Influencer II
CB Radio (merged thread)
- Thread starter Vandy
- Start date
Advocate II
Communication with others is one of the most important things you should add to your vehicle.
Whether its Cb or ham radio, it can save you and yours lives when your out in the wilds..
Definitely invest into the best you can afford in this area. We have a member named @Lars who can snswer any technical questions you might have in regards to Amature Ham radio.
lots of other members we have, use ham and CB radios.
Whether its Cb or ham radio, it can save you and yours lives when your out in the wilds..
Definitely invest into the best you can afford in this area. We have a member named @Lars who can snswer any technical questions you might have in regards to Amature Ham radio.
lots of other members we have, use ham and CB radios.
So my friends and I often use UHF handhelds similar to the Motorola CP200. They are great portable units we as a team can use together. It becomes a problem when we are trying to talk with others not on out freq. we used them in Mojave for about 2 miles before we lost signal with each other. They are a nice way to start and because we have them it works. However all that said I am investing in a vehicle mounted ham option soon.
Pathfinder III
Read the recent thread on different communication tools. If the people you go out with don't have CB it's pretty pointless. I would rather have a Ham (AND know how to use it) for solo adventures.
Off-Road Ranger I
I carry a pair of FRS/GMRS handheld radios. One for me and one for whoever needs one. Anyone else with a radio that uses those FCC defined bands (most brands names) can communicate with my radios. I haven't had distance or even small hills create too many issues as long as we stay reasonably close on a trail.
Off-Road Ranger I
The Xterra (once I redo my antenna mounts and reinstall antennas) is CB/FRS/GMRS/2M/70CM capable.
Pathfinder I
The answer is yes if you plan on driving in a group with others. Comms are important for not only fun but safety. OB is always on CH 16.
Off-Road Ranger I
I am still trying to figure out where in my Tacoma I could put a CB. I am thinking in the cubby in front of the cup holders but I have a lot of stuff in there that I need to find a better home for first.
Influencer II
take a look at the "mobile antenna farm" link in my signature.
As for CB or Ham... honestly I think you should have both. Ham gear (especially HF) is the only reasonably sure fire way to get comms out regardless of how remote you are. VHF/UHF gear running FM is fantastic in groups where everyone is licensed. In Moab at rock Therapy that was the case and it was amazing.
CB is what I consider the lowest common denominator. I guess FRS is likely the lowest common denominator, but it works so poorly inside a car (-28db...) that they almost don't count while driving.
I was just looking at the Midland 75-822 CB reviews on Amazon. For the one's that bought it, how do you like it and what kind of a antenna do you guys use?
Influencer II
The stock antenna is not too bad for close range stuff....in the car i use a whip on a mount....http://www.jaycar.com.au/Sight-&-Sound-Car/Car-Audio-Hardware/Car-Hardware-Accessories/3-Foot-27MHz-Helical-Whip/p/DC2030
and when on foot i usually hook up the Cobra telescopic antenna...http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Cobra-HATA-Telescopic-Whip-Antenna-/191534366072
and at home well, i go nuts......
Cheers
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Thanks for the information Luis! I really like that Cobra Telescopic antenna! Under normal conditions, what kind of range do you get with the Cobra antenna. Also, you have to tell me what the home station in the photo is all about.
Influencer II
If you are in the vehicle there is no better option that an external antenna, the vehicle acts like a steel cage as far as the radio is concerned...on foot i have gotten about 7 to 8 kms with the cobra, that was in suburbia...so in the open landscape you should get a better range !
Influencer II
The home set up is the radio with an SO239 adaptor which allows me to connect a Workman B100 external antenna on a 5 meter mast, i run a 30 amp power supply to power the linear amp KL203P...i have a clock / hygrometer and external speaker set up on the home made rack !
Influencer II
Influencer II
something that helps also is a counterpoise....wire on an clamp....in this case 2.750 mts... a quarter of 11 mts ....adds a good ground-plane the radio is much more responsive
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Any antenna by Wilson. Do go cheap. Antenna is what makes the radio good or bad for the most part. I have a Lil Wilson but the next size up with a 60" antenna or more is even better.
