by the seller if you can arrange it so you can program in the frequencies & tones. There are common "Hummer" frequencies and tones that Hummer owners typically use & have licensed for off-road communication.
I'm lucky, a buddy of mine has a spare Kenwood handheld VHF, so I don't have to buy one.
BTW - Don't use HUMMER Channel 7 in Moab or you'll be talking over a local trucking company and you'll get a visit from the FCC, ask Harley Dave (GMPartsGuy) how I know
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