Anyone with CB/EMS radio in thier 4Runner?
- Thread starter alaskaman
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Have you considered using GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service)?
You've probably seen frs/gmrs radios that are sold at stores like Bestbuy or Circuit City...those things are crap and are commonly referred to as "bubble pack radios". Those small handheld radios put out probably less than half a watt but are claimed to be able to work for up to 18 miles! It's a bunch of BS! But going back to GMRS....
First of all you'll need a GMRS license that cost about $85 for 5 yrs. The license covers your entire family and in-laws. You'll be issued a call sign which you'll share with your family. Once you have your license you'll be able to use the gmrs frequencies and be able to use up to 50 watts. Down here in So.Cal we have a bunch of different repeaters that we can use. The repeater that I primarily use sits atop of a 3,000 ft mountain and probably gets out at least 80 miles+ all around the Los Angeles County. The repeater also is on generator backup that hopefully should last a week.
Equipment wise, it would be a good idea to invest in good commercial gear like Motorola,Kenwood,Icom, etc. The commercial radios will let you program them to be able to access the repeaters, something which you can not do with bubble pack radios. A commercial handheld will actually put out the 4 watts. Just to give you an example, My wife was approx. 43 miles away from the repeater and was able to hit it using 4 watts on the handheld, pretty cool! We both have mobile radios in our cars and they work flawlessly anywhere in Los Angeles.
My personal opinion is that CB is dying. Mostly the people that use CB are the truckers and the guys out racing their trucks out in dirt tracks.
Check out this other forum site that talks a lot about radio usage.
http://www.popularwireless.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm
Good luck.
-Rob
Here is my 2007 4runner
Wife's 2003 Honda Accord
*I forgot to connect the microphone in these pictures.
You've probably seen frs/gmrs radios that are sold at stores like Bestbuy or Circuit City...those things are crap and are commonly referred to as "bubble pack radios". Those small handheld radios put out probably less than half a watt but are claimed to be able to work for up to 18 miles! It's a bunch of BS! But going back to GMRS....
First of all you'll need a GMRS license that cost about $85 for 5 yrs. The license covers your entire family and in-laws. You'll be issued a call sign which you'll share with your family. Once you have your license you'll be able to use the gmrs frequencies and be able to use up to 50 watts. Down here in So.Cal we have a bunch of different repeaters that we can use. The repeater that I primarily use sits atop of a 3,000 ft mountain and probably gets out at least 80 miles+ all around the Los Angeles County. The repeater also is on generator backup that hopefully should last a week.
Equipment wise, it would be a good idea to invest in good commercial gear like Motorola,Kenwood,Icom, etc. The commercial radios will let you program them to be able to access the repeaters, something which you can not do with bubble pack radios. A commercial handheld will actually put out the 4 watts. Just to give you an example, My wife was approx. 43 miles away from the repeater and was able to hit it using 4 watts on the handheld, pretty cool! We both have mobile radios in our cars and they work flawlessly anywhere in Los Angeles.
My personal opinion is that CB is dying. Mostly the people that use CB are the truckers and the guys out racing their trucks out in dirt tracks.
Check out this other forum site that talks a lot about radio usage.
http://www.popularwireless.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm
Good luck.
-Rob
Here is my 2007 4runner
Wife's 2003 Honda Accord
*I forgot to connect the microphone in these pictures.
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My1stT4R
New member
Hello,
Here are some photos of a RAM-Mount with an Uniden BCD996T Scanner, a Panavise Mount for GPS, and a Diamond Antenna Hatch Mount for a NMO Antenna. The RAM-Mount can be used for any type of two way radio (2 Meter, 6 Meter, 70cm) or you could purchase a radio with remote head and mount base anywhere.
Lowpro: Is that a scanner on the seat of the 4Runner? Looks like a PRO series RadioShack with 800 MHz antenna.
Here are some photos of a RAM-Mount with an Uniden BCD996T Scanner, a Panavise Mount for GPS, and a Diamond Antenna Hatch Mount for a NMO Antenna. The RAM-Mount can be used for any type of two way radio (2 Meter, 6 Meter, 70cm) or you could purchase a radio with remote head and mount base anywhere.
Lowpro: Is that a scanner on the seat of the 4Runner? Looks like a PRO series RadioShack with 800 MHz antenna.
Attachments
My1stT4R said:
Ahhh, very nice. How big is that ram mount? Whoa! How is it attached? I've been thinking about getting a radio to monitor 800mhz down here in Los Angeles. I volunteer with LAFD and sometimes I don't get the greatest of reception on my handheld scanner that you noticed. I would like to get a scanner with a remote head or I can go the cheap route and just buy a antenna and connect it to the handheld via a bnc connector. I'm using a 1/4 wave antenna for gmrs, it's only about 6 inches.....for 800mhz it would be probably double the length. I do like the way your antenna is mounted. What's the price on one of those mounts? I also have a mount now for my Garmin Nuvi.....I should probably go take a updated picture...brb.
-Rob
PaulSula
New member
no way, CB's are way cool. I like to have mine on while driving down the highway and listen to the truckers. Plus they let you know about speed traps. Also, I know that some off road parks want you to have them. Plus it's cheap. Just my opinion.
http://toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26235
Booyah!
http://toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26235
Booyah!
My1stT4R
New member
The base of the RAM-Mount attaches to base of passenger seat. It is heavy duty and used for laptop mounting but adapted for radio use.Lowpro said:
I have Uniden's BC-RH96 Remote Head for the BCD996T or BCT15 Scanners, just have not mounted yet. I will use the second glove box to mount scanner.
I recommend Wilson Electronics Cellular Attenna found HERE. The best antenna for 800 MHz reception. You will need a FME to BNC Adapter.
Its about $60 USD. It is Diamond Antenna model K412CNMO Trunk/Hatch mount for antennae up to 45". Its for folks like myself that don't want to drill holes in new trucks.
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The challenge would be to find a radio frequency that someone might actually be listening to in the event of an emergency.alaskaman said:
Amateur (HAM) radio is usually a good choice, as county-level emergency management agencies often have volunteers running on VHF or UHF repeaters in the HAM bands. To get a HAM license, you only need to pass written tests; the FCC did away with all morse code testing for all levels earlier this year. To be useful, you should get a list of the HAM repeaters in your area and program your radio before you have an actual problem.
If you have any connection to local government (government employee, firefighter, emergency management volunteer), then you might also be able to use some official channels legally as well.
CB isn't dead, but it is overloaded with chatter and people with illegally-high transmitter output. I don't know of any public safety agencies in my area that listen to it.
Ok, more pictures for show and tell. I got this gps mount from ProClip USA. It's a nice fit but pretty expensive at $ 70 for the two parts. Here in CA it is illegal to have a window mount, so I opted on paying for a nice mount instead of getting a ticket.
Here is my other project.... A Whelen LED Slimlighter (Amber/Amber) hard wired to the dash. My windows are tinted dark enough where you can't see it during the day and at night you can still see them pretty bright. If I needed to light them up during the day I could always just roll down the back window
Here is my other project.... A Whelen LED Slimlighter (Amber/Amber) hard wired to the dash. My windows are tinted dark enough where you can't see it during the day and at night you can still see them pretty bright. If I needed to light them up during the day I could always just roll down the back window
My1stT4R
New member
Whoa, you've got more stuff to add?!? LOL.My1stT4R said:
Thanks, I'll check that out. I actually don't mind drilling into my car as long as it is done right and professional looking.I recommend Wilson Electronics Cellular Attenna found HERE. The best antenna for 800 MHz reception. You will need a FME to BNC Adapter.Its about $60 USD. It is Diamond Antenna model K412CNMO Trunk/Hatch mount for antennae up to 45". Its for folks like myself that don't want to drill holes in new trucks.
Re: Re: Anyone with CB/EMS radio in thier 4Runner?
Yeah, I would agree that HAM would be a good choice also. I didn't mention it because I'm yet to actually take my test, so I don't have a HAM ticket, yet.
One down side to HAM is that everyone has to have a license of their own. I'm sure a lot of us would have a hard time getting our wives to take a test for something that they probably wouldn't use as often. Slowly but surely I've gotten my wife to use the mobile radio on gmrs but she already told me she would not take a test for ham...lol. A GMRS license on the other hand covers everyone in the family without taking a test.
I guess I meant to say that CB radio is dead in the way that nobody really monitors it. REACT has been transitioning into monitoring more GMRS than CB...but I guess it really depends on where you live.
Personally, I feel better knowing that I can trust members of our local repeater to get my emergency traffic across instead of some random person. We just started a new REACT team in the Los Angeles County and a big chunk of the repeater members are CERT trained, LEO's, FD Volunteers and/or involved with some other public agencies....Plus, we've all met personally. You can pretty much guarantee that someone is listening to our gmrs frequency 24/7.
Eventually I'll get around to the ham ticket.
toto said:
Yeah, I would agree that HAM would be a good choice also. I didn't mention it because I'm yet to actually take my test, so I don't have a HAM ticket, yet.
One down side to HAM is that everyone has to have a license of their own. I'm sure a lot of us would have a hard time getting our wives to take a test for something that they probably wouldn't use as often. Slowly but surely I've gotten my wife to use the mobile radio on gmrs but she already told me she would not take a test for ham...lol. A GMRS license on the other hand covers everyone in the family without taking a test.
I guess I meant to say that CB radio is dead in the way that nobody really monitors it. REACT has been transitioning into monitoring more GMRS than CB...but I guess it really depends on where you live.
Personally, I feel better knowing that I can trust members of our local repeater to get my emergency traffic across instead of some random person. We just started a new REACT team in the Los Angeles County and a big chunk of the repeater members are CERT trained, LEO's, FD Volunteers and/or involved with some other public agencies....Plus, we've all met personally. You can pretty much guarantee that someone is listening to our gmrs frequency 24/7.
Eventually I'll get around to the ham ticket.
eorange
New member
Definitely consider a ham radio ticket. You get your most bang for the buck. As stated before, an $85 GMRS ticket is only useful if you have a commercial GMRS radio to back it up. For emergency purposes, I would not rely on GMRS because the GMRS population who can actually respond is just not there. Larger urban areas have more GMRS repeaters, but some are closed (not usable by the general public).
A ham ticket is free and only costs a modest $14 or so for a processing fee. Someone is ALWAYS listening on 2 meter/440 frequencies because there are tons of hams.
For the same money or less as a GMRS radio, you can get an Icom V8000 ($180), which is a 75W 2 meter transceiver that gives awesome simplex coverage, plus standard access to all your area's 2 meter repeaters.
Finally, some states make it illegal to have scanners in your vehicle. A ham license can sometimes override that restriction.
Plus you'll get interested in another limitless hobby, which gives you something else to spend your money on.
A ham ticket is free and only costs a modest $14 or so for a processing fee. Someone is ALWAYS listening on 2 meter/440 frequencies because there are tons of hams.
For the same money or less as a GMRS radio, you can get an Icom V8000 ($180), which is a 75W 2 meter transceiver that gives awesome simplex coverage, plus standard access to all your area's 2 meter repeaters.
Finally, some states make it illegal to have scanners in your vehicle. A ham license can sometimes override that restriction.
Plus you'll get interested in another limitless hobby, which gives you something else to spend your money on.
