CB communication question

[Skyradio]

I want to know if the following is possible.

Basically, I have a friend who I have known since Jr High, he moved to vegas when we both got out of high school. He came down today (I live in california) and paid a visit. I went to radio shack looking for a job, he came along. During my quick visit we started talking about my new interest in radio, then he took an interest.

Is it possible for us to both get CB radios and chat? He lives in Vegas I live in Los Angeles. Or would this require repeaters, a transceiver, and HAM radio license?

 

[Skyradio]

One more thing

I just bought a PA horn from amazon, I want to install it in my car for kicks.

Amazon.com: PA Horn SPEAKER w/ Plug & Wire 5 in 12W CB / Ham Radio: Electronics

Will it work with a transceiver or must I buy a CB? And if I must buy a CB would it be possible for me to JUST buy the mic versus the entire box w/channels etc?

 

[RadioDaze]

You won't be able to use CB to talk to Las Vegas. If you AND your friend get ham licenses, you may be able to use a linked repeater system to make contact.

I'll let someone else handle the second question. Amateur transceivers generally don't have PA amplifiers in them. You cannot just hook a microphone up to the speaker, and it will probably be cheaper to buy a used CB radio with PA than to buy a mobile PA amplifier.

One more thing... you'll probably get your @$$ kicked by someone, or shot at, if you use a PA "for kicks". Those went out of style about 35 years ago. Then again, I could be wrong - I don't know your neighborhood.

 

[Skyradio]

ugh, I know he's not motivated enough to get a HAM license. I am, I am already working towards mine. hmmm what if we use the CB online? Is there anyway of hooking it up that way?

Oh I wont use my PA on strangers, unless I am in danger, thats just plain stupid. I plan to use it on friends, we go camping quiet often, mwahahaha... That or if there is some sort of emergency, I just thought it would be cool to have one installed.

People put truck balls, I put a PA system, its just preference I suppose.

 

[N5AMS]

as far as i know there isn't a cb program that you can use online to talk over the internet but there is for ham radio called echolink and IRLP if you rfriend is peaking an interest in scanners and radios ect it might not be long before they peak an interest in ham radio

 

[n5oya]

once you have your ham radio license you could use whats called echolink. echolink is a program that you can either talk to each other on the computer or you could set it up with a 2 meter radio so when you are out in the mobile on simplex you can transmit and you computer along with another 2 meter radio receive your signal and you can communicate that way. echolink is used by thousands of hames all over the world and you can even connect to other hams in different country without transmitting on hf bands. good luck.

 

[DickH]

ugh, I know he's not motivated enough to get a HAM license. ...

How about the telephone? I hear they work pretty well.

 

[rexgame]

If he doesn't want to get a license, just use software like Skype or Teamspeak. To your ISP and to the rest of the intertubes it's identical to echolink and IRLP just without the radio end, then you can even get yourself a little ptt mic and have like a mini faux ham station. Actually this sounds interesting to me......

 

[FoeHammer]

Cb wont be reliable & probably wont work over that distance , Ham radio will have some options
but it might be cheaper & easier to get a couple cheap laptops , like mentioned & use teamspeak , I believe you can find free public teamspeak servers to use as well
just email or instant message each other when to get on it or leave it on,...

 

[NYRHKY94]

I'm with Rexgame. Short of going the HAM route, the easiest & cheapest route is Skype. You will both be up & running (with video too) in matter of minutes and you'll be able to instantly reach other whenever you're both on-line.

 

[SmitHans]

How about the telephone? I hear they work pretty well.

Telephone? What's that?

 

[SmitHans]

I just bought a PA horn from amazon, I want to install it in my car for kicks.

Amazon.com: PA Horn SPEAKER w/ Plug & Wire 5 in 12W CB / Ham Radio: Electronics

Will it work with a transceiver or must I buy a CB? And if I must buy a CB would it be possible for me to JUST buy the mic versus the entire box w/channels etc?

You can't just wire a mic to a speaker - it has to have some sort of amplifier.

Either get a CB with a PA amplifier, or you can also buy a stand-alone mobile PA, similar to what some emergency vehicles are equipped with. Although if I recall, those are more expensive than a Cb with a PA feature...

 

[APTN]

Skype

I'm with Rexgame. Short of going the HAM route, the easiest & cheapest route is Skype. You will both be up & running (with video too) in matter of minutes and you'll be able to instantly reach other whenever you're both on-line.

Skype would be the easiest. If the OP takes the time to get a license, then Echolink could work. Of course, both utilize VoIP.

 

[Skyradio]

Thanks all for your help and information, simplex, Echolink, two terms I don't have a clue about! More to research

As for skype, na thats too basic, too simple... I already use that for my friends who don't have, uh... have an interest in learning new things.

Also been taking the practice test on QRZ.com, someone on another thread suggested that. Im not surprised kids are capable of getting the license. I walked into this thinking you have to be a genius in electronics, defiantly made me feel stupid loll. But I found the test is just basic safety & common sense.

I guess going to a radio outlet for "basic information" was a bad idea, with all the words and phrases I got, no wonder it was so intimidating! I love this forum though. Its so much fun! Thanks again everyone!

Im going to be on the air in no time! And so shall my friend.

 

[radioman12]

Back in the 1970's I had cream of the crop in CB Radio. All the great stuff, talked anywhere, provding the skip was there. Nothing for me to talk 100 miles using a beam antenna and a little power to shoot that signal.

I had a phone patch so if Mrs. Jones was out in her car and needed to call someone for help I could help her out. Then came the cell phones and well, the rest is history.

I still have all my junk, but it hasn't been on in several years.

 

[wv_mountaineer]

I still have all my junk, but it hasn't been on in several years.

What are you waiting for? Get it fired up and enjoy! That is if you still can find the time. The best so called "junk" as you put it was produces back in the 70's.

 

[Astrak]

..................

 

[RadioDaze]

I still have all my junk, but it hasn't been on in several years.

Many of us can say the same thing. Especially those who have been married a while.

 

[rexgame]

Many of us can say the same thing. Especially those who have been married a while.

This.

 

[SmitHans]

Many of us can say the same thing. Especially those who have been married a while.

DOH! :lol: