Lauren enjoys writing and painting when we travel. I am a photographer with ham radio as a hobby. Sometimes while we are camping, we end up doing our own separate things. In remote areas, cell phones are not always the answer to keeping in touch. While it’s nice to be able to check in, safety is also a factor in camping communications. For us, the answer is simple as we are both licensed amateur radio operators. We have good radios with plenty of range and the know-how to stay connected.
Even if you are not a radio person, you have likely heard of “ham operators” or amateur radio but don’t really want to go all-in on a hobby just to have communications. FRS (Family Radio Service), GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) and MURS (Multi Use Radio Service) are communications options with various capabilities, limitations and requirements for use.
FRS and GMRS are very similar and share frequencies, but would not be my top recommendation for camping communications. FRS is license-free and has some frequencies (or channels) at just a half a watt and others at 2 watts. Handheld GMRS radios may be up to five watts and require a license from the FCC. Both FRS and GMRS use UHF frequencies between 462-467MHz. These frequencies are good for urban landscapes, but not ideal for simple and reliable communication in remote areas.
If I did not have an amateur radio license I would likely pick MURS radios. MURS has only five VHF channels. The frequencies are very close to what we use for camping communications with amateur radio equipment. MURS frequencies are in the area of 151 and 154 MHz and these VHF frequencies travel better through wooded areas than UHF. Although MURS is limited to two watts, the radios are usually more durable, with easy operation and reliable communication. Few options are needed in a handheld radio and I recommend staying away from radios that offer them. There are only so many frequencies for each of the services. Adding bells and whistles only increases the likelihood of not making contact. One important thing to keep in mind is that the range advertised on the packaging is not always accurate.
It’s best to stay away from cheap radios from overseas. My recommendation would be the Motorola RMM2050. A pair of Motorola radios are a substantial investment, but in my experience, they are extremely well made, long-lasting, have great audio and are super reliable. How far apart can you get? That will depend on your camping environment, but I believe MURS is the best bet and most often will be reliable at least up to a mile, likely more under the right conditions.
Whatever service or radio you choose, keep it simple, learn how to use it, and test it. Make sure both radios are on the same settings and practice using them before relying on radio communication as a safety feature.
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