Are there any hand held CB radios that are any good with decent range. I like the portability of being able to take it on a hike. Otherwise, I just have to get a standard CB and install it in the cab.
Ken
Ken
Hand Held CB radios
- Thread starter Romer
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What you want is a 2m handheld. A tri-band (440/2m/6m) is even better for taking hiking because the range is greater in the 6m band. If the goal is to be able to call for help in the boonies, give yourself the best chance to do so. CB just won't reach.
The technician's license required to transmit on a 2m unit is pretty easy to attain.
Next month I'm getting a Yaesu VX-7R. It's the only one I've found to offer 30min/1m water resistance (same spec as a lot of GPSs use), and it offers a bunch of features including the ability to monitor 2 frequencies at once.
More and more groups are standardizing on 2m for the distance and clarity they provide. Often the clubs I'm in will split into multiple groups for runs and this is a way to talk between groups (parts, meeting up for lunch, etc.) We're trying to get enough people licensed to use them for the event crew at Cruisin' The Woods at the end of September.
The technician's license required to transmit on a 2m unit is pretty easy to attain.
Next month I'm getting a Yaesu VX-7R. It's the only one I've found to offer 30min/1m water resistance (same spec as a lot of GPSs use), and it offers a bunch of features including the ability to monitor 2 frequencies at once.
More and more groups are standardizing on 2m for the distance and clarity they provide. Often the clubs I'm in will split into multiple groups for runs and this is a way to talk between groups (parts, meeting up for lunch, etc.) We're trying to get enough people licensed to use them for the event crew at Cruisin' The Woods at the end of September.
handheld CB's are barely adequate when you are outside the rig, and near useless when yer inside. You'll end up needing an external antenna...
additionally, you could likely buy two "fixed" units with antennas for the price of one good handheld...and be much happier with the performance.
My Uniden handheld is a nice unit...and I haven't used it in many years...buying a few Pro510XL's from their "refurb" site has been a cheaper option, and much more effective.
oh, and if ya drive like me, anything additional to bounce around during a roll is a bad thing ...hehehe
additionally, you could likely buy two "fixed" units with antennas for the price of one good handheld...and be much happier with the performance.
My Uniden handheld is a nice unit...and I haven't used it in many years...buying a few Pro510XL's from their "refurb" site has been a cheaper option, and much more effective.
oh, and if ya drive like me, anything additional to bounce around during a roll is a bad thing ...hehehe
Ken -
Esh's suggestion is an excellent approach, and getting the license is no more difficult than writing a drivers license exam.
There are all manner of trick things you could do, if you look into it. One of my favorites is to use the 440 mHz portion of a dual band hand held (2m/440) to "talk to your truck" (that also has dual bander installed 2m/440), and the truck retransmits on 2m with higher power to a local repeater... and the local repeater transmits all over the geographical area. Shazam! With a couple of watts, you're talking all over the region.
Just one of many little tricks that are available if you get into the right gear, and take a little time to get the license. Heck, even the little hand helds can generally hit the 2m repeaters on their own, if you're not down in too deep a hole. Has CB beat hands down.
Cheers, R -
Esh's suggestion is an excellent approach, and getting the license is no more difficult than writing a drivers license exam.
There are all manner of trick things you could do, if you look into it. One of my favorites is to use the 440 mHz portion of a dual band hand held (2m/440) to "talk to your truck" (that also has dual bander installed 2m/440), and the truck retransmits on 2m with higher power to a local repeater... and the local repeater transmits all over the geographical area. Shazam! With a couple of watts, you're talking all over the region.
Just one of many little tricks that are available if you get into the right gear, and take a little time to get the license. Heck, even the little hand helds can generally hit the 2m repeaters on their own, if you're not down in too deep a hole. Has CB beat hands down.
Cheers, R -
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Precisely why I got my amateur radio license recently. I have a 2m/70cm(440) dual band Kenwood TM-G707A in my '02 Tacoma Dcab for expedition travel. I intend to get a handheld to take with me in the FJ40 for wheelin'.
I'm trying to get more of the guys in our club licensed and installing 2m rigs.
Jody, KE5CCC
I'm trying to get more of the guys in our club licensed and installing 2m rigs.
Jody, KE5CCC
Outback, what do you need to do to get a basic liscense like that? Easy and quick?
Download this study guide from Bruce Spratling on his website:
http://www.geocities.com/w8bbs/
Bruce's study guide is the best out there. Don't waste your money on a book from the ARRL
I took mine down to Kinko's and had it spiral bound for $5
Best $5 I've spent in a long time. It's short and sweet, esentially a cliff notes for the "technician no-code" exam but all the answers are in there. I only missed 4 questions out of the 35 on the test 
Find a local amateur radio club in your area and see when they are giving the tests. Take $12, some ID and get it done. Otherwise find a "ham fest" or "ham holiday" (swap meet) where they are giving the tests and do it there. That's what I did a couple of weeks ago.
The questions consist of basic electronic theory, antenna theory, rules and regs & some operating procedures. All VERY basic stuff. 6 year old kids have passed the tech no-code exam. The tech no-code license gives you privileges on 2m, 70cm(440mhz) and the 6m bands. Plenty for what we would use it for off-road.
If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. I studied the guide off and on for about 2 weeks prior to taking my test. I think I read through the study guide about 4 times. Infact, I went ahead and took the "general" test at the same time and only missed passing it by 2 questions!!!!! I missed 11 and you can only miss 9. Rats!! I really don't need my general license, but what the heck, you can take as many tests that day as you want (1 of each though) for your $12.
Anyhow, good luck Junk!! Let us all know your call sign when you get it.
Jody, KE5CCC
http://www.geocities.com/w8bbs/
Bruce's study guide is the best out there. Don't waste your money on a book from the ARRL
I took mine down to Kinko's and had it spiral bound for $5
Best $5 I've spent in a long time. It's short and sweet, esentially a cliff notes for the "technician no-code" exam but all the answers are in there. I only missed 4 questions out of the 35 on the test Find a local amateur radio club in your area and see when they are giving the tests. Take $12, some ID and get it done. Otherwise find a "ham fest" or "ham holiday" (swap meet) where they are giving the tests and do it there. That's what I did a couple of weeks ago.
The questions consist of basic electronic theory, antenna theory, rules and regs & some operating procedures. All VERY basic stuff. 6 year old kids have passed the tech no-code exam. The tech no-code license gives you privileges on 2m, 70cm(440mhz) and the 6m bands. Plenty for what we would use it for off-road.
If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. I studied the guide off and on for about 2 weeks prior to taking my test. I think I read through the study guide about 4 times. Infact, I went ahead and took the "general" test at the same time and only missed passing it by 2 questions!!!!!
I missed 11 and you can only miss 9. Rats!! I really don't need my general license, but what the heck, you can take as many tests that day as you want (1 of each though) for your $12.Anyhow, good luck Junk!! Let us all know your call sign when you get it.
Jody, KE5CCC
Hey guys, I might be interested in this if: I live in Lewiston, Idaho near Hells Canyon and am often down in these very deep canyons. Would this 2m reach say, 20 miles out of a 3,000 foot canyon. Thats a worse case scenario.
Thnx, Vince
Thnx, Vince
V -
A question like that is very difficult to answer, because conditions effecting radio communication down in a canyon can change from exceptional to none at all in 50-100 feet. It all depends upon the exact shape of the canyon, and where/who you are trying to communicate with.
For starters, try to determine the distance between where you will be, and where the area repeaters are located. Try a Google search on "lewiston idaho 2 meter repeaters" and you'll find a lot of info on the local repeaters.
This page might be useful...
http://www.k7oji.org/documents/idaho_repeaters.shtml
Cheers, R -
A question like that is very difficult to answer, because conditions effecting radio communication down in a canyon can change from exceptional to none at all in 50-100 feet. It all depends upon the exact shape of the canyon, and where/who you are trying to communicate with.
For starters, try to determine the distance between where you will be, and where the area repeaters are located. Try a Google search on "lewiston idaho 2 meter repeaters" and you'll find a lot of info on the local repeaters.
This page might be useful...
http://www.k7oji.org/documents/idaho_repeaters.shtml
Cheers, R -
I've had good luck with a handheld as my only CB. It's 5 years old so pointless to recommend the specific model as so much changes. But I find it easy to toss in whatever car I'm using (vs fixed unit) and simply toss it in the glovebox for emergency use. I have a roof antenna for wheeling in groups, and the handheld function lets me get out to spot someone without the stress inducement that having to yell instructions can create. The range with the magnetic roof antenna is merely adequate, but fine in a caravan or in a trail within your group. Fits in a cupholder up high so I can hear traffic on the trail, and it's easy to grab if someone's calling me.
So, definitely not for someone in charge of communication for a group, or someone using it as primary comm, but a fine way to stay in touch as above with the advantage of car-car portability.
DougM
So, definitely not for someone in charge of communication for a group, or someone using it as primary comm, but a fine way to stay in touch as above with the advantage of car-car portability.
DougM
Even a cheap handheld will work dramatically better with a good antenna. I like my Wilson 1000 mag mount. I've hooked up various CBs to it and the owners were amazed at how much more range they got. And that was without tuning it. If you need more range, always start with the best antenna you can afford, that's the most improvement per $. I have a Uniden XL510pro in my driver's door pocket. The wires go forward and hook over something (hood release?). The antenna coax goes under the mat to the back, the power plugs into an extra cig-lighter outlet under the dash. The whole thing including antenna transfers to another vehicle in minutes. The output is tremendous, works great on the highway. I did get the Uniden "tweaked", it puts out a little extra, sounds about like most truckers with their similarly "tweaked" units.
I saw a nifty hand held unit from Midland ( http://www.midlandradio.com/products.asp?pid=29) model 75-822 that a 80 owner was using. It can be used with batteries or wired to an external antenna. He sounded clear although it was a tight convoy on the trail. It's a bit pricy but I thought it was a clean solution. Personally, I like this better than the Cobra's version of the all in one in the mike cb.
Just my .02 cents worth.
Happy Friday.
Ali
Just my .02 cents worth.
Happy Friday.
Ali
Can a guy get a truck mount unit that supports both 2M ham and CB?
Sounds like that would be the ticket but I guess trying to find an antenna for both those bands wuold be a challenge.
I'll call a few radio shops and see what's available. I bet it would be expensive too.
Sounds like that would be the ticket but I guess trying to find an antenna for both those bands wuold be a challenge.
I'll call a few radio shops and see what's available. I bet it would be expensive too.
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- Thread starter
- #14
Wow, I didn't know this thread still was going. I had to get a CB to have comms with my wheeling club. I ended up getting a cobra with a 4ft fiberglass antenna. Has worked great on the last two wheeling trips. Was thinking of getting a handheld so ifwhoever is with me goes on a hike, we can stay in comms for at least 1-2 miles. Would that be a waste of money.
I also would be ineterested in Rileys question.
I also would be ineterested in Rileys question.
alia176 said:
That does look like a nice unit. Boy though they need to post some specs there. I'd like to know the size of radio unit.
But it is expensive.. It's really hard to know how long some of this stuff is going to last and be of value. Something said for buying a cheap unit and tossing it in 5 years if you have to.
On second thought - I don't think that unit has a seperate radio. Kind of a pain to run the antenna out the mic unit.
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Riley,
I agree - it's an expensive unit. I do like the portability factor - comes in handy if you're switching vehicles for some reason or let someone borrow it. One of my biggest annoyance is that mobile radios with short antennas don't perform well if you lose line of sight. Even in a tight group, as soon as you're around a bend, comm gets lost. I also like the fact that you don't have to mount a separate base unit under the seat like the Cobra unit. To be fair, I have heard the Cobra radio and it sounds very nice. I'm just not a fan of bunch of buttons and dials on an oversized mike. Not sure what you meant by "having a separate radio"!
Ali
I agree - it's an expensive unit. I do like the portability factor - comes in handy if you're switching vehicles for some reason or let someone borrow it. One of my biggest annoyance is that mobile radios with short antennas don't perform well if you lose line of sight. Even in a tight group, as soon as you're around a bend, comm gets lost. I also like the fact that you don't have to mount a separate base unit under the seat like the Cobra unit. To be fair, I have heard the Cobra radio and it sounds very nice. I'm just not a fan of bunch of buttons and dials on an oversized mike. Not sure what you meant by "having a separate radio"!
Ali
No combination 2m and CB. Those bands are WAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY apart in the RF spectrum. CB is 11 meter band. 2m is around 146 Mhz and CB is around 27 Mhz.
Gonna have to be separate radios.
I have the Midland 75-822 handheld and it works great with an external antenna. I also have a headset with PTT button and boom mic. That works great too.
The Midland has an attachment that goes on in place of the battery pack and has the 12 plug and the antenna plug combined into a coil cord that is like any regular CB mic. The handheld isn't much bigger than a full-sized mic. I like mine.
The newer model is the 75-830 and it's just a bit smaller overall but the same functionality.
Jody.
Gonna have to be separate radios.
I have the Midland 75-822 handheld and it works great with an external antenna. I also have a headset with PTT button and boom mic. That works great too.
The Midland has an attachment that goes on in place of the battery pack and has the 12 plug and the antenna plug combined into a coil cord that is like any regular CB mic. The handheld isn't much bigger than a full-sized mic. I like mine.
The newer model is the 75-830 and it's just a bit smaller overall but the same functionality.
Jody.
Riley, Jody, and others...
>> Can a guy get a truck mount unit that supports both 2M ham and CB?
YES
>> No combination 2m and CB. Those bands are WAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY apart in the RF spectrum. CB is 11 meter band. 2m is around 146 Mhz and CB is around 27 Mhz.
Incorrect... and Correct
Jody is correct, these bands are separated on the spectrum as indicated. But there IS such a thing as a combo antenna.
I'll post a few pix here shortly of my set up... with an explanation.
Cheers, R -
PS: It is also possible to use two independent radios with a single antenna and transmission line (coax) without a switch; and it is also possible to have a single radio that is capable of 2M and 11M (and 440, and 6M, and 80m, ad infinitum).
It all depends in how much time, energy, $$$ you want to get involved in for a communications system. R -
>> Can a guy get a truck mount unit that supports both 2M ham and CB?
YES
>> No combination 2m and CB. Those bands are WAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY apart in the RF spectrum. CB is 11 meter band. 2m is around 146 Mhz and CB is around 27 Mhz.
Incorrect... and Correct
Jody is correct, these bands are separated on the spectrum as indicated. But there IS such a thing as a combo antenna.
I'll post a few pix here shortly of my set up... with an explanation.
Cheers, R -
PS: It is also possible to use two independent radios with a single antenna and transmission line (coax) without a switch; and it is also possible to have a single radio that is capable of 2M and 11M (and 440, and 6M, and 80m, ad infinitum).
It all depends in how much time, energy, $$$ you want to get involved in for a communications system. R -
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Always up for being corrected.... Yes, combo antennas for 2m/CB are available, but I have never seen a combo radio 2m/CB. Maybe I wasn't clear. Maybe I didn't understand the question.
Please post pics and descriptions of your stuff PC... I wanna see it.
Jody.
Please post pics and descriptions of your stuff PC... I wanna see it.
Jody.
Multi-band antenna...
Here are a few pix of the antenna I currently use. Explanation at the end...
Ready to roll...
10 seconds later, folded over...
10 more seconds, removed altogether & capped...
Detail of top of antenna...
This antenna is designed for use on four bands; 70 cm (440 mHz), 2m, 6m, and 10m/11m. The 10m/11m element is the uppermost section; the loading coil (black) and stinger (metal radiating whip above it) can be removed, and replaced with any one of a number of other coils/whips for whichever band you choose... 15m, 20m, 40m, etc.
The mount base can be rotated in two planes for fore-aft, and lateral adjustment, and the base itself is Cruiser-friendly (i.e., no holes to drill, no paint scars when you move it/remove it.
The intended use is to have CB/ham VHF/UHF all in a single antenna, and have it up in the air where it will do some good. I can use a VHF/UHF hand-held to "talk to the Cruiser" on 440, and the radio cross-bands the signal and retransmits on 2m to a local repeater on the same antenna. Most 2m repeaters can cover a 200 mile radius, so you can see the utility of this type of set up.
There is way more to this installation (HF SSB, digital email over the radio, etc.) that I'm still working on, but even this part alone is probably overkill unless you want to get into it... Anyway, just a glimpse of what can be done.
Cheers, R -
PS: A final thought... if the repeater you are communicating with in this example is "linked," that is tied in to the IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project), then your signal from that hand-held can be "retransmitted" yet again anywhere in the world where there is another linked repeater. You can even make phone calls... as I have said before, the possibilities are endless.
Here are a few pix of the antenna I currently use. Explanation at the end...
Ready to roll...
10 seconds later, folded over...
10 more seconds, removed altogether & capped...
Detail of top of antenna...
This antenna is designed for use on four bands; 70 cm (440 mHz), 2m, 6m, and 10m/11m. The 10m/11m element is the uppermost section; the loading coil (black) and stinger (metal radiating whip above it) can be removed, and replaced with any one of a number of other coils/whips for whichever band you choose... 15m, 20m, 40m, etc.
The mount base can be rotated in two planes for fore-aft, and lateral adjustment, and the base itself is Cruiser-friendly (i.e., no holes to drill, no paint scars when you move it/remove it.
The intended use is to have CB/ham VHF/UHF all in a single antenna, and have it up in the air where it will do some good. I can use a VHF/UHF hand-held to "talk to the Cruiser" on 440, and the radio cross-bands the signal and retransmits on 2m to a local repeater on the same antenna. Most 2m repeaters can cover a 200 mile radius, so you can see the utility of this type of set up.
There is way more to this installation (HF SSB, digital email over the radio, etc.) that I'm still working on, but even this part alone is probably overkill unless you want to get into it... Anyway, just a glimpse of what can be done.
Cheers, R -
PS: A final thought... if the repeater you are communicating with in this example is "linked," that is tied in to the IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project), then your signal from that hand-held can be "retransmitted" yet again anywhere in the world where there is another linked repeater. You can even make phone calls... as I have said before, the possibilities are endless.
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