CB radio - or Ham?

[jmdjax]

So, I don't know anything about HAM radios.

I am tired of being out of the conversation on the trails so I was going to get a CB radio to put in my FJ40. But I saw on here a lot of people are using HAM radios.

Can someone give me a quick lesson on what the difference is and why you would want one versus the other?

I'm making an assumption that HAM and CB aren't compatible with each other.

Thanks!

 

[SilverBullet]

See if this article helps.
http://c4x4.webs.com/apps/wiki/201102p1

 

[sxharr05]

First, no they are not compatible. They operate on different frequency ranges (CB=11 meter, ham=2, 6, 10 and so on). Ham is also regulated by the FCC and requires a license which is easy enough to acquire. It's good for ten years and the test generally runs 15-20 dollars and is given by local radio clubs. Check out eham.net for more info on radios,antennas, protocol etc. The main "governing body" of all things ham is AARL. You can use their site to find a local test.

As far as which one is best? Cb is certainly more basic and can be had cheaper, but ham will get you better range and better quality of transmit and recieve. One option for covering the bases while on the trail is to run both. I have a Uniden PRO520xl cb and a magnet mount antenna and I'm under $100 for the setup. For ham I have an FDC FD 160 2 meter handheld that was about $60 shipped. I plan on upgrading to a 2m/440 mobile which will get me much more coverage and more features for around 300.

Also remember that possibly the most important piece of equipment with any setup is going to be the antenna. If it is not set up properly (location, ground) it will make a $500 HAM radio sound like garbage. If it sounds at all.

Others will be along to add to what I have contributed, and you'd do well to take their advice and also check out some of the sites you'll be given. Ham isn't something you want to just jump into, but with a little knowledge going in it can be very rewarding.

 

[85CUCV]

Get your Tech license. The test is easy. Cost is minimal. You will learn practical information as you study. I do not think you would be disappointed. I'm new to amateur radio (2m)and like having a radio that will easily and transmit 25+ miles on the flatlands. I've also met alot of good people in the amateur community who will help you out with any issues you might have.

Silverbullet's link is good.

 

[AFSOC]

This can really be a hot button topic on this board. Loyalty runs deep on both sides of the aisle.

Assumption correct, CB and HAM (amateur radio) are not compatible. CB requires no license to operate and HAM does require licensing. Amateur radio is much 'cleaner' sounding with less static etc. Radio to radio transmit and receive range is greater too and there is an ability to 'relay' your signals through repeaters for greater distance. The downside is that amateur radios are complex to use effectively. The HAM enthusiasts enjoy the tweaking, understand the science of HF, UHF, VHF and are cult like in their enthusiasm for the hobby.

CB is more of a plug and play system. No licensing or training is required. Some basic good sense and proper set up during installation makes a huge difference in overall satisfaction of CB as a means of communication. The user simply dials a channel and mashes the button and you are communicating. Range is limited and CB ownership doesn't put you in an exclusive fraternity of enthusiasts like amateur radio does.

What's best for you to use is what's going to be effective for you. Having the greatest mobile radioshack/comm. center is useless if the rigs on your trail ride all have CB. Remember somebody has to be able to listen to your transmissions and transmit to you in order to be a communication system. Maybe both a 70/2M and CB covers your bases? Just decide what is best for you, don't just choose a system because potential advantages. I am a Ham. I always have a 2M in my rig but hardly ever use it on the trail. I am a believer in the capabilities of amateur radio but have come to realize that even in an emergency, it is probably limited in its effectiveness.

 

[Ash]

I'm just slightly beyond this point too so my new perspective may help. Firstly I know next to nothing about this sort of stuff but needed a CB for a trip in two weeks - so I just ordered a Midland portable CB (Less than $75) and am about to order a Wilson Lil Will Magnetic Antenna. You typically need a CB as that is what everyone else has, having HAM is infinitly better, but who cares if you're the only one with it? (other than having an emergency communications option - but I'd prefer a sat phone over HAM here). So, therefore a CB is 'required'. On recommendation from Mr Leary here on ExPo and reading other ExPo threads, I bought the portable CB that can be used in or out the rig. When inside I'll plug it into a small but decent portable antenna. This will help me figure out what I really need later on after using it for a while. The antenna is less than $32 and it will have a good resale for when I upgrade.

And much later on, or as needed I can get into HAM....

My set up:
Midland 75
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Midland-75-822-Channel-Way-Radio/dp/B00000K2YR/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299621913&sr=8-1"]http://www.amazon.com/Midland-75-822-Channel-Way-Radio/dp/B00000K2YR/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299621913&sr=8-1[/ame]

Wilson Antenna
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Little-Wilson-Magnet-Mount-Antenna/dp/B0006VKG7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1299681393&sr=1-1"]http://www.amazon.com/Little-Wilson-Magnet-Mount-Antenna/dp/B0006VKG7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1299681393&sr=1-1[/ame]


This setup is a neat entry level CB set-up that can be tuned for good quality trail communications. I like the mag mount as it will allow me to test various locations on the rig in the field when fully loaded. When you upgrade to HAM later, you'll still need CB and at least this way you have a portable CB which has it's uses.

Hope that helps.


Ash

 

[4x4x4doors]

You've gotten some good info on the differences and advantages of each. Key to your decision goes back to your original post.

I am tired of being out of the conversation

What do the people you ride with use? Some of the folks I ride with use the frs radios.

Like the mods on your vehicle, what are you trying to do?

 

[85CUCV]

4x4x4doors is right. I read your original post again. If your buddies are only using citizen band you would have to have a CB. I use FRS more on the trail as most of my friends are not licensed.

 

[jmdjax]

Great 4x4x4 and 85CUCV, I will go with the CB. I guess I just didn't understand what HAM was.

 

[Bergum]

1 question.
What does your friends have?
Buy the same VHF/Ham

If you are driving alone, buy a Ham. More pepelope listen to Ham radio than CB.

Ham is more for safety, but CB's more fun.

Basicly... If you buy a ham, then you are going to buy a CB anyway

73 de la2koa with bouth....

 

[craig333]

I plan on getting my amateur license as soon as I get this pesky moving matter under control. That said, at least here in CA I can't imagine not having a cb also.

1. Logging trucks use cb radios. Really nice to hear "truck # coming down at mp 5 when you're at mp 4, gives you time to get out of the way.

2. Jeep events use cb. Has come in handy (I got stuck at the light, which way do we turn?). Especially when historical runs are being narrated.

3. Traffic reports.

A lot of people like to list the pluses and minuses of each. I say forget the minuses, look at the pluses and you can only conclude you need both.

 

[7wt]

If you want another hobby then HAM is the way to go. If you want to hear a bunch of old guys whine about their bladder problems then HAM is the way to go. If you want to only talk to your offroad buddies and run in close proximity then CB is your Huckleberry. I have a tech ticket and as of late, I rarely go on the air. This is mostly because the HAM scene in CT is a sort of old boys club where everyone knows everyone else and they just repeat the same old crap each day. Once I get a little more time, I intend to jump into the HF side of things or at least 6M but that may be more of the same. If nothing else, one day I will be an old fart with bladder problems too.

 

[xtatik]

If you want another hobby then HAM is the way to go. If you want to hear a bunch of old guys whine about their bladder problems then HAM is the way to go. If you want to only talk to your offroad buddies and run in close proximity then CB is your Huckleberry. I have a tech ticket and as of late, I rarely go on the air. This is mostly because the HAM scene in CT is a sort of old boys club where everyone knows everyone else and they just repeat the same old crap each day. Once I get a little more time, I intend to jump into the HF side of things or at least 6M but that may be more of the same. If nothing else, one day I will be an old fart with bladder problems too.

Quite a bit of generalization in your post, but I can't deny... some of it is true. However, there is way more to it than this. There are certainly a lot of hacks and holdovers from the 70's CB era who somehow upgraded to Amateur Radio when the CB craze died off. It's a sad fact that many haven't shed old habits, and they do blemish the hobby with poor operation skills and crappy conduct/content.
At least here in California...the repeater chatter and on 80m is where you'll hear the bulk of what your suggesting. Most are operators that IMO have little motivation or purpose for the hobby other than menial chat. Unfortunately due to the routine nature of their radio use...they just seem to run out of meaningful or interesting subject matter.:drool:
You'll usually hear a different class of operator on 15, 20 and 40m, especially in the Extra segments. Some crap can still be heard in some areas of the General segments on these bands... But, in general you'll find much better operators on these bands. Most of the top class operators and stations will only come on the air for contests, DX chasing or other events, and these operators won't audibly resemble the guys who meet up daily on the "nets" to "ragchew" about their bladders.

 

[Bergum]

Ok. Heres one for you.
With Ham you can use APRS tracking.
That will say that those home will know where to look for you when you are not comming home one night (That will be at a bar or in the forrest)

With ham you can wright messages like twitter and mail.

With ham you can communicate with the outside world even after driving 1 week into the forrest.

With cb you can talk to your friends around you.......

Get bouth.

 

[Jerry]

both