Outdoor Adventure USA

The CB frequencies can have some limited uses and its value in those areas can be significant. To that end, the best solution is to have an all mode HF mobile Ham radio in your vehicle. You will be able to enjoy the limited value of these frequencies and at the same time have access to a nearly full range of frequencies for communication and emergency use. The latter advantage being the more important. A general class license will be required.

DaveK wrote:The CB frequencies can have some limited uses and its value in those areas can be significant. To that end, the best solution is to have an all mode HF mobile Ham radio in your vehicle. You will be able to enjoy the limited value of these frequencies and at the same time have access to a nearly full range of frequencies for communication and emergency use. The latter advantage being the more important. A general class license will be required.

Just so its clear to those w/o a ham license, you can't legally talk to a CB using a ham radio (or vice versa), even though an HF radio may have 11 meter (CB) capability. Same is true of most radio services - even though a vhf/uhf ham radio can be adapted to work on FRS or GMRS frequencies, it is not legal to due so because of FCC rules regarding radio certification. Legally, you must use a radio specifically designed for the radio service you want to use. You will, however, be able to utilize frequencies with similar characteristics as CB frequencies, albeit with more power and better quality equipment.

In summary, there is no disadvantage to having your ham license, and a General or Extra class license opens up a whole new world of communications possibilities.

I just purchased a Cobra CB (the 75). Kind of hard, due to my location, to get a HAM license...although I will get one when I get the opportunity. The CB will work fine for a while. The purpose of the CB is so that I can communicate with others who are on the trail with me. Most of them will have CBs and will be in close range, so it will do fine.

I also carry two FRS radios in case I want to get out of the vehicle and do some hiking. They also come in handy if someone on the trail run has FRS but no CB, then I'll still be able to communicate with them.

i use the CB all the time.

Why? Its cheap.

The radio's are cheap, the antenna's are cheap.



I don't have to take a class, take a test, and get a license to talk with other's on the trail or in the caravan. It just seems like a major job to get the ham license... and then buy a ham radio

I'd have to say it's a price and time thing for me. I have rarely any spare time and CB's are dirt cheap. As for people still using them, it seems to me most wheelers are still using them. I don't want to ruffle any feathers but the original statement seems kind of elitist. I wouldn't mind getting Licenced someday but until then I guess I will be just another Lowley CB'r.

Amen to that cb is fine, People relied on 2 feet for thousands of years and did fine, common sense and packing light is still my perogative. CB fits my needs and when the chips are down I'll walk has worked for me all my life. Nothing like a test of survival skills like a good hike in the tullies , My experiemce is that no matter how much stuff you drag along you are always missing something you need, so improvisation skills and a strong will to susrvive go much further

FunJunkie, aw12345, DominicG:

Easy fellas. We welcome everyone and that most certainly includes CB folks. Why, if you take a close look at my rig, you'll find one of Radio shack's best (CB) lurking right next to my ham radio. We aren't shy though, when it comes to extolling the virtues of ham radio (and with good cause). CB frequencies are a valuable communication tool, but so are the ham frequencies. As Larry says, "All types of radios are useful when you are out on the trail". Enjoy!

i still use my cb......and someday i'll go ham........but for now i'd rather put the money into my bumpers/lift/lights/lucrums back swingout..........

BoBoNel wrote:i still use my cb......and someday i'll go ham........but for now i'd rather put the money into my bumpers/lift/lights/lucrums back swingout..........

It's less than $10 to get your ham license - so it shouldn't affect the timetable of your other mods. I'm sure you'd be able to borrow a radio on trail runs until you decide to purchase your own. But buying the radio won't matter without the license....

cruiserlarry wrote:

BoBoNel wrote:i still use my cb......and someday i'll go ham........but for now i'd rather put the money into my bumpers/lift/lights/lucrums back swingout..........

It's less than $10 to get your ham license - so it shouldn't affect the timetable of your other mods. I'm sure you'd be able to borrow a radio on trail runs until you decide to purchase your own. But buying the radio won't matter without the license....

yeah.......i know........i really want to do it and take the plunge and someday soon i will. i have to get the time to study and research though too. between working full time we have the 8 year old that wants 100% of moms attention, then theres the remodel of 2 bathrooms and kitchen, painting, packing, selling the house.........oh the list goes on.
for the moment......cb is fine for me. but someday soon..........