Ham Radio vs CB

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

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.

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.

Line of site, always good for VHF/UHF.  If enough folks have them along, maybe lead dog and sweeper have both CB and VHF.

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.

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 !

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.

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.

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.

Just posted the list over in general chit chat 🙂

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?

https://www.amazon.com/MXT115-Watt-MicroMobile-Two-Way-Radio/dp/B01MUGZ5XC

buckallred said 

is this the one you mentioned?

https://www.amazon.com/MXT115-Watt-MicroMobile-Two-Way-Radio/dp/B01MUGZ5XC

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.

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.

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 😀

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.

Can Tyler program my Kenwood TK380 to club frequencies?

I am looking at mounting a HAM, GMRS and CB into my rig. Yes, I understand all 3 is probably crazy, but that is the kind of nerd I am. Would a 25W radio be covered by the club license for runs until I can get my own license? I already have a GMRS license, just need a radio of that type.

You will be fine at 25 watts on the club frequencies. Technically the radio limitation should be set to 25 watts or less per the license, but the power off the antenna will be under the limit up to 35 watts on the radio across all the frequencies.

I would expect any mobile radio that covers HAM frequencies will cover the GMRS frequencies since they are in the same band, so it does not need to be GMRS specific.

Calaveras32Spcl said I am looking at mounting a HAM, GMRS and CB into my rig. Yes, I understand all 3 is probably crazy, but that is the kind of nerd I am. Would a 25W radio be covered by the club license for runs until I can get my own license? I already have a GMRS license, just need a radio of that type.

Not sure whether ham and gmrs can use the same antenna, but a CB would definitely require a different antenna. It's possible to do that, I think Tyler actually talked about having that capability, but it's pretty complicated.. for me, I got a ham radio that will run all the local repeaters and the club frequencies and I'm pretty positive gmrs frequencies too. Then I have a crappy handheld CB with a rubber duck antenna.... For many years as a kid I bought giant antennas and linear amplifiers and all that trying to make a CB radio work worth a damn. Now I see that it's basically impossible ... And seeing the beauty/functionality of ham radios and repeaters really made me frankly hate CB radios and trying to fiddle around with them and make them work.

buckallred said

Calaveras32Spcl said

I am looking at mounting a HAM, GMRS and CB into my rig. Yes, I understand all 3 is probably crazy, but that is the kind of nerd I am. Would a 25W radio be covered by the club license for runs until I can get my own license? I already have a GMRS license, just need a radio of that type.

Not sure whether ham and gmrs can use the same antenna, but a CB would definitely require a different antenna. It's possible to do that, I think Tyler actually talked about having that capability, but it's pretty complicated.. for me, I got a ham radio that will run all the local repeaters and the club frequencies and I'm pretty positive gmrs frequencies too. Then I have a crappy handheld CB with a rubber duck antenna.... For many years as a kid I bought giant antennas and linear amplifiers and all that trying to make a CB radio work worth a damn. Now I see that it's basically impossible ... And seeing the beauty/functionality of ham radios and repeaters really made me frankly hate CB radios and trying to fiddle around with them and make them work.

I am planning to mount 3 antenna, just is a matter of how. The CB would be mostly used for a road trip travel radio, listening for traffic and bears. I have a Cobra CB that I need to mount in the cabin (already have a mount made). Plan to put the antenna on the tailgate using the hinge bolts to attach a standoff plate. With HAM and GMRS requiring a ground plane, was thinking about a homemade roof rack with some flat mount plates. Thinking about picking up a set of brackets for a commercially available roof rack to attach to the drop rails, with the GMRS and HAM above the driver and passanger doors I will have to figure out wire routes. Would give me 3 comm antenna plus the factory music radio antenna. Make my Jeep look like a goofball, just like me.

Are you planning to run separate HAM & GMRS radio's?

My radio will do all 3 bands (2 HAM & GMRS) and I just realized that my antenna is actually not rated for the GMRS band however I have no issues running GMRS comms on the trail. I know you can get antenna's tuned for all 3, but my understanding is that there will be some sacrafices across them. For my usage, I am ok with what I get in GMRS through my radio on the trail with only the HAM tuned antenna.

**Obviously I am no expert in this space based on my previous comments and not considering the antenna, I can only speak to my setup and how it works for my usage model 😀

If you want to squeeze all you can out of both, separate radios and antenna's are likely the best solution based on my research. I do wonder about how the antenna's will affect one another on transmit if they are too close to one another, something you might need to reasearch.

I plan to run separate radios. The GMRA I am looking at is either the Midland MXT275 or MXT575 as the body can be remotely mounted and controlled through the handheld. The HAM will be a small unit that I can put in my dash, next to the accessory buttons by my T case shifter. I will have to look into the possibility of interference. I assume that I will likely be using either one or the other depending on who I am with, but will be good to know what happens if both are on at the same time. Do you know of a good way to get antenna wires from the top of the roof into the interior of the vehicle? That is one place I am stuck on. Most people seem to mount either tailgate and use the grommet in the tailgate or on the cowl and go in under the widshield.

Guy and Lynda said 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.

I have moved away from CB's, since the radios that we are currently using works far better, but some basic information is needed & understanding of the basic radio type is needed for my limited understanding of these radios mentioned in previous postings., like:

1) I'm currently using what the Balkin's called "Race Radios". What is the official name of these & will they be compatible with other radios recently mentioned for the future?

2) If a change is in the wind, what radios are being considered?

3) Is a "Ham" radio being considered, are they compatible, is a license required?

4) What are the costs of some of these optional radios discussed?

5) I'm all for progress, but I also don't mind if I'm sandwiched between the lead & sweep, if I don't have the latest radio of choice.

With all due respect, if a betterment is in the wind, especially for emergencies, I'll be the proponent of whatever change is justifiable. I just need an education what choices we have & what the advantages there are.

1. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the "Race Radios".

2. Since I have been involved we all have used HAM radios and the club has a license that we operate under, I am looking to get my own license so I can use radios when traveling on my own. The radio you have been using should be just fine for you.

3. On the fall maintenance run, I was listening to you talk on your radio while we were driving MET, so yours is compatible.

4. The handheld Baofeng UV-5R can be picked up on Amazon for about $25. They are not fancy, and lack certain features but will work for the trail.

5. I agree with the groups staying together for safety, and the lead and sweeper are the primary ones who "need" to have radios. Having them in every rig to be able to listen in for calls for aid isn't a bad thing either. Does allow communications between groups for the times where we split into multiple work parties too.

Not sure if I answered your question.

That is a tough one, I did not even consider a roof mount because how often I have the top off (as often as possible!). How were you planning to ground the roof rack to the Jeep (I am pretty sure this is need to get any kind of ground plane).

Recently I have noticed that some on the runs near me can receive signals from the front of the pack that I am unable to. I have a 1/2 wave antenna on a steel mount bolted to my Teraflex aftermarket tailgate hinge (aluminum). I am not sure if I have a poor ground plane due to the aluminum path or because of the location (everything I read says this is the worst place to put it on a JK/JL) so I might try something different after some basic troubleshooting.

Calaveras32Spcl said I plan to run separate radios. The GMRA I am looking at is either the Midland MXT275 or MXT575 as the body can be remotely mounted and controlled through the handheld. The HAM will be a small unit that I can put in my dash, next to the accessory buttons by my T case shifter. I will have to look into the possibility of interference. I assume that I will likely be using either one or the other depending on who I am with, but will be good to know what happens if both are on at the same time. Do you know of a good way to get antenna wires from the top of the roof into the interior of the vehicle? That is one place I am stuck on. Most people seem to mount either tailgate and use the grommet in the tailgate or on the cowl and go in under the widshield.