Noob ???s

[philthyphil]

So I'm new to this but find it interesting so here's some dumb questions:

1) I am doing a "expedition rig" that will be used here in the states in the remote west and Canada if I can ever get in. Can I get away with cb or do I need to go ham? I am interested in the ham idea but have never used. I do see the advantage of ham but do I really need it?

2) I read some posts referring to dual band radios. Is this a cb/ham or does this monitor more than one ham channel.

This is likely just part I of many dumb/noob questions to follow.

 

[RobRed]

1. Yes you need a HAM radio and a CB. HAM for performance and range. CB for talking to the old school guys who dont have HAM.

2. Dual band means more than one frequency range (commonly HAM). A common dual band HAM would be 2meter (144 MHz) and 430 MHz. Dual receive or dual VCO means two channels at once.

 

[Brake Weight]

Dual band may be in reference to the Hi and Lo bands on the better CB radios.

 

[Romer]

A HAM can save your but when your broken down 40 miles in the wilderness. I have been driving to a run when I got a call on the ham from that far from a friend who was brojlen down. Stopped at the parts store and was able to bring him what he needed. He did not have cell coverage.

 

[1911]

cb is worthless for expedition driving in the "remote west", the range is pitiful and only suitable for talking to another rig close-by in your trail group. If you want to be able to communicate farther than that, you need ham radio or a satellite phone.

 

[Brake Weight]

What's the range with VHF?

 

[RobRed]

It's all line of site. Typically a mobile HAM will have an output of 50 watts. The great thing about amateur is that there are thousands of open repeaters across the country which can extend your range indefinitely.