CB Radio

[Exiled]

If you're a member of a local Cruiser or 4x4 club, or even if you have a group of good friends that go wheeling together, buy one that everyone can use, that way you only pitch a buck or two.

At one of my old Cruiser clubs we had a nice set of specialty tools and manuals that everyone could use. Every year we chose a different caretaker for the kit, worked out really well.

Just a thought....

 

[thorvald]

Amateur Radio

FM vs AM
50 watts vs 3.

'Nuff said.

enlighten us


id love to see a informative thread on affordable fm versions of cb and install, etc. licensing requirements. you get the idea. all the info, so as to compare side by side.

thanks

 

[BMAN]

Amateur Radio

FM vs AM
50 watts vs 3.

'Nuff said.

Limited users on the trail vs. almost everyone and their grandma using one

Nuff said

 

[esh]

Limited users on the trail vs. almost everyone and their grandma using one

Nuff said

That's where I'm at in going over to HAM. Most on the trail:

- do not have the inclination to learn no matter what "wow" factor
- do not have the $$ for equipment
- can barely make their CB work

 

[rusty_tlc]

That's where I'm at in going over to HAM. Most on the trail:

- do not have the inclination to learn no matter what "wow" factor
- do not have the $$ for equipment
- can barely make their CB work

So how do you convince everybody you wheel with to swap over?

 

[BMAN]

So how do you convince everybody you wheel with to swap over?

You can't make everyone switch over. That's the inherent problem with HAM. Any idiot can go to Walmart and drop $50 for a radio and antenna and be brodcasting in 5 minutes.

HAM is not only a bigger investment dollar wise, it's a big "time" investment. Not only do you need to take tests and classes but you need to practice to keep fresh. It's not just like riding a bike. Although I am a proponent of HAM use, I am not an operator nor do I have the time right now to invest. I do however plan on doing so at some point. The major benefit of HAM, in my opinion, is the added distance in the case of a major trail emergency. My 60, when finally finished, will include a HAM radio for just that case, or in the rare instance that I wheel with other users. In the interem I will drop way to much money into a top of the line 11meter mobile CB unit and linear amplifier. Now I know that linear usage is "illegal" but so is speeding and changing lanes w/o using your turnsignal (both of which are a larger threat to the general public). I own 4 radios right now all cheapies and two of them that are tweaked to about 8watts deadkey. Illegal radios? Yes, but much more effective and at a much lower investment than HAM. These radios allow me to talk to everyone I wheel with and others at much greater distances. With the right conditions I have talked skip from Mesa, Az to folks in San Bernadino, Ca and Dallas, Tx.

Until the masses are using HAM (which I donn't see happening for a VERY long time) I don't see it as being a neccessary piece of equipment.

 

[Tigerstripe40]

So how do you convince everybody you wheel with to swap over?

That's the tough part.

I have been touting HAM radio in my club for YEARS
Mostly I've been getting ignored.

During Hole In The Rock at Cruise Moab '05 we had run 3 different groups. An Early Group, a Late Group, and a 'Support' Group.

The Early group had 2 HAMS in it, the Late Group had 2 HAMS in it, and the support group had 1 HAM in it.

Well, talking amongst the groups CB did just fine, but the 3 groups couldn't talk to each other on CB.

There was a repeater nearby (well, about 50 miles away) and all the HAMS had crystal clear audio with each other at 2.5 watts.

Now there are a few people in the club gettign their licesnes.

As far as classes go, you don't have to take one.

I went to www.qrz.com and took the practice tests. I kept taking the practice tests until I could pass with at least 80%.
Then I went and sat for my test.

A class may be more time efficient. I work at a company where I sit in front of a computer connected to the internet all day, so that is an option for me.

 

[Kofoed]

You can't make everyone switch over. That's the inherent problem with HAM. Any idiot can go to Walmart and drop $50 for a radio and antenna and be brodcasting in 5 minutes.

HAM is not only a bigger investment dollar wise, it's a big "time" investment. Not only do you need to take tests and classes but you need to practice to keep fresh. It's not just like riding a bike. Although I am a proponent of HAM use, I am not an operator nor do I have the time right now to invest. I do however plan on doing so at some point. The major benefit of HAM, in my opinion, is the added distance in the case of a major trail emergency. My 60, when finally finished, will include a HAM radio for just that case, or in the rare instance that I wheel with other users. In the interem I will drop way to much money into a top of the line 11meter mobile CB unit and linear amplifier. Now I know that linear usage is "illegal" but so is speeding and changing lanes w/o using your turnsignal (both of which are a larger threat to the general public). I own 4 radios right now all cheapies and two of them that are tweaked to about 8watts deadkey. Illegal radios? Yes, but much more effective and at a much lower investment than HAM. These radios allow me to talk to everyone I wheel with and others at much greater distances. With the right conditions I have talked skip from Mesa, Az to folks in San Bernadino, Ca and Dallas, Tx.

Until the masses are using HAM (which I donn't see happening for a VERY long time) I don't see it as being a neccessary piece of equipment.

Allow me to enlighten:

The no-code technician license does NOT require learning Morse Code. Having read your other posts, you know more than your basic radio knowledge, which is more than the technical info you must know. You need to know some adiminstrative stuff and safety stuff--after all you will be allowed to run 1500 watts.

Operating ham on voice requires as much practice as operating on CB--None.

The questions and ANSWERS to the test are on the www.arrl2.org website.

A brand new 2 meter rig, pusing 65 to 75 watts and a 1/2 mave (only 40 inches high, no ground required) will cost under 275 bucks. You can buy used radios, buy a way cheaper antenna, or make one and save way more. Guys get by by spending even less going with a new hand-held for 100 bucks.

Now, then there is the use of repeaters, which allow a huge increase in range, reliably, day and night--regardless of atmospheric conditions.. Skip is NOT reliable.

Once you start using ham radio, you will see it as being a necessary piece of equipment.

 

[rusty_tlc]

A 2M radio with local repeaters programmed and a GPS could possiable be the best safety equipment you could carry. This combo lets you pin point your position and get that information to S&R teams when it becomes necessary.

Just my .02 worth.

 

[BMAN]

Allow me to enlighten:.....

You sir, spend way too much time in chat. With information like that to share you have way too few posts in your count.

Admittedly, I am rather ignorant about radios, I basically know enough to be dangerous. All of my knowledge is pretty much self taught and learned by osmosis. There's deffinately WAY more out there for me to learn. I am sure that once I take the leap and go 2M, I'll be one of those "There is no other way" guys, but for now I speak of what I know. I KNOW that the majority of people I wheel with are CB users and a few of them are only CB users because I always take 1 or 2 extra radios on the trail with me.

 

[rusty_tlc]

You sir, spend way too much time in chat. With information like that to share you have way too few posts in your count.

Admittedly, I am rather ignorant about radios, I basically know enough to be dangerous. All of my knowledge is pretty much self taught and learned by osmosis. There's deffinately WAY more out there for me to learn. I am sure that once I take the leap and go 2M, I'll be one of those "There is no other way" guys, but for now I speak of what I know. I KNOW that the majority of people I wheel with are CB users and a few of them are only CB users because I always take 1 or 2 extra radios on the trail with me.

I'd actually rather use FSR than CB for on trail communication.
It has a lot of advantages
cheap
no installation
portable, I can walk up-trail to see what the hang up is and still stay in touch.
these days everybody has at least one set.
about as good of performance as CB in line of sight situations

 

[Pskhaat]

affordable fm versions of cb and install, etc. licensing requirements.

Here we go again

Actually, FM CB is called MURS and it is license free, but difficult to find approved radios. The next step is GMRS which does require a family license & no test, but is superior as one can use repeaters to extend the distance of communication greatly. Problem is users are few & far between.

Ham is really the best of all worlds. We all learn about our rigs, our tires, the errata of the 1FZ-FE and 2UZ-FE, SCs, oil weights, njectors, but we refuse to give 1 day's worth of reading and taking a test for the ham license. It's really not that difficult and the radios you should expect about $150, but the world (literally) of communication is opened up to you. Talk to people on any trail from any trail in Moab for instance.

Yes, CBs are for everybody, but so are Jeeps.

 

[DaktariEd]

This is a great thread actually!
I have been looking at HF radio...HAM, HF, whatever you call it...trying to learn more about what is available, etc. (That also explains my lack of full understanding yet of the difference between HAM, HF, etc. So please bear with me! )
I can see the obvious distance & clarity advantage, which is why I was looking in the first place. I often head out alone pretty far off track. Nothing risky mind you, but pretty remote. Here in AZ and NM we have a lot of remote!
I just find CB range way too limited for my needs.
If anyone has any suggestions on HF/HAM equipment or sites I would be glad to see them! (Yes, I saw a couple of sites noted above).


Ed

 

[Pskhaat]

This is a great thread actually!
I have been looking at HF radio...HAM, HF, whatever you call it...

In fact, Ham/Amateur radio includes much more than simply HF communication which is generally referred to frequencies below ~30MHz. Hams have access to a wide bandwidth of frequencies from VHF & UHF and extremely high frequency communication. The most `popular' bands are the VHF & UHF frequencies where there are thousands of repeaters across the country setup.

If anyone has any suggestions on HF/HAM equipment or sites I would be glad to see them! (Yes, I saw a couple of sites noted above).

Tucson has a great set of repeaters on Mt. Lemon that I talk on regularly from Scottsdale and reach quite a way south. Effective range measured in 100s of miles. Check out QRZ.com is the first thing that comes into mind. Otherwise, PM me if interested and I can give you further details.

Equipment can be picked up at places like hamradio.com . Some are PRICEY but some are really good deals.

 

[dfmorse]

And here is something u really don't need;

http://homepage.mac.com/dfmorse/RigProj/page1.html

73's

 

[DaktariEd]

Holy Guacamole, Batman!
Now THAT is a radio rig!

Ed

And here is something u really don't need;

http://homepage.mac.com/dfmorse/RigProj/page1.html

73's

 

[Kofoed]

You sir, spend way too much time in chat. With information like that to share you have way too few posts in your count.

Admittedly, I am rather ignorant about radios, I basically know enough to be dangerous. All of my knowledge is pretty much self taught and learned by osmosis. There's deffinately WAY more out there for me to learn. I am sure that once I take the leap and go 2M, I'll be one of those "There is no other way" guys, but for now I speak of what I know. I KNOW that the majority of people I wheel with are CB users and a few of them are only CB users because I always take 1 or 2 extra radios on the trail with me.

I don't know if I am reading your post correctly, but mine was not to insult. It is meant to encourage, as you have the necessary electrical theory down already, and use cb's. You are over 2/3 of the way there.

You can even search the www.arrls.org website to find an exam location hear you.

 

[bigndn]

I used one of these the other day in my work truck and really like it. Not much to mount, and no need to find room for the box. Any input? I think they're pretty slick........

Outstanding Features of the 75 WX ST:
Feature Benefit
SoundTracker® The first patented technology that dramatically improves the transmission and reception of CB radio signals. The result is a cleaner, clearer sounding CB with more "powerful" transmissions and less static or noise on reception.
40 CB & 10 Weather Channels 10 Weather Channels. Complete access to all 40 Citizen Band Radio channels. 10 National Weather Channels (7 NOAA and 3 International) provide full coverage to keep you informed of weather conditions anywhere you go.
Remote Mount System Remote installation box installs out of sight under your dash and the quick disconnect allows removal of the handpiece for security or use in other vehicles.
Dual Watch and Full Channel Scan Dual Watch allows simultaneous monitoring of any two preselected channels. Full Channel Scan allows you to scan all 40 channels.
Instant Channel 19 Instant access to information Channel 19 with a single switch of a button.
Full-Featured LCD Display Panel All the information you need is provided from this LCD display panel. Choose normal CB channel readout or five digit frequency display.

 

[e9999]

so these little GMRS radios that one can buy for $50 with 4W can use repeaters? meaning have great range?

 

[Pskhaat]

If you've got a license and permission from the GMRS repeater owner, yep, you can use it. Be sure the GMRS radio has `offset' repeater frequencies. Some say they are repeater-capable, but you really need it to be freq. offset capable to be worthwhile.

You won't need 4W to hit the repeater, more qrp like 0.5 - 1w.