About ready to make the move from Dixie to Washington state and will have two vehicles in our convoy. Would like to be able to communicate between the two without depending on cell phones (service is spotty along some parts of I-80). I have a CB in the truck but not in the DW's car. Anybody have experience with or suggestions about portable transceivers? (Don't need really long range, hope to stay in visual contact and if we don't, there's always the cell phone.) Many thanks for the help.

Have used the Motorola Talk-abouts and they work real well up to a mile or so depending on the hills.

The Motorola Motorola MR350R 35-Mile Range 22-Channel FRS/GMRS has a good rating on Amazon.com Motorola makes several models with better pricing but shorter range.

Don't have a CB radio but we have used the FRS radios for that purpose and they perform well in that scenario. We purchased a few sets over the years from Walmart and Camping World when they had them on sale. Latest versions have really increased range but those statements no doubt are under ideal conditions, our current set works pretty well within a 5 mile range.

Best bet is to install a CB radio in your DW's car.If you use Channel 13, most of the other people there will be RVers.

My way of thinking is that longer range means stronger signal, stronger signal means clearer voice. I'd pick something with a saftey factor to your anticipated separation distance solely for sound quality.

Walkie-Talkies | Good Sam Community

dalenoel
Explorer II
Oct 17, 2013
Have used the Motorola Talk-abouts and they work real well up to a mile or so depending on the hills.
bighatnohorse
Explorer II
Oct 17, 2013
The Motorola Motorola MR350R 35-Mile Range 22-Channel FRS/GMRS has a good rating on Amazon.com
Motorola makes several models with better pricing but shorter range.
Sandia_Man
Explorer II
Oct 17, 2013
Don't have a CB radio but we have used the FRS radios for that purpose and they perform well in that scenario. We purchased a few sets over the years from Walmart and Camping World when they had them on sale. Latest versions have really increased range but those statements no doubt are under ideal conditions, our current set works pretty well within a 5 mile range.
camperpaul
Explorer
Oct 17, 2013
Best bet is to install a CB radio in your DW's car.

If you use Channel 13, most of the other people there will be RVers.
Super_Dave
Explorer
Oct 17, 2013
My way of thinking is that longer range means stronger signal, stronger signal means clearer voice. I'd pick something with a saftey factor to your anticipated separation distance solely for sound quality.
wnjj
Explorer II
Oct 17, 2013
We bought one of these for the same situations. We have a CB in the truck but not in other vechiles. The HH Roadtrip can be used handheld or connected to the magnetic mount antenna. It has served us well for several trips.
the_tc_life
Explorer
Oct 17, 2013
we have used the simple handheld radios for a trip and it worked perfectly fine. they do have a limited range so if the person behind drops way back you will lose reception. other than that, not one issue from the east side of Washington state over the mountains and to the pacific ocean.
bradyk
Explorer
Oct 17, 2013
Have a set of Motorolas I bought at Costco last year and when we go with the inlaws we use them all the time. Just don't get too far apart or you will lose your signal.
skipnchar
Explorer
Oct 17, 2013
You should have little trouble, even with low cost units, within visual distance
Bedlam
Moderator
Oct 17, 2013
Get the GMRS over the FRS handhelds. Not only will you have better TX/RX distance, but you will also have more channels available so you can find one clean of chatter and interference.