Can anyone enlighten me as to why CB radio is so common on trail rigs, when FRS radios are so common & convenient?

SV

 

I thikn that it has to do with custom now, FRS/GMRS is a relatively new radio service, whereas CB has been around since the FCC took away the 11Meter band from the hams years and years and years ago.

In addition, most FRS/GMRS radios are handhelds, with very limited range, not too many mobile type radios out there.

But that's just a guess on my part.

 

FRS is generally a .5 Watt handheld device. A bunch of us have them but the CB is 4 Watts and actually (for line of site coms) is better, in my experience.

GMRS actually requires a 75 dollar FCC license. Even for family use. The GMRS ones I've seen available are still usually under 1 Watt.

Thats my limited knowledge on it.

 

This is not correct entirely - GMRS can outrange CB in many instances. It is very line of sight like CB, but you can transmit legally at much higher power ranges. Your average walmart GMRS radio, not so much.

He is correct - Although, if I remember correctly from my license - you only have to have one license per group - so if we were on the trails, since I'm licensed for GMRS we could all talk legally as long as I was also using the channel.

My GMRS transmits at 4 watts, but you can go up to 50 watts legally. I think it would be quite suitable on the trails if more people had them.

To the original question, its just more common for CB because they've been around longer and are cheaper in general, and most importantly are license free. I usually carry a handheld GMRS/FRS unit with me just in case that's all someone has, but in general its all CB on the trails.

 

Building a combination FRS/GMRS radio is a bad idea--it limits the capabilities of the GMRS radio to a subset of the GMRS radio service's features that comply with the FCC rules for the FRS radio service. Non-detachable antennas are one such compromise with combination radios. Unfortunately, only combination FRS/GMRS radios are available at Wal-Mart.

GMRS can use land-mobile equipment including repeaters. If you don't want the expense and hassle of programming land-mobile radios, Kenwood and Icom both make nice GMRS hand helds that will outperform a CB under most circumstances.

UHF antennas are much easier to install and work with than CB antennas. A stubby ~12" antenna works great on VHF / UHF compared to a similarly sized antenna for CB. Tuning and SWR are lesser issues too. I've gotten 30+ miles from a 5W Kenwood hand held with a 12" antenna on the VHF band.

Personally, I'd like to see the CB go the way of the dodo bird unless you're driving an 18 wheeler or trans am. Given how entrenched the CB radio is in the 4WD community, it's probably not going to happen though. VHF and UHF are much better bands for short range communication than HF.

-Glen

 

Uh-oh. Yes, that's a CB antenna sticking out the back of it. And I don't have one (yet) for my JK. LOL.

 

It really seems to be a lack of knowledge though, most people don't even seem to know that the license is required for the GMRS channels. There's usually just one small mention in the user manual, and most people don't even look at the user manual.

 

50 Watts, that would get you in contact with NORAD. I didn't know you could get them that powerful. How much does that run, though?

I have the hand held combo ones and I feel they suck, too weak and even cost me more than a CB, and I'm one of a handful that has them. I like the technology though, I'd embrace it.

 

Nice picture.

Ironically, I'm installing a CB in my JK next weekend if I can manage to get the garage above freezing.

 

cb clarity is why this ancient technology is still around. dependable, rugged, inexpensive and convenience is why most use c.b's on the trail. yes most cb's are 4 watts but some are alot more powerful. to each is own and when satellite phones become cheaper then stick with the trusted communication that has stood the test of time.