CB usage?
Are CB radios still used frequently on the open road? Do you use one in your RV? Thanks in advance.
Forum Discussion
DrewE wrote:w8lpn wrote:
I have a few CB radios, none currently installed in a vehicle. Although when I am traveling a distance I do like to have one with me. As far communicating on a caravan, FRS is an ok option but very limited range. Usually in a caravan we use GMRS, although it does need a license you can use higher power and better antennas than FRS. Both are on UHF and have their limits.
The FMS/GMRS laws were changed around a year ago, and most all of what were previously FMS/GMRS hybrid radios are now classified only as FMS and do not need a license. (More specifically, any such radios where the transmit power isn't over 2W are now FMS radios and need no license--which covers nearly all walkie-talkies.) As is typical of government regulations (and FCC regulations), the details are a little bit more complicated, but that's the gist of the situation. I assume it was done for much the same reason that the requirement for CB users to be licensed went away in the '80s: the licensing wasn't accomplishing anything particularly useful, and many people were ignoring it whether out of ignorance or otherwise.
True as for the hybrid radios. But what I was getting at, if you want better range in UHF with more power, then the GMRS license is still in place. I forgot about the change, but like you said not many people followd it anyway. WQYA884
