CB radios

[Thomas]

We live in area with spotty cell service at times,considering CB home base.
What are pros cons also good unit.

Thanks.

 

[bmaverick]

We live in area with spotty cell service at times,considering CB home base.
What are pros cons also good unit.

Thanks.

CB with SSB is the only way to go. Finding units are harder today with SSB.

GMRS is better, requires an FCC license that is easy to obtain. GMRS reaches the same distances on much clearer channels.

CB AM output power is 4W. 5 to 16 miles reaching range
CB SSB output power is 12W. 15 to 30 miles reaching range

GMRS output power 50W. 65 to 90 miles reaching range

CB Radio = 26.9650 MHz – 27.4050 MHz
One of the nosiest locations on the AM band.

GMRS Radio = 462.5625 MHz – 467.7250 MHz
Mainly FM and crystal clear communication.

CB antenna is around 4FT for the shortest, but to get the power to signal out a 5/8-wave is perfect, thus almost 7FT.

GMRS antenna is around 6-inches. Can be placed nearly anywhere and is STEALTHY.

Why GMRS and not 2M Ham license?
GMRS is just a fee. Ham is a minor fee and a radio electrical test to pass.

How Do I Get A GMRS License?​

You can apply for your FCC GMRS license online.
Get your FRN (FCC Registration Number) here:
FCC Registration - Login
Then go here to apply for the license online:
https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/licManager/login.jsp
Just follow the prompts. Basically just wants your name, address, and SSN. Then gives you a link to pay online when you’ve submitted the form.
Once approved, the FCC will email you an authorization link where you can download a copy of your license.

Ref,

CB Radio – vs – GMRS Radio – The Ranger Station

 

[Thomas]

Thank you for sharing.

 

[5030]

High output GMRS is the only way to fly plus you can do repeaters if necessary. I have a mobile in each of my tractors and a mobile / base unit at home and I can reach my wife from the next county quite easily and unlike a CB, it's quiet and not much squelch needed. Mine are Midland but lots of them on the market. FCC licensing is a snap as well. Much, much easier than the Drone pilot's license I also hold. CB's really require no license to operate, supposed to have one but I don't know anyone who does.

 

[bmaverick]

High output GMRS is the only way to fly plus you can do repeaters if necessary. I have a mobile in each of my tractors and a mobile / base unit at home and I can reach my wife from the next county quite easily and unlike a CB, it's quiet and not much squelch needed. Mine are Midland but lots of them on the market. FCC licensing is a snap as well. Much, much easier than the Drone pilot's license I also hold. CB's really require no license to operate, supposed to have one but I don't know anyone who does.

My brother is a licensed ham. Studying for the test takes time. And everyone who wants to talk to you needs to take the test too.

I too would echo GMRS is the way to go.

 

[5030]

After getting the FAA Drone pilots license, that was enough for me. It's a complex test and requires a lot of 'homework' study to pass and it's not free either, which is probably why a lot of drone owners never get one, but don't get caught without because fines for violations are steep and the rules are stringent. The FAA has no humor at all.

 

[Topzide]

CB has way to many downfalls for good communication over any distance. Hasn't required a license for some time now. GMRS is by far nicer to use. The license covers you and family living in your house for $35 - 10 yrs.

 

[Jstpssng]

We use them on woods roads to keep track of where trucks are. The range is limited though and there is so much chatter and skip that it's too easy to turn the volume down, defeating the purpose.

Lately a lot of companies have gone to MURS.

The Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) uses channels in the 151 – 154 MHz spectrum range. The most common use of MURS channels is for short-distance, two-way communications using small, portable hand-held radios that function similar to walkie-talkies

They are a bit longer range and have less static. Unfortunately there still are guys who have to get on there and chatter so you can't get away from it.

 

[5030]

People will always abuse any communications medium if they can get away with it and in reality the only deterrent is high licensing cost and high equipment cost coupled with stringent enforcement.

Anyone can go out and purchase a cheap AM CB radio, buy an antenna and start using it to 'communicate' on the air waves and abuse the right in many ways. Why I don't care for them. Not only is the effective range limited but the garbage talk abounds. When the cost of equipment starts going up as well as the licensing and enforcement increases, the abuse comes down.

Human nature will always play a factor but is increasing limited as the overall cost and technical skill to use them increases. HAM radio has stayed mostly garbage free because the 'price of admission' as well as the skill to use it coupled with the licensing procedures polices it.

High powered 'family radio' falls in the category. There is abuse on it but not every Joe public can afford the cost of equipment. Spending close to 500 bucks and sometimes a lot more on each unit kind of eliminates the low ball cost operator and the wide availability of channels does as well.

CB AM radio got a bad rap because of all the abusers. High powered Family Radio users, not so much because of the high up front cost of equipment.

Sure you can add a linear amplifier to the lowly AM CB radio to increase the range but again, the price of admission climbs and the abusers get less because of it.

 

[D'oh]

So you say you are Remote with Spotty Cell Service, so you are after Communications with Someone or Somebody in particular?

CB, you have to reach someone, and if nobody else has one in a 20 mile area, you are out of luck on Communications. Just like GMRS, someone has the be on that Channel at That Time.

Why not just a Cell Booster? At least then you are calling Someone. Whole Room Boosters are relatively inexpensive, and when you want those quiet times, just shut it off.