ham or cb radio

SCVJeff wrote:
My guess is you are primarily an HF'er, and that is a completely different world,and there you are correct. But on the upper bands there are LOTS of people who just want to chat, and not about their new antennas or how adjust pre-emphasis on the modulator... They just don't care, and that's fine. Some people could care less about all the technicals. If it works for them, that's good enough.

No, I'm primarily an experimenter and builder, not a "communicator". And no, I'm more active on VHF than the low bands, although I've done a fair amount of experimenting with HF antennas. I know what you are saying and agree with you about how some people would rather chat than experiment. Some are not interested in the technical side, and that's fine - it's all part of the hobby.

I think you are missing my point. Go back and read the OP's question, then my first post. I am advising the OP, in a subtle but friendly way, that a ham radio is not the best tool for the job. The best tools for what he has asked is an FRS radio set for communication between vehicles, AND smart phone apps for reliable urban traffic info. Ham radio is not. Yes, ham radio is a more reliable form of short range communication. But you have to be licensed to use it, for good reason. If you call for traffic information on 2 meters without a call sign, most likely no one will answer you, or if they do, they will want to know where you stole the radio. This is the self-policing nature of ham radio.

I cringe when I see the ham radio bands misused. Look what has happened to 11 meters. Pick the right tool for the job.