devildog0
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Hunt County Texas
Most decent dual band ham radios are going to be about the same size or smaller as the bells and whistles CB radios. I'm currently running a Btech UV25X2 and it's pretty small (3.9" (W) x 1.4" (H) x 4.6 (D)" ) overall takes up very little space but I've ran smaller and larger radios.
My opinion don't rely only on any one radio for emergency communications if you really need help. A PLB/EPRIB is going to be a much better option. It uses satellites to relay a signal (COSPAS/SARSAT system) to the Air Force who contact local authorities to come to your rescue. They are expesnive (250-300 for lower cost PLBs) but they are a one time expense then you register it with the COSPAS SARSAT system and then you're good for 10ish years (battery shelf life).
As for HAM. It's probably the best most flexible radio setup you can have. But unlike CB it requires a license. The test is really easy and typically costs about 15 dollars but the license is good for 10 years and renewing it is free.
Not all HAM radios cover the same bands, the most common ones for mobile use are going to be Single band, VHF or UHF or Dual band Covering VHF and UHF both. The dual band is probably the most common now days.
There are radios that cover more bands like Triband or quad band radio but they start climbing in price and the other bands they cover aren't as used especially with off road groups.
Once you start using HAM if you can get the other people you travel with to switch over you'll not want to go back to CB. The signal is a lot clearer (most VHF UHF use is FM vs CB's AM) the equipment is typically higher quality, you can run a lot more power (CB is legally limited to 4 watts HAM can go up to 1500 legally but most radios will be around 50 watts max output) and the antennas are much smaller.
Don't get ideas about VHF/UHF being some kind of magic band that can travel around hills and stuff. They are largely line of sight (UHF more so than VHF) and with enough terrain you will still block the signal. But access to repeaters is going to greatly increase your range. It was uncommon for my buddies and myself to talk all over San Diego County with one another using one repeater. My longest simplex (just radio to radio no repeater) contact was 98 miles but I was at 8000 feet on a ridgeline talking out across the Anza Borrego Desert.
There's a lot to ham radio and it can be a deep rabbit hole to fall into. I've avoided making it yet another hobby and mostly use it just for Jeep related comms but I've also got a GMRS license (70 dollars for 10 years but no testing) and use a local GMRS repeater quite often. My local Jeep club has shown no interest in HAM but I have got some folks to get their GMRS licenses. The local GMRS repeater we have covers about a 40-50 mile radius depending on what direction you are from it.
-KK6RBI / WQYH678
My opinion don't rely only on any one radio for emergency communications if you really need help. A PLB/EPRIB is going to be a much better option. It uses satellites to relay a signal (COSPAS/SARSAT system) to the Air Force who contact local authorities to come to your rescue. They are expesnive (250-300 for lower cost PLBs) but they are a one time expense then you register it with the COSPAS SARSAT system and then you're good for 10ish years (battery shelf life).
As for HAM. It's probably the best most flexible radio setup you can have. But unlike CB it requires a license. The test is really easy and typically costs about 15 dollars but the license is good for 10 years and renewing it is free.
Not all HAM radios cover the same bands, the most common ones for mobile use are going to be Single band, VHF or UHF or Dual band Covering VHF and UHF both. The dual band is probably the most common now days.
There are radios that cover more bands like Triband or quad band radio but they start climbing in price and the other bands they cover aren't as used especially with off road groups.
Once you start using HAM if you can get the other people you travel with to switch over you'll not want to go back to CB. The signal is a lot clearer (most VHF UHF use is FM vs CB's AM) the equipment is typically higher quality, you can run a lot more power (CB is legally limited to 4 watts HAM can go up to 1500 legally but most radios will be around 50 watts max output) and the antennas are much smaller.
Don't get ideas about VHF/UHF being some kind of magic band that can travel around hills and stuff. They are largely line of sight (UHF more so than VHF) and with enough terrain you will still block the signal. But access to repeaters is going to greatly increase your range. It was uncommon for my buddies and myself to talk all over San Diego County with one another using one repeater. My longest simplex (just radio to radio no repeater) contact was 98 miles but I was at 8000 feet on a ridgeline talking out across the Anza Borrego Desert.
There's a lot to ham radio and it can be a deep rabbit hole to fall into. I've avoided making it yet another hobby and mostly use it just for Jeep related comms but I've also got a GMRS license (70 dollars for 10 years but no testing) and use a local GMRS repeater quite often. My local Jeep club has shown no interest in HAM but I have got some folks to get their GMRS licenses. The local GMRS repeater we have covers about a 40-50 mile radius depending on what direction you are from it.
-KK6RBI / WQYH678
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