Cb, handheld, Haam ETC What do you use?

[Baja71]

OK, I know nothing about the subject so this may be a dumb question but I do not know the answer. If you are using a Hamm or a MURS can you still communicate with those running a regular CB?

No, CB is HF AM, where the Ham and MURS bands they are talking about are UHF/VHF FM. You should have both! ;D

 

[Landshark]

No, CB is HF AM, where the Ham and MURS bands they are talking about are UHF/VHF FM. You should have both! ;D

If you have the proper Ham Licsense you could talk on any of those freqs (with the proper equip), otherwise on CB, FRS, MURS and some GMRS freqs
you do not need a licsense.

 

[73stallion]

don't some HAM radios have different frequencies that allow you to tune to CB channels?

 

[Landshark]

don't some HAM radios have different frequencies that allow you to tune to CB channels?

Yes, but by FCC rules you are not allowed to transmit on CB with those radio's. With the proper licsense, you can modifiy a cb to transmit into the ham bands, but once you've done that, again by rules you can not use it on cb anymore (As if everyone follows the rules ).

 

[SaddleUp]

Hamm radios are way too powrful for CB and therefore your not supposed to use them for the CB frequencies. In comparison the power allowed for CB's is only a small fraction of that allowed for amatuer radios. If it wasn't for the licensing requirements hamm would be the radio used the most for off road use I think.

 

[Baja71]

Hamm radios are way too powrful for CB and therefore your not supposed to use them for the CB frequencies. In comparison the power allowed for CB's is only a small fraction of that allowed for amatuer radios. If it wasn't for the licensing requirements hamm would be the radio used the most for off road use I think.

I think that is where MURS really needs a closer look. You can use some wattage (unlike CB, FRS, GMRS) so you have better range. I picked up a brand new discontinued 'Business Band' (read new MURS) mobile radio at Rat Shack for about $14 a couple of years ago. It's close to 2 meter ham, so it's a rock solid frequency. These are MUCH more pleasurable to use than CB.

Keep in mind, however, the CB signal will wrap the terrain a little better as MURS is FM and line of sight. I like having both.

 

[daddyg]

Where do you have your antennas mounted?

I have mine mounted on my tire carrier.

 

[Landshark]

Hamm radios are way too powrful for CB and therefore your not supposed to use them for the CB frequencies. In comparison the power allowed for CB's is only a small fraction of that allowed for amatuer radios. If it wasn't for the licensing requirements hamm would be the radio used the most for off road use I think.

Most 10 meter radio's are between 25-100 watts, while legal CB is only 4 watts. Under FCC rules you can only use part 95 certified radio's only on CB (meaning, most Ham radio's aren't certified to operate at the 11 meter CB freqs).
The most common 10 meter rigs you'll see converted to use CB are going to be the 10 meter radio's, all band radio's occasionally, but those rigs are way to expensive to be playing on the CB bands (Usually the starting price for a 2 meter to 160 meter rig is around $500.00).
I have a number of different rigs, Cobra 148, Uniden Grant, President 2510, RCI 2950, Magnum 257 etc. I use the Magnum in my Bronco because of it's size and features are perfect for that application, that along with a Messenger 1200 amp, that way if I get into trouble, I'll be able to be heard to get help.
I'll agree on the licensing, but it's not to hard to get a tech license and start using 2 meter though.

 

[Landshark]

I think that is where MURS really needs a closer look. You can use some wattage (unlike CB, FRS, GMRS) so you have better range. I picked up a brand new discontinued 'Business Band' (read new MURS) mobile radio at Rat Shack for about $14 a couple of years ago. It's close to 2 meter ham, so it's a rock solid frequency. These are MUCH more pleasurable to use than CB.

Keep in mind, however, the CB signal will wrap the terrain a little better as MURS is FM and line of sight. I like having both.

I think the having all is a pretty good and fairly cheap option. You can buy a fair CB for around $50.00, FRS for around $20.00 or so, and a MURS can be found for new around $100.00 or more, used a lot cheaper. If you have them all, depending on what the trail leaders are using, you'll have it covered.

 

[SaddleUp]

Most 10 meter radio's are between 25-100 watts, while legal CB is only 4 watts. Under FCC rules you can only use part 95 certified radio's only on CB (meaning, most Ham radio's aren't certified to operate at the 11 meter CB freqs).
The most common 10 meter rigs you'll see converted to use CB are going to be the 10 meter radio's, all band radio's occasionally, but those rigs are way to expensive to be playing on the CB bands (Usually the starting price for a 2 meter to 160 meter rig is around $500.00).
I have a number of different rigs, Cobra 148, Uniden Grant, President 2510, RCI 2950, Magnum 257 etc. I use the Magnum in my Bronco because of it's size and features are perfect for that application, that along with a Messenger 1200 amp, that way if I get into trouble, I'll be able to be heard to get help.
I'll agree on the licensing, but it's not to hard to get a tech license and start using 2 meter though.

I plan to get my license and pick up a radio and I'll talk a couple of the others that run with me into doing so as well. I don't expect to use it for most trail rides though as I just don't see it being practical to get everyone else using it. Especially big runs like the SOB run I'm organizing. It would be nice to communicate with the other trail leaders though for runs like it where we may be spread across the side of a mountain and need to contact each other.

 

[bigpappa]

So when running a hamm and a CB that is going to be 2 antennas right? Would they have to both be some distance away from each other, or could they both be mounted in the center of the truck a couple of inches apart?

 

[Baja71]

So when running a hamm and a CB that is going to be 2 antennas right? Would they have to both be some distance away from each other, or could they both be mounted in the center of the truck a couple of inches apart?

You would want to try to keep them 3' apart, if possible.

 

[Landshark]

So when running a hamm and a CB that is going to be 2 antennas right? Would they have to both be some distance away from each other, or could they both be mounted in the center of the truck a couple of inches apart?

When you say Ham, there are a lot of different bands (Meaning allocated freqs) If you are running 2 meter (Tech class, most common and easiest of license to get), yes the antenna is a different length and style, so you would want to place it at least 3' apart. If you are talking about 10 meter (a higher classification of license), you can still use the CB antenna, but it's performance won't be up to par if you do that. 10 meter band is very close to CB (I think 10 meter 28.000 to 29.965 CB is 26.965 to 27.405), so while you can still use the CB antenna, it won't be tuned to peak performance on 10 meter. Ideal location would be in the middle for one, then the other 3" back, but on a Bronco and antenna in the middle of the roof???? Talk about tree trimming. If you can, put one antenna on one side at the rear, as high as you can get it, then do the exact same on the other side.