Handheld CBs

[nicknasty999]

I know alot of you have CBs in your rigs... Do any of you use a handheld? I was looking at them and for my use a handheld would work just fine, but just wanted to know your opinions

 

[GhostRing]

Thought about it...if I did, I would go with this:
Midland 75-822
*(no affiliation)*

 

[5RUNNERZ]

i would really like to know too! i have a few galaxy cbs laying around, but i did not feel like wiring it up so i was gonna just buy a hand held! so please any one with experience with this let us know!

 

[michael88]

Had them- used them..got rid of them. If you are serious about good communication, go get your ham radio license. It only costs $10 for the test. With a tech license, you can buy a Yaesu FT60 handheld that puts out 5 watts on 2 meter and 70cm(144 and 440). Before you start criticizing the 5 watts, let me tell you what 5 watts in 2 meters can do. With the factory rubber ducky antenna, you can hit repeaters 20 miles away. On simplex, about 10 to 15 miles, depending on what type of terrain you are in. With an aftermarket antenna, the sky is the limit. I've been close to 40 miles away and hit the repeaters. My Icom ICV8000 in the 4runner is a 2 meter unit pumping out 75 watts. I can be in the mountains and hit the repeater 80 miles away. Look into these little units. They are affordable, reliable, and once you get into them, you are hooked! Oh- the price of an FT60 is around $160. And there are so many repeaters everywhere! Check out www.4x4ham.com for off road enthusiast who use ham radios.

Michael
kf7sqv

 

[Singtoe]

Had them- used them..got rid of them. If you are serious about good communication, go get your ham radio license. It only costs $10 for the test. With a tech license, you can buy a Yaesu FT60 handheld that puts out 5 watts on 2 meter and 70cm(144 and 440). Before you start criticizing the 5 watts, let me tell you what 5 watts in 2 meters can do. With the factory rubber ducky antenna, you can hit repeaters 20 miles away. On simplex, about 10 to 15 miles, depending on what type of terrain you are in. With an aftermarket antenna, the sky is the limit. I've been close to 40 miles away and hit the repeaters. My Icom ICV8000 in the 4runner is a 2 meter unit pumping out 75 watts. I can be in the mountains and hit the repeater 80 miles away. Look into these little units. They are affordable, reliable, and once you get into them, you are hooked! Oh- the price of an FT60 is around $160. And there are so many repeaters everywhere! Check out 4x4 Ham - 4x4 Ham Radio Operators for off road enthusiast who use ham radios.

Michael
kf7sqv

The OP asked a really good question that I also would like an answer on. But instead of helping or suggesting a good product, you come up with something totally not relevant to the question.


Example Questions.

1 Looking for a good bolt on roof rack for the 4runner, what models fit are trucks well?

Your answer - Had them - Used them - got rid of them. Get a trailer instead.


2 Looking for a decent handheld CB radio - Nothing to mount in the 4runner, but something to communicate with the other drivers that use CB's on the trails.

Your Answer - Had them - Used them - got rid of them. Get a sat comm instead. You'' be able to use with its extensive satellite coverage at any expedition point around the word.:frusty:

So who makes a good handheld CB radio?

 

[KidVermicious]

I have the Midland linked above. On the battery pack and using the small stubby antenna, it's good for very close line of site (IE, spotter radio). Last weekend I picked up friends over 2 miles away and behind a couple hills when it was on truck power and plugged into a Little Wil magmount antenna. I haven't tried to raise anybody farther away than that yet.

IMO, it's perfect for trail comm, but I wouldn't rely on it to raise help if you were in a jam.

 

[michael88]

Sorry-Should have read closer. He is meaning the 40 channel handheld cbs and not the 21 channel two way radios, which you do need a lisence for. And Singtoe, they are not sat radios.

 

[OU4x4]

how well they work may depend on the kind of trails you run on.
i've been on quite a few trails with groups from this site and a few guys had hand helds.
in the mountains, they can be hard to hear and the range sucks.
so if you're never out of line of sight then you will probably be ok but fall a little behind...
out in the flats, they're ok to hear and the range is better.
so if the trails you run are in the mountains, get a mounted cb setup.

 

[fourwd1]

If you are looking for short range comms, the Midland would work fine for a mile or 2, maybe even more if conditions are right (using the supplied rubber duckie antenna).

 

[hrt4me]

I know a lot of you have CBs in your rigs... Do any of you use a handheld? I was looking at them, and for my use, a handheld would work just fine, but just wanted to know your opinions

Did you ever decide on whether or not to get a handheld CB?
If so, then which one? And how well has it been working for you so far?