Radio Type Discussion

[s0ulst3al3r]

I like the idea of a CB also cause I drive rigs and truckers can be pretty helpfull if needed and I also got the Cobra CB with bluetooth so I can use my cell threw it ..now just got to think of cool handles !!

[Sugarphreak]

I am still not sold on going to CB as a club standard for comms on the trails though for the simple reason that because CB and FRS handhelds seem to have about the same usable distance in the bush; in my opinion the FRS is better because it is more portable, inexpensive and anybody coming with us can use them. As I mentioned before handheld CB's are pretty much garbage for range so unless you have a CB installed in your truck you are going to get cut off.



The main advantage of CB is that it should be way more usable on the highway than FRS because when it has line of sight the wave lengths go forever.



With that said, I have been going through a lot of trucker forums too, from everything I have read, in Canada the majority of truckers are broadcasting on the 3 public channels in VHF... in the US though, CB radios way more popular. VHF radios can monitor police channels too... so it is a double whammy for usability in that sense.



Ultimately I think FRS should remain our standard for bush comms, but CB can definitely be used as a supplementary/backup communication system.



I think I am going to pursue getting a VHF radio myself, mostly because it would be nice to call for help in an emergency... for instance last year when that guy dropped his truck on himself the guy with a VHF radio was able to hit a repeater and get the STARS helicopter in to air lift him out.

[njlondon]

[quote name='Sugarphreak' timestamp='1297792950' post='25170']

With that said, I have been going through a lot of trucker forums too, from everything I have read, in Canada the majority of truckers are broadcasting on the 3 public channels in VHF... in the US though, CB radios way more popular. VHF radios can monitor police channels too... so it is a double whammy for usability in that sense.

[/quote]



Please expand on these three 'public' VHF channels.



Are you talking about 5 watt VHF commercial radios, or CB radios?



I was under the impression that all UHF and VHF commercial and ham radios need to be licensed, save marine, and that is not an option.



Thanks.

[Sugarphreak]

Please expand on these three 'public' VHF channels.



Are you talking about 5 watt VHF commercial radios, or CB radios?



I was under the impression that all UHF and VHF commercial and ham radios need to be licensed, save marine, and that is not an option.



Thanks.

CB radio is actaully an HF frequency, the VHF (V for very) one I am talking about is between the marine and commercial frequencies which is designated for amatuer use: that range which is designated for amatuer use is 144MHz and goes up to 148mhz.



Now interestingly enough the ones the truckers are using for talking to eachother are well above that... into the commercial range.



LADD 1 154.100 (primary)

LADD 2 158.940

LADD 3 154.325



Alberta 1 162.210

Alberta 2 153.050

Alberta 3 163.050

Alberta 4 165.480





An example here is a trucker forum talking about it:

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/trucki ... adios.html





Also, a quote from a hunter forum on how to get a licence... could be easier than I thought.

I looked at the Amateur Radio licence, but that only allows you to transmit on 144-148mhz, not much good for logging show's, so Yes you can legally have a radio in your truck but its not 100% legit for the purposes of what I"m doing. Plus its a PIA to have to write a 100 question test. I took the study question test on the RAC website and for someone that isn't into Amateur radio.....some of those questions are WAAAAAY out there



I went down to the local Radio supply shop and hammering on the guy for info. Turns out the proper licence you need is REALLY simple to get. You just fill out a little form and send it away with your money to Kelowna....(of course an annual cash grab in in effect). Voila....your licenced.

[s0ulst3al3r]

Well I've been driving rig for about ten years now aand I know around here cb's are still the most used by truckers ...its when you go up north past fort nelson ..they don't use cb's at all ..just because of range ..gets a 30km range ...but even my dad who drives up north still uses a cb ..he actually works for a huge trucking company and they still use cb's ...but yoou're right aboout the range , way better with VHF

[Sugarphreak]

The range is likely related more to the power than the signal; CB is capped at an output of 4 watts, while VHF can go all the way up to 150W for vehicle devices... most being 50-75 watts.

[Sugarphreak]

I have to say, I looked all over my truck today and couldn't find a single mounting position I was happy with. The H3 interiors are already so packed tight there is no room left for anything else.



I think that I may just go with an external antenna mounted in the bed, then run a coaxial cable into my center storage console for my handheld to plug into. I know somebody with an SWR meter I can tune it with so it should give me good range.

[Khamul]

[quote name='Sugarphreak' timestamp='1297812164' post='25174']

The range is likely related more to the power than the signal; CB is capped at an output of 4 watts, while VHF can go all the way up to 150W for vehicle devices... most being 50-75 watts.

[/quote]



That Magnum 257HP I read up on http://www.worldwide...-hp-review.html is rated at 30 watts (Not sure what I was reading earlier but I think someone had "tweaked" it...) But at 30 watts.... that should get some good range!



So will your handheld pick up the CB channels?

[Sugarphreak]

[quote name='Khamul' timestamp='1297830708' post='25183']

That Magnum 257HP I read up on http://www.worldwide...-hp-review.html is rated at 30 watts (Not sure what I was reading earlier but I think someone had "tweaked" it...) But at 30 watts.... that should get some good range!



So will your handheld pick up the CB channels?

[/quote]



30W is illegal for sure, although I don't think there is anybody around here to check... I have heard down in Moab and other areas/events where CB's are favored they do strictly enforce the output.



Yeah it is a 40 channel Cobra 38WXST, it has the same 4 watt output just like any of the in-dash versions so as long as I can get an antenna for it, it technically should work just as well.



Apparently in the spring they are launching a new law that prohibits the use of CB radios on public roads and highways except in emergencies !?!?

[shotgun-cam]

Phreak meter is fairly cheap we have one for Rhino's setup as for having a cb we have one as its required for Hummer club runs and frs handsets for trail communications ie winching Better than trying to talk over main cb channel.



For antenna try Radioworld we have a wilson no ground mount 4.5 ft stick. as a kit they also sell the meter