The CB radio was the first internet and it still is. How many own one and or have used one. What do I like about the CB radio? I like the fact that you can say whatever you want to say on it and there is nobody that can or will cut you off. The typical standard CB radio is cheaper than the average cheapest cellphone and it has many many uses. It is also more reliable than any other form of communication.
I'm the daughter, sister & wife of men who all served in the military. We were all raised to take communications seriously. Now, every vehicle & vessel we own and take to remote places include Citizens' Band radios (among others) just in case other methods of communications aren't reliable.
@SpokenTruth
Thanks for the MHO. :)
We don't have one now, bit my dad was a trucker so I've used one several times. They're pretty neat.
They are neat sure enough and addictive, always good to have one in cause of disasters etc. I am trying to get my base up and running for when things get rough only i am running into some out of stock issues due to so many buying up the parts I need. The CB radio is coming back strong and there is a high demand for parts etc.
had one, no more. probably a good idea for armagedon or talking to truckers. used to enjoy listening to truck drivers talk on long road trips.
Armageddon exactly precisely why I'm recommending others get them we are getting closer and closer to it every single day. Cellphones and internet rely on and require third party connections to make them work where all the CB radio requires is pushing down the key and reaching the next radio with no need for providers and once purchased never have to pay anything again to use a CB.
makes some sense. can you talk to your friends like cell phone? I don't recall. say if they are 50 miles away?
I'm hearing CB radios from just about every states right now including Hawaii and others are talking to people over in the UK. Of course that is skip radio. But given the right antenna and the right height and the right amount of push for sure 50 miles or so.
Amateur radio was the internet long before CB
Yes that it was. However the CB radio became the most popular of the two and it still is due to there being no requirement to get a license to use.
When it came out it did require a license for a long time. Though a license is no longer required, the laws about them still apply. They are limited to a narrow band of frequencies, they have very low power, so can only communicate short distances. The antennas that they may use are restricted.
Amateur Radio can use much higher power (the signals can often travel completely around the world), much more choice of frequencies, choice of different types of voice communication as well as other forms of communication such as Morse Code, computer, fax, etc.
I used CB years ago for business (as it was intended) but my amateur communications are far better. Comparatively, CB is a toy,
When they first came out they required a license but the license was dropped in the mid 70's. No license needed now. The problem with armature radio is that it does require a license and time to get a license too. And right now times are getting rough things are getting real. And for that reason I don't advise the idea of going the license route because time is the issue and the CB radio is about to become vital to have in the case of communication failures and free speech too. Also another problem with ammeter radio is it's not as open as the CB radio. For example if you are on a highway or looking for directions would you reach for a ammeter radio or a CB radio? Same thing in natural disasters etc. And there are a lot of people getting 10 - 11 meter radios too now such as the Stryker and the Rander radios pushing upwards of 400 watts or more not to mention linears on CB'S etc.. The CB radio world has become a whole different world over the last few years too.
I already said the license is no longer needed. When I decided to get an Amateur license I studied a book for a couple of days, took the test, and got my license. No big wait. Already, during communications failures Amateur groups step in and provide emergency communications aiding police, emergency services, the military, and the general telephone services. No towers needed, so they were extremely valuable on 9/11. CB would have been basically worthless. When I am on a highway, I do not use radio for directions, I use GPS with pre-loaded maps, far better than trusting anyone's radio assistance. The radios that you mention with the higher power, as well as the linear amps, are illegal to use on CB radios and frequencies. From Wikipedia on CB Radios:
"What is the legal limit for a CB radio?
The FCC allows a maximum of 4 watts of output power for CB radios to avoid signal interference with other devices, such as TV and emergency communication radios." That means the output to the antenna. Illegal to use a linear amp for CB!
Other facts:
"10 Meter Radios are not CB Radios.
10 Meter Radios are not designed to communicate with CB Radios. 10 Meter Radios are Amateur Radios, also known as Ham Radios. Unlike a CB Radio, you need to have a license to operate a 10 Meter Radio."
There were people using illegal amps and other equipment many years ago. And due to the harm they cause to other services, the FCC does track those down. Not really different at all. Still you people operating illegally.
Ham radios yes I know. And with emergency communications taking place on amateur radio frequencies as you mentioned, what would be the result if everyone put their CB radio aside got a license and started talking on amateur radio? The same thing that happened in the 90'swould happen. That being those that didn't pay attention to the rules would start stepping on each other and crowding the channels. Basically it would end up eliminating the rules because they no authority could keep up with it which is exactly whey they done away with the requirement for a CB radio license. Yes the legal limit on standard AM CB radio is 4 watts excluding SSB lower and SSB higher with 8 additional watts allowed on both.
When I turn on my CB radio today I am hearing people communicating coast to coast even communicating with Hawaii and people in the UK, do a current search for CB radios and you will see some are talking about it on line and as far as the FCC goes I hear they evidently aren't even enforcing the 4 watt minimum on CB radios anymore, so word has it on the CB radio anyway and the internet you can search that too.
As far as using a phone to keep up with traffic a phone can't compare to a CB radio unless you know the phone numbers of those on the road with you. You may be able to look up with what's already listed on the net however you won't get real time reports from those on the highway with you. PART 1
And as far as radios that require a license for use I don't and won't recommend them to anyone due to the license requirement and that is because not many would want or even be able to spend the time it takes to get a license and it is a crucial time to have one with all the events. If they have a PART 2. CB radio they are prepared for things such as phone or internet service failures a CB radio will work anywhere as long as it's in proximity of a another CB radio that will receive it's signal. It will work day or night in any type of weather and it will work in places where there is no phone or internet service too and all you need is a power source to power it.
I did not suggest a phone to keep up with traffic. I said GPS with maps already downloaded into it. Better than phone or any radios listening to others on the road. And obstructions (and ways around them) are updated very quickly. Yes, you can hear many people operating illegally. But the FCC is catching many. And what happens when they are caught? "The base fine for unlicensed operation is $10,000, and the FCC has discretion to increase the fine based upon the circumstances." I heard of one case where they kicked it up to $15,000.
"those that didn't pay attention to the rules would start stepping on each other and crowding the channels." Already happening. You and other illegal operators are crowding into frequencies reserved for other services, including amateur radio. And few CB operators know how to properly install CBs other than running a cable to the antenna and those are often not tuned properly (yes, it is necessary to "tune" the cables due to improper impedance and reflected power which affects the signals). And as those are discovered, they are reported and prosecuted. Legal Amateur operators, as well as other service's operators, will report vehicles that are interfering with them. Then the FCC doesn't have to look for illegal operators themselves. Just find who owns the cars.
You don't recommend people take the time to learn the rules. They aren't hard. Much easier than when I took the test. So you are simply recommending that people go around breaking the laws. When do you get a gun and decide that entitles you to rob banks?
True I am sure it would take long to get a license to run the radios that require a license. However realistically you are talking about recommending radios to others that had their cellphone taken out of the box turned on by others that work at those stores and handed to them vs the requirement of ordering a radio and antenna having to remove both from a box and attach them to a vehicle connect them calibrate them and additionally having to spend a couple of days in effort to obtain a license. And that isn't going to happen the crowd love conveniences which is how they will end up in a jam with no communications.
Also the average standard AM CB radio or a antenna kit assuming it's a good antenna is somewhere right around $100. Throw in a meter to calibrate it right around $20 or so that's if the purchaser doesn't decide to spend a little more on the CB radio to get one with a built in SWR meter.
No I'm not suggesting people go breaking rules, I am simply pointing out that they are doing it.
I already said that when I decided to get an Amateur license I studied a book for a couple of days, took the test, and got my license. That is by no means "a long time". And installing CB in your car takes the same effort you mentioned as for Amateur Radio. So by your argument, people will not do that for CB radios. If you are talking about hand held units, amateur radios can have more power in the basic unit and communicate much further. To get that power and range from a CB would require addition of more expensive equipment than the standard set you mention at a lot of added cost and more work to get them operating properly.
As for you not suggesting people go breaking rules, that is exactly what you are doing.
"And as far as radios that require a license for use I don't and won't recommend them to anyone due to the license requirement and that is because not many would want or even be able to spend the time it takes to get a license and it is a crucial time to have one with all the events." I already pointed out that it does not take much time. And that other equipment such as GPS is far better for navigation and getting around problems. And with already existing amateur repeaters, even small power units can converse over longer distances. And besides all that, Amateur Radio is far more versatile with longer range, and it is legal.
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u I have never used CB, only VHF marine radio.
CB'S are vital to have especially now since they are more reliable than other forms of communication. There is nothing wrong with VHF other than it's not popular for open communications like a CB radio is. Also if it's a marine radio using it other than it's intended use IE on the water is illegal. But you probably are already aware of that.
Oh yes I know that with VHF marine radio. That is drilled into you when you take boating courses here. I get the purpose of CB radio, but I’ve never had an interest in it.
@SpokenTruth Why do you tell her that using the radio for other than its intended use is illegal? You are on here suggesting that everybody should use CB radios illegally!
@Red_Arrow Because some marine radio look exactly like the same model as CB radios. The message is somewhat to any reader so they are informed there is a difference between a standard AM CB radio and a marine radio and some people end up buying a marine radio thinking it can be used for other purposes.
I probably used one once or twice back in the late `70's.
CB radios are very cheap today. You can buy a complete CB kit with antenna for right at $100 and get them way cheaper second hand. My advice to anyone and everyone is get one.
What for? A: Who would I talk to and 2: I already have TONS of other shit I have to deal with and can't waste time listening to radio messages that MIGHT come in. Thirdly, I couldn't afford it, anyway.
Now would be a good time to consider getting one just in case. You can also share information on a CB.
not any more have a cell / mobile now it's much better
Much better until in fails to work that is and word is going around that may happen. I personally have seen both cellphones and regular land lines fail many times.
No, but use VHF at work every day
VHF is good for closed communication, but not popular for the open communications such as the AM CB radio.
Well it is open, but it’s for commercial use not chit chat. Also need a license to use it
Mount it right beside your 8-track player
More people than you think are going back to the CB radio mostly due to free speech. I think it belongs next to the thumb drive MP3 player not in a garage with a 8-track player.
At present things are going out of stock due to the high demand. But as soon as I can get my hands on everything I need to get my base up and running I will let you know.
@Red_Arrow Well that is very interesting. Does he have a reason to visit or close me down?
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