CB/Weather or CB/SSB

[RWorth]

Looking to purchase a CB radio but I am trying to decide whether to get the Uniden 78LTW or to get a Galaxy 949. Those of you that have the radios with the weather channels, does the weather channels work. For those who have radios with single side band do you talk on the SSB very much, or do most people talk on the am channels. I am in the process of getting material to get my Tech license but my traveling partners are not into the ham radios. Your thought are appreciated.



Thanks

God Bless us all.

 

[The patriot]

I dont have weather on any of mine, but if you think you might like the radio as a hobby, SSB is really nice.

It's more like amateur radio (fewer un professional comments/language) than CB is... . for the most part.

The range potential is much greater on SSB than AM.

Much more family oriented than the AM side. (again, there are acceptions everywhere)

On the down side, the SSB requires constant tuning, and you may not even want to deal with it while driving.

The weather feature might be useful if youre in a tornado/flood area.

Sorry I couldnt be of more help.

Eric

 

[Blakers]

I have sideband, but I have never heard anyone using it. So unless you have a family member or friend who uses it with you, I doubt you will find anyone else using it.



I think it would be nice however, if you and some buddies were going on a trip or out 4 wheeling with your trucks and you want to be able to talk.



Blake

 

[The patriot]

Blake, try between channels 30 and 40 in the evening, and morning. I'm sure you'll hear someone.

Eric

 

[Blakers]

Blake, try between channels 30 and 40 in the evening, and morning. I'm sure you'll hear someone.

Ok, thanks... I will give it a try.



Blake

 

[M Barnett]

I agree with the other fellows about sideband, but by all means go with the Galaxy. A much better radio.

Michael

 

[BK]

I've had CB/SSB and the weather channels for years. After I got my ham ticket years ago, I can tune in the weather channels on my ham dualbander HT's and mobil rig. So no need for the weather channels on the CB.



I agree with all that's been written above about the CB/SSB.

Since it legally runs much higher wattage and how the carrier works, it tends to have a bit more punch.



But once you get your ticket, you'll find things to be very different on the ham bands as apposed to the CB band. All except some times on the 10meter band. Seems a bunch of the folks on CB (11 meters) who are looking to spread their wings float into the 10meter band.





There's a ton of choices too...



Since I have friends that we camp with that don't have a ham ticket I tend to always have a CB, FRS and GMRS (I have a GMRS ticket). FRS it great for the kids (cheap, small and good on batteries as compared to CB HT's) when they want to walk around and explore outside of the camp. The FRS and CB both work well car to car. But because the FRS HT is in the car and is much lower power... the CB has better car to car range.

 

[nautidog]

I don't have SSB, however, I do get weather info from my scanner. The weather info only works good near bigger towns or coastal towns. It does come in handy.

 

[pwknapp]

I've got the weather band with an alert. At 2 or 3 in the morning when that alert tone goes off even if the CB is off it will scare the pooh out of you. I can generally find a working National Weather channel anywhere. I just use it to know if I should tarp my loads and such. Yes on the Galaxy. JM . 02

 

[rcaldwel]

CB selection

I have the Galaxy 959 CB with SSB and it is nice. I did have a cobra with weather channel but did not have much luck with it. the signals seem to work best around large cities and I had to replace the cobra twice due to problems. finally gave it up and went with the Galaxy 959. I bought it from a old timer that sets them up and insures it is putting out and tuned. I used it every day and would be lost without it now. the SSB as written above works well between 30 and 40 in the evening and morning. I would go with the galaxy for sure.

 

[RWorth]

Thanks to all who have replied. Most of all have replied to the way I was thinking. I figured that I would get a BearCat 245 HH scanner or the BC 80. I would think that these would work better for the weather. PWKNAPP My family and another family are headed to Wyoming to help move cattle in the Casper Wyoming area. A friend of from church parents live there. I think they are third or fourth generation on the same land. We are really looking forward to going.