communication on tours

[seasvx]

Macgyver & i were having an off-line discussion of the relative merits of in-car communication devices. several members (me included) have brought FRS radios along on a few tours, although my sense is that not every radio in every car transmitted or received successfully at all times.

one of the other seattle car clubs has standardized on UHF "business band" radios "for clear communications at distances of up to 2 miles in the city and up to 5 miles in the country." at $400 a pop, it's not a great option (or value).

when i was with the Miata club, they had standardized on CB. I still have my handheld, which is compact, portable, affordable and never failed to maintain contact car-to-car. my Cobra 45WX is selling on ebay between $20 & $50:
http://www.usascan.com/pdf/45WX.pdf

new models can be had between $40 & $100:
http://www.epinions.com/CB_Radios-Handheld

maybe we can talk about in-car communication options during Fall Colors Tour III this saturday.