CB radio

[nighthawk]

I am getting a CB radio for my H3 probably this week with dual firestick antennas and was wondering if anyone else has done this yet ? i would like to see some pictures of where it is mounted at and the way that you mounted the antenna. Thanks for any help that is provided !!

 

[High Five H2]

I only have 1 antenna, but I just drilled a hole in the far corner of the bumper. I wanted to put it on the spare tire mount but it was easier to put it on the bumper.

 

[nighthawk]

yeah im looking to do it behind the spare tire somehow. But where did you mount your actual CB at inside ?

 

[High Five H2]

I got an aftermarket single din receiver and put the CB radio on top. give me a few min I'll go outside and take a picture.

 

[Renagade132]

Which CB radio are you getting?

 

[High Five H2]

uniden bearcat. it's slightly bigger than single din, though, so if you don't want to modify the mounting bracket i'd go with a different one.

 

[nighthawk]

uniden bearcat. it's slightly bigger than single din, though, so if you don't want to modify the mounting bracket i'd go with a different one.

Im just going to try and find one on craigslist or something for cheap. Nothing to fancy

 

[High Five H2]

word. the bearcat is way more fancy that what I need and my knowledge level,, but it was pretty.

 

[nighthawk]

word. the bearcat is way more fancy that what I need and my knowledge level,, but it was pretty.

yeah ive been looking at that $37 one at walmart lol dont know how it would do but its probably fine for what i would wanna do

 

[4speedfunk]

CB? Really? I put one right next to my cassette deck...between my Kraco head unit and Radio Shack Equalizer. :giggle:

Seriously. Hand-held two-way...the only way to go. 08H3 turned me on to using these, and I love em. No static. No squelch. No Trucker chatter. No wiring. No antennae. No expense. Read some reviews...range can vary quite a bit but, I've never had an issue with range for wheeling purposes. Cheapo Walmart 2-ways totally blow away my Cobra Roadtrip HH CB (an absolute total POS of a radio) but, I'll admit...my wife misses flirting with truckers to/from the off-road parks!

I specifically like small AA-battery powered units, and some of these work with mini-headsets (ear-buds) so you and your spotter can discuss a route without yelling at each other. The FCC frequency range is the same on all of these, regardless of brand...so multiple users can all tune-in to the same channel regardless of manufacturer. Prices range from $27 for the Hello Kitty model...

...to pro-quality for $346...

Also look into motorcycle 2-ways. These are small, voice-activated, two-way, head-sets...perfect for spotter-driver communication.

 

[Bigunit]

CB? Really? I put one right next to my cassette deck...between my Kraco head unit and Radio Shack Equalizer. :giggle:

Seriously. Hand-held two-way...the only way to go. 08H3 turned me on to using these, and I love em. No static. No squelch. No Trucker chatter. No wiring. No antennae. No expense. Read some reviews...range can vary quite a bit but, I've never had an issue with range for wheeling purposes. Cheapo Walmart 2-ways totally blow away my Cobra Roadtrip HH CB (an absolute total POS of a radio) but, I'll admit...my wife misses flirting with truckers to/from the off-road parks!

I specifically like small AA-battery powered units, and some of these work with mini-headsets (ear-buds) so you and your spotter can discuss a route without yelling at each other. The FCC frequency range is the same on all of these, regardless of brand...so multiple users can all tune-in to the same channel regardless of manufacturer. Prices range from $27 for the Hello Kitty model...

...to pro-quality for $346...

Also look into motorcycle 2-ways. These are small, voice-activated, two-way, head-sets...perfect for spotter-driver communication.

You need to come out West and do some West/SWest style wheeling where those GMRS toys are a useless POS. Plus they are not very manly! [emoji12] No wires, no truckers, no squelch, no 10-4 buddy = no fun. If you truly believe that a CB is old outdated technology, then that's like saying that SAS is outdated, overpriced technology since even Jeep is going to IFS. Especially when a good, basic reliable CB with a nonlinear transmitter/receiver will always outperform GMRS radios in the areas and terrain that we wheel out here. Just speaking from experience...and yes, I have tried both....live on, C.W. McCall & Smokey and the bandit!

 

[nighthawk]

CB? Really? I put one right next to my cassette deck...between my Kraco head unit and Radio Shack Equalizer. :giggle:

Seriously. Hand-held two-way...the only way to go. 08H3 turned me on to using these, and I love em. No static. No squelch. No Trucker chatter. No wiring. No antennae. No expense. Read some reviews...range can vary quite a bit but, I've never had an issue with range for wheeling purposes. Cheapo Walmart 2-ways totally blow away my Cobra Roadtrip HH CB (an absolute total POS of a radio) but, I'll admit...my wife misses flirting with truckers to/from the off-road parks!

I specifically like small AA-battery powered units, and some of these work with mini-headsets (ear-buds) so you and your spotter can discuss a route without yelling at each other. The FCC frequency range is the same on all of these, regardless of brand...so multiple users can all tune-in to the same channel regardless of manufacturer. Prices range from $27 for the Hello Kitty model...

...to pro-quality for $346...

Also look into motorcycle 2-ways. These are small, voice-activated, two-way, head-sets...perfect for spotter-driver communication.

ahh man i wish u would have said that a little sooner lol i just went and purchased the Cobra 29 LX CB radio. looking to mount it either tomorrow or friday. Still have to buy the firestiks and the spring and mounts for the antennas but i will post pics whenever i get it all done!

 

[DJinCO]

Just take the HAM Technician exam and get a 2M HT (ok, in english) That's a 144.000 MHz to 147.990 MHz VHF. 5 watts in a handheld unit.
No "Hello Kitty" option. Sorry.
Use a mobile UHF/VHF unit and you will have more options than you will ever believe. APRS, repeaters, GPS link...

Yes you need a license, but the Technician license is very attainable.
You can still run a CB if you want. I really recommend looking into Amateur Radio.

 

[MaxPF]

You need to come out West and do some West/SWest style wheeling where those GMRS toys are a useless POS. Plus they are not very manly! [emoji12] No wires, no truckers, no squelch, no 10-4 buddy = no fun. If you truly believe that a CB is old outdated technology, then that's like saying that SAS is outdated, overpriced technology since even Jeep is going to IFS. Especially when a good, basic reliable CB with a nonlinear transmitter/receiver will always outperform GMRS radios in the areas and terrain that we wheel out here. Just speaking from experience...and yes, I have tried both....live on, C.W. McCall & Smokey and the bandit!

This ^. VHF/UHF mobile ham radios work great (better than CBs), and I'd guess a mobile GMRS unit running at 5+ watts would work just as well as the ham radios, but them little half watt, dinky antenna FRS and GMRS radios dont work when a line of wheelers gets spread out in canyons and valleys.

 

[Renagade132]

Djinco, where does one got take the test and study for the test for the Ham technician exam? Is there more the one level of that test? I don't know much on CB radios, but by what you guys are saying, is that a Ham radio mobile unit will be a lot better and reach much further then a CB radio when it comes to everything, including communication with eachother? Can you still chat with someone that has a regular CB?

 

[4speedfunk]

For wheeling purposes...Walmart two-way radios work great. The range is about a 1/4 mile...easily reaching the trucks in front of, or behind me. That's all I want from a trail radio. Any further away than that and I use my cell phone. If no cell signal is available, I assess my situation and start looking over my passenger to decide which part I want to eat first to stay alive. If you're a Broney like me, (google it)...the "My Little Pony" model works great. But you can also get "Star Wars" or "GI-Joe" versions, that are a tad more macho.

Here's everything you need to know about CB's...
[video=youtube;eHR9LEZD58U]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHR9LEZD58U[/video]

 

[MaxPF]

Djinco, where does one got take the test and study for the test for the Ham technician exam?

You need to search the web to find the VE's in your area and date/times that the exams are given.

Is there more the one level of that test?

Yes, but the Technician license is the most basic and gives you priveleges on the VHF and UHF bands. IIRC it is only 10 questions. There are online study guides, but the tech exam is pretty basic so there's not anything in-depth technical or difficult. A few hours of studying and take an example exam, and you should be good to go. crawler passed it, and he's a total tard when it comes to radio stuff :giggle:

I don't know much on CB radios, but by what you guys are saying, is that a Ham radio mobile unit will be a lot better and reach much further then a CB radio when it comes to everything, including communication with eachother?

Correct. Mobile ham units have more power (50 watts typical on VHF (2 meter band), 35-50 watts typical on UHF (70cm band) vs 4 watts for a CB), and better fidelity due to being FM (vs AM with CBs.). They also have better short-range propogation, and the typical VHF/UHF mobile antennas are more efficient than their CB counterparts.

Can you still chat with someone that has a regular CB?

Nope. If you want to talk to someone with a CB, then you need to have a CB. Most ham VHF/UHF radios will receive FRS/GMRS frequencies, but they will not transmit on those frequencies.

FWIW I have both a dual band (2M/70cm) ham rig and a CB. Most guys I wheel with run CBs, but occasionally a few run ham radios. On the trail it's nice to have a guy in front and a guy in the rear with ham radios to relay messages when the CBs run out of range. I've been out several times where crawler was at one end and I was at the other when the vehicles get spread out in mountainous/rocky terrain. Our CBs were deaf to the guys at the opposite ends of the group, but we had full quieting on 70cm.

 

[Best4x4]

CB's are oldschool, but that doesn't make them crap. I miss having one in my H3 like I used to have in my Wrangler (uniden Bearcat 880). You'd be surprised how it helped me to avoid wrecks, or cops on the freeway. Also on the 880 the NOAA Weather Radio feature was pretty handy when you were somewhere cell phones didn't work. I've wheeled with both handheld, and CB's. I also normally have both in my rig. In our H3's since space is kinda tight I'm going with the Cobra 75 unit. I'll miss my bearcat, but I'd rather have something taking up less room in my H3.

 

[DJinCO]

Sorry that I didn't respond sooner - work really gets in the way of my recreation...

The best source of HAM info is found on the web. ARRL (American Radio Relay League) www.ARRL.org has the best info for licensing and testing. On the ARRL web site you can search for a class or testing in your area. The FCC delegates most of the amateur radio examination process to the amateur radio community itself, through the Volunteer Examiner (VE) program. The FCC maintains the standards for what classes of license are available in the US and what is necessary to pass the exams. The content, preparation and the administration of exams are determined by the Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs). The cost of the exam is $15 and you pay when you take the exam. There are free practice exams on the web and even iPhone apps with practice exams.

[h=2]LEVEL 1: Technician Class License[/h]

• Exam Requirement: 35-question Technician Written Exam (Element 2).
• Privileges: All VHF/UHF Amateur bands (frequencies above 30 MHz).
  Limited operations in certain HF bands.
  

The FCC Technician License exam covers basic regulations, operating practices and electronics theory, with a focus on VHF and UHF applications. Morse code is not required for this license. With a Technician Class license, you will have all ham radio privileges above 30 MHz. These privileges include the very popular 2-meter band. Many Technician licensees enjoy using small (2 meter) hand-held radios to stay in touch with other hams in their area. Technicians may operate FM voice, digital packet (computers), television, single-sideband voice and several other interesting modes. You can even make international radio contacts via satellites, using relatively simple station equipment. Technician licensees now also have additional privileges on certain HF frequencies. Technicians may also operate on the 80, 40 and 15 meter bands using CW, and on the 10 meter band using CW, voice and digital modes.

I hope this helps.

 

[Mb30sdl]

I used them all. CB is an old school runs 10m, FRS/GMRS is 11 m, so there is not much difference but GMRS ch5+ is 5watt so it works as good as CB plus there is privacy codes. Out west CB and FRS doesn't work well. HAM works a lot better, usually I can hear ~10mi away from base with ~75/100w in mountains.
So FRS is better way to go IMO.

 

[MaxPF]

I used them all. CB is an old school runs 10m, FRS/GMRS is 11 m, so there is not much difference but GMRS ch5+ is 5watt so it works as good as CB plus there is privacy codes. Out west CB and FRS doesn't work well. HAM works a lot better, usually I can hear ~10mi away from base with ~75/100w in mountains.
So FRS is better way to go IMO.

CB is 11 meters. FRS/GMRS is UHF (462-467MHz), a short ways above the amateur 70cm band. FRS is limited to 500 milliwatts of power. GMRS can run higher power but a license is required, although many ignore that requirement.

 

[DJinCO]

+1 what Max said.

 

[Renagade132]

I found these in my garage, are either one of these any good? And if so, which would be the best suggested antennas for them, or in general which are the best antennas in case I end up upgrading to Ham radios?

 

[chaos254]

I have that exact radio shack cb that a friend gave me. Works great

 

[Highatop]

I have the Cobra 75 and I tuck it between my seat an center console. Its out of the way ,hidden and easy to get to. I also have 2 small walkie talkies in the glove box. That's for wheelin w/ people that don't have any.