Just wondering why I haven't heard of any CB'ers here that run SSB? I know the radios are more expensive, but is that the only reason? I haven't looked but don't CB manufactureres still make AM/USB/LSB rigs?
Running SSB allows you a bit more privacy as well. If the other CBers only have AM, they can't make out what you are saying, but you on the other hand, while on SSB, can indeed make out what they are saying on AM.
Plus SSB coms are a bit more quiet and less conducive to the hash and trash of AM. And because SSB is used less, if you, and others in your group were to operate SSB, at times I'm sure it would be more like you had the bands all to yourselves, and possibily be able to hear each other a bit better when the signals get weaker. It may be something to think about especially now as the solar cycle starts to pick up and the AM channels get busier and busier.

 

I don't think most people here really consider themself a "CB'er" or know what a SSB is. If they do, the SSB radios are more expensive and are full size radios. Seems like most folks go with the cheaper and smaller radios, which is all you really need on the trail. Everyone I run with takes out their radio after the trail ride. I go one step further. I remove the antenna too and put in a small stubby i made from a broken antenna to keep water and dirt out of the conection....

 

I run SSB whenever possible, like the original poster stated it is more private, has better range, and you will generally find a better class of people on it. There are no "handles", just a first name and a 3 or 4 digit number. Also you will not hear all those annoying noisemakers and foul language your hear on the AM channels. My personal rig is a RCI 2950.

 

Very true.......

I veiw SSB as the bridge between childrens band (CB) and ham radio...For some of us it was a natural progression....

Back in my 11m SSB outlaw days I literally worked the world from the front seat of my 379 Peterbilt using a RCI 2970DX driving a Magna Force 600 with a Predator 10K antenna.....

My motto on SSB was for the most part---->> If I can hear ya, I can get back to ya !!

Oh and Dave, yeah there are some really kick arse export radios out there for SSB.....The RCI's and the Magnum's are pretty stout and very stable on SSB...The Galaxy brand is known for drifting quite a bit, and splattering 10 channels each way.....

 

OK, for those of you that don't know.....

SSB stands for "single side band". SSB is a common mode of voice operation and is a form of AM that uses half the wave to transmit the same information that can be transmitted by full wave AM. That's why the effective power of SSB is more then twice that of standard AM. By it's nature it is quieter than AM, and allows more power output and range then regular AM. Most store bought SSB radios average about 12 watts pep (peak envelope power).

Yes, SSB radios are more expensive, but what also comes with that is usually a better quality radio. Like most things, electronics being no different....you get what you pay for. For those of you/groups that are thinking about getting into CB, I urge you to consider a SSB radio. It will pay for itself in the long run with better communications overall. This is why SSB is the mode of choice for HAM ops all over the world when it comes to phone (voice) communications.

And once again, as this solar cycle picks up the CB bands will be bombarded with signals from all over the world nearly to the point of being useless with a 4 watt CB.....especially AM because that is the most popular. Altho being affected as well, SSB is, and will continue to be a far more effective means of local coms between Jeep to Jeep.

 

A little more technical explanation: Think back to high school physics class when the teacher struck a tuning fork. Then he struck another or a slightly different frequency. Instead of hearing two notes, you heard the original two, plus a slow warbling of the two that were mixed together--a beat frequency (which was the difference between the two tuning fork frequencies). There was also a fourth note, which was probably lost in the other ones, that was the sum of the two tuning fork frequencies.

AM radio is a central carrier frequency that is transmitted, plus the voice frequencies added (and subtracted) from that carrier frequency--mixed just as they were in the tuning forks example. The intelligence of the signal is carried in these two "sideband" frequencies (actually, a whole set of frequencies corresponding to the frequency of your voice input).

But, if the intelligence of the signal is carried in the sidebands, why waste power in the original carrier frequency? Drop the carrier and you have double sideband. But, if all of the intelligence is carried in either sideband (called upper and lower), why transmit two sidebands when one will do? Drop either one, and just transmit the one remaining sideband. As AK4Dave says, more power into the signal, plus you're only using half of the bandwidth.

As for why not work SSB/USB/LSB on the trail: Picking up SSB signals on an AM radio (called slope detection), assuming it can dial in the frequency, will sound very Donald Duckish--and oft times unintelligible. So, unless those you're running with have SSB, you're best to stick with what is interoperable (AM, usually).

 

So to come to this so late. I'm about to post a thread and wanted to make sure no one already asked my questions.

I run SSB whenever I can. I run both a HAM and CB in my Jeep. While the trend is definitely toward HAM radio, most people can afford and already own CB's for their Jeeps. I have mine in a Tuffy overhead console. It's an older Cobra 148 GTL AM/SSB. The case was a little big for the console, but I modified the console to make it fit. The real advantage to the SSB is distance. The signal is transmitted at 12W and has a smaller band width. It uses the same antenna, so there is really no difference to the set-up.

If I were to up-grade, it would be to another AM CB w/SSB. Of course, this is in addition to my mobile HAM rig. I paid $50 for my CB radio. They are only more expensive if you buy a new one versus a used one. Of course, with any used radio it pays to have it checked out and possibly tuned.

 

Been running a cobra 148gtl that I bought when they first came out. SSB is far superior than AM in every way for reliable communications. However the way the FCC made them design CB radios it doesn't work perfectly for large groups. Since you have to dial in the freq to get the sound just right and on legal CB radios you are only moving the receiver if you have more than one person you are trying to talk with you probably won't be able to hear either of them as clearly since it only takes a couple of hz to change the pitch of the voice. So for a large group of jeeps AM is the best bet especially since most just know basic CB radio operation anyway.

 

I v got an old gt 140 ssb sitting on a shelf in the garage. Been thinking about digging it out and putting it in mine.

 

Great just one more thing I need to play with while jeeping Just kidding....sounds to be good, but seems like for me ( ROOKIE) CB works great and then some.