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Ham Radio vs CB
March 12, 2018
9:27 am
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Tyler - K6TLR
Rancho Cordova
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Hypergreen Tonka said

Great podcast. I was getting dizzy reading all the radio info. I'm still on CB. Actually bought it last year when I joined the club. So I'm hesitant to get a new radio and get licensed especially if something new comes out again. I loved the idea of a "Commercial" license/ frequency the club can give it's members to use. If we did this I'd definitely get a radio just to use our frequency. I'd be willing to help the club pay for the commercial license too. Maybe something g that can be discussed during next meeting.   

That option was brought up at the meeting a few nights ago. Except i think the club is looking at spending club funds for it... there might be a vote going on in the members only section. I dont know as im still a low life non member 😉 haha i think its really because "they" dont want any toyotas lifting up the group status

April 10, 2019
7:27 am
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Tom
Elk Grove, CA
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I’m all in on Ham Radio.  Use one with my CERT folks here in Elk Grove/Galt.  IIRC, there was a 2m repeater installed on the Rubicon a few years ago. 

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading -- Lao Tzu

April 14, 2019
10:13 pm
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BKGM Jeepers
Folsom
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JohnDF said
I stick with a CB because I know for sure that I'm not breaking any federal regulations when I use it and I don't need a degree in radio frequencies to operate it. Simple is as simple does...

  

Oh. And you just turn it on and go.    And almost everyone has them and knows how to use them. 

My TJs CB could connect with club members at the base of Cadillac when I was at the the top of the granite bowl. 

April 19, 2019
10:49 pm
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Tom
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Line of site, always good for VHF/UHF.  If enough folks have them along, maybe lead dog and sweeper have both CB and VHF. 

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading -- Lao Tzu

April 23, 2019
10:18 am
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Guy and Lynda
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No offence given for those ham operators, or for those that recently purchased them & are in the mode to start using them, but I agree with both Brad & Tom, above. On any trail, we should never be so far apart that CB's shouldn't work. Our club rules state that we should never leave anyone out of sight (except Kevin!) in front or back (relatively speaking). Those that do venture off too far, should always remind themselves to keep looking into the mirrors & windshield to assure everyone stays together. Ham's are great for leaders & sweepers & emergencies, but CB's work & no harm should come to those that stick with them.

It's good that there are ham's in our group, but that shouldn't be a hard requirement. CB's work well with restrictions & require nothing more than a good antenna, grounding & working finger to push the button.

April 23, 2019
12:39 pm
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k-jeep
Parts Unknown

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I’m offended! Just kidding.

There’s currently no club requirement to have a radio of any kind.

CBs are fine. I like the clarity of the ham (or murs) from my experience. It’s also nice if we’re in separate groups (snow patrol) and can still communicate with each other.

 I also like bacon !

April 23, 2019
3:22 pm
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Roy & Romika
Elverta, CA
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I bought a HAM radio. Haven't used it yet and really not looking forward to figuring it out and/or breaking the law trying. Just don't have time lately for a class so I will be a criminal with a CB front.

April 23, 2019
7:44 pm
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Gilbert & Betty
El Dorado Hills
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As Kevin stayed there is no requirement for a CB / ham radio or any radio for that matter.  But it is suggested and only helps improve safety and enjoyment of our off road adventures as most of us know. There's nothing like hitting trail and having someone with knowledge of the area willing to narrate it for all. Not to mention all the ribbing that goes on. But mostly for Emergamcies thankfully we haven't had the need. Cell phones you ask, there isn't very good cell coverage in all the nooks and crannies we go into. That all I have to say lol.  

April 25, 2019
6:44 pm
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kris_olof
El Dorado
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While the HAM license is still on my to do list and I have radios capable of HAM, I still need something for trail runs.  This used to be the CB but I think the time has come to put CBs out to pasture (AM) and fully switch to FM (HAM/GMRS/FRS/MURS/Commercial Band).  While visiting family we went on a trip and they had the midland micromobile 15 watt GMRS radios and I was very impressed.  They work with the hand held motorola type units for trail spotters and with vehicle mount units starting at the $100 range are still about $50 cheaper than a similar CB setup.  Not to mention the setup is childs play compared to tuning a CB.  If someone asks what type of radio they should be getting for their Jeep, I will be pushing GMRS over CB all day.

Now because people have expressed concern over licensing and doing the wrong thing, the club is obtaining a commercial band license which will be open to all club members and guests on club runs.  These will rely on frequencies and radios similar or the same to that of the GMRS/HAM radios.  I will work with Tyler to identify radio options in various price ranges (entry level should be near that $30 mark) with hand held and vehicle mount options.  The best part is that some of these radio options will also work for HAM should you later get your license.

May 13, 2019
9:27 am
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Tyler - K6TLR
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Just posted the list over in general chit chat 🙂

June 26, 2019
11:06 am
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buckallred
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kris_olof said
While the HAM license is still on my to do list and I have radios capable of HAM, I still need something for trail runs.  This used to be the CB but I think the time has come to put CBs out to pasture (AM) and fully switch to FM (HAM/GMRS/FRS/MURS/Commercial Band).  While visiting family we went on a trip and they had the midland micromobile 15 watt GMRS radios and I was very impressed.  They work with the hand held motorola type units for trail spotters and with vehicle mount units starting at the $100 range are still about $50 cheaper than a similar CB setup.  Not to mention the setup is childs play compared to tuning a CB.  If someone asks what type of radio they should be getting for their Jeep, I will be pushing GMRS over CB all day.

Now because people have expressed concern over licensing and doing the wrong thing, the club is obtaining a commercial band license which will be open to all club members and guests on club runs.  These will rely on frequencies and radios similar or the same to that of the GMRS/HAM radios.  I will work with Tyler to identify radio options in various price ranges (entry level should be near that $30 mark) with hand held and vehicle mount options.  The best part is that some of these radio options will also work for HAM should you later get your license.

  

is this the one you mentioned?

June 26, 2019
3:18 pm
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kris_olof
El Dorado
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buckallred said 

is this the one you mentioned?

  

Yep, for sure that over CB but maybe wait till the club has it's frequencies so we can do commercial radios with more flexibility. For sure that for anyone outside of the club.

June 28, 2019
6:38 am
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JohnDF
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I can't get my current CB to work worth a darn.

Probably not worth diagnosing the problem at this point.

So, I'm going to have to figure out how to use this fancy new BAOFENG radio.

I used to wheel a lot. . .

June 29, 2019
3:44 am
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Tyler - K6TLR
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JohnDF said
I can't get my current CB to work worth a darn.

Probably not worth diagnosing the problem at this point.

So, I'm going to have to figure out how to use this fancy new BAOFENG radio.

  

Welcome to the dark side 😀

June 29, 2019
6:57 am
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70commando
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I just had Tyler with Off Road Radio remotely program two of mine so I could use MURS and FERS channels , he also added alot of the repeater stations as well so i can monitor ham stations for much of Northern California, as an unlicensed operator. He did a great job programming with all of the channels I will need.  I talked to him via phone while he logged in and programmed for me.  All while enjoying the comfort of my home. The price was good as well. 

September 21, 2021
9:40 pm
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thumper
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Can Tyler program my Kenwood TK380 to club frequencies?

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