Communications: CB's, Walkie Talkies, etc
 

I think we need a thread on the differences between CB's, Walkie Talkies, and any other communication devices (other than cell phones) for use on the trail.

- What are the different types of CB's and Walkie Talkies and their advantages/disadvantages? (handheld, mounted within the vehicle, needs separate device to fine tune it, range, quality of voice, size, trail jibber jabber, etc)

- Can you communicate between the different types of devices and how to do so?

- Range differences between the various types of devices.

- Why you should/shouldn't have one of these?

- How NOAA radio works and what devices it is compatible with?

- Typical protocol for talking on these devices...on trail with buddies versus on the road with truckers and general public?

- Places to mount the different types of devices (or maybe just links to the multiple other threads on this subject).

My club uses CB's so as the club goes, I go. Rember the rule never wheel alone.

I have a hand held that has poor range so I need to get something better, but I have not figured out a good place to put it when wheeling.

I love my Arizona Rocky Road antenna mounts and radio mount -- no drilling required. The club I'm in, CBs are mandatory and ham radios are encouraged. CBs have pretty limited range, they're great for trail communication but don't count on it for getting help in an emergency. Ham radios are great for communication over a wide area. No license needed for CB, but for ham you do need to pass a test and pay a small fee. But they publish all the questions, along with the correct answers, to help you pass the course, and the fee is only enough to reimburse the test-givers for their actual costs, typically about $5 or so.

As far as CBs go, when I did my research, it was pretty much a choice between the handheld Cobra 75 WX ST or one of the Uniden models. I went for the Uniden 510, it's the lowest end Uniden, less than $50, so if it gets stolen out of the Jeep, who cares. I got mine from Walcott CB.

Be sure to tune your CB antenna or you will destroy your radio when you transmit. Google "cb antenna tuning".

Unfortunately communication between a CB and an FRS radio is impossible. However "some" CB's (Export Radio's) can communicate with "some" HAM bands. Specificaly 10 and 12 meters. However most people who are new to HAM only utilize the 2m band which is pretty far up there in the MHz range.

Range is determined by antenna height, frequency, and power. The higher in the Mhz range you go the more line of sight dependent your signal is. The least performing setup in regards to range is probably a hand held FRS radio, followed closely by a hand held CB. The hand held CB is held back by its little "rubber ducky" antenna. The best performer could be a 2m radio, however you would need to be in range of a repeater to get the most benefit. CB falls in between, a best case mobile to mobile scenario will net you about 15 miles of range on decent equipment. This last weekend on the Texas PINS trip I spoke with someone at mile marker 10 while I was at 25 and had a very good signal on him. Of course we were both on the beach with nothing between us but air. Personally I think everyone wheeling should at least have a CB. A step above that would be a sideband capable CB.

most everybody around here uses CB radios of some sort or an other. RubyDoo has a simple uniden radio with a radio shack stainless steel whip antenia and also carries a portable CB as well.

cb seems to be the way to go, almost evereybody has one, they're cheap ,and they work good in close range.

Personally I have a CB, however if you get a pair of walkie-talkies, you always have to remember spare batteries, the CB works off you rig... Besides, CB can generally, depending on the area reach emergency personel also where a walkie talkie usually only has a few channels....

To summarize...I'm reading that a CB is the best bang for the buck as far as general communication on the trail. The bigger the antenna the better as far as range.

Can some handhelds be connected to a vehicle mounted antenna?

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I have a Cobra built RadioShack CB with all the bells and whistles. Some of those options are: internal tuner device, NOAA weather radio reception, output for a speaker for 'PA' (Public Address) mode, etc.

Tuning is critical for CB's and can cause damage to the electronics if not tuned within a tolerable range. Some of the fancier CB's contain their own tuning meters, so it may be beneficial to spend a little more to spend less on a tuning device (unless you can borrow one).

Antennas are also very important. Some of the better antennas have a "tunable tip" that can help dial in better performance (and price is only a couple dollars more). Since CB communication is "line of sight", the taller the antenna, the longer the range. Keep the hieght of the antenna tip in mind when mounting the antenna.

Mounting an antenna is easy, but consider several things. 1) How high will the tip be? Higher is better for communication, but too high can begin to hit stuff on the trail, AND may also require you to remove it to park in a garage, 2) Where is the best location? Rear of vehicle is typical. I prefer the center of the vehicle somewhere on the tire carrier as it seems to help raise the tip and keep it away from brush on the sides of the vehicle. Rear bumper corners are also common, but consider the brush.

Where to mount the CB itself? There are many locations within the vehicle. Do you want it hidden, out of site, easy to reach, etc. There are many threads here with pictures and directions for mounting. I placed mine below the glovebox which seems to be a common place. I wanted it within reach, but not blocking the already limited view thru the windshield. For the handset, I used a bracket that mounts next to the radio. I also chose to wire a power on/off switch prior to the CB for added protection.

You "can" use a linear to push the range of the CB much much further. I have a 250 Watt. This enables you to talk for a 30+ mile range. :)

What is a "linear"?

x2:thinking:

illegal power booster.(when used with a CB)

Its an Amplifier. They will boost your power from 4 watts (FCC Limited) on AM to just about anything you want depending on how much you want to spend. I have one that I used to use "back in the day" but I don't have it hooked up in my current rig... Most of your use doing "Jeep things" will be short range.

me too on this one I believe they're illegal, because they over power other signals, they can also damage some cbs.

yes, they are illegal. I dont use it for short range use, its only for when i really need to get out to someone...ie on the ranch etc....Its also nice to have for safety purposes. If i can reach someone on some channel within 30 or 40 square miles i have some serious trouble. but 95 percent of the time its not even on, but its there if i need it.

P.S. the reason why you can only get about a mile (if your lucky) with a stock CB is because nearly all truckers use liners, clogging up the channels. So, its kind of a must if you use one regularly.

Quite often the range of CB is severly limited by all the traffic on 19, not to mention SKIP that has been really rolling in lately. Last weekend I had truckers bleeding all the way down the Ch 4, it was so bad I had to turn down my recieve!

What are "skip" and "liners"?

"SKIP" occurs when transmitted signals (below 30mhz IIRC) bounce off the ionosphere (sp?) and come back to earth. What happens is someone 1000 miles away sounds like they are right next door. This can be both fun and extremely annoying at the same time as it can wipe out local traffic when its really rolling in.

40 Channels
Large LCD Readout
Built in 10 Channel Weather
Instant access to 5 user selectable channels
Instant access to emergency channel 9
Keypad lock
High/Low power setting
Removable battery case
Includes 18-821 Mobile Adaptor


Price: $124.95
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
this is what I use and it hooks up to an external antenna
oops ; tryed to post a pic of the midland hand held radio

Yea, if you have enough power, you can actually talk through speakers that have power running through them that are not yours...haha.

:rotflmao2::rotflmao1::rotflmao2::rotflmao1::rotfl mao2::rotflmao1:

No you can't! I repair radios for the USAF. Some of my HF radios (2-30 MHz) put out 5000 watts none of them bleed over onto any of out other radios or even the little radio we have to listen to music.

With a linear amp your CB acts as an "Exciter". A switch will be instaled to turn the standard 4W down to about 1W. This 1W of RF will be used as a reference for the amp.

A linear amp is a little difficult to explain but here goes. It will have a linear (meaning straight line)power ramp. There will be no power curve i.e... If the amp has a peak power of 100W and a min of 0W then the dial when set to max power will put out 100W or if it is set at 80% of its rotation then 80W will be radiated ect....

If you were to graph the power output to the dial setting the powe would be ploted ans a straight line rising from (0,0) to (100,100) i.e ther would be no power "curve"

Skip happens when charged particles from the sun bombard the ionosphere (these are the same particles that cause the Aurora in the Van Allen Belt)
saturating it and making it esentialy a mirror. I have set radios up to intentionaly transmit 3/4 of the way arround the world (for the USAF) when skip is in full effect.

I use the same one. i picked mine up at walmart for $89.00

http://www.midlandradio.com/comersus...-822_large.jpg

Going to agree with bofr84 on this one. With just a little Palomar 250W Liner (actual output around 175W) I have personally spoken through the speakers at Sonic, household intercomm system, a little kids walkie-talkie set, a friends CB that was POWERED OFF, and it had the cool ability to reset gas pumps at Chevron. Your mileage may vary.

What channel
 

just a question is their a specific channel jeeps 4x4 use or is it just go to # ?:thinking::thinking:

Channel 4 is what my group has used. I'm not sure if that's a standard or not? Otherwise all your traffic is on 19.

Garman Rhino
 

Everyone in our hunting group carries a hand held Garman Rhino. The great thing about it is it is also s GPS that has the ability to pinpoint and lead you to whomever you are talking to. I got one of the first ones out and just as you would expect they have much better ones out now. Cabelas is just one of the many places you can get one.
Have a Great Day, GRIZZ

cb radio
 

We use the cobra handheld. Mainly for the small size in one package easy to mount. You do lose some signal strength with distances though.

Maybe I'm a smart ass, but why not just transmit only 1/4 in the other direction???

I have the Cobra 75WXST Remote CB http://www.walcottcb.com/cobra-75wxs...dio-p-520.html, bought it off ebay for like $100. The only reason I got this one is because of the size and how easy it is to take out of my jeep. I have junction box connector inbetween the front cup holders and the arm rest/middle console. I also have a 3 foot Fire Stick 2 Antenna http://www.firestik.com/Catalog/FS2-FS5.htm, bought it at a local truck stop. I have the antenna mounted between the spare mount and the jeep. I have a range of about 3-5 miles (never had it tuned) depending on surroundings.

I enjoy going to the casinos (great food, shows, clubs, etc) so I can take out the CB and store it on the little compartment behind the rear seat. I can also take the antenna off and store it right inside the gate. That way, no one can have the idea of cutting my top to steal it and then heading to a pawn shop for some quick cash.

CB raidos (Citizen Band) are public, so I guess you could get in trouble for the use of profanity. One of my pevs is people playing music over the radio. Or people think they are Kris Kristofferson from that movie Convoy.

Where do you guys have your CBs mounted? I saw the JK-Project write-up about storing the CB above the rearview mirror which is cool, but wanted other options. :thumbsup:

Is anybody using VHF for communications? Living in SW Florida it's marine radios that are most popular, all VHF. A buddy carries a hand held VHF fishing (Hummingbird) and it's got a pretty good range. We've used little cheap Motorola hand helds for Geocaching before and they also worked well. A lot of cruisers (cabin cruisers, not wandering through bars...) seem to have both VHF and CB, and sometimes UHF as well.

Jeff

Here is a link to few pics of mine in a post I made earlier. I mounted mine on top of the center dash peice. The peice is only $30 at the dealership if you want to replace it later.

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...t=43960&page=2

:rotflmao2::rotflmao2::rotflmao2:

i'm curious on this one and like the ability to take out of the vehicle. anyone have complaints about the hand held? do you get the same recenption? how do you hook up to the external antenna? sorry, i'm clueless about these.

I have mine set up the same, except the base is under the passenger seat. The cord just comes out on the left-hand side. Looks really clean. Doesn't knock against the passenger's legs.

where did you install your "box" and why is that in quotes? so, you still mount a box of some sort and run cable under the carpet? mine would just be for trail use. do you need the antenna for just trail use? it seems to me that if i have to run cable, attach a box and have an antenna, i might as well go with a regular cb. not trying to be a pain in the ass, just trying to understand. i appreciate the help.

got it. i understand now. are you using the midland, or some other brand? i think i'm going to give the hand held a try. thanks again for the help.

Now I know a linear will help with broadcasting, but does it do anything for reception? What's the best way to help the reception?

I believe reception is based on having the CB and antenna tuned as best as possible. Many truck stops and cb 'shacks' can help tune them better if you feel it isn't quite right.

Reception=Antenna height.

Some linear's have a "pre-amp" but in my experience it doesn't really do anything besides increase the noise level.