Dual Ham and CB mobile radio?

[Imager993]

Does anybody know of any mobile units that operate both on the CB band and on Ham bands like 2m and HF? I looked around thinking that there would be options out there because most people wouldn't want to install or take two radios on a trip, but haven't been able to find anything at all. Does the Ham industry look down on CB so much to the point of full exclusion? I'd think it would be a good feature for larger caravans where not every has a ham license and also for emergencies.

 

[SteeevO]

I don't think you are going to find an out of the box solution with both Ham and CB in one.

However some hf radios may be modified to allow operation on the CB frequencies but this wouldn't be legal.

Solution: convince everyone to get a Ham

Sent while mobile, typos likely.

 

[pugslyyy]

Does anybody know of any mobile units that operate both on the CB band and on Ham bands like 2m and HF? I looked around thinking that there would be options out there because most people wouldn't want to install or take two radios on a trip, but haven't been able to find anything at all. Does the Ham industry look down on CB so much to the point of full exclusion? I'd think it would be a good feature for larger caravans where not every has a ham license and also for emergencies.

Generally hams like to do as much as they can. The industry, however, has to play by the rules that the government sets for spectrum and CB is limited to 5W whereas a good HF rig can be many times that. You don't think truckers wouldn't put a 500W HF rig in if they could?

I don't see what the big deal is with having 2 radios - you are going to have to have (at least) 2 antennas anyways, and because CB/HF is AM and 2m is FM a transceiver that can do both is going to be bulky and expensive - like this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaesu_FT-One

 

[gary in ohio]

There is no legal way you can produce a ham/cb combo radio. There are a few export/illegal CB's out there that have 10m ham bands but they are not legal to sell int he US.

 

[DaveInDenver]

You can put a mobile HF/VHF/UHF rig (FT-100, FT-857, IC-706, IC-7000, etc) in your truck, most of them have wide enough RX to tune CB channels. You would not be able to transmit legally. But honestly other than a couple of trail runs a year my biggest use for CB is just listening to OTR truckers and getting weather, traffic and road information anyway, so not being able to TX isn't a big problem.

 

[Per]

You can modify a ham radio to send on CB band but it is not legal to use a ham radio as a CB.

 

[Imager993]

Okay, I guess I just figured they would put the 5w limit on the CB band and make it available, but if there are further legal things at play, oh well. I guess modding a rig is the only option. Thanks guys!

 

[Gooseberry]

cheaper and easier to buy 2 radios then it is the one that does it all. You can do the two for $400 with antennas and over $1000 for non legal unit.

Plus the ease of use and having other people operate the radio's. I like the KISS saying (keep it simple stupid)and if your the only one that can switch between on the trail what good is that radio.

 

[craig333]

It would be handy but the FCC rules and regulations prohibit such.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Some more recent reading on the subject:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/119792-Clear-something-up-for-me

 

[AA1PR]

at least with amateur or ham gear I can access repeaters or other hams on HF when no one monitors other frequencies

vhf/uhf is good but HF is king I feel

 

[SteeevO]

+1 HF is King.

Cw on HF is ... king-er

Sent while mobile, typos likely.

 

[Dmarchand]

This isn't a discussion about what is best or legal. Op is asking is it possible. It is possible to mod a few mobile radios. Just reduce your transmission wattage so you aren't over powering others not in your group.