Posted: 5/8/2009 1:30:50 AM EDT
|
I've decided that I am going to get my Tech/General license this summer and get into ham radios. But I was wondering if would be useful to have a CB radio in my truck as well for monitoring things like traffic, speed traps, etc or if I would just be duplicating my effort.
Thanks |
|
Any comm gear is useful to have. CB is good for backup comms, but personally, I don't use it. I got tired of listening to the profanity, politics, and some racism here and there. People who use ham radio have class. That's what I love about it... I have a CB radio, but I haven't turned it on in 9yrs+. |
| I believe for a total comms solution one needs to prepare for any reasonable contingency. To that end, I have some frs/gmrs, 1 cb hand held, and the rest is ham gear. I take the cb out maybe once per year just to ensure it's still working. The gmrs gear sees a fair amount of use at the camp and works out quite well actually....too bad it doesn't have a longer range. Most of my serious work is done with ham gear. I found with ham that I really didn't need to spend that much money, but the capabilities, distances, and self reliant communication was amazing. |
| Yes, you can receive CB (11meters) on many ham multi band hf ham radios. (Icom IC-706 for example) As far as having a CB for emergency coms, they don't cost much new, there are a lot of them out there so they can be picked up used for next to nothing so there is no reason not to have one. They may be valuable to listen to in a real emergency. As far as listening to them for road reports, they are pretty much a just a waste of time. |
|
Quoted:
Oh yeah... listening in on Ch19 (unless it has changed) to the truckers' chatter. They're good about locating and passing along info about traffic and speed traps. +1. Saved me from more than one speeding ticket. I've also found them useful for road conditions and traffic jams. If there's a trucker way upfront it's like having a set of eyes up there. If the HiPo have closed the left lane due to an accident, you'll know way ahead to get to the right. Weather band where I'm at is useful. I recommend you use an SWR meter to check the install, otherwise you could have crappy performance or fry your finals. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Oh yeah... listening in on Ch19 (unless it has changed) to the truckers' chatter. They're good about locating and passing along info about traffic and speed traps. +1. Saved me from more than one speeding ticket. I've also found them useful for road conditions and traffic jams. If there's a trucker way upfront it's like having a set of eyes up there. If the HiPo have closed the left lane due to an accident, you'll know way ahead to get to the right. Weather band where I'm at is useful. Thats what I have heard. Quoted:
I recommend you use an SWR meter to check the install, otherwise you could have crappy performance or fry your finals. I have no idea what you just said. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Oh yeah... listening in on Ch19 (unless it has changed) to the truckers' chatter. They're good about locating and passing along info about traffic and speed traps. +1. Saved me from more than one speeding ticket. I've also found them useful for road conditions and traffic jams. If there's a trucker way upfront it's like having a set of eyes up there. If the HiPo have closed the left lane due to an accident, you'll know way ahead to get to the right. Weather band where I'm at is useful. Thats what I have heard. Quoted:
I recommend you use an SWR meter to check the install, otherwise you could have crappy performance or fry your finals. I have no idea what you just said. You will get to know that term when you start studying for your license. Someone will chime in and define "SWR". I have a CB but havent had it hooked up for a few years. As said above they are good to have for traffic and radar. And again, as stated above, there is a lot of shit the CB. I have listened to CBers quite alot when I am at my radio. Im so glad I dont have to listen to that stuff on my HF rig. |
|
congrats on wanting to get a ham lic. in short, traffic conditions-CB: if ther is bad weather coming or around=HAM radio.
and +1 on the comment that Ham op's are more conversational, vs, CB talking trash. dont' get talked into getting one of those "10 meter ham channelized radios" sold at truck stops. get started by getting licensed, save up for a mobile radio, 2 meter, join a local ham club. joining the club helps withthe repeater costs (that you'll be using) If you got any questions,just post them here,,, we'll gladly answer, and read the ham primer at the top of this forum. Mike |
|
The 'total comms' solution is a good approach. Having multiple radios capable of doing ham, cb, frs, and even gmrs and murs is never a bad thing.
Most HF rigs can receive CB frequencies. Many can be modified to TX in this range as well, although it is illegal to use a ham radio on CB frequencies. However the regulations specifically state that in time of emergency, you can use whatever frequency or mode will get you help the fastest. To this end, many have modified their radios for all-band transmit. The modification is perfectly legal to do so long as the operator is careful not to transmit out of band. So, if OP is planning on having a mobile HF setup, you'll be fine with any modern rig for monitoring traffic, speed traps, etc; you just can't talk back to them. |
|
People who use ham radio have class.
There are "No Class" operators there too. I use both types of comms HAM and CB...I have a CB in all of my vehicles and at the house and BOL. My CB is on when I'm in the vehicle...the base is on if I'm at home. The Kenwood TS440SAT is also on if I'm home, and the ICOM 706mkIIg is on (turned down) in the truck. CB radio is often refered to in a negative context by the holyer than thou type HAM operator...but it has it's positives, and contrary to popular belief, is making a strong comeback. Many a HAM got their start on CB...I know I did. I do not differentiate myself as a HAM or CB'er as I am both...I refer to myself as "A radio operator". I will mention that during the Hurricanes of 2004 and 2005, then again in 2008, I was able to get better LOCAL info on the CB than the HAM. Not that the HAM radio was silent, but it was more generalized info, non-specific to the area I was in. Truck drivers become a wealth of info as to fuel, road condition/closures ect during a crisis. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Oh yeah... listening in on Ch19 (unless it has changed) to the truckers' chatter. They're good about locating and passing along info about traffic and speed traps. +1. Saved me from more than one speeding ticket. I've also found them useful for road conditions and traffic jams. If there's a trucker way upfront it's like having a set of eyes up there. If the HiPo have closed the left lane due to an accident, you'll know way ahead to get to the right. Weather band where I'm at is useful. Thats what I have heard. Quoted:
I recommend you use an SWR meter to check the install, otherwise you could have crappy performance or fry your finals. I have no idea what you just said. Sorry, here's a link that'll explain it better than I can: SWR Essentially, if your antenna isn't 'tuned' to your radio and cable, it'll result in poor transmission. Additionally, since the power isn't being radiated efficiently, it'll overheat components (the finals) of the radio causing them to fail. When they fail, you can no longer transmit. Radio Shack carries a good and fairly inexpensive SWR meter. If you're planning on any CB system at all, I would spend the extra to get a meter to check the system. This preventative measure will allow you to improve your cb's performance and save you money by not burning up your equipment. Meter Not an endorsement of Firestik or Radio shack. ETA: Are you anywhere close to Oklahoma? |
Also, PM incoming...|
The good thing about CB radio is every semi has one installed.
The bad thing about CB radio is every semi has one installed. Seriously, if you drive the interstates a lot (l do), they can come in handy. It's pretty much the Wild West out there, and I wouldn't let children listen, especially near truck stops. Sometimes, they're a good way to pass the time. I've talked to a few nice drivers. I've found it's a good way to find cheap diesel on the road, too. I have a mobile ham radio now, and from what I've been told, many OTR drivers are getting licensed. I've not talked to one yet, though. |
|
I have a Cobra 25 CB and a Kenwood TMV708 dual band in my car. If I get tired of listening to the CB, I turn it off. The same goes for the dual bander, I have blocks of 20 channels programmed with public safety and ham repeaters. If a conversation is uninteresting or I don't want to join in, I scan a different block that doesn't include that group of freqs. For tac comms, I have five UHF Icom radios that are programmed with GMRS and 440 ham freqs. I have 2 VHF Icom radios programmed with MURS freqs and ham freqs. Most of this stuff was bought of the web for a lot less than what new stuff would cost.
Like the guys say, get both! RS |
|
i'm also playing around with the cb/ham ideas and recently bought a vhf for the boat what are the positives of vhf conpared to the cb as far as range, carpbilities go. I have noticed that the vhf is pretty quiet out there which seems both good and bad.
I curently have cb, gmrs fmrs combo and the vhs. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Oh yeah... listening in on Ch19 (unless it has changed) to the truckers' chatter. They're good about locating and passing along info about traffic and speed traps. +1. Saved me from more than one speeding ticket. I've also found them useful for road conditions and traffic jams. If there's a trucker way upfront it's like having a set of eyes up there. If the HiPo have closed the left lane due to an accident, you'll know way ahead to get to the right. Weather band where I'm at is useful. Thats what I have heard. Quoted:
I recommend you use an SWR meter to check the install, otherwise you could have crappy performance or fry your finals. I have no idea what you just said. Sorry, here's a link that'll explain it better than I can: SWR Essentially, if your antenna isn't 'tuned' to your radio and cable, it'll result in poor transmission. Additionally, since the power isn't being radiated efficiently, it'll overheat components (the finals) of the radio causing them to fail. When they fail, you can no longer transmit. Radio Shack carries a good and fairly inexpensive SWR meter. If you're planning on any CB system at all, I would spend the extra to get a meter to check the system. This preventative measure will allow you to improve your cb's performance and save you money by not burning up your equipment. Meter Not an endorsement of Firestik or Radio shack. ETA: Are you anywhere close to Oklahoma? Thanks for clearing that up! I'm in San Antonio, so no, not really close, though I do have a few relatives that are Okies. 
I like the idea of having both. I was just wondering with regards to space concerns. I've got two vehicles to outfit, and while there is plenty of room in my truck, my wifes minivan is going to be a tight fit. Anyways, thats not a priority right now, I will figure it out when the time comes. It looks like a kind Arfcommer here is going to hook me up with a CB for a bargain price  Now I need an antenna. Can anyone recommend one? It will be mounted on a 99 F-150 pickup. I will also be getting some kind of mobile ham radio in the near future, so keep that in mind if there is one antenna that can do both.
Thanks! |
|
Firestik, Wilson and K40 all make good CB antenna's, I would suggest one with an adjustable tip rather than a 102" whip, it makes tuning it much easier. Mounts include, but aren't limited to, magnetic, bed rail, bumper, mirror, and hood. Each, including the whip, has it's benefits and drawbacks that you'll have to research and decide on.
What I recommend only applies to CB's because I failed the morse code requirement for ham when I tried for my license 25 years ago. 
|
|
Quoted:
i'm also playing around with the cb/ham ideas and recently bought a vhf for the boat what are the positives of vhf conpared to the cb as far as range, carpbilities go. I have noticed that the vhf is pretty quiet out there which seems both good and bad. I curently have cb, gmrs fmrs combo and the vhs. Marine VHF is only legal for marine use. I know folks with CB on their boats. I'm not sure why, I've never heard anything on CB while on the water. CB radios are limited to 5 watts, although many illegally modify their radios, or use amplifiers. Marine VHF radios (except HT's) are 25 watts. I've talked to marinas 15 miles away (line of sight) while on Lake Superior. I think 5 files is ambitious for CB. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
i'm also playing around with the cb/ham ideas and recently bought a vhf for the boat what are the positives of vhf conpared to the cb as far as range, carpbilities go. I have noticed that the vhf is pretty quiet out there which seems both good and bad. I curently have cb, gmrs fmrs combo and the vhs. I've talked to marinas 15 miles away (line of sight) while on Lake Superior. I think 5 files is ambitious for CB. I agree, 5 miles is an achievement for a stock CB. |
|
this is what I plan on adding with a 2 foot tuned firestick to my roof rack with my HAM gear:
compact all in one remote CB I have seen them before. They work ok for a small compact discreet CB.... |
|
I have one of those compact CB's and it was okay, however, I found that the log haulers in our area, (central Idaho) have started using SSB CB's.
SSB has about twice the range of AM. So that let the little Cobra out as a viable radio, (at least here anyway, for me) I have a Cobra 148GTL in the Jeep with a Wilson Silver load, 5 foot antenna. I don't use the CB all the time as I'm primarily an HF operator. My other Jeep radio is a Yaesu FT-857D and I use a Bandhopper Manual tune screwdriver mounted on the driver side rear corner. Have been a ham for about 25 years, but got started in CB, like may others. I would not be without a CB in the mountains. I also have an SGC-2020 with full solar ability and a homebrew dipole for all bands as my SHTF rig. Re-wired an H-250 handset to work with it. This radio gets tossed on the ATV when I am out in the middle of no where. Have a few GMRS radios about for friends who are not hams when they are here. If there are any other Radio Ops in the west central Idaho area, I am always open for QSO's or ATV trips. |