CB or Ham Radio good to get in contact to other RVers?

Before you post your ham call sign on the internet or using it as your user name do a search on google.com. Ham call signs are listed on Google at fcc.gov and gives your full name and address. If you're OK with that then that's up to you. But at least be aware that your ID is readily available.

Congrats. VE6ROK and VE6ANG

Thanks a lot for so many feedback so far.

Today, I made a big step to my ham radio project. I passed the general class exam :)



Peter

My friend and I each bought a CB and a magnetic antenna for travelling down Baja .
A handy item for that usage .
We were a convoy of two for 4 weeks .
When I got back I found out that we were illegal operators in Mexico .
We took them out when we returned .

Get both

Each has it's use and each user obviously have their own need.

Erie Tom wrote:
evidently you missed the OPs original statement, "I'm talking about close range communication, like chatting while passing on a highway."
a cellphone and GPS are worthless for doing that. a ham radio will let you talk to the folks back home but not to the oncoming trucker who can supply traffic information.
bumpy

There are a lot of truckers that have hung up the mike on the cb and talk 2 meters. They do use the cb but not solo. They want to get away from the trash talk. You do not only talk to the folks back home.. There are a few RV nets at different times of the day giving road reports weather reports and just heads up for any problems that they know of.

I would wager that for every trucker using a 2meter setup, there are about 10000 who have a CB, and those with a 2 meter probably also have a CB running. when approaching a big city, I want a road report NOW, hot different times of the day.
bumpy

evidently you missed the OPs original statement, "I'm talking about close range communication, like chatting while passing on a highway."
a cellphone and GPS are worthless for doing that. a ham radio will let you talk to the folks back home but not to the oncoming trucker who can supply traffic information.
bumpy

There are a lot of truckers that have hung up the mike on the cb and talk 2 meters. They do use the cb but not solo. They want to get away from the trash talk. You do not only talk to the folks back home.. There are a few RV nets at different times of the day giving road reports weather reports and just heads up for any problems that they know of.

RGar974417 wrote:
There are 2 things you need,a cell phone with a data plan like Sprints everything plan,data,text and phone for $90,and a GPS.Those 2 things will be of more help than a CB or a ham radio.You should also get a campground directory like Trailer Life directory which will give you information on RV parks and campgrounds.Many of our state and National Forest,or COE campgrounds are very nice.Sites are usually bigger than commercial campgrounds and some of them are fairly inexpensive.We stayed at a South Carolina State Park on our way to Disney World.It had water and electric hookups,a nice bath house and dump station for $18 a night.Most commercial campgrounds are double that.Pennsylvania State parks are usually $25 a night for electric hookups.If you are traveling during the summer,you should have reservations,especially on weekends so the guide books will give you numbers or you can look up the state park websites for more info.Have fun.It's a big country with alot to see.

evidently you missed the OPs original statement, "I'm talking about close range communication, like chatting while passing on a highway."
a cellphone and GPS are worthless for doing that. a ham radio will let you talk to the folks back home but not to the oncoming trucker who can supply traffic information.
bumpy

If you want to listen to garbage on ch 19 get a CB. I have two meter and HF in the truck tow vehicle and then move it to the RV once at the CG. 2 meter simplex 52 is good. Have my call sign on the rear bumper of the rv and radios are on. Wife enjoys the ham bands but does not want to hear the potty mouths on CB. There are many nets on hf to make it interesting. With no code now go all the way to extra class and enjoy all of the privileges of ham radio. Simple antenna for the RV with hamsticks