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Are CB Radio's fun?

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acepilot340

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The majority of CB'ers TAKE their radios in to get them peaked and tuned to only get 10-15 miles of range, only a fraction of CB'ers know enough to pump out thousands of watts through their radios without cooking the radio; so you can't let those freaks ruin the hobby for yourself.
 

ElGenio

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Hey all,

I was thinking of getting myself a handheld CB radio. Is it fun to talk/use them? So many people use them so I was wondering...it may be good to have in a car when traveling or just for fun...any ideas?

Depends what you want to use it for. If you want it for information while driving they they can be very useful, however, there is always that idiot who can't put down the mic.
 

N8IAA

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CB radio can be fun. Back when ham radio got to be a hassle for me, to many people arguing about what is right and wrong, I sold all my equipment except for a ht. Got a Uniden President Washington SSB base. Made a ton of friends. Belonged to a couple of SSB clubs. We spent the time DX'ing and just chatting about life. Would probably been on 10m SSB, but the band was dead. Got a SSB mobile for the car to keep in touch with my friends. Still have the mobile, sold the base (no where to erect a decent antenna at the home QTH). Occassionally, listen to the truckers making comments about how bad the 4 wheel drivers are, while the drivers are going 15 to 20 mph over the speed limit. OOOppss, got off topic;) My vote is for a SSB unit that is more versatile than the generic AM CB's are.
Larry
 

liquidgee

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Wheather or not CB is or is not fun depends upon individual personality - let me explain from my own personal perspective on this. As a licensed amateur radio person (AA1MN) I'll do my best to provide as much of an unbiased view on the pros and cons of both CB and amateur radio operations as possible and there will, I'm sure, be those who have conflicting or additional views on what I have to say.

CB can provide an informative and entertaining source of communications and listening pleasure in the sense that, as has been indicated by previous posts, those who are on the airwaves are willing to provide assistance regarding traveling directions. If that's all you're getting it for keep in mind that GPS unit serves the same purpose. CB can be entertaining in the sense that there are some interesting characters out there who, at times, provide some rather racy opinions - if this doesn't bother you (it doesn't bother me at all) it is possible to partake of these conversations, maybe even stir up the pot so to speak, or just listen in on them. If however, such "wild and wooly" conversations are not your thing then CB might not be for you. Keep in mind though, that this is not by any means always the norm and that there is a channel selection and on/off switch which are there for the purpose of individual discretion when one finds or needs the ability to change the channel or switch off the unit when circumstances dictate.

Amateur radio, requiring a bit more initial investment than CB even when purchasing used equipment, tends to bill itself as being a "gentleman's" form of communications with people being more "polite" than those of CBers. Most of the people on the amateur bands I've heard and spoken to are polite and make every attempt to be of assistance whenever possible. However, due in part to the requirement of a license being required many - though not all - amateurs tend to be snobby regarding CB which is unwarranted as an amateur radio licensce does not in any way give the holder in any way shape or form the right to look down on those who do not hold an amateur license.

Also, my experience has also shown that there are many amateur license holders who feel that having said license makes them "professionals" when it comes to either operating on-air or being able to qualified to make, repair, build or putting a station together - this is not always the case as many, such as myself, are not proficient in the area of electronics; there are those who are, however, licensed electrical engineers or are proficient in other fields relating to electronics and radio broadcasting. Also, be aware that there are amateur radio operators on both the HF and VHF/UHF bands that do not practice courteous behavior on the amateur bands by talking over others, hogging frequencies and such - in other words, practices which many amateurs criticize CBers of doing.

In addition, there is some controversy amongst amateurs criticizing those who are not into CW (morse code) while those who do not often criticize those who are. This is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a constant but it does exist. Likewise, there are those who are also very protective of the modes they prefer to use (be it voice, digital, morse code, etc) versus those who don't - again, it does exist but is not entirely prevelant.

Lastly, regarding amateur bands, they can be very quiet as compared to CB unless there is a contest going or and when skip conditions are poor. In spite of the above, please understand that the amateur bands offers something for everyone and one can find their own interests groups of operators to spend time with as they can with CB.

In short, take some time and listen to and explore both CB and amateur bands before making a decision which is best for you. You just may find there's something in each which is appealing to you and you can enjoy the best - and worst - of both.
 

ScannerSky

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Thanks so much for that info!! I really appreciate it! I will keep that under consideration...not sure whether I want to get one or not...
 

kcvanover

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Quote:"Amateur radio, requiring a bit more initial investment than CB even when purchasing used equipment, tends to bill itself as being a "gentleman's" form of communications with people being more "polite" than those of CBers. Most of the people on the amateur bands I've heard and spoken to are polite and make every attempt to be of assistance whenever possible. However, due in part to the requirement of a license being required many - though not all - amateurs tend to be snobby regarding CB which is unwarranted as an amateur radio licensce does not in any way give the holder in any way shape or form the right to look down on those who do not hold an amateur license. "


Ever try to talk to one of the established groups on 80m or 20m? No new members need apply.......
Polite NOT!


Charles
KV4DX
 

reedeb

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I was on CB LONG before I even heard of Ham radio never peaked the rigs just used a good 102" steel whip antenna I could talk with folks 15 - 20 miles away. During the 90's we had a lot of folks out late at night on the airwaves and we had fun chatting joking and occasional fight would break out but it was fun to sit back and listen and laugh at the fools. I then got my ticket and put a ham in the vehicle WITH the CB and scanner when ham was quiet i would listen to CB [Kept me awake at night while I worked]
IF you're thin skinned and can't listen to foul language the don't get one. If it won't bother you then get one its a hoot and a half
 

zz0468

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Ever try to talk to one of the established groups on 80m or 20m? No new members need apply.......
Polite NOT!

Which is why you don't bother with those curmudgeons in the first place. There are plenty of other people to talk to, who will actually want to talk. Even those same curmudgeons will talk to you.. on another day, another frequency. Just not while they're talking to their buddies.
 

bobmintern

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I have a handheld CB Radio that I snagged on eBay for dirt cheap, the GE Help! CB radio. It's nice when you are on the interstate/highway espically during bad weather, or accidents. Most of the users on the interstate out there will let you know where the accident is and which lane to get into before the accident so you can spend less time stopping and going. I find it handy for that.

Lots of people use them for hunting as well...I guess the deer can't hide on CB 13, lol!

But to be fair, there is a ton of foul language on CB and there are some really annoying people with way too much power and "accessories" like power mic's and reverb and echo...
 

reedeb

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bobmintern;1232820 But to be fair said:
Yup BUT a power mic properly used is a blessing. It's when someone abuses it is when it goes to the crows fast.
 
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APTN

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Most of the users on the interstate out there will let you know where the accident is and which lane to get into before the accident so you can spend less time stopping and going. I find it handy for that.

But to be fair, there is a ton of foul language on CB and there are some really annoying people with way too much power and "accessories" like power mic's and reverb and echo...

Yep. Same experience here.
 

DX949

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Wheather or not CB is or is not fun depends upon individual personality - let me explain from my own personal perspective on this. As a licensed amateur radio person (AA1MN) I'll do my best to provide as much of an unbiased view on the pros and cons of both CB and amateur radio operations as possible and there will, I'm sure, be those who have conflicting or additional views on what I have to say.

CB can provide an informative and entertaining source of communications and listening pleasure in the sense that, as has been indicated by previous posts, those who are on the airwaves are willing to provide assistance regarding traveling directions. If that's all you're getting it for keep in mind that GPS unit serves the same purpose. CB can be entertaining in the sense that there are some interesting characters out there who, at times, provide some rather racy opinions - if this doesn't bother you (it doesn't bother me at all) it is possible to partake of these conversations, maybe even stir up the pot so to speak, or just listen in on them. If however, such "wild and wooly" conversations are not your thing then CB might not be for you. Keep in mind though, that this is not by any means always the norm and that there is a channel selection and on/off switch which are there for the purpose of individual discretion when one finds or needs the ability to change the channel or switch off the unit when circumstances dictate.

Amateur radio, requiring a bit more initial investment than CB even when purchasing used equipment, tends to bill itself as being a "gentleman's" form of communications with people being more "polite" than those of CBers. Most of the people on the amateur bands I've heard and spoken to are polite and make every attempt to be of assistance whenever possible. However, due in part to the requirement of a license being required many - though not all - amateurs tend to be snobby regarding CB which is unwarranted as an amateur radio licensce does not in any way give the holder in any way shape or form the right to look down on those who do not hold an amateur license.

Also, my experience has also shown that there are many amateur license holders who feel that having said license makes them "professionals" when it comes to either operating on-air or being able to qualified to make, repair, build or putting a station together - this is not always the case as many, such as myself, are not proficient in the area of electronics; there are those who are, however, licensed electrical engineers or are proficient in other fields relating to electronics and radio broadcasting. Also, be aware that there are amateur radio operators on both the HF and VHF/UHF bands that do not practice courteous behavior on the amateur bands by talking over others, hogging frequencies and such - in other words, practices which many amateurs criticize CBers of doing.

In addition, there is some controversy amongst amateurs criticizing those who are not into CW (morse code) while those who do not often criticize those who are. This is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a constant but it does exist. Likewise, there are those who are also very protective of the modes they prefer to use (be it voice, digital, morse code, etc) versus those who don't - again, it does exist but is not entirely prevelant.

Lastly, regarding amateur bands, they can be very quiet as compared to CB unless there is a contest going or and when skip conditions are poor. In spite of the above, please understand that the amateur bands offers something for everyone and one can find their own interests groups of operators to spend time with as they can with CB.

In short, take some time and listen to and explore both CB and amateur bands before making a decision which is best for you. You just may find there's something in each which is appealing to you and you can enjoy the best - and worst - of both.

bump.
 

ScannerSky

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Appreciate all the responses! I probably am going to stay away from getting one for now, but all of you helped so much and I really appreciate it! I will use this information if I ever plan to get one! This thread became more popular than I expected! lol ;)
 

burner50

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It is never a bad idea to expand your capabilities. You never know when it may come in handy.
 

KD8DVR

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So, are YOU going to sit quiet and still for a major tax hike to pay for all that enforcement? I should hope so, after that post...

Well... if Congress would let the FCC put all the collected fines (or a
percentage of) into the FCC budget, instead of the General Fund, then you'd get more enforcement.. No taxes... just getting the bucks where they should go
 

cpsTN

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I hope I don't get canned for saying this. But the reason why there is so much trash talking over the CB Radio is because the FCC doesn't have the "Balls" to do anything about it. There cowards. They should do something about it instead of just brushing if over and letting all those trash talkers take over the airwaves. Bye :)

I generally agree with you, but there is no license required so how are they going to know who is saying what when. I do not want to pay for the extra enforcement, most of which will turn into a waste of time. Enforcing that would be like trying to keep people in warehouse jobs from using bad language. If you aren't right there with them at the time, you can't be effective. Going back to requiring licenses won't work. So many have them know without licenses, it would be like trying to herd starlings.

Charles
Smyrna, TN
 

kb2vxa

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To answer Charles first, the same way as always by following up valid complaints with investigation. License or no license offenders can be located with the usual monitoring and RDF which BTW has improved vastly. Quite right, going back to licenses won't change a thing simply because there were idiots we had to contend with when licenses were required and we had our share of bootleggers too.
"So many have them know without licenses, it would be like trying to herd starlings."
And so they think until "uncle Charlie" comes knocking and they get the NAL in the mail. Enforcement isn't dead but I only wish I could remember the URL where the FCC posts violations to prove it to you. Help me someone?

Now I can't help but to agree totally with liquidgee AA1MN who said it best. At this point the best advice I can give is get a good general coverage SW receiver and string up a simple wire antenna to go with it (a CB antenna would be a tremendous plus for listening to that band) and listen around. Besides hearing hams and CBers which will help tremendously in making a decision whether or not to join them you'll spend hours tuning around listening to SO much that is out there.

On a personal yet open note to Charles, some hams speak from knowledge and experience while others being ignorant of the facts are just plain snobbish. Those are the ones who look down their noses at those who don't measure up to their personal standards like any other snob. The key is to separate them, not always easy but more often than not what they look down their noses at gives some really big clues. The good thing about Amateur Radio is when it comes to snobs and lids is the spectrum, we have more than enough of it to tune away from them and find enjoyment in the hobby. The trouble with CB is it's only a tiny slice of spectrum so the concentration is a bit greater and it's harder to get away from them. It's rather like the internet forums, there are plenty of sane and orderly ones (with a few cutups to keep things lively and entertaining) and then there are those where sludge tends to accumulate.
 

cuthere4

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crabby ham bones

wrong place to ask a ? i know its 7 months later but if 1 hamass reads this i made my point .
dont listen to a bunch of crabby old crotchadee old wore out cb ops they are old trouble makers. they were all cb opts at one time. yea yea i know go ahead hambone say it. i myself held a hambone lic. during the gulf war, i helped out with the mars station to keep our troops in touch back home. buuuut in 1998 i let that go , i didnt want to end up some arrogant old turd. thanks for your time.
 

Ensnared

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CB's

I have been using my CB since the late 1980's after the initial craze in the 1970's. At present, I am using a Cobra 25 Classic with a K40 antenna. Furthermore, I am also using a K40 microphone on this rig. I am talking "barefooted." I don't know about the effectiveness of portable CB as opposed to a mobile installment, but I can assure you that CB's are very useful in getting around road blockage & keeping up with speed traps. I have always tipped my hat to truckers who help me around the many roadblocks that have surfaced over the years. I was wondering if there will ever be a CB capable of digital modulation. What do you think? I am fairly well equipped when it comes to radios and electronic devices. I have a Beltronics 995, the aforementioned CB and a GRE PSR 500 digital scanner on board. Still, I have managed to get ticketed for speeding. When I used to drive to work in Gatesville, Texas, I would sometimes be dull regarding cognitive functioning, particularly in the morning. Hence, I was given several tickets courtesy of McGregor (speedtrap), Texas.
 
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