I was just wondering if CB's are being phased out on the trails due to cell phones. It is a great, and free way to talk to each other. I am whining because I am the only one of my friends that has one.

still got one but I always break the attenass (sp) off don't get cell coverage in the mountians around here

I normally use a CB when on the trail. Sometimes my brother brings his family band radios also (he has a CB in one of his rigs, but not the other).

The cell phone is pretty much useless where I go. I loose reception at Hollister and up in the Sierras.

Are you kidding? :rolleyes:

You can't use cell phones for a group. And coverage can be problematic.

I love the feeling of being in a nice convoy of 10 or so vehicles, front and rear check in on the radio, then we head out. :D

I have & use my CB. It seems less less people use them.I've broke alot of antenas also.4 in the last year & 1/2. :mad:

Originally posted by Vermont_Toy
You can't use cell phones for a group. And coverage can be problematic.
I love the feeling of being in a nice convoy of 10 or so vehicles, front and rear check in on the radio, then we head out.

Ditto.

i got one mounted to my roof(inside:flipoff2: )

Personally I would like to see everyone switch over to FRS-FM handheld radios. I would rather not even have a CB on my rig. CB's do transmit further if you mount your ant on the roof and get a 1.5 to or better SWR, but then you brake the ant all the time. I mounted mine low in my cage but can't get better then 3 to 1 SWR so I can't transmit as far as the FRS-FM radios do. I like the FRS cause it's easy to grab and take with you, helpfull if you need to run to the top of a nearby hill to call out. They are small and have come down in price to around $25 each. The FRS-FM also have a much better sound quality to them, it's sometimes hard to understand AM style broadcasting like a CB uses.

FYI I monitor FRS-FM CH# 4 when on the trails.

I run a CB in both of my rigs. Wouldn't leave home with out one.

Eric

I run CB's in all my rigs. It is also a requirement to get into our 4x4 club. I have never broken a CB antenna on my 40. Most of our club members are also now running 2 meter radios.

I have CBs in all 3 of my trucks, also it's sort of a rule to have one when I run around with some of the clubs around here. I use to break off the ant. alot until I put the spring under the ant. haven't broke any since (about 3 years now) I have them on most the time when I'm driving. Also cell phone don't have service up in the hills and mountians.
Last week I would have to say it proablly saved my life and my trucks life. The truckers where alerting everyone they could about a drunk driver severing all over the road and advising everyone to pull over. When the guy passed me and the truck in front of me he was in our lane, luckily we had pulled off the road. After that I really have became more appricatable(sp) of them.
Just my 2 cents. :D

I also have a CB in my vehicle and carry my 2way radios when Im running off road.

Originally posted by Jackass Meote
I was just wondering if CB's are being phased out on the trails due to cell phones. It is a great, and free way to talk to each other. I am whining because I am the only one of my friends that has one. not me because i have no room:( :( :( :( :D :D :usa:

Yep what's been said above, most of the runs I'm on recommend a cb. It's really nice to chatter or hear the chatter. FRS is good but I like the range of the CB. Also like what's been said, cell's just don't work on most of the trails. At least here where we have hills and valleys. Handheld cb's are just as cheap as the FRS stuff from the pieces I've bought.

I know someone will chime in with the uhf/vhf thing but cb's are just more common.

CB all the way....

just got back from wheeling in western texas and my cell phone did not have a signal until i got out of the mountains and into new mexico....

call me on channel 7 hehe-Jess

i have CB's in both jeeps and all of my freinds as well as me have marine band radios they transmit hella further then a CB and we also use marine band hand helds for when we are hunting and such for in brush communications>

Trailhawg

break channel, you got it on?

IM out.

CB's are still in for the trail. I agree with everyone's comments about the FM talkabouts and the 2 meter radios though.

I run CB's in my trail rig and tow rig to talk to everybody. Haven't had any problem's breaking antenna's yet.
I also use the FRS handhelds (Audiovox, work great, $80 for two w/charger) and give one of them to my buddy. This way him and I can communicate without everyone else interferring. I really like them, and they work great (better than the CB, IMHO). ~Steve

I love it when everone can chat while traveling/rooting aound here. I really enjoy when all of us guys take the roadtrip up to penn. for the Bloomsburg jamboree.....we have a blast doing our own "convoy" impersination with big 4x4's.....:D :beer: ;)

Definately have a CB. I also have a hand held.

Cell phones don't work in the bush.

FRS radios-( have 2) I didn't like. Their transmission didn't go very far at all.

A friends CB picked up a guy in trouble a few miles out.
He was lucky we had a CB .

I would not go out without one

I run a CB in both my trail and tow rig.

1) CB is free, no minute usage like a cell phone.
2) Cell has coverage problems, as long as who your talking to is close (under 50 miles depending on conditions) a CB does not.
3) CB's work well in groups, cell phones do not.

I don't get how you guys are snapping CB antennas off? I run a 4' firestik on a spring. haven't snapped it off yet.

One thing that could change the cell coverage in the hills. Transportables. I have an old analog one I keep paying a minimum monthly on because with 3watts of power, it gets were most don't. Current record was on a hike on top of the olympics, made a call out, got the cell bill later, it hit a tower in Bellingham with power to spare. Thats better than 100 miles as the crow flies.

I called the phone companies later asking if they sold a digital phone that had 3W of power. They said why would anyone want that. :mad3: :flipoff: If anyone knows of a cell booster that can plug in to your standard hand held digital phone. I'm listening. :D

I run with a CB in my truck. Pretty much a necessity for "group" trail runs. A definate plus if I'm out running solo and get in trouble too. I have found I get EXCEPTIONAL reception and transmission using SSB - long as the other guys I'm out with is running it too.

I'm just now staring to use FRS radios - I got 2 Motorola 6320's for my b-day. Time to figure out how to use these :D

I also carry a cell phone - I know you can "reach out" at a few key spots on the 'Con. I called back to Santa Rosa from the top of Walker Hill 2 years ago when I needed a radiator due to an "intimate encounter" between my fan and radiator after I lost an engine support bushing. I forget where else, other than just above "V rock" on Cadillac Hill, but it makes keeping the cell with ya worth it, just in case.

I run a CB in my rig, mostly just because for the majority of clubs its a requirement. I know the club that my buddy and I are starting up in my neck of the woods is requiring CB's, mostly because its fun to BS on the trail with each other :D
Scott :grinpimp:<><

Originally posted by 1badjeep
I mostly because its fun to BS on the trail with each other :D
Scott :grinpimp:<><

Uh, I think he means Originally posted by 1badjeep
... mostly because its fun to BS in the DRIVEWAY with each other

:D:D:D

:) I love my CB.... my wife hates it though. I'm wanting to soup it up a little, lin. amp, more wattage from my cottage!!!! Radio's are part of the trail fun, jokes etc..

Ham radio.... :)

KF6QDE

I think everyone should have one, nothings worse than gettin stuck out in the bush with no means of comunication. It also makes for better wheelin if you can talk to the rest of your group when your out on the trail.

I like the magnetic base mount antennas, I can run around with it inside the cage and keep it safe, or stick it on the hood or on top of the cage if I need better reception.

I ran one untill it got jacked.I will buy a nother one.

Sounds like the real question is FRS vs. CB? And bring cell phone if you got it, but don't count on it?

That's the way the club runs up here. As everyone seems to experience, if you run trails in the hills or mountains, you may lose cell phone service. Here in AK, its possible to lose cell phone coverage before reaching the trail head, because the state isn't well covered.

I personally have been running a CB for awhile. Seemed to work great on the trail. Right now the club I am in is requiring 'CB or FRS radio', not standardizing it. So the last trail run I went on, I could only talk to a fraction or the members (others had FRS). This Christmas I bought myself an FRS, but I'll leave the CB in the truck. It will be interesting to compare the two in a club run setting. Oh, and I'll pack the cell phone just in case. Who knows, phone could come in handy when the truck breaks on the highway on the way home :)

To the person talking about marine band, is that a free use thing like FRS and CBs? ie no licensing required for use.

I have a CB in my trail rigs, because most clubs require it. I also have a Ham rig (2m 440) in all my vehicles for coverage range and (legal) power. Most ham repeters have phone patches on them, and in a emergency you can get 911 where your cells wont. I would like to see more 4x4 clubs use ham. The sound is so much better and you don't have to worry about the nasty skip of the guy 20 states away. The test to run ham is easy and doesn't take long to get anymore. (NO MORE MORSE CODE)

N0UTI

Cell phones at Tellico, don't think so. I got the wal-mart special.

the question is who dosent have a fawking CB so get one:rolleyes: :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

Originally posted by LilGnt
Sounds like the real question is FRS vs. CB?

I personally like the FRS hand-helds better. I don't really like the Cobra CB in my Samurai, but I love the Radio Shack CB I have in my Ranger. I need to pick up another one for the Samurai. I really like the range and clarity (sp?) I get out of my Audiovox FRS hand-helds. They were like $80 for two radios with a chargers. Batteries last forever in them. Just my $0.02, I run both. :) ~Steve

Here's the CB in my Ranger. I pulled out the ashtray and mounted it in the dash (obviously :rolleyes: ).

http://a4.cpimg.com/image/1E/F8/7935774-09c0-028001E0-.jpg

Originally posted by twaldher
I called the phone companies later asking if they sold a digital phone that had 3W of power. They said why would anyone want that. :mad3: :flipoff: If anyone knows of a cell booster that can plug in to your standard hand held digital phone. I'm listening. :D

A few years ago and 3 phones or so ago, I remember my startac had an optional "car mount" system . When you use the cell phone in the car, you can have hands free, a charger, and a 3 or 5 watt signal. Good luck.

BTW, I don't remember which startac it was, I had 3. I know one was dual band and one was tri band. I don't remember what my 1st one was.

Almost every rig I own has a CB in it or will shortly!

CrewCab is missing one mostly because I haven't finished outfitting it yet..

old tow rig/sometime trail rig Travelall has a CB.

My trail Scout has a CB.

My GF's Scout has a CB.

My race Scout doesn't have a CB, but you couldn't hear it over the open headers anyhow..

I tried FRS radios on the highway once and they were useless. We could talk to each other when we were parked next to each other on the side of the road, but the rest of the time.. nothing.

We use the FRS radios when we're at a rally site to keep in touch and monitor the race officials.

Soemone was talking about having an old 3watt cell phone. Is that a "bag phone"? I hope so. I wouldn't use 3 watts right next to your head very often. I have a ham license and a lot of our handhelds will put out 4-5 watts on the high power setting, but most people are careful to not use it against their head, use an external mic etc.

On another note - CB linear amps are for losers! Get a real radio, don't cause more interference.

Originally posted by Pook
still got one but I always break the attenass (sp) off don't get cell coverage in the mountians around here

why dont you get a fiberglass firestik and a spring, like youre supposed to?

Originally posted by SweetCJ7
Ham radio.... :)

KF6QDE

I agree!!!!!!!!!! CB's sux a$$ big time. Way too much noise and
trash on the channels. I still have one because it's a club require-
ment, but about 85% - 90% of the club now have 2M aka Ham.
KG6AZL.

Originally posted by Vermont_Toy
I have a ham license and a lot of our handhelds will put out 4-5 watts on the high power setting, but most people are careful to not use it against their head, use an external mic etc.

On another note - CB linear amps are for losers! Get a real radio, don't cause more interference.


DING DING DING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank You V_T. CB linears
just bleed all over the channels on both sides and are a big reason
there's so much noise on CB.:mad3: :mad3: :mad3: :mad3: :mad3: :mad3:

good point about teh rf power into your head, its a pretty common assumption thats a bad thing.
BUT the cell phones are high enough frequency they dont penetrate that well, so supposedly not THAT harmful.

I dont trust it though, we all are being bombarded with RF all the time. I prefer not to contribute with my own stuff, I quit using a handheld CB, 27 mhz will penetrate anything, and 4watts of it at your head? yowsa.