I use it mostly for weather when I'm out there without any signal..
I want to further explore ham........
CB Radio (merged thread)
- Thread starter Vandy
- Start date
I want to further explore ham........
Influencer I
Midland as well... But idk why I can't get it to work as it should, already tunned antenna, check ground, etc...
So decided to go big:
Uniden BEARCAT CB Radio With Sideband And WeatherBand (980SSB)
Ordered through amazon and should arrive next week... so we have new project :)
Influencer II
I, too, have a Unifen Bearcat CB radio mounted in my Jeep, but also travel with a handheld Baofeng ham radio and a Gmrs radio too. Love the Bearcat, included SWR meter helps with tuning.
The Bearcat is a powerful beast! I can easily boost the power of my Midland, but I don't want to frag the damn thing. I catch a lot of chatter in town and out on the highways, but it's localized to hunters and other townsfolk up at my place in VT - which is all I need.
Influencer I
I know very little and if anyone wants to correct me it will not hurt my feelings, it just adds to my knowledge.
In the States CB broadcasts on AM while amateur radio (HAM) broadcasts on UHF/VHF, in Australia AM and UHF/VHF are considered CB.
All consumer radios have vastly different range depending on terrain. They do not transmit around, over or through buildings and mountains. If you can hit a repeater with a HAM you can talk world wide.
FRS (family radios sold in bubble packs) work "OK " for line of sight communication up to about 3/4 mile. They are cheap and you can buy a few and throw one in each car you can chat until someone gets separated. My experience, don't pay attention to the "28 mile" advertising on the packages. The cheaper ones ($35 pair) work just as will as the expensive ones ($80 pair). Don't go too cheap ($20 pair) they don't work will.
HAM has a little better range over CB (AM) unless, as I said, you can hit a repeater. They do require everyone in your group to have a license and most of my friends don't have the time to spend a day in class and then spend the money to take the test and then spend the money to buy another radio (since they already have CBs).
CB (AM) is the most common radio type in the off road community. They are relatively cheap ($100) and don't require a license. Antenna, antenna, antenna! I would spend more time researching antenna types, placement and tuning than you do on shopping for a radio. And don't cheap out! I have had very good luck with K40 ($30) and Wilson ($60) magnetic mount antennas. Place it in the center of the vehicle as high as you can get it. I have never had one blow off. Now the important part: TUNE IT! Read about SWR and adjust the antenna length. An improperly tuned antenna will significantly reduce your range and can damage your radio. I am not splitting hairs here, tune your antenna. I have not noticed a difference between permanent mount and magnetic mounted antennas, mine is permanent.
I run the Uniden Bearcat 980SSB ($112 Amazon). I would not spend the money on sideband if you are not going to use it. It requires everyone in your group to have sideband. I do like the built in SWR meter and I would shop for one with that feature. It has other cool features
If anyone has any quetions, I am happy to share what I know either in this thread or by PM.
In the States CB broadcasts on AM while amateur radio (HAM) broadcasts on UHF/VHF, in Australia AM and UHF/VHF are considered CB.
All consumer radios have vastly different range depending on terrain. They do not transmit around, over or through buildings and mountains. If you can hit a repeater with a HAM you can talk world wide.
FRS (family radios sold in bubble packs) work "OK " for line of sight communication up to about 3/4 mile. They are cheap and you can buy a few and throw one in each car you can chat until someone gets separated. My experience, don't pay attention to the "28 mile" advertising on the packages. The cheaper ones ($35 pair) work just as will as the expensive ones ($80 pair). Don't go too cheap ($20 pair) they don't work will.
HAM has a little better range over CB (AM) unless, as I said, you can hit a repeater. They do require everyone in your group to have a license and most of my friends don't have the time to spend a day in class and then spend the money to take the test and then spend the money to buy another radio (since they already have CBs).
CB (AM) is the most common radio type in the off road community. They are relatively cheap ($100) and don't require a license. Antenna, antenna, antenna! I would spend more time researching antenna types, placement and tuning than you do on shopping for a radio. And don't cheap out! I have had very good luck with K40 ($30) and Wilson ($60) magnetic mount antennas. Place it in the center of the vehicle as high as you can get it. I have never had one blow off. Now the important part: TUNE IT! Read about SWR and adjust the antenna length. An improperly tuned antenna will significantly reduce your range and can damage your radio. I am not splitting hairs here, tune your antenna. I have not noticed a difference between permanent mount and magnetic mounted antennas, mine is permanent.
I run the Uniden Bearcat 980SSB ($112 Amazon). I would not spend the money on sideband if you are not going to use it. It requires everyone in your group to have sideband. I do like the built in SWR meter and I would shop for one with that feature. It has other cool features
If anyone has any quetions, I am happy to share what I know either in this thread or by PM.
Influencer I
- 3,038
- First Name
- Dave
- Last Name
- Stockslager
- Member #
-
2951
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KM6ZGS
I'm pretty torn here over the whole CB/HAM/GMRS radio thing....
I have a Cobra 75WXST in my Jeep, with a 4ft Firestick, multiple FRS/GMRS radios, and a Baofeng UV-82HP Ham (just listening now and studying for test) .
The majority of my trail friends have FRS/GMRS radios vs anything else, and frankly they work really well. I went ahead and paid for the GMRS license, so I can go full power. My only complaint is having them loose in the cab, and would really prefer something with a decent size speaker and a regular handheld mic. I saw this recently which peaked my interests:
https://midlandusa.com/product/micromobile-2-way-radio/
Full 5 watts and more in the style of a mounted CB unit. No complicated programming, plenty of channel options when you factor in privacy codes.
Ham is a good option, but like others here, many of my friends do not have the time or the interest to get into HAM radio.
As far as CB, my last road trip from LA to Denver and back, there was so little traffic on the CB, I wondered if it was even on. Also, I don't run my antenna full time so it feels like it needs to be re-tuned every time I re-attach it.
I carry a Delorme InReach SE if I need to call in the calvary. I guess it's good to be prepared for all reasons and maybe it's just me whining but I wish there was a more universally accepted approach to trail comms.
Actually, the more I type, the more ridiculous this post of mine seems....carry on!
I have a Cobra 75WXST in my Jeep, with a 4ft Firestick, multiple FRS/GMRS radios, and a Baofeng UV-82HP Ham (just listening now and studying for test) .
The majority of my trail friends have FRS/GMRS radios vs anything else, and frankly they work really well. I went ahead and paid for the GMRS license, so I can go full power. My only complaint is having them loose in the cab, and would really prefer something with a decent size speaker and a regular handheld mic. I saw this recently which peaked my interests:
https://midlandusa.com/product/micromobile-2-way-radio/
Full 5 watts and more in the style of a mounted CB unit. No complicated programming, plenty of channel options when you factor in privacy codes.
Ham is a good option, but like others here, many of my friends do not have the time or the interest to get into HAM radio.
As far as CB, my last road trip from LA to Denver and back, there was so little traffic on the CB, I wondered if it was even on. Also, I don't run my antenna full time so it feels like it needs to be re-tuned every time I re-attach it.
I carry a Delorme InReach SE if I need to call in the calvary. I guess it's good to be prepared for all reasons and maybe it's just me whining but I wish there was a more universally accepted approach to trail comms.
Actually, the more I type, the more ridiculous this post of mine seems....carry on!
@Gunnermoose and I talk 15 miles apart from each other all the time via simplex HAM. Crystal clear, over and around hills, city, etc. CB won't work past a few blocks. That's the big difference. Like anything else if you don't need it don't spend the money. If you have a CB put your antenna on the ROOF! The ones on the back look great but don't work worth beans when trying to send a signal forward.
Influencer I
- 3,038
- First Name
- Dave
- Last Name
- Stockslager
- Member #
-
2951
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KM6ZGS
The roof option doesn't work so well on a Jeep Wrangler but I have an Arizona Rocky Road antenna mount on the tailgate mount which puts the bottom of the antenna a few inches above the spare. If you look carefully in the pic below, you can see the stud for the Firestick, just to the right of the Maxtrax above the spare.
I actually have two of these now, the can be obtained here:
http://www.arizonarockyroad.com/antennamounts.html
While not the optimal location, I think it's a good compromise given the limitations. And before anyone points out the Gobi, I don't run it much anymore now that we have the trailer.
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I'm looking for a good mount for an Antenna on my 4Runner. I used to run it horizontal - north to south - on the cross bars of my Thule rack, but since I upgraded to my Rhino-Rack I don't have a place for it. Making things more challenging - there's no direct, off-the shelf mount, that I can find for a 4Runner off the bumper or to the side of the rear hatch. Chances are I'll cobble something together, but I would like a simple solution for at least one of the mods I do... Then again, that would probably break the mold - nothing is easy when you're modding out rigs!!!!
My solution is a mag mount antenna on the roof and I just remove the antenna portion when not in use. I have a thumb screw instead of the allen screw to make taking it on and off easy.The roof option doesn't work so well on a Jeep Wrangler but I have an Arizona Rocky Road antenna mount on the tailgate mount which puts the bottom of the antenna a few inches above the spare. If you look carefully in the pic below, you can see the stud for the Firestick, just to the right of the Maxtrax above the spare.
I actually have two of these now, the can be obtained here:
http://www.arizonarockyroad.com/antennamounts.html
While not the optimal location, I think it's a good compromise given the limitations. And before anyone points out the Gobi, I don't run it much anymore now that we have the trailer.
Influencer I
- 3,038
- First Name
- Dave
- Last Name
- Stockslager
- Member #
-
2951
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KM6ZGS
Influencer I
I have a question for those of you who know this stuff. From what I can gather in my research, CBs do not communicate the same distances as HAM (take repeaters out of this question). Is this because HAM radios are allowed to operate at a higher wattage? IE; will an 85 watt HAM transmit as far as a CB with an 85 watt linear?
On the questions about antennas, this is an excellent article: http://www.olypen.com/craigh/antennab.htm
On the questions about antennas, this is an excellent article: http://www.olypen.com/craigh/antennab.htm
Influencer I
- 3,038
- First Name
- Dave
- Last Name
- Stockslager
- Member #
-
2951
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KM6ZGS
Ham radio is on fm, greater distances. 5 watt handheld ham will go miles and be clear still. Use a 50-100 watt mobile ham will get along ways.
CB is AM. The amateur license is easy to get. But the real benefit is the repeaters that you get to use with a 2 m or 70 cm radio. You can use a phone patch which basically means you can use your radio and call a telephone number and talk to somebody where your cell doesn't work. In NM we have a bunch of repeaters that are all linked together through out the state. It's great.
Influencer I
- 3,038
- First Name
- Dave
- Last Name
- Stockslager
- Member #
-
2951
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KM6ZGS
Not exactly on topic, but I fired up my 2M Baofeng handheld that I purchased on sale at Amazon awhile back just to see what I could hear, and to further inspire me to study for the test. I've heard very little at our home near Los Angeles, so I thought I would have better luck at our cabin in the mountains above LA. Sure enough, picked up some conversations immediately and man was I disappointed! It was just as bad as some of the conversations on CB radio, F-bombs being dropped left and right, arguing over use of some repeater, goofy mic sound effects, etc. I guess I had it in my head that because it's regulated and licensed that the decorum would be better. Granted this is my first experience listening in on Ham, and I know there are bad apples everywhere, but seriously?? Glad my kids didn't happen to be around!
