Could FM CB supplant FRS?

[W2JGA]

If it helps weeding out the undesirables, make a it requirement to know morse code on FRS/GMRS.

(ducts under tinfoil hat)

 

[BinaryMode]

Go visit a big truck stop and listen to regular CB.

Now imagine that crap bleeding over from AM to FM at higher power levels while your kids sit in the back seat wondering what a lot lizard is.

You're forgetting the tone. If some idiot transmits 'higher power levels' on AM bleeding over to FM, you still have to break the squelch with the tone. Just my two cents.

I think CB CAN be an FRS replacement due to tones and FM. And handhelds do not need a 36" whip either. My RadioShack TRC-231 handhelds don't have a massive antenna and work admirably like an FRS radio, albeit only AM. FM would make the audio better sounding of course and the addition of a tone a little bit more nuisance proof from others. Just like FRS with its tones.

The great thing about CB is that it also performs well in forested areas due to the low frequency getting around trees and whatnot where higher frequency UHF FRS will tend to be absorbed by the foliage. Same can be said of MURS in a forested area since MURS is VHF and not UHF like FRS/GMRS. It's probably why the USFS uses VHF as well as wildland firefighters.

Also, I'm willing to bet FM CB works pretty sweat on water versus FRS if you're family is boating, camping, etc. Just make sure to use a tone.

FRS is too crowded and GMRS is more of a professional thing that most families are not going to mess around with. "Okay, little Timmy, remember your call sign and proper radio etiquette." Not happening. If I had youngins they would NEVER be allowed on GMRS. FRS, MURS or FM CB with tones, yes.

The original question was: Could FM CB supplant FRS? And in my opinion that's a yes.

 

[Varmonter]

A few months ago, I bought a CB radio for my truck after decades of being off the air. Since September 2021 (IIRC) CBs can use FM mode, and this one has that capability. To my surprise, it also has the capability to use "privacy" (a misnomer, but whatever) tones. So, it's now a radio that transmits in FM mode on a free, channelized service, in essence just like FRS. Unlike FRS, however, it can operate at 4 watts, is allowed to have external antennas, and has 40 channels instead of 22. There's no technical reason why FRS would be a better choice for family/friends traveling together or camping/whatever. The main impediment to widespread adoption of FM CB for "family" communication, as I see it, is the cost of entry. CB radios can be had fairly cheaply, but not as cheaply as the "bubble pack" FRS radios. Is there any chance that FM CB could eventually take a significant portion of the FRS market? (Full disclosure -- I don't really care, I'm just curious.)

My wife and I travel fulltime in an rv..we have a car we also use ..when we are on the road we use gmrs handheld to communicate between vehicles..My wife does not suffer fools...she would never allow a cb in her car.
Just doesnt want to listen to it..so the gmrs are quiet will go a few miles if we get separated..The bubble pack frs radios are junk...I've maybe brought 3 pairs of these cheap ones neither set lasted a year..
So I bought a pair of gmrs for about 260 bucks...world of difference..well worth it..
We seldom hear anyone. Usually only going thru cities...so they work for us..cb would not..I have a cb in the truck I enjoy seeing who I can contact while passing the time driving...I shoot skip on 28 and 31am usually.
I reserve 19 for it's intended purpose and monitor it on and off during the day or if there is a backup or road info I think would be of interest to other drivers..
This works for us..