Will someone teach me to HAM/CB?

[jwkilgore]

If you are part of a 4 Wheeling club and go on excursions with them, you probably want CB because it is likely they'll use CB for trail comms.

If you are out on the trail solo or with an informal group, and you want radio for emergencies or communicating longer distances via repeater, you want licensed amateur radio, or "Ham". Start with 2m/70cm bands. Check the link in my sig for how I put a ham radio in my TE.

Here in Colorado, we have an awesome state-wide linked repeater network which allows comms over a huge area. Gotta be a ham to use it. There's networks like this all over 'Merica.

^^^--- This was going to be the gist of my response. You should get the system that will be the most useful in your specific situation. Doing all the work to install a system just to have it sit and gather dust, or worse, not be useful to call for help when needed, is just a waste of time and money.

If you wheel with other people, get the system to match theirs, most likely a CB. If you wheel alone but in popular areas with lots of other people around, then a CB may be all you need to contact someone nearby for help. Especially in the unofficial (probably illegal) rednecky-wheeling areas (it takes time, effort, and money to get a Ham license).

Otherwise, research any possible Ham networks in your area. I noticed you live in Florida, so here's one: http://www.sarnetfl.com/ If you are within range of a repeater, just TX on that frequency and your voice will be bounced and transmitted all over the entire state. Anyone listening on that frequency will hear. Not good for long intimate talks with your girlfriend, but great for getting someone to call 911 if you can't get a cell signal.

 

[el_kab0ng]

Most of the talk of illegality is transmitting more power than what's legal on CB bands. But everything else you say is mostly correct. There are some transmissions that it is illegal to listen to (namely around 800mhz where analog cell phones live). With that said for the most part it is legal to listen to most frequencies without any kind of license.

I pitty anyone still rocking an analog cell phone, honestly. The 800mhz band has alot more than just older cell traffic, however. It's also used by fire, police, etc, which is entirely legal to monitor.

In any event, hopefully the OP got what they needed.

 

[e60ral]

10-4. BTW, it's not clear in the Midland manual but if an external antenna is connected to the vehicle adapter, the antenna on top should be removed. I saw this in a review I read and the shop told me that as well. Degrades performance if left on.

the ugly bnc connector (or whatever it is, can't remember from memory) at the top is what i'm talking about, i don't like it but its a minor complaint of mine

 

[Hltoppr]

So, I dropped into a Ham Radio Outlet today for a coax adapter...and walked out with a new setup for the TRDP.

-H-

 

[Fomer_FJ_owner805]

I use to run a Cobra-2000 peaked and tweaked and frqed, CB with a lollypop mic , 200-400 watt foot warmer (amp) K-40 mounted on the roof , 4x10' steel whips on the bumper. Overkill x1000 but could talk in valleys. I had respect for Hams not to bleed over when I was on the funny frequencies. Anyways .......A fun thing is hide and seek with CBs aka tea hunting, Have another person goto and non-trucker ch and key down the mic. and have a group track the person hiding down. You just mount a cb antenna on the back of your vehicle and what ever direction you point is the strongest signal. I little hard to do with LEDs as a signal strength indicator but it can be done.

 

[Bumbo]

I dont have a CB radio... but I generally have at least 3 ham radios in the truck at all times...

Yaesu FT-2900 drivers radio - easy, big controls, power
Kenwood TM-v71a for Crossband and 70cm repeaters.
Yaesu VX-7R - 6 meters, 1.25 meter, 70cm, 2 meter

For the real serious trips, I also have an seperate independent portable communications case with multiple handhelds, a Crosshand capable mobile, battery, small AC inverter, folding 60 watt solar panel, MPPT solar charge controller, battery charger that works with custom voltages and different battery chemistry like lithium, lead acid, NiHM, and some basic tools like a digital multi-meter / DC clamp meter to troubleshoot electrical issues.