I'm trying to read about this stuff (I don't know shit about shit), but I'd like to shortcut to: is there any reason not to go with GMRS? I just want to communicate truck to truck when traveling and hit the handhelds we have on the trail.
(- plus, I can fit
this one behind the scangauge 2 mount that I'm making for the ashtray location in my 3rd gen T4R.)
Technically, you need a license to use GMRS, but technically you need a license for HAM.
Anyways, GMRS is fine and if I remember correctly, there are mobiles that do 12W or something like that, which is pretty good.
The handhelds you speak of I'm assuming the GMRS/FRS "walkie-talkies"? Those are typically 2W for GMRS and 0.5W for the FRS frequency channels.
My point, you won't get the same "reach" compared to the mobile unit, so keep that in mind.
I guess one could make the same argument with the mobile HAM and HAM handhelds?
But yeah, GMRS mobiles would be good.
You can get a mobile HAM that has 25W or more for roughly the same price as a GMRS mobile of similar wattage rating and/or higher. For example, the BTECH minis. Plus, the HAM mobiles, in this case, is dual band capable, which gives, in a sense, more wider capability.
Most off-roaders I know of are typically using 2m and/or the 150MHz frequency range. It all depends on what your group you typically hang out with uses what frequency band? GMRS/FRS is 400MHz band range.
I hope this helps a little bit?