I see most people are using HAM instead of CB

[Graeman]

Many radios, mostly from China, can right out of the box transmit on those frequencies. Nearly any radio can be moded via a "MARS/CAP MOD" to run on those frequencies.

There are tons of HAM guys out there running radios with that mod.

But thats a decision each person has to make for themselves. You wont find any FCC actions against anyone in regards to this, its another one of those things thats unenforced.

You said what all of the Baofeng owners were thinking but afraid to say. A lot if Ham owners have the mod and I wish that I would have gotten my Yaesu done before they shipped it out to me.

 

[LostInThought]

You said what all of the Baofeng owners were thinking but afraid to say. A lot if Ham owners have the mod and I wish that I would have gotten my Yaesu done before they shipped it out to me.

I suspect that enforcement is "light", because of the difficulty in remotely distinguishing the signal strength difference between a 50W modified ham rig transmitting on GMRS frequencies with a 2dBi gain antenna** from a 15W GMRS rig with a 6dBi gain antenna** when the line of sight is unobstructed and the receiver was in the center of the signal path for both. Once you throw terrain into the mix, it would be even more difficult to distinguish.

With that said, the ham rig could also transmit on frequencies that fall between GMRS channels, and that would be a clear/easy indication that a ham rig was being used instead of a GMRS rig.

** Nerdy antenna details you probably already know: Think of the antenna gain like this: a 0dBi gain antenna essentially spreads the power of your signal across the entire sky (actually ground too, but the ground largely absorbs the signal at the frequencies we use). Unless there is a receiver directly above you, a lot of that power is wasted. Antennas that provide more focus of the signal toward the horizon are said to have higher gain - the higher the gain, the more focused. A lot of mobile ham operators (and some GMRS operators) own both a high gain antenna ( ~5-6dBi for flat terrain) and a lower gain antenna (~2-3dBi for hilly/steep terrain). Others things being equally, a 2x increase in transmit power achieves roughly the same signal strength at the horizon as a 3dBi increase in antenna gain, and a 4x increase in transmit power achieves roughly the same signal strength as a 6dBi increase in antenna gain. A cheap antenna cable/connectors could lose 2-3dBi before the signal even gets to the antenna. Moral of the story: a good antenna, good antenna mount, and good cabling/connectors without any extra connectors basically doubles the transmit power (and reception capability) of your radio.

 

[Downs]

I suspect that enforcement is "light", because of the difficulty in remotely distinguishing the signal strength difference between a 50W modified ham rig transmitting on GMRS frequencies with a 2dBi gain antenna** from a 15W GMRS rig with a 6dBi gain antenna** when the line of sight is unobstructed and the receiver was in the center of the signal path for both. Once you throw terrain into the mix, it would be even more difficult to distinguish.

There's GMRS radios out there that run 40 and 50 watts. Then you've got all the commercial surplus units people use on there and in the HAM bands as well.

No one would be able to tell except maybe the FCC with one of their 3 enforcement vans with a lot of gear onboard to detect signals. Yeah the FCC has 3 enforcement vans total. Covering the whole 3.8 million square miles of the US.

What it really comes down to is the FCC has almost no F(^*S to give about FRS, GMRS, MURS ect. They only kinda care about HAM because of other HAMs policing their own bands, and the ARRL acting as a lobbying group. Now get out of those lanes and start interfering with people's legit business comms, or public safety stuff and they may start taking an interest.

Again everyone has to do what they feel they need to but don't feel like there are FCC agents out there hiding int he bushes with binoculars watching you transmit on your radio. They don't have the manpower for that.

 

[64Trvlr]

The giant AM antenna is a pita. CB isn't worth the investment here. Everyone's running a ham or gmrs. It's a shame that one radio can't do both ham and gmrs.

As for the ''ham license''? Yeah ask around, all you'll hear is laughter.

I don't get it, what are they laughing about?

 

[MidOH]

They don't bother with the license.

 

[M Rose]

They

so why exactly did I just upgrade to general and am studding for my extra? Oh wait ! Thats right... because it’s the LAW

 

[Downs]

The access to repeaters both GMRS and HAM is well worth the cost of the licenses. Start messing around on people's repeaters without callsigns and people are going to take a special interest in tracking you down and turning you into the FCC. A lot of HAM guys are retired folks and enjoy "fox hunting". They've got all the time in the world lol

If you are talking simplex there's going to be a lot of times people can't hear you anyway especially if you are away from populated areas. But something like a 50 watt 2 meter radio can really get out there sometimes and if you are on the wrong frequency you can be interfering with a lot of different stuff not just simplex voice traffic. Having a little education on band plans and stuff can be really helpful here.

All of this is part of the reason I'm pushing my local Jeep Club towards GMRS instead of HAM. Many are more interested in what angry eyes grill they want to put on their Jeep instead of something that could be potentially life saving. So I'm pushing for the more turn key solution of GMRS with a higher license cost. Most are ok with the 7 dollars a year of a GMRS license, most aren't ok with a 15 dollar license and a test.

 

[M Rose]

The access to repeaters both GMRS and HAM is well worth the cost of the licenses. Start messing around on people's repeaters without callsigns and people are going to take a special interest in tracking you down and turning you into the FCC. A lot of HAM guys are retired folks and enjoy "fox hunting". They've got all the time in the world lol

If you are talking simplex there's going to be a lot of times people can't hear you anyway especially if you are away from populated areas. But something like a 50 watt 2 meter radio can really get out there sometimes and if you are on the wrong frequency you can be interfering with a lot of different stuff not just simplex voice traffic. Having a little education on band plans and stuff can be really helpful here.

All of this is part of the reason I'm pushing my local Jeep Club towards GMRS instead of HAM. Many are more interested in what angry eyes grill they want to put on their Jeep instead of something that could be potentially life saving. So I'm pushing for the more turn key solution of GMRS with a higher license cost. Most are ok with the 7 dollars a year of a GMRS license, most aren't ok with a 15 dollar license and a test.

7 a year, or 15 for life... doesn’t make sense to me...

 

[Downs]

7 a year, or 15 for life... doesn’t make sense to me...

People don't make sense in general. All they see is a test vs no test. And turn key convenience of GMRS vs having to mess around with HAM radio programming and learning band plans and what not.

 

[Laud]

I have all three now because sometimes I lead a run. GMRS is easy, ham is powerful and takes practice to become proficient and friends don't let friends CB...:-) They have there place I guess, just not very high on my list.

 

[MattLew]

I have been a ham since 99 and spent my first 5 years working with RACES. I am still always an advocate of CB as a viable option. It is absolutely worth having at least a cheap mini radio in the vehicle... Especially if you have unlicensed people traveling with you (FRS HTs are often inadequate). I like to keep 1-2 CB HTs with 12v adapter and a mag mount antenna to loan to group members who do not have a license. If nothing else I can serve as a relay station between people on different radio services. There is really no reason other than ego NOT to have at least a cheap CB in our trail rig. If we are lucky enough that the group has at least one licensed person in each vehicle, so much the better we can always turn the CB off. As licensed Hams, we are legally bound not to let non licensed operators use the radio without a control op in our trips.

That said, as licensed hams, we should also encourage our friends to get licensed... If you have an up to date study guide, loan it to your friend... Help them practice to get their license. After all the more the merrier.

 

[MOAK]

I still have a CB. I like it. We also carry a PLB in case of a dire emergency. I have an idea that the HAM fad will eventually pass and the HAM hobbyists will remain true to their Hams. CB radio went thru the fad faze back in the 70s. Having said this I may well be getting a HAM liscense as we prepare and plan for a back roads trip up through the Canadian Rockies and hangin a left on over to Alaska.

 

[Downs]

I still have a CB. I like it. We also carry a PLB in case of a dire emergency. I have an idea that the HAM fad will eventually pass and the HAM hobbyists will remain true to their Hams. CB radio went thru the fad faze back in the 70s. Having said this I may well be getting a HAM liscense as we prepare and plan for a back roads trip up through the Canadian Rockies and hangin a left on over to Alaska.

Not sure if it will be a fad or not. Maybe for as long in our niche group anyway as "overlanding" lasts as a fad. I do think that with places like Jeep Jamboree moving to GMRS/FRS that we will see a more permanent shift from CB as the go to though.

 

[Kent R]

Our position at Overland Bound is Ham first, GMRS second then CB. That being said I carry all three and use all three. GMRS is the new CB in my opinion.

 

[Patrick]

if you drive on logging roads, cb radio is a must.

 

[Trad77]

I gotta figure because it has a longer range? I used CB because it was more than enough for my jeep club when we had meets.
Plus if it bounces off the atmosphere correctly you can talk to the past.

I use ham radio mostly but I also have a CB in the rig.

 

[Trad77]

if you drive on logging roads, cb radio is a must.

Yes sir! Gotta know where those loggin' trucks are.

 

[mtn]

if you drive on logging roads, cb radio is a must.

CB can be useful when you're stuck in a backup on the freeway. Switch to channel 19, key up & ask "is there anyone here who knows why we're stuck on eastbound I-90?" and there's usually a trucker who who knows something or with whom you can commiserate.

But yeah, those are the only two reasons I keep my CB around.

 

[Downs]

if you drive on logging roads, cb radio is a must.

CB can be useful when you're stuck in a backup on the freeway. Switch to channel 19, key up & ask "is there anyone here who knows why we're stuck on eastbound I-90?" and there's usually a trucker who who knows something or with whom you can commiserate.

But yeah, those are the only two reasons I keep my CB around.

Waze and google maps has done such a good job rerouting me around stuff like that I havent done a CB check on road conditions in ages.

 

[TheGreyhound]

Waze and google maps has done such a good job rerouting me around stuff like that I havent done a CB check on road conditions in ages.

Waze is truly a beautiful thing