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Really want to install a CB radio - but haven't because I hate the fact of having to have a huge antenna mounted. Is that the only option or is there another option other than 4' antennas?
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What about those short roof top antennas I see? Any good?It really depends on what you're wanting to use it for. If it's just keeping in touch with folks your riding/wheeling with, then a 3 or 4 foot antenna (that's tuned) will be fine. If you're wanting it for highway use and for a radius over a few miles, you need the bigger antenna(s). I'm using a handheld, that also connects to my external antenna (3-foot Firestick) and it works fine for short distances.
A 4 ft antenna is not "huge". The optimal antenna length is 1/4 wave which works out to be around 102". Back in the old days, that's what we preferred. Bigger antenna means more range. It depends upon what you are wanting to do with the CB on whether you can get by with a physically shorter antenna. If you are just using it to communicate with a spotter, a short antenna will be plenty. If you are wanting it for emergency use in an area without cell phone access, then the longer antenna is going to be better.Really want to install a CB radio - but haven't because I hate the fact of having to have a huge antenna mounted. Is that the only option or is there another option other than 4' antennas?
Wanted for emergancies and stuff like that while up north - no cell reception. I have 36 mile range walkies for short range communications.A 4 ft antenna is not "huge". The optimal antenna length is 1/4 wave which works out to be around 102". Back in the old days, that's what we preferred. Bigger antenna means more range. It depends upon what you are wanting to do with the CB on whether you can get by with a physically shorter antenna. If you are just using it to communicate with a spotter, a short antenna will be plenty. If you are wanting it for emergency use in an area without cell phone access, then the longer antenna is going to be better.
Here's some range estimates for the various antenna lengths:
https://www.rightchannelradios.com/...s/18150035-approximate-ranges-for-cb-antennas
102" antenna -- 7-10 miles
4' single fiberglass antenna -- 4-6 miles
2' single fiberglass antenna -- 2-3 miles
Well, you could get your HAM license and then be able to *legally* run more power... That will give you more range on the HAM frequencies, but it doesn't mean that you can *legally* run that power on the CB frequencies, even if they are very close. Now, having said that, increased power affects transmitting distance, not receiving distance. You might be able to transmit 50 miles with a lot of power, but it doesn't mean you can hear the response from something that responds to you.Wanted for emergancies and stuff like that while up north - no cell reception. I have 36 mile range walkies for short range communications.
I'll figure out a neat setup as I really want a CB
Unless you get some altitude or use a mountain top repeater, you won't have that much range due to the curvature of the earth.Well, you could get your HAM license and then be able to *legally* run more power... That will give you more range on the HAM frequencies, but it doesn't mean that you can *legally* run that power on the CB frequencies, even if they are very close. Now, having said that, increased power affects transmitting distance, not receiving distance. You might be able to transmit 50 miles with a lot of power, but it doesn't mean you can hear the response from something that responds to you.
Now, there's also the concept of "skip" where the radio wave bounces off elements of the atmosphere and you get a lot greater range, but it is not predictable and as such, you should not rely on it.
Just researched a few GMRS...sooo what's the difference in the two types?You might want to research the GMRS mobile radio. You will never get much distance with a cb,
Different frequencies... Around 462 and 467 MHz vs 27 MHz for CB... Higher frequency means shorter antenna... They are line of sight only... You have to pay for a license also...Just researched a few GMRS...sooo what's the difference in the two types?
Why one over the other?
Just looked up only 70 for license(I believe)Different frequencies... Around 462 and 467 MHz vs 27 MHz for CB... Higher frequency means shorter antenna... They are line of sight only... You have to pay for a license also...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Mobile_Radio_Service
2M?I’ll never put a CB in a truck again.
Once you start using 2M you’ll never go back.
Doesn't matter if it is a "walkie" or not... What matters is the band it is designed for. There are "walkies" that are CB band and there are ones that are for the GMRS band. You might find a *receiver* that will work on both bands, just like you have AM and FM receivers in cars even though the frequencies are vastly different, but you will not find a transmitter that works on both bands. If nothing else, you need different lengths of antenna for the different bands.Just looked up only 70 for license(I believe)
Will look into it
Question, will a high quality walkie pick up cb channels. May be a stupid question but I near nothing about radios. My cobra walkie has a bunch of options and channels and "stuff"