When you select a CB radio, is there any thing you should be looking
out for? I know that some people just chat with CBs that are not
businesses. Can any CB radio really do, or do you need something
special? I am just getting into CB radio, I am not an expert, so I do
not want to pay $500 for a radio, that I may not use much, because
there is barely to no CB activity where I live, I would have to
travel. Do they make portable CB radios?

On Feb 25, 9:37 pm, "RedPenguin" wrote:
When you select a CB radio, is there any thing you should be looking
out for? I know that some people just chat with CBs that are not
businesses. Can any CB radio really do, or do you need something
special? I am just getting into CB radio, I am not an expert, so I do
not want to pay $500 for a radio, that I may not use much, because
there is barely to no CB activity where I live, I would have to
travel. Do they make portable CB radios?

Is the MIDLAND 75-785 7-Watt/40-Channel Portable CB Radio a good one?
When I searched for portables, I found this one on tons of websites.
Also, it's one of the easiest for me to get.

"RedPenguin" wrote in message
ups.com...
On Feb 25, 9:37 pm, "RedPenguin" wrote:
When you select a CB radio, is there any thing you should be looking
out for? I know that some people just chat with CBs that are not
businesses. Can any CB radio really do, or do you need something
special? I am just getting into CB radio, I am not an expert, so I do
not want to pay $500 for a radio, that I may not use much, because
there is barely to no CB activity where I live, I would have to
travel. Do they make portable CB radios?

Is the MIDLAND 75-785 7-Watt/40-Channel Portable CB Radio a good one?
When I searched for portables, I found this one on tons of websites.
Also, it's one of the easiest for me to get.


First find out why you need a CB, is it for the road so you can here the
reports, or just rig chewing. CB is OK but why waste time in it, go for the
real radio world, Ham radio with much better audio quality and allot more
choices in bands.

On Feb 26, 8:58 am, "JSF" wrote:
"RedPenguin" wrote in message

ups.com...

On Feb 25, 9:37 pm, "RedPenguin" wrote:
When you select a CB radio, is there any thing you should be looking
out for? I know that some people just chat with CBs that are not
businesses. Can any CB radio really do, or do you need something
special? I am just getting into CB radio, I am not an expert, so I do
not want to pay $500 for a radio, that I may not use much, because
there is barely to no CB activity where I live, I would have to
travel. Do they make portable CB radios?

Is the MIDLAND 75-785 7-Watt/40-Channel Portable CB Radio a good one?
When I searched for portables, I found this one on tons of websites.
Also, it's one of the easiest for me to get.

First find out why you need a CB, is it for the road so you can here the
reports, or just rig chewing. CB is OK but why waste time in it, go for the
real radio world, Ham radio with much better audio quality and allot more
choices in bands.

That's what I thought but I figured I would ask anyway. Ham has to be
licensed no? Is it the same cost anywhere in the US?

On Feb 26, 11:48 am, "RedPenguin" wrote:
On Feb 26, 8:58 am, "JSF" wrote:



"RedPenguin" wrote in message

oups.com...

On Feb 25, 9:37 pm, "RedPenguin" wrote:
When you select a CB radio, is there any thing you should be looking
out for? I know that some people just chat with CBs that are not
businesses. Can any CB radio really do, or do you need something
special? I am just getting into CB radio, I am not an expert, so I do
not want to pay $500 for a radio, that I may not use much, because
there is barely to no CB activity where I live, I would have to
travel. Do they make portable CB radios?

Is the MIDLAND 75-785 7-Watt/40-Channel Portable CB Radio a good one?
When I searched for portables, I found this one on tons of websites.
Also, it's one of the easiest for me to get.

First find out why you need a CB, is it for the road so you can here the
reports, or just rig chewing. CB is OK but why waste time in it, go for the
real radio world, Ham radio with much better audio quality and allot more
choices in bands.

That's what I thought but I figured I would ask anyway. Ham has to be
licensed no? Is it the same cost anywhere in the US?


Ham radio is probably NOT a good choice for you until you learn a bit
more about radio and electronics. Ham radio requires studying and
tests to gain a license.
CB does not require a license, and you can use it immediately, it is
not at all a waste of time.

I would suggest a CB that also has SSB, and also a good antenna.

Ham radio is fine, but its a whole different animal and can't be
compared to CB.

Ham radio is probably NOT a good choice for you until you learn a bit
more about radio and electronics. Ham radio requires studying and
tests to gain a license.
CB does not require a license, and you can use it immediately, it is
not at all a waste of time.


CB is a good stepping stone. Not all folks that buy a CB even stay in radio.
If you like it then ham is the next step.


I would suggest a CB that also has SSB, and also a good antenna.

Sideband radios are generally better radios overall. It would help if pointers to
"a good antenna" were posted. How about:

o The bigger the better
o Holes instead of magnets
o Center is better then edges


Ham radio is fine, but its a whole different animal and can't be
compared to CB.

But people are still people and you'll get bad apples in every group.

On Feb 27, 1:31 am, "Spikey911usa" wrote:
On Feb 26, 11:48 am, "RedPenguin" wrote:





On Feb 26, 8:58 am, "JSF" wrote:

"RedPenguin" wrote in message

oups.com...

On Feb 25, 9:37 pm, "RedPenguin" wrote:
When you select a CB radio, is there any thing you should be looking
out for? I know that some people just chat with CBs that are not
businesses. Can any CB radio really do, or do you need something
special? I am just getting into CB radio, I am not an expert, so I do
not want to pay $500 for a radio, that I may not use much, because
there is barely to no CB activity where I live, I would have to
travel. Do they make portable CB radios?

Is the MIDLAND 75-785 7-Watt/40-Channel Portable CB Radio a good one?
When I searched for portables, I found this one on tons of websites.
Also, it's one of the easiest for me to get.

First find out why you need a CB, is it for the road so you can here the
reports, or just rig chewing. CB is OK but why waste time in it, go for the
real radio world, Ham radio with much better audio quality and allot more
choices in bands.

That's what I thought but I figured I would ask anyway. Ham has to be
licensed no? Is it the same cost anywhere in the US?

Ham radio is probably NOT a good choice for you until you learn a bit
more about radio and electronics. Ham radio requires studying and
tests to gain a license.
CB does not require a license, and you can use it immediately, it is
not at all a waste of time.

I would suggest a CB that also has SSB, and also a good antenna.

Ham radio is fine, but its a whole different animal and can't be
compared to CB.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

That's probably the best thing said in here.

Although it still amazes me how many hams who claim you should use
only the power levels necessarry for communications are the same ones
promoting using more unnecessary power for communications by saying if
you want to talk on the radio to your neighbor down the street, don't
use a half watt frs radio that covers only your neighborhood and lets
people in other cities and neighborhoods in the same city talk also.
Instead, use a cb that covers a twelve cities and prevent people in
ywelve cities from talking just to talk to your neighbor down the
street on the radio. "After all, that's how us hams do it."

Yes, I know that's how you hams do it. I have a radio scanner. I hear
you hams running more power than necessarry for communiccation. I know
you do because I hear you talk on the air about it.

I sure hope the elimination of the morse code requirement helps to get
some actual sensible people into ham radio.

Sure, I'll use a cb to talk to the neighbor down the street if he has
only a cb radio.

But if we both have frs, why should I talk to my neighbor down the
street or next door with four watts of power that covers twelve cities
when only a half of a watt that covers only one mile will do?

I know the bozo hams around here will just be angry that they can't
hear what I'm saying . Well, tough luck. hahhaha.

On Feb 26, 11:48 am, "RedPenguin" wrote:
On Feb 26, 8:58 am, "JSF" wrote:





"RedPenguin" wrote in message

oups.com...

On Feb 25, 9:37 pm, "RedPenguin" wrote:
When you select a CB radio, is there any thing you should be looking
out for? I know that some people just chat with CBs that are not
businesses. Can any CB radio really do, or do you need something
special? I am just getting into CB radio, I am not an expert, so I do
not want to pay $500 for a radio, that I may not use much, because
there is barely to no CB activity where I live, I would have to
travel. Do they make portable CB radios?

Is the MIDLAND 75-785 7-Watt/40-Channel Portable CB Radio a good one?
When I searched for portables, I found this one on tons of websites.
Also, it's one of the easiest for me to get.

First find out why you need a CB, is it for the road so you can here the
reports, or just rig chewing. CB is OK but why waste time in it, go for the
real radio world, Ham radio with much better audio quality and allot more
choices in bands.

That's what I thought but I figured I would ask anyway. Ham has to be
licensed no? Is it the same cost anywhere in the US?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


I spoke too soon when I said cb channel 19 was civilized. After
further listening, just tonight I heard a couple of cb'ers aarguing
with each other with the one really swearing at the other one.

Just because the one guy didn't like the subject matter that the other
guy was talking to someone else about.

From your posts, I think you'll enjoy listening to cb channel 19.

And the fast food restaurants channels on your scanner and the other
channels omn your scanner when you get your cb and your scanner.

I think you'll have fun with them.

If you want to start out with a good CB radio but not spend a fortune I
would recommend that you start with a cobra 148 GTL which has SSB and AM.
If you use it in the house you will, of course, need a 13.8 VDC power supply
and an Antron 99 base antenna. In the mobile it works good with a Wilson
1000 magnet mount antenna if you can't stand the idea of drilling any holes
in your vehicle roof. You would be well advised also to get a good mic for
it, such as a handheld D-104.
On the subject of scanners there are some that cover from 25 MHZ to 1.2
GHZ and on up. I have a Bearcat scanner which I have programmed it for over
200 frequencies in and around CB plus various other VHF, etc.

Good Luck
Scorpio


"RedPenguin" wrote in message
oups.com...
When you select a CB radio, is there any thing you should be looking
out for? I know that some people just chat with CBs that are not
businesses. Can any CB radio really do, or do you need something
special? I am just getting into CB radio, I am not an expert, so I do
not want to pay $500 for a radio, that I may not use much, because
there is barely to no CB activity where I live, I would have to
travel. Do they make portable CB radios?

GHB wrote:
If you want to start out with a good CB radio but not spend a fortune I
would recommend that you start with a cobra 148 GTL which has SSB and AM.
If you use it in the house you will, of course, need a 13.8 VDC power supply
and an Antron 99 base antenna.


I'd rather use an Imax 2000.


In the mobile it works good with a Wilson
1000 magnet mount antenna if you can't stand the idea of drilling any holes
in your vehicle roof. You would be well advised also to get a good mic for
it, such as a handheld D-104.

Why amplified? A 636L is nice and clean, and never needs batteries.