What’s the Best Radio for the Trail? FRS, GMRS, CB, or Ham—Here’s What I’ve Learned

FRS – The Walmart Special That Actually Works Sometimes

You know those walkie-talkies you can buy in a two-pack for less than a tank of gas? That’s FRS.

We’ve handed these to the kids, tossed one to a buddy in a rental Jeep, and used them when nothing else was set up yet.

👉 This set has held up surprisingly well.

Pros:

• Dirt cheap

• No license required

• Great for short-range caravan chatter

• Plays nice with GMRS on shared channels

Cons:

• Limited power (up to 2 watts)

• Fixed antennas mean limited range

• Totally chokes in trees, hills, and wind

When It Works Best:
On easy group trails with minimal elevation—think national park convoys or short distances between rigs.

Bottom Line:
A solid entry-level option or backup radio, but don’t expect miracles in dense forest or mountainous terrain.

GMRS – The Sweet Spot for Most Overlanders

This is where most people land, and honestly, I see why. I use this Midland unit in my rig and it’s been rock solid across Colorado passes and Utah canyons.

Pros:

• Up to 50 watts (with a mobile unit)

• You can run better antennas for more range

• Simple license (no test, $35 for 10 years covers your whole family)

• Great sound clarity and reliable signal

Cons:

• The license, while easy, still turns some folks off

• More power = more cost (especially for good mobile setups)

When It Works Best:
Just about anywhere—especially in varied terrain. Add an external antenna and you’ll cover a lot of ground.

Bottom Line:
If you’re serious about trail comms, GMRS hits the sweet spot. Easy enough to use, powerful enough to matter.

CB – The OG, Hanging on by a Thread

Remember when everyone had a CB radio? Yeah, some folks still do—and I used one for years. In fact, I still have this Cobra mounted in my gear pile as a backup.

Pros:

• No license required

• Still used by some off-road clubs

• Cheap gear (used or new)

Cons:

• Big antennas

• Scratchy audio

• Fading community

• Not great in rough terrain

When It Works Best:
Wide open spaces like desert trails or flat land. You’ll get a few miles, tops.

Bottom Line:
Nostalgic and still functional in certain areas, but CB is mostly a backup plan these days.

Ham – The High-Tech Option for the Nerdy (Respectfully)

Ham is like the Swiss Army knife of radios—if the knife required a test and three hours of YouTube tutorials to use. I’ve dabbled with this handheld and while it’s incredibly powerful, it’s not plug-and-play.

Pros:

• Longest range (especially with repeaters)

• Can transmit in emergency frequencies

• Amazing sound quality

• Tech-nerd approved

Cons:

• Requires a license and a test

• Learning curve is real

• More gear = more investment

When It Works Best:
Remote solo trips, high mountain routes, or as part of a well-coordinated group with other licensed users.

Bottom Line:
Ham is impressive, but unless you’re ready to commit, it’s overkill for casual overlanding.

So, What Should You Use?

That depends:

• Just getting started or riding in a buddy’s rig? Grab some FRS radios and call it good.

• Want reliable range and control without a huge learning curve? GMRS all the way.

• Stuck with a CB? It’ll still do the job—just know its limits.

• Looking for max range, emergency backup, or full geek-out mode? Ham has you covered.

If you’re looking for gear I’ve personally used and tested on the trail, here are my picks:

• 🔋 FRS: Motorola T200 Pair

• 📡 GMRS: Midland MXT275 Mobile Unit

• 📻 CB: Cobra 29 LX

• 🎯 Ham: Baofeng UV-5R Dual Band

Want help figuring out how to install or wire these into your rig? Or just want to laugh about the time I accidentally keyed up my CB mic while singing in the cab? Hit me up.