It helps with the terrain. most handhelds are horrible at transmitting by themselves and others will only hear static. I usually use a 40w GMRS unit or a boafeng HAM, both with external antenana.
Events/Trails 9th Annual 100s in the Hills *SILVERTON COLORADO* July 24-29 2019 (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter paflytyer
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bluecruiser
SILVER Star
Thanks...we like them too. Happy with how the art turned out. On year 9, coming up with "new" ideas is becoming tougher to do. That's why we pay a pro now!
guardcompany
Shea
Thanks for the info. I was hoping to avoid buying anything. I know CB is a requirement, but how much is ham used on the trails?
+1 on the midland being terrible as a handheld. Works decent with a decent tuned ant, but CB really doesn't work well. It's amazing how much static you'll here on the trail runs.
Note for everyone going, I plan on having an SWR meter if anyone needs help tuning their setups.
The issue with HAM is that you'll need a license to legally transmit, I just got my license and the test isn't terribly difficult but it's a step that must be taken. Those on HAM will likely be on 2meter bands (VHF) for the trail runs. But majority of the coms will be with CB
I'll be operating vhf/uhf on the runs, crystal clear coms are a nice feature to have. Will also have APRS running but I am not sure i'll be able to hit any digipeaters
aging fleet
SILVER Star
I'm going to track you down, I believe there is room for improvement with the Midland/Little Wil setup I used in '17.
TheLCProject
SILVER Star
Thanks Somebodyelse5 for the offer on the SWR for tuning. I have no idea what you're talking about or how to tune it, so I'll track you down.
I'll search in the interwebs before so I'm not totally clueless.
I'll search in the interwebs before so I'm not totally clueless.
Sounds good guys. Tuning involves setting the length of the antenna to get the standing wave ratio such that your antenna is the most efficient. Here is some reference info:
How to Tune Your CB Antenna
Step-by-step guide to tuning your CB antenna for low SWR and peak performance! Complete video walk-through and written instructions from Right Channel Radios.
www.rightchannelradios.com
Setting the SWR of Your Antenna© - Firestik® Antenna Company
www.firestik.com
If you haven't bought an antenna yet, I'd take a look at the firestik options with the tunable tips and one of @reznunt 's CB hood bracket mounts.
Having HAM is fine, but you will need a CB. The key here is consistency of communication. There will be 100 100 owners and only a small percentage will have HAM. CBs are cheap and everyone will have them. For the sake of relating communications, someone towards the rear of an up to 20 vehicle convoy spread out on a trail needs to be able to relay communications to the trail leader. HAM would be ideal, but again, not everyone will have it. So CB remains the most cost effective and easily adoptable standard.
I’ll be taking my HAM test later in June. But, I don’t anticipate having my setup complete before HIH. That is, unless my trailer project is finished (that’s a WHOLE nother headache).
I’ll be taking my HAM test later in June. But, I don’t anticipate having my setup complete before HIH. That is, unless my trailer project is finished (that’s a WHOLE nother headache).
One thing to note, a Baofeng UV-5R is about $60 (does VHF/UHF) and the license exam costs $10 
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #771
Many of us are HAM operators. Ham would be preferred if everyone had it, but that's simply not the case. The reason we make CB mandatory is for the simple fact that it's inexpensive and easy to operate. If you spend $30-$50 on a mag-mount antenna, you could probably resell it on the last day of the event.
I know it sounds crazy for us to say anything is mandatory at HIH because we try so hard to make this a relaxed atmosphere, but a working CB is required. Don't drink and drive/ride, be cool to others and have a CB. That's pretty much it.
guardcompany
Shea
Totally understand and thank you for all your work. Just curious why not have everyone get a Baofeng ($30) and use the business/event VHF spectrum (151.XXX aka Race Radios) like most other large off-road events do (Baja, Hammers, Mint, TDS, etc) No user license is needed for a local licensed event and the user experience is much much better. I've been a HAM since 2005 and I've ran comms including cross band repeaters, APRS on race trucks and large mountain top event repeaters. Either way I'll be there with CB in hand.
guardcompany
Shea
One thing to note, a Baofeng UV-5R is about $60 (does VHF/UHF) and the license exam costs $10
Amen
Our club is moving mostly towards ham use. I just picked up my license this year and a handheld to get started but since the event requires CB I’ll probably not put much funds into this as I’d rather put it into ham gear. And with more than just a few vehicles on the rides the longer antenna helps with my Midland handheld. I do like the 4 ft firestik for my garage though.
kelly saad
Supporting Vendor
Is it really the end of May?? Today in Arizona.
Would it be reasonable to expect that someone at HIH who's knows what they're doing would be able to help tune up a CB antenna? For this ride, I recently picked up a handheld Cobra CB and mag mount antenna. I don't know how to tune this setup. I do have a HAM radio in the rig, but didn't tune that system either. I suppose that begs the question: Is there a Communications class at HIH? I feel like I know a little about HAM and less about CB...
they'll be people with SWR meters in camp who'll be glad to help. Dont think there are comms classes though.
Here's a walkthrough video
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@Somebodyelse5 said a few posts ago that he will be there willing to help people tune there setups. I’m going to try and tune mine before I leave home but if I can’t get it right I’ll lbe hitting him up.
guardcompany
Shea
I have an SWR meter I will never use that I will bring to donate to HIH for future events. For VHF/UHF HAM you don't need to tune it but I can look over your setup and make sure you have the correct antenna for the band you want to operate on. Some cheaper antennas you do need to cut to wave length. Feel free to PM me as well.
Sweet. Look forward to learning more. And seeing some radio setups in other Hundys.
