Bike to bike comms - AR verus FRS
 

I've read most of the bike to bike comms threads here, and have decided on the autocom route for my wife and I when we make our RTW trip next year.

The part I'm struggling with is the type of radio to use: FRS (at least that's what we call it in the US) or "ham" bands.

Ham would require licensing, but seems like it would have slightly better range, and perhaps some more capabilities versus an FRS radio for use off bike. Negative to ham is license requirements.

Has anyone gone through this decision process in the past who could provide some insight? Also can any of the ham handhelds also receive shortwave? It would be cool to have one device for bike to bike, in town use, and also be able to listen to BBC world service.

Thanks!

Pat

We bought the Autocom with the cheapest two for one radio package. We chose this as we met with one of Autocoms representatives at a motorcycle expo. He said that these blue motorola licence free radio tranceivers would serve most peoples purposes more than enough (european version). The oher radios would be the way to go in motorsports or other special circumstances. I believe he was right, I am very satisfied.

Bike to Bike Radio Frequencies
 

Just to build on this, my partner and I already have Autocoms and a couple of cheap PMR446 hand-helds which worked fine during a tour of Europe last year - although they eat batteries and can't be bike-powered...

So we're looking for some replacements that can be... and I got chatting to the guy from Alan (aka Midland) at the NEC show and he said that the PMR446 frequencies are only legal in 'some' European countries (most of the EU) but not elsewhere.... and as our next trip is to Eastern Europe (incl Poland) as a precursor to a longer RTW trip in 2008, we've been thrown into turmoil!! :confused1:

He said we'd be better off with CB radios (see the Midland 42).

Anyone here an expert on radio licencing for general public use worldwide?

Our RTW trip includes East Europe down to Turkey, India/Nepal, Far East, Australia/NZ, South & Central America, US and Canada... (can't wait!!)

Paul