Best CB set-up:
- Thread starter Scott Brady
- Start date
Let's face it, radios are fun. Even CB radios. They can get you out of a nasty mess. Even CB radios. It is way better to have a CB radio, than no radio, as Scenic Wonderrunner illustrates very well.
With that said, even setting up my CB carefully with a good antenna, I've never really had great radio experiences with it. It was good enough for a trail run and that's about it.
But since this is an Expedition Forum, and not a 4 wheeling forum, Ham radio is just more germain to the discussion. It's better in every way. I can say that without bashing CB. The trick is having all of your travel friends switch to Ham as well, and your ability to reliably communicate increases 10 fold or more. Using just the Simplex side of things, reliable range can really be astounding-50 miles is common and over 100 is possible. And that's with a clear signal and minimal interference. Add a repeater to the mix and you can be region wide in an instant. There are so many frequencies, that it is easy to find one that has no other traffic on it.
That's why people are so quick to point out the Ham radios obvious advantages, especially given the relatively low prices for excellent equiptment--example Yaesu 2800 for $110. you arn't talking a lot more money, but you are getting a lot more radio.
So the "best" CB radio is probably a cheap radio or handheld coupled to a decent or better antenna like a Wilson 5000. That maximizes the performance and minimizes your investment. In use, though, the limitations become immediately obvious, and will prompt you to step up to real radio, as soon as you can take the test.
With that said, even setting up my CB carefully with a good antenna, I've never really had great radio experiences with it. It was good enough for a trail run and that's about it.
But since this is an Expedition Forum, and not a 4 wheeling forum, Ham radio is just more germain to the discussion. It's better in every way. I can say that without bashing CB. The trick is having all of your travel friends switch to Ham as well, and your ability to reliably communicate increases 10 fold or more. Using just the Simplex side of things, reliable range can really be astounding-50 miles is common and over 100 is possible. And that's with a clear signal and minimal interference. Add a repeater to the mix and you can be region wide in an instant. There are so many frequencies, that it is easy to find one that has no other traffic on it.
That's why people are so quick to point out the Ham radios obvious advantages, especially given the relatively low prices for excellent equiptment--example Yaesu 2800 for $110. you arn't talking a lot more money, but you are getting a lot more radio.
So the "best" CB radio is probably a cheap radio or handheld coupled to a decent or better antenna like a Wilson 5000. That maximizes the performance and minimizes your investment. In use, though, the limitations become immediately obvious, and will prompt you to step up to real radio, as soon as you can take the test.
D
Deleted member 1276
Guest
dumbest questions ever?
I am almost embarrassed to post in this thread because I'm going to ask probably the most dumb questions ever and there has been a lot of great info posted here.
And maybe there is a good resource you can point me to that will answer my question(s) and then some.
But. Again. Noob question. Why are there different "meters?" Is this wavelength?
Why are CBs and HAM radios different? Do they operate on different frequencies? I'm guessing this is the case.
Is a "free banded" radio as posted above a radio that can hit ALL frequencies free of restrictions? Is this illegal because some frequencies are reserved by the FCC for certain uses (air traffic, police, fire, etc...).
Scanners are essentially free-banded radios without the ability to transmit, correct? So these are able to pickup a large range of frequencies? Can a scanner pick up CB? HAM? Police?
Thanks - this thread is timely and helpful. I just installed my first cheap-o CB radio and antenna in my truck. I'll be working to eliminate my engine noise because I have a ton. I suspect that my ground isn't so good... But on the upside, I can hear the engine reving through the speakers and make it sound like the truck has more juice than it really does
I am almost embarrassed to post in this thread because I'm going to ask probably the most dumb questions ever and there has been a lot of great info posted here.
And maybe there is a good resource you can point me to that will answer my question(s) and then some.
But. Again. Noob question. Why are there different "meters?" Is this wavelength?
Why are CBs and HAM radios different? Do they operate on different frequencies? I'm guessing this is the case.
Is a "free banded" radio as posted above a radio that can hit ALL frequencies free of restrictions? Is this illegal because some frequencies are reserved by the FCC for certain uses (air traffic, police, fire, etc...).
Scanners are essentially free-banded radios without the ability to transmit, correct? So these are able to pickup a large range of frequencies? Can a scanner pick up CB? HAM? Police?
Thanks - this thread is timely and helpful. I just installed my first cheap-o CB radio and antenna in my truck. I'll be working to eliminate my engine noise because I have a ton. I suspect that my ground isn't so good... But on the upside, I can hear the engine reving through the speakers and make it sound like the truck has more juice than it really does
gary in ohio
Explorer
Meter is just one way to identify a frequency, when you hear meter think or a band or range of frequencies, not just a channel or single frequency.brettf said:
CB radio is 11 meters and is approx 26m to 27.5mhz (million cycle)
Ham radio has many bands and covers from 160 meters up into the cm band.
Ham radio 10 meter goes from 28mhz to 30 mhz.
ham radio 2m goes from approx
They are different services and regulated differently.
Freeband is a generic term and depends on where your at as to how its used. Typically when talking about cb and ham radio, freeband radio are ham radios being used on the CB band. They are often used on frequencies between the 11m and 10meter band. In some context freeband radio is any radio converted to as service it was not intended for. Every electronic device, transmitter or receiver must be certified by the fcc, for non transmitting devices they must have part 15 certification which basisly says, good engineer practices were used in making this radio and this radio may not generate interference but MUST accept inference from licensed services.
Anything else that transmit (except ham radio) will need to be certified into some FCC license class, business band, public safety, CB, FRS, GMRS. There are a HUGE number of rules that need to be met for radio to be certified.
No scanners are not freeband. freeband applies to transmitters. A scanner can pickup whatever is on the frequency the scanner covers. Some scanners only cover a small number of bands, some more. Generally you can receive ham radio, possible police depending on what equipment your police are using. to transmit and the type of scanner you have.
S
Scenic WonderRunner
Guest
Welcome brettf............
All good questions. Here is a good site with a world of radio Info!
Ham Radio and Freeband............
Once at the link.....scroll down and see the chat. You can search around the site for answers to other questions.
.
All good questions. Here is a good site with a world of radio Info!
Ham Radio and Freeband............
Once at the link.....scroll down and see the chat. You can search around the site for answers to other questions.
.
Dave Bennett
Adventurist
Although I have a longing for a 2M and am studying for my exam...
I STILL ENJOY MY CB!!!
On that note, part of my ultimate CB setup is the recent acquisition of a Wilson Trucker 5000
Your setup will only be as good as your antenna, and the 5000 is the real deal.
I got tired of worrying about breaking my Firestik at the bank drive-through!
I STILL ENJOY MY CB!!!
On that note, part of my ultimate CB setup is the recent acquisition of a Wilson Trucker 5000
Your setup will only be as good as your antenna, and the 5000 is the real deal.
I got tired of worrying about breaking my Firestik at the bank drive-through!
D
Deleted member 1276
Guest
Scenic WonderRunner said:
Awesome information from gary (above) and at the link you included. Thanks guys.
Clark White
Explorer
So pardon my ignorance, but besides CB or FRS/GMRS, what are the most common freq's used by this community? I've been looking at getting another radio to go with my CB, but I have limited funds, so I would like to cover the widest freq range possible, and in the most used range. Any suggestions on radios?
Dave Bennett
Adventurist
Clark White said:
2M has become the standard hands down.
Tech License: $14
Yaesu FT2800: $119
Clark White
Explorer
Thx! :26_34_3:
Clark White
Explorer
Scenic WonderRunner said:MIDLAND # 79-290
AM-USB/LSB-Weather
40 Channel CB w/ Side Band
120 channel operation (USB-AM-LSB)
7 channel US/3 channel Canadian weather receiver
Detachable control panel for added security
Black Matrix LCD display with choice of channel number or frequency readout
4 channel memory plus instant ch. 9
Feature packed! RF gain, mic gain, dual watch, fine/coarse and MORE
For more info please download our manual
[/COLOR]
Ok, another question. I was looking at this radio, and it says it has SSB capability w/12w output, and 4w output am. The only frequency ranges listed are CB channels, so is it putting out 12w SSB on CB channels? If your in SSB, can others hear you with normal AM CB's?
gary in ohio
Explorer
YOU have only 40 cb channels. SSB and AM are modulation methods, or ways to put voice onto a channel. SSB is broken down in upper and lower side band. and take 1/2 a channel where AM takes up the entire channel. SSB is typically used above channel 23 and often above channel 30, AM is pretty much the norm on the lower channels but SSB or AM can be used on any of the 40 channels.Clark White said:
Dont let the 4 vs 12 watts throw you. You get the extra power by using a signal that narrower. if you listen to SSB on an AM radio it has a donald duck sound to it
Clark White
Explorer
So with that set up you would really be able to reach out and touch someone for a CB. That would really only do you any good if you were talking to someone else with a similar setup, other wise it would be a rather one sided conversation.
S
Scenic WonderRunner
Guest
Clark White said:
Clark...........
I think that radio has been discontinued now........... it was a Really Kewl Radio though..........Oh Well.........!
With SSB.........you will definately put out farther. But you need a buddy on the trail that also has a SSB CB Radio....and an agreed upon channel to meet up at. You can always start at Channel #4 or whatever............then you can say.....go up to.....channel #4 Upper Sideband. Now you can talk much farther.
With my simple stock Johnson Radio and my Wilson 1000....with my SWR set Perfect!......I'm talking consistantly 20+ miles in the desert (up to 60+ miles). If anyone is with me on the trails......with an underperforning antenna.....we are lucky if we can talk 1 to 2 miles or even less. That's when they say they hate their CB Radio. Oh Well......!
S
Scenic WonderRunner
Guest
TACODOC said:Although I have a longing for a 2M and am studying for my exam...
I STILL ENJOY MY CB!!!
On that note, part of my ultimate CB setup is the recent acquisition of a Wilson Trucker 5000
Your setup will only be as good as your antenna, and the 5000 is the real deal.
I got tired of worrying about breaking my Firestik at the bank drive-through!
Great Choice there Doc!
We ought to do a distance talk test sometime. We might just get some folks to start luvin' CB Radio's....again!:26_7_2:
http://www.wilsonantenna.com/t5000.htm
http://www.wilsonantenna.com/t5000art.htm
