CB RADIO QUESTION

[zouch]

the most common Ham radios in J**ps are most likely VHF/UHF pushing 50-60W on the rare occasion they’re used at High power; at 12V that’s drawing about 4-5 Amps.
12-8 gauge wire works fine for this.

if you’re trying to ‘Work the World’ on HF frequencies you might want 100W (assuming you can figure out how to manage the necessary antenna).
as already alluded to, when conditions are right it doesn’t take much power to make it work, and no amount of power is going to make it work when you DON’T have the proper conditions.

all said, it’s not hard to get decent power to a Ham rig. apparently, though, idjits prove regularly that it’s also not hard to get it wrong.
know what you’re doing, pay attention, and follow the examples of those who have gone before us and it’s a piece of cake.

i've heard ham radios will need a lot of power and they may cause a fire with the automotive 12v system ?

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[bjm00se]

Depends on your goals.

FRS/GMRS handhfelds or talking to others in your group on agreed frequency. Simple. Cheap.

2m HAM for others in your group or somewhat nearby on the trail. Further if there's a nearby repeater. More complicated. can still be relatively cheap. But you can spend more bucks here.

HF HAM for long distance comms. This takes a significant amount of learning up on though. Worth it only if you're into HAM as its own hobby.

Sat texting or sat phone. Reliable but expensive long range communication to a specific number or email address. Devices are relatively cheap, but then you need to get a monthly plan. Still, this is arguably the best backup for "cell service not available." Lots of us use Garmin InReach.

 

[AC77]

Depends on your goals.

FRS/GMRS handhfelds or talking to others in your group on agreed frequency. Simple. Cheap.

2m HAM for others in your group or somewhat nearby on the trail. Further if there's a nearby repeater. More complicated. can still be relatively cheap. But you can spend more bucks here.

HF HAM for long distance comms. This takes a significant amount of learning up on though. Worth it only if you're into HAM as its own hobby.

Sat texting or sat phone. Reliable but expensive long range communication to a specific number or email address. Devices are relatively cheap, but then you need to get a monthly plan. Still, this is arguably the best backup for "cell service not available." Lots of us use Garmin InReach.

Thank you very much for your input
My idea/thought about the radios as I mentioned on my initial post was “ as an emergency “. You know what I mean ?
When the shit hits the roof hope it never does. And all landlines. Cell phones. Internets are down. How would one communicate. Short or very long distances For emergency use. Or even maybe Lost somewhere on a trail. A mountain etc etc. thinking far out here now

 

[2nd 392]

Thank you very much for your input
My idea/thought about the radios as I mentioned on my initial post was “ as an emergency “. You know what I mean ?
When the shit hits the roof hope it never does. And all landlines. Cell phones. Internets are down. How would one communicate. Short or very long distances For emergency use. Or even maybe Lost somewhere on a trail. A mountain etc etc. thinking far out here now

https://www.satellitephonestore.com this old CB’rs 800 channel radio is in the garage, gave the classic tube amp back to my CB expert friend that upgraded and took care of it for me for years, sold the 1000 watt amp. Have satellite phone, will travel. ? ……………… Also handy for emergency use when the shit hits the roof.

The times have changed my friend

 

[bjm00se]

My idea/thought about the radios as I mentioned on my initial post was “ as an emergency “. You know what I mean ?

Sorta. I mean, tell me what kind of emergency you're going to have, and I'll tell you how to prepare for it. ?

When the shit hits the roof hope it never does. And all landlines. Cell phones. Internets are down.

In a regional disaster, a 2m or 70cm HT or mobile unit will get you on the local repeaters. But those are all going to be fully consumed with local emergency traffic. So you won't break in and use the bandwidth, unless you're conveying your own emergency, or assisting with one.

Or even maybe Lost somewhere on a trail. A mountain etc etc. thinking far out here now

Now, this is a different type of scenario. First thing - on a mountain is a great place to have an emergency - from a communications perspective that is. Great lines of sight and great propagation. But a lot of Jeepin' is done down in the canyons and valleys, where there's no line of sight to anything anywhere.

You can use HAM as a long range tool in these types of scenarios, but it's non trivial. Your vehicle mounted VHF or UHF isn't gonna do it. I mean, it will if you're stuck on top of Pikes Peak. But not at the bottom of Last Chance Canyon.

With no line of sight, you'll need a long antenna on an HF band to bounce off the ionosphere. And there's a certain randomness to the propagation you get. So assuming conditions are good, you'll raise *someone.* But who, or where is very much to chance.

Much like jeepin' itself, HF HAM operation is a hobby and skill unto itself. Yes, anyone can buy a Jeep or a HAM rig. Credit cards always work. But making the thing operate in challenging conditions requires prior practice and refinement of skills.

I'm a HAM. But basically all I bother to stay up on is operating in the 2m band. For bona-fide emergencies, I've switched to relying on my inReach.

 

[zouch]

easiest thing "for an Emergency" if you're trying to get help is probably the inReach (or something equivalent), but it's not free. as long as you have an uninterrupted view of the sky, you should have coverage.

if you're talking true apocalypse, you probably would only want to be listening, not talking and giving yourself away.

 

[jberry187]

CB radio is fun... kind of a relic, but fun.
GMRS is widely used in the offroad world these days, but Ham radio is king.

My Father-in-Law dropped two ham radios in my lap a few weeks ago. I just need to take a course so I can get my handle.

 

[SargeDiesel]

CB radio is fun... kind of a relic, but fun.
GMRS is widely used in the offroad world these days, but Ham radio is king.

I thought that too. But every club I know is moving from Ham to GMRS... I agree HAM is king forva home base but on the trails, GMRS is. But I carry both. Hard mounted GMRS and a handheld HAM radio. I will probably install a HAM antenna, so I can attach the handheld if I ever needed the extended range. One plus for GMRS, you can just buy a license, rather than taking a test and paying for a HAM license.

 

[SargeDiesel]

My Father-in-Law dropped two ham radios in my lap a few weeks ago. I just need to take a course so I can get my handle.

I believe you APPLY for your call sign and take a TEST for the license.

 

[Dusty Dude]

https://www.satellitephonestore.com this old CB’rs 800 channel radio is in the garage, gave the classic tube amp back to my CB expert friend that upgraded and took care of it for me for years, sold the 1000 watt amp. Have satellite phone, will travel. ? ……………… Also handy for emergency use when the shit hits the roof.

The times have changed my friend

I used to use and work on CB’s during my college years. Fine tuned my personal units, and as a result, I had a clean sounding radio that could talk and receive a larger distance than most. I was accused of running lots of power because I was using a speech compressor instead of an amp.

Here are my two units that are in my garage: a Cobra 148GTL, and a SuperStar 3900.

 

[2nd 392]

I used to use and work on CB’s during my college years. Fine tuned my personal units, and as a result, I had a clean sounding radio that could talk and receive a larger distance than most. I was accused of running lots of power because I was using a speech compressor instead of an amp.

Here are my two units that are in my garage: a Cobra 148GTL, and a SuperStar 3900.

Speech compressor sounds familiar. I never knew much, but a good friend had a shop and was good at his trade. He came from working on Sub chaser- Spy planes /U2’s/and SR71’s (under armed guard). When he wanted more power for his base he picked up a 5KW radio station pull-out tube and built an amp, the only downside, he couldn’t plug it and the dryer in at the same time. The once thriving CB/ Stereo/ pager shop slowly declined becoming obsolete with cell phones and factory upgrade stereo’s and closed. He moved, lost contact after a few years. ?

 

[mark203]

Technical differences aside, the different types of radios have different purposes.

Amateur radio (ham radio) is a hobby of learning about radios. Although there are, obviously, practical conversations, especially in the UHF / VHF bands, the longer range stuff (HF like 10 meter) is mostly (again I am generalizing) about people making contact. Because amateur radio equipment is much less regulated, there is a basic knowledge test involved to get a license, and licenses are at three levels (technician, general, amateur extra), each granting privileges (via FCC regulations) into more of the spectrum allocated to amateurs.

For UHF/VHF (70sm / 2m), the most common radios that we would have in Jeeps, the technician class license is enough.

GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) has a different purpose. It is intended for people who use the radio primarily to carry on conversations around some purpose. Again, this is a broad generalization, and plenty of people in both ham and GMRS just talk to strangers. GMRS also requires an FCC license, but there is not test, just pay the $35 and get your callsign. GMRS operates in UHF frequencies, and so is "line of sight" which can be all the way to the horizon, or much less if there is intervening terrain, buildings, etc.

Both GMRS and ham have repeaters that are set up by hobbyists and made more or less available.

CB (CItizen's Band) radio is much older. It operates in the 11 meter band, and is legally limited to 4 watts. It is typically short range, requires a much bigger antenna (because of the longer wavelength).Though it is popular, it is less so and most Jeep clubs are switching to GMRS for their communications. The default is AM, but FCC has just authorized FM transmission on CB and some newer sets are coming out with that capability. But, as below, radios operate in pairs or networks, the people you want to talk to have to have to be on the same frequencies, modulation, and in range.

In an emergency-
No radio is any good unless someone is listening - they are in range, and monitoring the frequency you are transmitting on. So if you are interested in getting help in the back country, the inReach, or similar products, will be far better.

In a "the cell towers are all down" scenario, then you should know who you are going to need to talk to, and make sure you and they are on the same page radio / frequency wise before all of that comes down. In that kind of breakdown, you aren't going to be able to count on repeaters either, unless it is your own, which opens up a whole 'nother topic.

 

[2nd 392]

I used to use and work on CB’s during my college years. Fine tuned my personal units, and as a result, I had a clean sounding radio that could talk and receive a larger distance than most. I was accused of running lots of power because I was using a speech compressor instead of an amp.

I was reprimanded and informed of my incompetence the first time I took the old tuber in. Rod took the cover off and ? ….. I see the problem ……You fixed it yourself ……. Don’t Do it Again !!

 

[zouch]

actually, you just need to pass the test (might not need a course) so you can get your ‘ticket’.

go for it.?

My Father-in-Law dropped two ham radios in my lap a few weeks ago. I just need to take a course so I can get my handle.

 

[Thane]

Truck to truck: GMRS

Emergencies: Satellite Messaging-inReach $12/mo

My HAM license is primarily to qualify my dim view of amateur radio for emergency comms.

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