We have an extended cab truck. We keep all kinds of stuff on the floor below and in front of the rear seat. The mag mount CB antenna stays there when not in use. So does the mag mount 2m/70cm ham antenna. We use mag mounts because the truck only clears the garage door by less than 3 inches.
Thanks for the clarification. I'm a noobie with all of this stuff. I thought you somehow used your cb with your antenna riding in the back seat!
Can you tell me what is the real difference between your Cobra HH 38 WX ST and the Cobra RoadTrip CB Radio?
They both have similar basic features, but what about performance?
HH 38 has Ni-Cad batteries & no external antenna included and cost more.
The RoadTrip has AA cells and come with an external antenna.
Camping World sells the RoadTrip, but in your opinion, which is better and for what reasons?
Thanks.
The HH 38 does not come with batteries. You can use alkaline batteries or rechargeable batteries. I have no idea what the difference between the two radios are. However, the antenna on the Road Trip appears to be a rubber ducky on a mag mount and I wanted a much better antenna. The Little Wil has a good reputation from what I read.
Is the handheld CB radion useful? We do not have a CB in the truck or the trailer and wondering if one would be useful at Bozman.
You'll find the CB useful in two instances. When you're driving into the rally to receive directions and ask questions. The range on handheld CB radios is very poor without an antenna on the vehicle. Ditto for the second use which is to listen to the daily announcements from "Wally Byam Control". These are useful updates on the day's activities, changes to the schedule, points of information regarding services, severe weather warnings, etc. Again, without an external antenna outside of your trailer, you may not be able to copy those if you're inside the trailer using the portable radio and the "rubber duckie". If you stepped outside, you'd probably be OK.
I don't know if that helps you in your decision. Think of the limiting factor being mainly the antenna, not what you connect to it!
I'm wondering if a handheld will be useful at Bozeman. From what I'm hearing is the range is only about 100 yds with the rubber antenna. I was hoping to be able to carry it around with me on the grounds and be able to receive information.
I'm wondering if a handheld will be useful at Bozeman. From what I'm hearing is the range is only about 100 yds with the rubber antenna. I was hoping to be able to carry it around with me on the grounds and be able to receive information.
CBs operate on AM (remember AM radio??) and are prone to a lot of static and interference. It would be frustrating to carry around. Maybe listen in the morning to the announcements. Those are sometimes helpful. Otherwise, you won't really need it. They make all the same announcements before the evening programs, too. You'd be fine without a CB at all. Don't sweat it if you don't have one. Just talking to people you'll find out what's going on, too.
Don't get me wrong. A CB can be very useful. I think they're at their best when you're traveling and suddenly traffic stops and you want to find out what's going on. Aside from that I leave mine turned off. At the rally, it can be nice to get directions going in and listening to the morning bulletins. Maybe if there's severe weather and you need to know what to do. By and large, you'd be able to do those things without a CB at all and get along just fine, though.
I'm wondering if a handheld will be useful at Bozeman. From what I'm hearing is the range is only about 100 yds with the rubber antenna. I was hoping to be able to carry it around with me on the grounds and be able to receive information.
Why couldn't WBCCI use both CB and GMRS simultaneously to make announcements at International. If the announcer has two hands, he/she should be able to speak into their CB and a good GMRS radio simultaneously.
Or is this too radical a suggestion
__________________ Airstream25 KE5CKG on 2 meters Four Corners Airstream Unit AIR #10274
I don't think it's too radical at all! Let's face it, CB radio is a dinosaur looking for a tar pit!
That may be... but it doesn't require a $75 license like GMRS. GMRS is a pretty poor alternative compared to amateur radio, where the licenses are free.
...GMRS is a pretty poor alternative compared to amateur radio, where the licenses are free.
I totally agree with you! But, we're talking about something for the masses. And it's exceedingly unlikely all of them would take a the test to become licensed radio amateurs. Do I wish they would. Definitely! But I'm a realist.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RoadKingMoe
but it doesn't require a $75 license like GMRS.
Here's the thing, though, the Club could buy a license and transmit using higher power to the membership's handheld GMRS/FRS radios (which most are now anyway). Perfectly legal. No licensing required for the folks to listen. In fact, those members could also transmit on the GMRS channels 1-7 with a hybrid FRS/GMRS radio without a license as long as they are under the 0.5W ERP and only operate on 1-7.
Would it be more effective than using CB? That's another issue. CB has pluses and minuses. The pluses are higher power and greater range. The minuses are interference and greater dependence on physical properties of the setup, such as antenna mounting, coax cables, power requirements, etc. The FRS/GMRS is pretty user friendly. Range might be a limiting factor with the power and antenna restrictions on FRS usage.
On the way to get my 34' from Iowa, the need for a CB to get road conditions as well as my co-driver talking to some of his trucker friends, I elected to purchase a MIDLAND 75-822 MINI 40-CHANNEL. This was first seen in use by some of the HOG members on their bikes. As the unit switches from Handheld to Mobile in 60 seconds, you might want to check it out. As it does have NOAA alert, I will be using it both on the road and at camp sites. The range while in handheld configuration is unknown, the mobile range is 3 to 5 miles according to some of the truckers spoken with.
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