CB Radios

[jdeefus]

I'm considering purchasing some CB radios for my family to keep with them in their vehicles. I've had some cheap Radio Shack models in the past, but I'd like to know if there are any suggestions on what folks here are using.

[RICHFL]

NO CB is past it's prime. Too few channels even with side band, too little range (15 miles), cost too much and too heavy. VHF Marine radio is the same about 10 miles

Best bet is a GRMS radio they are small, light weight, water proof, and range out to 35 miles. Cost for 2 good ones is less then $100.00. Above 35 miles you need ham radio or mobile phone.I

The government has released a new set of frequencies for the public usage in the 135 mhz range. It is like most equipment we have (line of site). Maybe 25 miles range.

[Echo2]

Depends on what you are wanting to do with it....

I have a few CBs for localized comms...and just to have something that everyone else may be able to broadcast and receive on.

For personal use around the farm....internal comms....we are using dedicated job site radios....very good range...clear...little to no chatter (traffic)....and we have a repeater set up for when we may venture more than a few miles away.

The GSMR radios are good for what they are....but they usually have way more traffic on them....and if the SHTF....they will probably be so busy they will be virtually useless.....also....unless you invest in a high dollar pair.....you will be lucky to get 3.5 to 5 miles out of them....and if there is a hill....less. The really good ones still only get 6 to 7 miles clearly enough to really understand.

The marine grades are nice....and work well....very comparable to the CP-200 job site radios we use....check licensing in your area....most require it for anytime other than an emergency....same with HAM gear.

HAM....the best.....but can get real expensive....real quick....a lot more regulations too. You'll want to do a lot more research if you go with this.

at the farm....we also have TA-312 field phones wired up between the buildings...they work great....and are fairly cheap.

Good luck.

[Iron mike]

I always liked CB radios traveling I like to listen in and get an idea whats going on in the area as soon as I can find one I like I want to have one in my truck

[coxmw]

We use CB's all around here, a cobra 29 ltd classic is a good radio to start if you just want CB ch. There are a lot of converted HAM radios out there that can talk on 10 and 11 meters.

[Jerry D Young]

I like the Cobra 148GTL because it is a Single Sideband radio as well as AM. Little more distance, a little, very little, more privacy as there are fewer of the SSB radios than there are the straight AM.

For hand-held, I wouldn't count on CB except for very short range as all of the ones I know of are AM only. I'd go with MURS for short range as, like the SSB CBs, there are far fewer of them than GMRS/FRC radios, and they have a bit better range.

Just my opinion.

[jdeefus]

cool, thanks for the input gang. I know what I've done in the past, but it is always good to get some new and different perspective from others. I appreciate you taking the time to chime in.

[101airborne]

I have several CB's from handheld 3 watters that will communicate 4-5 miles up to a Galaxy DX-929 with SSB that kicks ( factory) about 60 watts and I've talked over 75 miles on it using a 102" steel whip antenna. Someone suggested GRMS. They're good radios also but rather limited to line of sight. So a radio that says it has a 20 mile range, might only work 5 miles in hilly, timbered tterrain. HAM radio is pretty versitile and not that expensive. You can get a good mobile ( car mount) Yaseau radio and antenna for less than $200.

[Echo2]

My CB....base



Galaxy Saturn Turbo....100w.......and a 500w linear for emergencies.....I have spoke to Florida....but it's not that consistent.

When I had the aerial set up....WV and NC was common.

[101airborne]

Echo.... Nice base set-up I didn't even know Galaxy made a base unit. I'll have to check into one, as i don't currently have a working base station.

[Oscar Wilde]

My CB....base

Galaxy Saturn Turbo....100w.......and a 500w linear for emergencies.....I have spoke to Florida....but it's not that consistent.

When I had the aerial set up....WV and NC was common.

Echo, have you driven your amp with the Galaxy yet?

This is just a comment in general .... A key element to the system is the antenna .... the signal of course emanates from the antennae, the more antennae you have the more signal being created .... amplifiers make things loud.

I once had a large antennae array up .... two, four element (12 ft) Gizmotchys on a 27 ft boom, 110 ft in the air. I talked with 15 watts to folks in Australia that couldn't hear the local loud mouth cranking out 1500 w.

O.W.

[coxmw]

I have the Galaxy 5 star base in the house and a Gen. lee in my truck.

[m38]

I like Uniden XL510 CB's. Cheap, simple, and solid little units. I have them in my trucks, and one as a base station on my shop work bench. They will reach out for miles with a good antenna. And matched up with a KL-40 linnear amp they will really push a signal a long way. I know that the linnear amp is illegal for use on a CB. But when things break down, I don't think gubmint folks will be checking CB transmissions for power. For regular travel and simple chatter, I don't use an amp. No need. Just turn it off. But the amp has it's place if you really need to get a signal out. For antennas I like the 102" steel whip on my jeeps. I prefer a Wilson 1000 on the pickup trucks. With these antennas I can usually reach out 5-8 miles, even through the forest. With the KL-40 turned on I can talk over 30 miles.

The GMRS radios I've used (motorola, uniden) have been dissappointing compared to their advertised ability. Like other folks above, I've never had one send a usable signal more than 5 miles in the open, and usually less than 1 mile in a forested area. I carry them simply because lots of folks carry them. So they are another way to connect with other folks without being in direct physical contact.

[Echo2]

Echo, have you driven your amp with the Galaxy yet?

O.W.

Not with the new cables....I had it set on a Solarcon with a switch to run a very large dipole.....but after smoking 2 sets of cables.....pulled it out of service.

When I ran short burst.....my friend in FLA said to stop screaming....:O

We just had new cabled made up.....capable of 2k watts.....:)

It is the next project to be done at the BOL......it will be inclusive of the HAM, CB, GSMR, UHF, VHF, FM, and Scanners....plus a fairly large digital TV antenna.

The group member that has taken over our COMMs said he has the array configuration figured out.....We'll see.....I scratch my head over most of it.....that's why he took it over.....I was driving myself nuts.

We just dropped a considerable amount on cabling....for everything....and a couple back up cables.

Everything is supposed to have lightening arrests on it.

[paintball]

I have a cobra 148 gtl in my truck and a couple presidents zachary T. and washingtin D. With a small amount of added watts I can talk out of state easy.