Should New CB Buyers Only Get Mobile Units That Have FM, PL/DPL And SSB?

[JASII]

Now that the FCC allows the FM mode on CB radios in the United States, should a potential buyer of a new CB radio only consider a radio that has:

-AM and FM

-PL/DPL

-SSB

Part of me wonders if buyers will buy a new mobile and then realize later that they should of bought one with PL/DPL, FM and SSB.

 

[slowmover]

AM/SSB is the minimum for a mobile. (A few exceptions)

A PRESIDENT McKinley once it’s offered with FM (or Uniden-980) then one might say a minimal or basic radio ought to have it for a mobile.

.

 

[ind224]

I would not go without SSB as well.

 

[techman210]

If that became a mandate, I can see some really crappy Chinese SDR radios hitting the market where SSB is a afterthought, just to say the radio had “SSB”.

A 5 tone CCIR selective calling feature would be easy to implement and would be a great feature on the FM rigs, however.

 

[mmckenna]

Now that the FCC allows the FM mode on CB radios in the United States, should a potential buyer of a new CB radio only consider a radio that has:

-AM and FM

-PL/DPL

-SSB

Part of me wonders if buyers will buy a new mobile and then realize later that they should of bought one with PL/DPL, FM and SSB.

That's kind of a odd question.

The end user should buy a radio that fits their needs. No reason to buy SSB, FM w/ PL/DPL if they are only talking to people running older AM only radios.

While I'm sure FM will be useful, I doubt we'll ever see people ditching their radios just to run out and buy the latest/greatest.
Also, I think we'll have issues when the "golden screwdrivers" try to peak and/or tune these FM radios. I think that'll separate the guys that know what they are doing from the guys that just start twisting pots/coils and looking at their $20 SWR meter.

 

[KevinC]

Maybe "someone" can start a poll.

 

[slowmover]

That's kind of a odd question.

The end user should buy a radio that fits their needs. No reason to buy SSB, FM w/ PL/DPL if they are only talking to people running older AM only radios.

While I'm sure FM will be useful, I doubt we'll ever see people ditching their radios just to run out and buy the latest/greatest.
Also, I think we'll have issues when the "golden screwdrivers" try to peak and/or tune these FM radios. I think that'll separate the guys that know what they are doing from the guys that just start twisting pots/coils and looking at their $20 SWR meter.

AM-only isn’t a given while mobile. I’ve switched to Sideband a fair number of times to complete a conversation with another driver.

What increases range potential matters.

 

[DeeEx]

AM-only isn’t a given while mobile. I’ve switched to Sideband a fair number of times to complete a conversation with another driver.

What increases range potential matters.

SSB matters to those who understand the concept; to average Joe Trucker, he will continue to seek the AM-only rigs that his peers use. I guarantee that will be the case for at least five more years.

Far too many places have too much money invested in AM rigs. I drive by a couple gravel pits regularly that have signs at the entrance telling the drivers what channel to turn to. Same with campgrounds, one even designating channels for RV navigation, RV chitchat, waterfront dock coordination, etc.

 

[KD8DVR]

I prefer local communications, so I'd say AM/FM at the very least.

 

[GadgetGeek]

I would not go without SSB as well.

Me too.

 

[bearcatrp]

Think am only would be enough for most folks, 40 channels. With FM just coming out, not many will spend the money upgrading. I can see FM come in handy if your convoying with a group going long distance. I prefer SSB over FM myself coming from previous years shooting skip. I purchased a president Randy am only for my truck when I drove to Colorado last year. Didn’t want to install a cb and antenna. Worked ok. Set it on the dash and didn’t hear much until I was on I80 in Wyoming.

 

[mmckenna]

Think am only would be enough for most folks, 40 channels. With FM just coming out, not many will spend the money upgrading.

Not sure if I said this earlier, or it was another post….

I see three levels of CB users:

1. Guy who just wants a basic CB to hear trucks, maybe talk to his buddy. Usually buys a basic radio and some crappy magnetic mount antenna.
2. Guy who wants to play, will buy a higher tier radio, probably SSB, big antenna, amplifier, peak/tune, etc. Wants to talk skip..
3. Guy who wants the latest toys, or specifically understands the benefit of FM and CTCSS/DCS.

Maybe #4, guy who wants everything, cost isn't an issue, is going to buy the most expensive radio they can get, or what someone else tells them they need.

Average guy running a truck, or using it as the backwoods cell phone is going to buy a basic AM radio. That covers everything they need. That lets them talk to their buddies using the traditional AM only radios. "Good enough". Price is right. Can buy it easily at WalMart, truck stop, wherever.

Guys who want to run skip are going to blow their wad on a AM/SSB radio, peak-n-tuned by bubba, linear. They want to talk skip and understand the need for SSB. That lets them do what they want, and they ain't going to buy into that Communist/Gen-Z FM crap, that stuff is for pansies that drink lattes and eat avocado toast and probably have the latest iPhone 17 (or whatever number they are up to now), maybe drive a Prius.

And then you'll get the guys that want FM so they can get clearer audio, run CTCSS/DCS so they don't have to listen to the other 2 groups above, will understand that Bubba has no idea what he's doing and won't let him lay his golden screwdriver on their radio. They'll do a proper installation, good antenna, proper wiring, and set up on an off channel with a squelch code on so they can talk while on the road trip/business/etc.

And maybe #4, guy who's into radios and wants it all.

I think the manufacturers will drive some of this. I doubt we'll see basic AM only CB radios disappear. Too simple/basic/functional/inexpensive.
AM/SSB will stick around for those users.
Manufacturers will eventually find the market niche where they can sell FM capable radios with a decent feature set to the right group of people.

Question will be:
Will FM capable CB's stand much of a chance now that halfway (well, maybe 49%) decent GMRS radios are on the market. Off roaders would have been a good market for FM CB's, but Midland seems to be getting that market with the GMRS mobiles.

 

[JASII]

The Family Radio Service began in 1996. There were (maybe there still are) some very low end transceivers that were carrier squelch only. That's right, they had NO PL/DPL. It seems like those may have vanished.

So, when I read that CB was authorized for FM, I wondered if carrier squelch CBs would show up and they have. Obviously, price will have a huge impact on this. If some people see a CB that is AM only that is $10 less than one that is AM and FM, they will buy the less expensive one.

 

[mmckenna]

The Family Radio Service began in 1996. There were (maybe there still are) some very low end transceivers that were carrier squelch only. That's right, they had NO PL/DPL. It seems like those may have vanished.

Radio Shack sold some single channel FRS radios when FRS was young. I think they didn't have CTCSS. It was a very basic radio, an on/off/volume control and a push to talk button. Just fine for the non-radio savvy user.

So, when I read that CB was authorized for FM, I wondered if carrier squelch CBs would show up and they have. Obviously, price will have a huge impact on this. If some people see a CB that is AM only that is $10 less than one that is AM and FM, they will buy the less expensive one.

No way I'd spend money on an FM capable CB radio without having CTCSS/DCS capability. But I suspect that most CB customers won't know what that is, so they'll buy the shiny one with all the knobs and blinky lights.

 

[gary123]

My 38 cents worth. Get all modes (AM,FM and SSB) also get with CTCSS and DCS (PL/DPL).

 

[Omega-TI]

With today's vehicles, if the manufactures are smart, they'll make units with detachable faceplates, because even if someone wanted to buy a CB, if it will not fit in their car, it's a lost sale.

 

[mmckenna]

With today's vehicles, if the manufactures are smart, they'll make units with detachable faceplates, because even if someone wanted to buy a CB, if it will not fit in their car, it's a lost sale.

Those exist, but haven't seen any SSB/FM models yet. I had an AM only version with a hand held control head and it worked well. I have a full size pickup, so space wasn't the issue. Just didn't want a CB sticking in my fact 24x7 when I rarely used it. I could unplug the control mic and put it away when it wasn't needed.

 

[slowmover]

Not sure if I said this earlier, or it was another post….

I see three levels of CB users:

1. Guy who just wants a basic CB to hear trucks, maybe talk to his buddy. Usually buys a basic radio and some crappy magnetic mount antenna.
2. Guy who wants to play, will buy a higher tier radio, probably SSB, big antenna, amplifier, peak/tune, etc. Wants to talk skip..
3. Guy who wants the latest toys, or specifically understands the benefit of FM and CTCSS/DCS.

Maybe #4, guy who wants everything, cost isn't an issue, is going to buy the most expensive radio they can get, or what someone else tells them they need.

Average guy running a truck, or using it as the backwoods cell phone is going to buy a basic AM radio. That covers everything they need. That lets them talk to their buddies using the traditional AM only radios. "Good enough". Price is right. Can buy it easily at WalMart, truck stop, wherever.

Guys who want to run skip are going to blow their wad on a AM/SSB radio, peak-n-tuned by bubba, linear. They want to talk skip and understand the need for SSB. That lets them do what they want, and they ain't going to buy into that Communist/Gen-Z FM crap, that stuff is for pansies that drink lattes and eat avocado toast and probably have the latest iPhone 17 (or whatever number they are up to now), maybe drive a Prius.

And then you'll get the guys that want FM so they can get clearer audio, run CTCSS/DCS so they don't have to listen to the other 2 groups above, will understand that Bubba has no idea what he's doing and won't let him lay his golden screwdriver on their radio. They'll do a proper installation, good antenna, proper wiring, and set up on an off channel with a squelch code on so they can talk while on the road trip/business/etc.

And maybe #4, guy who's into radios and wants it all.

I think the manufacturers will drive some of this. I doubt we'll see basic AM only CB radios disappear. Too simple/basic/functional/inexpensive.
AM/SSB will stick around for those users.
Manufacturers will eventually find the market niche where they can sell FM capable radios with a decent feature set to the right group of people.

Question will be:
Will FM capable CB's stand much of a chance now that halfway (well, maybe 49%) decent GMRS radios are on the market. Off roaders would have been a good market for FM CB's, but Midland seems to be getting that market with the GMRS mobiles.

Guy #2 doesn’t want to miss vital information. He’s Guy #1 once he realizes he’s missing 1/2-3/4 of what’s out there on AM alone.

Neither man cares very much about talking Skip or using SSB. But that level of gear gets him closer to what he does want.

In other words he gets serious about the install first, components second.

Fun with his friends is fine. Reaching out to others is what starts to count as there’s no substitute.

— All this busy-ness around radio spec doesn’t factor what matters most: what service is greatest in use and equipment?

There’s CB Radio . . . and nothing else much matters.

Nail that down. No compromise in installation or gear.

Then get your toy stuff.

Those who believe the story told by The Enemy (left deaf and dumb in the crowd) have themselves to blame.

Nationwide, it’s a higher likelihood to find operators in other services also running Hi-Q 11-Meter.

Who’s right around you on the road in the here and now?

.

 

[krokus]

I had been considering replacing my SSB CB, when the FM approval reared its head. Now I want a radio that does both, and I have not seen a (type accepted) model that does, yet. Hopefully one will be marketed in the US, since President does market one for the EU market.

 

[JASII]

I had been considering replacing my SSB CB, when the FM approval reared its head. Now I want a radio that does both, and I have not seen a (type accepted) model that does, yet. Hopefully one will be marketed in the US, since President does market one for the EU market.

It sounds like you would like a President Mc Kinley, once it gains FCC Type Acceptance.

MC KINLEY - AM/FM/SSB transceivers - CB Radio / Ham Radio - President Electronics

CB Radio - AM / FM / SSB transceivers - MC KINLEY

president-electronics.com