Hi Ron

It essentially gives you the uppers and lowers (sidebands) - ie three bands of 40 channels each ;)

Just wondering what the point of CB is..... I understand that CB on the trail with a group is great. Been there done that. But what about off the trail? Is CB dead ?

Holy sh*t this thread is old.
I tried CB all over- highway- off road- and was clear CB is indeed dead.
And will leave you dead if you are looking for a way to comm in remote areas.

From this forum I was introduced to amateur radio (HAM radio)
I avoided it for a few years just seemed too complicated etc.

In late 2014 I got my Tech class license and Gen class in mid 2015.
I have been VERY active in the hobby and love it.
Get your FCC issued ham lic by taking test via a local group (study using qrz.com account or hamstudy.org or many other ways), buy/learn how to program your radio by hand (relying on software will f*ck you in the field, input the repeaters around the area you will be traveling. Enjoy. I was N of Barstow CA and all over Mojave Preserve in April and was able to talk to N Cal and Los Angeles and Vegas on a single repeater system. I was also able to get email messages out using the lower freqs when stationary and set up for it. Not going to get into that here- deep ass rabbit hole.

Now go start studying for your test!


C

Interestingly, I have considered ham. I asked someone recently what he knew about ham radio, "It's like Facebook without the internet."

I hate Facebook and do not participate in it so that is not a plus for me. What can you say about ham that would be better than Facebook? Seriously curious about it.

That Cobra 19 in the ashtray spot is so perfect!!! How are ya'll going about mounting that in? Looks like its supposed to be there.

It's more like AAA or 911 when you're off the grid and you need help. Get your tech license and drop a dual band radio in your rig. Install it hot directly to a fuse panel or at least get a hand held. Download the repeater book or install the app on your tablet/phone. You now have reliable communication.

That is the dumbest and most inaccurate analogy of amateur radio I have ever heard.
Try YouTube. Or look up a ham operator or club near you and visit them. (arrl.org, qrz.com, etc)I bought a $27 Baofeng UV-5R handheld and listened for myself for a few months before getting my lic. You can also listen to ham radio repeaters and hf long distance communications on Broadcastify and sdr.hu and websdr.org.

I ran 4ga wire direct from battery to a BlueSea fuse panel in the cabin. I started out with a $27 Baofeng UV-5R and listened for a few months before I got my license. Just remembered I ran that handheld for a long time in the truck w external antenna (Diamond NR770) and battery adapter for lighter socket.
C

Wow - a 7+ year resurrected thread.

Ham radios are great. I would not say CB radios are dead away from the trails. Lots of truckers still use them and they can be fun to listen to/chat with on long drives.

Since we originally were talking about fitting radios I just picked up an Anytone Smart to try out. It is tiny.

I have seen the Baofeng UV-5R on Amazon a few times and keep telling myself no. Now I will have to start thinking about it again. And here I thought I was over that.... thanks...

Oh yea, the UV5R's are so cheap i bought a whole bunch and distributed to all my "like minded" neighbors so we can stay in touch during grid-down scenarios. They are also great on the highway or camping for FRS traffic as well as HAM.

I'm sure on trail they would work just as well as a CB would, without the big antenna in the back or on top of the truck.

It's no Yaesu FT-60R (quality wise) but will get the job done!

Lots of Baofeng as well as nicer radio exp here. The BF are great for what they are- and with stock ant in the car would work just fine on the trail. On road trip etc you can choose a simplex freq and put PL ton or DCS on both output and input to cut way down on intermod noise bursts etc. I used one in my truck connected to roof antenna (Diamond NR770) along w lighter power adapter. Was good and compact. Some models do have awful surrious emissions however and that is really unfortunate.

I learned about ham radio right here on these forums and 3 years as a ham I have been non-stop. Super fun and learned tons. Glad I finally got into it.
Also- last trip to Mojave in April I talked on a linked 220MHz system from deep in Mojave Preserve. Also talked to folks from the top of Mt Whitney in August. I use a Baofeng handheld and talked 160mi into Los Angeles easily.
73 all
Clifford

Glad to see a prepper who also owns a 4Runner

I'll jump on this resurrection bandwagon, lol, band-wagon, get it? nvm.

What else fits in that space? Anybody ever done switches there? I've got my yaesu otherwise mounted so no need for a CB.. I'm always interested in clean switch locations though.

The ScanGauge II looks to fit pretty well in that spot actually, with some minor trimming. I plan to construct an aluminum bracket for it that will mount to the top or ceiling of that void, and angles the SC2 upward for better viewing. That will still leave much the space available for other purposes.

I'm also a ham, and have several Kenwood TM-V71As. I plan to put one in the Runner. I'll probably mount the body out-of-sight, like under a seat, then the face somewhere easily accessible/visible...