CB Radio vs. GMRS Radio

FRS and GMRS are line of sight. Great reception out in the open deserts but pitiful in an area with things like hills, trees, or tall buildings.

Power output for hand held radios is limited by the FCC but there is no agency that polices what manufacturers advertise on the radios that they sell.

GMRS covers a family so two families will require two licenses to be legal - if that is a concern to anyone anymore.Amateur radio covers only the individual who has passed the required test.

The FCC has been in the process of deciding whether to stop charging for GRMS licenses though this has been going on for 3 years and still no decision has been made.

The only place where I have found a CB radio to be useful is on logging roads during the harvest season. Signs are posted as to the channels used on a particular road and by monitoring it you will know when a truck is headed your way and they are not going to be able to stop when the get to where you are.

I have had cell reception with Verizon, even if it is only 1xRTT, in 99% of the western USA where we have traveled. Before the switch to Verizon and with AT&T I frequently lost service once outside of towns.

One request for those who want to have it boosted, ,Well that and some logic.

First: PLEASE do not tell me, or anyone else on the forums, You do not know who is listening (or reading) and you might get the knock on the door from the Friendly Cookie Comission... Not a good thing trust me on that.

Second: You put "Slippers" on your CB so instead of 5 watts you are putting out 50 or 500.. Ok, great, you now can talk farther.. The guy you are talking to is only running 5 watts. How "Hot" is your receiver? Can you hear him?

Of course if that amplifier is not set up properly you may only be putting out 2 watts on channel and the other 498 is garbage.

dverstra wrote:
If you are going to have a CB Radio, have a pro set it up for you. I just had it done and had the antenna matched to the CB. You can have it Boosted also although that conflicts with what the FCC will allow.

Having a 'pro' match the radio and antenna does not guarantee performance, just a good match.

Linear amps are and have always been illegal, although the FCC likely won't bother you provided your operations don't interfear with other operations. Crossing the border may be a different story though.

(Edit: Fixed iphone auto-correct spelling and puncuation..not)

Gulfcoast wrote:
I haven't used a CB in years... do the truckers still use channel 19? Thanks

Yes on channel 19, however out west in crowded areas like LA, they also use channel 17. One channel for North/South and the other channel for East/West traffic. That cuts down on the confusion when discussing accidents, etc.

I haven't used a CB in years... do the truckers still use channel 19? Thanks

Since we travel alone (Just wife and me) a CB fits our bill just fine.
Advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. As a matter of fact I know of no disadvantages.
1. Buy a good Brand with a built in SWR meter and seven weather channels.
2. Buy a good antenna. The built in SWR meter will allow you to adjust the antenna for maximum Transmission/Receiving.
You won't need any special help to set it up if you are handy with tools. May have to drill one hole in firewall for the front (Hood) antenna wire/coax cable.
I talk to truckers only to find out about traffic/road conditions as needed. At one time Campers monitored channel 15 but I don't hear them there much.
We use ours mostly for the weather channels, driving or parked in a CG.
When all other low watt walkie talkies and cell phones fail you can usually find help with a CB.
Radio
Antenna

If you are going to have a CB Radio, have a pro set it up for you. I just had it done and had the antenna matched to the CB. You can have it Boosted also although that conflicts with what the FCC will allow.

I have used several hand held CBs over time, Including Radio Shack and Midland models.. Never had a problem with any of them, even the one I paid five bucks for because it had a problem (IT was an SUE (Stupid User Error)) Only problem I've ever had is ... Disappearing radios. Yup, they got lost.

THat said, Performance from a hand held is never as good as a good base or bolted in Mobile.. The reason.. The optimal antenna is about 9 feet tall, the shorter teh antenna the shorter the range... Take a look at the antenna on that Midland (No where near 9 feet. Closer to 9 inches).

Jayco254 wrote:
Does anyone know if the hand held C.B. radios are still available and where at? A friend of mine used to have one it was like a big walky talky but with a lot better range.

I've got a hand held Cobra CB that no matter how hard you push the rubber buttons, you can't change the channels or change the volume. Have even had it apart and cleaned with no avail.

I just checked... Amazon has plenty. Search for handheld CB radio.