CB Radio vs. GMRS Radio
We are new to RVing and we are considering a CB or GMRS. Any opinions regarding which is better especially considering the GMRS is newer technology? Would antennae (s) installation be similar?
Forum Discussion
CB is good for talking to truckers. GMRS is a family specific license but the hand held radios are reliable only to a distance of about 1/4 mile in good terrain. Forget the advertised Watts with the GMRS radios as it is a complete lie with the actually signal output in the 0.1 to o.4 Watt range if you check the FCC filings by the manufacturers. This is limited in part as the antenna is right against your brain.
There are commercial GMRS and Ham radios that are permitted by the FCC to use a separate antenna and so can have a lot more output in the 25 Watt and higher and these are all line of sight so having the antenna on the roof of an RV puts it 12' off the ground which also helps. Good thing is that a single GMRS license covers you and your extended family which includes spouse, siblings, grandchildren and grandparents as the case may be.
Cell phones work the best in most areas and Verizon provides the best rural coverage with AT&T the next best.
There are commercial GMRS and Ham radios that are permitted by the FCC to use a separate antenna and so can have a lot more output in the 25 Watt and higher and these are all line of sight so having the antenna on the roof of an RV puts it 12' off the ground which also helps. Good thing is that a single GMRS license covers you and your extended family which includes spouse, siblings, grandchildren and grandparents as the case may be.
Cell phones work the best in most areas and Verizon provides the best rural coverage with AT&T the next best.
