CB or Ham radio?

[Heetseeker_1]

Just about to start looking for a CB radio for the 98 12v and was wondering if Ham was a better way to go. Can I recieve and transmit on CB frequencies with a Ham radio? Also, what is better... a handheld or fixed radio?

Being the guy I am, I want all the performance I can tweak out of anything I buy and want the best transmission and reception I can get for the money. I'm open to any and all ideas. Also, been to the export radio site. . But, I would like to buy local so I could get personal tech help.



Thanks, Steve.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Get yourself a Ranger RCI-2950. its a CB and a HAM radio, plus it has Pa. It the same size as a full size CB and has huge backlit display and all sorts of cool features. I had one for years in my other truck. It has been awhile, so dont remember all the specifics. I think i paid like $250. 00 for it. That may sound like a lot, but rember what you are getting. Think of what it would cost to buy a Ham radio, A CB, and all the related wiring, plus you would have to mount 2 seperate units. Its definatley worth checking out.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I'm not into CB radio, and could be mistaken, but I *think* that Ranger only covers the 10 meter Ham band - which will be VERY limited since the 10 meter band only peaks for propagation every 11 years, and is currently well into decline on the current sunspot cycle. Keep in mind that attempting use of the 10 meter Ham band for CB operation is ILLEGAL, and can result in serious fines! Not really worth the risk just to chatter with other "road warriors"!



Many Hams use what I do, an Icom 706 transceiver that is about the same size as a mobile CB rig, runs 100 watts of power, and covers ALL ham bands from 160 meters to 440 mhz - these sell for about $925 new, considerably less used. I keep DAILY contacts with ham friends using similar rigs in Oklahoma, Cape Cod and one fella currently RVing in Twin Lakes Ca. , where *I* will be in a couple of days with MY RV and mobile setup! The GREAT thing about mobiling with Ham radio compared to CB, is that you can maintain regular contact with friends all OVER the world - not just the guy (or the kid with a new Christmas present!) a half mile from you down the road!

 

[EFielding]

Heetseeker_1,



Thanks for the question.



I. too, am looking for an alternative to my Radioshack 4 watt CB. I'll watch this thread with curiosity. I've heard that the Ranger is the way to go, but, not being a "radio guy" I hesitate. Hopefully, some of the folks out there can give us non-radio types a way to go.

 

[TowPro]

Gary, they make this radio for "Ham" they say, but all you got to do is cut a wire or something, and the radio magicly tunes something like 26mhz-30mhz. I bet more of thier sales is to the CB crowd then the Ham crowd. Do you think the manafacture knows this? ;(

Originally posted by Gary - KJ6Q

I'm not into CB radio, and could be mistaken, but I *think* that Ranger only covers the 10 meter Ham band - which will be VERY limited since the 10 meter band only peaks for propagation every 11 years, and is currently well into decline on the current sunspot cycle. Keep in mind that attempting use of the 10 meter Ham band for CB operation is ILLEGAL, and can result in serious fines! Not really worth the risk just to chatter with other "road warriors"!

 

[mongoose]

One thing you want to keep in mind is what you want to do with the radio. are you wanting to get local traffic reports from the other drivers or are you wanting to keep in touch with friends local or far off. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Let us know what you are wanting the radio for and maybe we can be of some more help.

 

[Heetseeker_1]

Many uses...

Is it just a club thing? Is one better than the other? Do I understand that with Ham you can talk to CB'ers but it's illegal? I'm not sure and yes, a little confused on the issue.



When I put a CB into my last vehicle, I wanted it for traffic updates from truckers and others folks who were on the same roads as me seeing what I couldn't. (smokey, accidents, ect) I did yack on it a bit but found that I ran into more and more idiots with boosted signals talking smack and ******* other people off. I found myself only turning on the CB on long trips and would listen for just the important stuff.



I like the safety factor of having a back-up communications system in the truck. Not always does the cell phone get out with a signal when I need it to. If I need help or just need to yack, it seems to be marginal at best. When it does work I have to be close to major highways, which I am proud to say that I am not-most of the time.



Other than the obvious safety stuff, I think communication equiptment is just cool. I had a cans with strings and all sorts of junk growing up and who knows, maybe it's time for the next step?

 

[SFord]

What about a CB/SSB. Not a radio guy. What is Single side band for?Is it beneficial to purchace a CB with the SSB or just buy a straight CB?

 

[SLightfoot]

HAM radio is the way to fly..

Remember that if you want a HAM radio, you have to get a license, which means a little bit of stuyding on your part.

It is totally worth it though. HAM radio gives you access to a LOT more than just HF frequencies (10-30MHz).



There are repeaters on 2 meters (VHF frequencies) which give tremendous range for talking..... ie well over 80 miles in many cases. You won't hear the bizarre garbage than can sometimes litter the CB frequencies, like kids just making a racket for no reason.



I have been involved in radio just about all my life, and I have tried both, and I am here to tell ya, without hesitation, that HAM radio is the way to go.



Reasons are too many to mention, and you can only realize them when you are using it.



With CB, you are legally restricted to low power. HAM radio however gives you a LOT of power to play with if you are experimenting with range. (DX).



Have fun in any case!





Shawn

VE6PV

 

[tom sweeney]

having been down this road,lemme offer my . 02... . i used to use a ham radio modified to work on 11meters (cb) an icom 706,while it worked quite well,when travelling i found myself spending more time on cb than ham hf frequencies. . . another consideration is audio quality, while the Icom worked well,the transmit audio is not near as pleasent to listen to as a"real" cb is!!! i still carry both rigs,Icom 706,and a Uniden PC 68 LTW for cb and weather!!



the bottom line is... IF you ONLY want reliable communications for a SHORT distance,and don't want to spend much... . go with the cb.

BUT,if you think you might want to start a new hobby,than by all means... devote the time to getting your "ham license". take care!!!. . tom

 

[merryman]

I did the study and got my ham ticket about 3 months ago, and have become so confused about what radio to buy----mobil, handheld; what brand etc, I have done nothing.

I do not know if I will really use it or not. I was thinking more of emergency communication while traveling, and really did not want to spend $400-$1000 or more and find it just sat there?????

Is a ham set really a usefull tool for calling for assistance if you are in a remote area? Are they able to "get out" if you are deep in the mountains?



confused

Vaughn(KD7MSL)

 

[Forrest]

Ham rig all the way

Lots of great points out there. I agree totally with determining the need 1st. I like the fixed ham rig. My 10 meter rig has 100W & I've talked to Hawaii no problemo. The 2 meter rigs are great for use when you're in repeater range, otherwise, just truck to truck talking. That extra power in the ham rigs is great for distance between trucks though. If you get separated by a few miles, CB falls short, depending upon terrain as where the higher power ham rigs shine.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

TowPro sez:



"I bet more of thier sales is to the CB crowd then the Ham crowd. Do you think the manafacture knows this? "



Probably, tho' illegal - but MORE important, the FCC does TOO - and THEY are the ones applying the fine$$$$$$... If you REALLY wanna play on the radio illegally, always watching over yer shoulder for the Federales, then blast away with illegal equipment running illegal power on frequencies yer NOT legally allowed - but be aware that we HAMS are REAL good at locating illegal "poachers" in our turf, and have NO misgivings about turning them in to the FCC - we had to do a little WORK for our licenses and the LAWFUL ability to use assigned Ham frequencies, and tend to get a bit grumpy when we keep tripping over illegal freeloaders and the "Children's Band chatter" they always bring with them!



NOT trying to be a jerk, but a CBer belongs on the Ham bands about as much as screen doors belong on a submarine - and JUST as welcome! Be a CBer if ya want - OR a Ham - but DON'T try to run yer CB *in* the Ham bands! It COULD be REAL expen$ive...





Vaughn sez:



"Is a ham set really a usefull tool for calling for assistance if you are in a remote area? Are they able to "get out" if you are deep in the mountains?"



You better believe it! FAR better than CB, since we have a WIDE spectrum of bands and frequencies to choose from that offer differing propagation characteristics - my one Ham buddy is currently camped in his RV up at Twin Lakes - about 200 miles from me, right in a narrow canyon with steep mountains on 3 sides rising several thousand feet above him - CB would be pretty worthless in that setting, but I hook up with him a couple of times each day with NO problem!



We get up to Humbug Mt. Campground down the road from you nearly every year, and plan to later this year, maybe we can get together and I can at least show you my mobile setup and give you a demo - and I have another Ham buddy with a home up at Bandon I could put you in touch with for questions or direct help if you are interested...

 

[RonaldLarson]

Merryman, have I got a hot tip for you. I am a licensed ham operator, Technician class. My favorite 2 meter rig is an ADI, available from Ham Radio Outlet for $169. 00. This radio has three switchable power levels, from 20 to 60 watts. The features, audio clarity and power are awesome, especially for the price. My Nelson roof mounted antenna is tuned to an SWR of 1. 3, and the actual power output on high range on the ADI is 78 watts! Great radio.

Ron

 

[Skydiver]

2 cents

I have no ham experence or ham radios. But in East central Alabama the ham operators have a"Sky warn net". These people are the ones who report to the national weather service when really bad weather happens. A friend of mine who is a ham operator told me this and I placed their freq on my police scanner. Best weather reports ever.

These guys and gals are strictly business in severe weather.

Tim

 

[hammersley]

Outlaw CB's

http://www.exportradios.com/ has Export CB's with power Big Time - in excess of 200 watts. Now I know these are for th eexport market only - but how does one get caught - other than orderinng one???????

 

[merryman]

KJ6Q;

Next time you get to Humbug, give me a ring 332-4255. I will spring for lunch in return for a "lesson" in ham.

Ol Ron; thanks for the tip.



Its been frustrating having the license and not feeling confident enough to go buy a rig-----I have never even seen one operated.

Vaughn

 

[n7gxz]

hammersley,



The FCC has a bunch of vans that they use to track down things like outlaw CB's. Useally what will happen is that someone will report that they are getting interference and then the FCC will come out and do some investigating. There has been numerous taxi drivers that have been fined big bucks for running outlaw CB's.



Kevin

 

[Bob Stephens]

I use both

Having been a Ham for 20 years I have both a ham rig and a CB in the truck. I've got the IC-706 like Gary and can talk all over the world or just down the street. If I'm sitting in a traffic jam on the freeway and want to know how far ahead the hold up is, I use the CB. Matter of fact, I've used the CB to find out where the accident was on the freeway and then used the ham rig to get directions around the mess. Both have their uses.

 

[OILBRNR]

From the FWIW department, I just installed a Uniden PC78LTW on Mike Browlin's mount last night. I purchased the CB directly from Uniden as a factory 'referb. ' in like-new condition. Matter of fact, I could not tell it wasn't new. Not a mark on it. It was considerably less than anywhere else on the net.



http://www.uniden.com/docs/store/