CB Radio. What's the appeal?

Me and a few mates picked up cheapy CB's a few years ago as we were doing a lengthy drive, always keep it in the boot now - as there are a few truckers still on the wire - good for some random banter to keep the journey interesting.
 
I loved the CB radios. I first got one before i was driving and used to sit in the house and chat to guys all over the country. I had a base antenna on the roof which really helped the range.

Once I was driving we used the CBs in a convoy of cars going to the car rallys round the country. Some evenings I used to drive up to a big hill near us and see how far I could get. I had a booster at the stage too which was class.

I did the beginners amateur licence but I found it very formal. It's probably something for retirement if I ever see it.
 
If anyone wants a good unit with AM you can get the Midland Alan 78 (i think) - if you set it to Italian mode then you can get AM. Otherwise it is just UK and EU FM.
 
dekez said:
From what I remember HAM is long range and CB is short range, they both need a license but the CB one I remember was pretty easy to get, you just had to pay some money, I think the HAM licence is a bit more involved, I could be wrong though.
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Ham is everything, from microwaves bouncing off the moon, to talking to someone in USA on HF to talking to your neighbor on VHF. Most CB stuff is very limited in power so it doesn't interfere with TV signals, ham can go up to 100Watts so you need to do a few tests to get the license so you know what you're doing. Hams can build their own radios and transmit on them, something i don't think CB can do. CB is just the 10 meter band, Ham get lower than 70cm, 2m, 6m, 11m, 15m, 20m, 40m, 80m, 160m, and a lot more i've missed off forgotton, i've mentioned microwaves too. Also, ham radio can do digital data that a pc inerprets so you litterally get letters pop up on your screen, and then if they type wrong you see them backspace the characters away :D A bit like the type writer in Fringe. You can transmit colour pictures using the software, all sorts. Morsecode too is a big part of ham radio.

People saying, why not just talk over the internet. Sending info down some wires is a little simple tbh, how about bouncing your radio signal wirelessly off the atmosphere into another country much more exciting!

Competitions are run too, to try and talk to as many contacts as possible, QSL cards sent and recived between stations. Then you get the mobile people who walk to the top of mountains and transmit from up there, i think even the ISS do ham radio.
 
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Westyfield2 said:
I've always fancied a CB radio, shame I'm too young really!
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PermaBanned said:
I love how a thread about the OP not being able to see why anyone would do it has turned into the 'oh i remember when i...' thread :)
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My thread has been hijacked :D

I can kinda see the appeal now. Especially on the motorway when you're bored and got nothing better to do.
Back in the late 80's, i always wanted one, but never had the dosh to buy the stuff.
 
Valentino said:
Ham is everything, from microwaves bouncing off the moon, to talking to someone in USA on HF to talking to your neighbor on VHF. Most CB stuff is very limited in power so it doesn't interfere with TV signals, ham can go up to 100Watts so you need to do a few tests to get the license so you know what you're doing. Hams can build their own radios and transmit on them, something i don't think CB can do. CB is just the 10 meter band, Ham get lower than 70cm, 2m, 6m, 11m, 15m, 20m, 40m, 80m, 160m, and a lot more i've missed off forgotton, i've mentioned microwaves too. Also, ham radio can do digital data that a pc inerprets so you litterally get letters pop up on your screen, and then if they type wrong you see them backspace the characters away :D A bit like the type writer in Fringe. You can transmit colour pictures using the software, all sorts. Morsecode too is a big part of ham radio.

People saying, why not just talk over the internet. Sending info down some wires is a little simple tbh, how about bouncing your radio signal wirelessly off the atmosphere into another country much more exciting!

Competitions are run too, to try and talk to as many contacts as possible, QSL cards sent and recived between stations. Then you get the mobile people who walk to the top of mountains and transmit from up there, i think even the ISS do ham radio.
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cb = 11m

2m vhf

70cm uhf

6m, 10m, 15m, 20m, 40m, 80m, 160m = hf

And you can use more than 100 wats but licence dependant
 
Persil said:
cb = 11m

2m vhf

70cm uhf

6m, 10m, 15m, 20m, 40m, 80m, 160m = hf

And you can use more than 100 wats but licence dependant
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100Watts I've just remembered was the max on my radio :D, i got my full license in 2004, used it a fair amount in 2004/2005 but then sort of trailed off. I was more into the PSK31 side of it on 20/40m.
 
I used to have a HAM radio after doing a radio operators course in the Scouts.
Its damn good fun hunting down a signal and chatting to random other losers miles away.
Kind of like chatroulette but with a greater sense of achievement and you dont have to see any penises.


Sure my set is still up in the loft somewhere.
 
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