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CB Radio Install

Can't hardly drive past a truck stop without hearing them on the CB hawking CB stuff or repairs, etc.

That said, I have yet to re-install mine nor the little SSB ahem GMRS truck mounted radio I have.
 
I run a HAM in my truck as it gives me the flexibility to connect with FRS, GMRS and HAM frequencies. It's a bit of a legal grey zone but I can't say I've ever seen anyone tagged for it and for the small handful of times I actually use or would need it it's fine for me. I do sorta like the idea of a CB radio but I'm not enough of a talker myself that I feel I'd get anything out of it, although I do enjoy listening and if I have any snark to add I do.
 
UglyViking said:
I run a HAM in my truck as it gives me the flexibility to connect with FRS, GMRS and HAM frequencies. It's a bit of a legal grey zone but I can't say I've ever seen anyone tagged for it and for the small handful of times I actually use or would need it it's fine for me. I do sorta like the idea of a CB radio but I'm not enough of a talker myself that I feel I'd get anything out of it, although I do enjoy listening and if I have any snark to add I do.
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You can 100% listen on any frequency.

Transmitting is another story. Many of the cheap chicom radios are illegal on FRS, GMRS due to transmit power and lack of certification. I'm waiting for the GMRS license fee to go down before I pop for it. MURS is entirely unregulated from what I understand. Only real reason you need a HAM is to transmit and/or use repeaters.
 
I own some property in another state, and it is kind of remote. Each road has a sign that tells you which CB channel to use for emergencies, and the roads don't share channels. This allows the local fire and rescue people to each monitor a specific channel, which simplifies finding those that need finding. Seems like a good system, although it wouldn't work everywhere.
 
IndyRamDRW said:
Yup....I find it kinda funny when people say cb is dead given they are about to go FM with them also...I'm an off roader and run a cb....looked into gmrs but the benefit wasn't enough to switch over....have zero interest in ham....
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That's great. Around here up the hollers cb is used amongst neighbors and truckers. But there's a lot of folks up here that use 2 meters/70cm due to the extensive repeater network. I personally haven't found a spot in East TN that a 2 meter mobile radio couldn't hit a repeater. Solid comms. CB your really dependent in the atmospheric conditions ,terrain, and power. CB is 4 watts max. My 2m radio has 75 watts. IMHO all radios have there purpose. The user must decide what is best for them.
The Technician exam is really pretty easy. Then you can talk on 2m/70cm, 10m, 6m, and also digital
Brutal_HO said:
You can 100% listen on any frequency.

Transmitting is another story. Many of the cheap chicom radios are illegal on FRS, GMRS due to transmit power and lack of certification. I'm waiting for the GMRS license fee to go down before I pop for it. MURS is entirely unregulated from what I understand. Only real reason you need a HAM is to transmit and/or use repeaters.
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You don't need a repeater for 2 meters. I talk to a couple of friends of mine daily, on Simplex (no repeater) 34 miles from my house. It works.
 
Brutal_HO said:
You can 100% listen on any frequency.

Transmitting is another story. Many of the cheap chicom radios are illegal on FRS, GMRS due to transmit power and lack of certification. I'm waiting for the GMRS license fee to go down before I pop for it. MURS is entirely unregulated from what I understand. Only real reason you need a HAM is to transmit and/or use repeaters.
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GMRS license fee is $70 for ten years, purchased one. 6 months ago.
 
Is an exam still required for Ham? My license expired years ago. Is Morse code still required…always wondered why you needed Morse, never used it.
 
GBB said:
Is an exam still required for Ham? My license expired years ago. Is Morse code still required…always wondered why you needed Morse, never used it.
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You still need a license, and there is no longer a code requirement.
 
I have CB in my Jeep and a handheld Ham radio modified for commercial band for use as a race radio. Out here in the West, the desert teams all have their own frequency in the commercial band. I had a 110W Kenwood remote head installed in my 2007. Wish I would have pulled it out when I sold the truck. They come in handy. We were out with our dodge group a few years back. Sitting around the campfire at night when my radio goes off. A member had rolled his truck. Within minutes there were 15 other trucks out looking for them.
 
steve49 said:
GMRS license fee is $70 for ten years, purchased one. 6 months ago.
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Right, I'm being a cheap sob and waiting for the new $35 fee to kick in. It was supposed to drop last year but ... covid.

GBB said:
Is an exam still required for Ham? My license expired years ago. Is Morse code still required…always wondered why you needed Morse, never used it.
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Technician is supposed to be pretty easy and no code required. I learned Morse when I was Signal Corp in the Army but that was so long ago I forgot it all along with electron tube theory and application.
 
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