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CB Radios

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by 540tundragirl, Dec 3, 2018.

  1. Jun 11, 2019 at 8:12 AM
    #121
    texasrho83

    texasrho83 DGAF#1

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    The Cobra 29 I bought has a built in meter I used to tune my antenna to the truck.
     
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  2. Jun 11, 2019 at 8:17 AM
    #122
    Porkchop Express

    Porkchop Express Its all in the reflexes

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    I would like to get a CB for my truck . Im not one of those stuck up HAM-assholes like someone one here is implying...
    I like the Bearcat with SSB. I even have an old fire-stick antenna and mounts, and an ancient inline SWR
     
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  3. Jun 11, 2019 at 8:27 AM
    #123
    texasrho83

    texasrho83 DGAF#1

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    Thanks for not being one of "those" guys :thumbsup:
     
  4. Jun 11, 2019 at 8:32 AM
    #124
    NewRider

    NewRider New Member

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    That looks nice and $25 is definitely reasonable. I don’t remember what brand mine is but it’s about half that size which is great for putting in some tucked away spot
     
  5. Jun 11, 2019 at 8:32 AM
    #125
    Racingjohndeere55

    Racingjohndeere55 New Member

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    Um.... I don't know if I would trust that. I have had issues with the radio meter being off
     
  6. Jun 11, 2019 at 8:35 AM
    #126
    texasrho83

    texasrho83 DGAF#1

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    My CB guy was the one who told me to do it - right after he showed me that it works on his shop antenna
     
  7. Jun 11, 2019 at 8:41 AM
    #127
    Racingjohndeere55

    Racingjohndeere55 New Member

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    Huh. The guy I went to said not to . Maybe he just wanted to sell a meter...:rofl:
     
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  8. Jun 11, 2019 at 8:57 AM
    #128
    texasrho83

    texasrho83 DGAF#1

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  9. Jun 11, 2019 at 5:04 PM
    #129
    Cement

    Cement ...

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    @handyman I'm sorry your wife was so badly treated. That's uncalled for, at best, and I hope he was properly chastised by others after your wife got off the radio. As your example proves, all it takes is one bad apple to spoil the bunch.

    But I have to say, I think this was uncalled for too...
    There's a flow to conversations like this. Sometimes its a straight line, sometimes it wavers. Its only natural to talk other options when someone thinks they might be able to raise an awareness regarding another alternative.

    And to generalize a group like you did... not cool. You've had a shitty experience. That sucks. But others, including myself, have had positive experiences and thru the likes of ham radio, or shooting sports, or car/truck forums/clubs... I've met some great people, some of which have become life long friends. I've found if you're willing to ignore the static, and put biases aside, sometimes great experiences result.

    Ha true that! Not a revolver, but here's my wife shooting an M1. I fell in love all over again that day. Now she carries a 1911 and shoots 308 competitively long range (among other things).

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh0DAQmjIyI
     
  10. Jun 12, 2019 at 10:25 AM
    #130
    Porkchop Express

    Porkchop Express Its all in the reflexes

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  11. Jun 12, 2019 at 10:34 AM
    #131
    Racingjohndeere55

    Racingjohndeere55 New Member

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  12. Jun 12, 2019 at 10:52 AM
    #132
    Porkchop Express

    Porkchop Express Its all in the reflexes

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    GMRS mobile station that works with handhelds. Everyone i know has 2-3 sets of GMRS handhelds, im thinking this plus an antenna would work great for family caravans and around the 300 + acre property.
    Im still keeping the HAM handheld in the truck , too. We are planning a multi-state road trip East out to Montana , Wyoming , Yellowstone , and possibly out to Badlands. I want to have comms and back ups .
    My father in law likes to look for ghost towns and sometimes follows old roads just to see where they go. We've been to some remote spots with no cell service .
     
  13. Jun 12, 2019 at 10:58 AM
    #133
    Racingjohndeere55

    Racingjohndeere55 New Member

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    So its Like a cb, diff freq. Are there people on it all over the country? I'm sick of the cb. If you can get someone to talk it usually just foul mouthed. Been looking into something else.
     
  14. Jun 12, 2019 at 11:00 AM
    #134
    Porkchop Express

    Porkchop Express Its all in the reflexes

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    I used to have a Cobra CB and never really used it as most of my friends had the handhelds which i think are all GMRS.
     
  15. Jun 12, 2019 at 11:07 AM
    #135
    Cement

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    Short answer is yes you need a license to operate under the GMRS umbrella.

    Longer answer is... no you don't need a license to transmit (1) on the frequencies shared by FRS and GMRS *if* you stick to the FRS limited legal transmit power levels on those shared frequencies and (2) do not xmt on any GMRS only frequency. If you follow those rules, technically you fall under the FRS umbrella and therefore do not need a license.

    Using the Midland radio linked above would require a license as it doesn't look like it can xmt on FRS/GMRS shared frequencies at levels low enough to fall under the FRS umbrella. The GMRS license is easy to get though; no tests, just $$

    Here's some great info on obtaining the license found from the same link given above: https://nggmrs.org/step-by-step-gmrs
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2019
  16. Jun 12, 2019 at 11:25 AM
    #136
    Racingjohndeere55

    Racingjohndeere55 New Member

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    $70 for a ten year licence. Seems easy enough. Get the licence then get the radio.
     
  17. Jun 12, 2019 at 11:31 AM
    #137
    Cement

    Cement ...

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    Yep that's the "right" way to do it.

    If you're considering this, spend a little time here, and specifically study the Frequency Table: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Mobile_Radio_Service

    Notice the power levels allowed for GMRS operators. 50w on channels 15 thru 22... my point being it might be worth looking for a mobile station that can xmt at that legal limit. The Midland is 15w max. With a proper antenna setup, you might really benefit from that 35 additional watts you're afforded under your GMRS license. Food for thought.
     
  18. Jun 12, 2019 at 11:43 AM
    #138
    Racingjohndeere55

    Racingjohndeere55 New Member

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    So who makes said 50 watt radio, or do I take it to the cb shop and have them turn it up?
     
  19. Jun 12, 2019 at 11:53 AM
    #139
    Cement

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    Well, I'm not a GMRS guy specifically. So I don't tend to stay up on GMRS specific radios.

    With that said, I don't think there'd be a way for a cb shop to turn up a 15w radio. Worth asking though.

    Maybe that same shop can advise you on a radio, if they can't turn it up.

    Another idea is to find a local "Ham Radio Outlet" store and go pick their brain. I haven't walked into one yet and not found the folks in there willing to talk your ear off about whatever topic you're interested in (go figure). Just walk in, tell them you're in the process of getting your GMRS license, are a newbie and would like to find a mobile station...

    I do know the BTech GMRS-50X1 has been making a semi splash lately. And I want to say I've heard good things about the Midland MTX-400 (40w max).

    My general impression is that GMRS is an emerging market. And therefore its only in the last couple years that manufacturers are producing radios to meet the demand. And as usual, they're working their way up in power over time.
     
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  20. Jun 12, 2019 at 11:58 AM
    #140
    Porkchop Express

    Porkchop Express Its all in the reflexes

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    Good info. I will look into the licensing later today.
    Mostly I want something for ease of use for all members of the family on road trips . The walkies we have been using are great if you can see the vehicle in front of you , but over 2-3 miles away - its spotty at best.
    I was thinking if i had a mobile base unit and a decent amount of transmit power , I could at least give directions and broadcast to the group
     
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  21. Jun 12, 2019 at 12:16 PM
    #141
    Cement

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    Yep! What you're describing is exactly why the GMRS umbrella was created; its for people who don't want to screw with the ham radio complexity/crap, but who also want more out of FRS/CBs. Typical government right? Never let a good opportunity to "license" (aka tax) pass.
     
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  22. Jun 12, 2019 at 4:23 PM
    #142
    Cement

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    So you'd got me looking into GMRS a little more seriously. That led me to YouTube looking for radio reviews, which lead me down a rabbit hole. Then I ran across these. They're by the same guy/channel and IMHO do a pretty good job talking about what GMRS is, why, and covering the basics.

    Part 1 covers GMRS in general. He's a little chatty, but there's some good info in there
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQTQptqusfc

    Part 2 covers the two Midlands we've discussed (MTX275, MTX400) and maybe why the BTech isn't the best choice. Good hands on so you can see the differences to help make up your mind.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTwbjbqP18M
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2019
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  23. Jun 12, 2019 at 4:32 PM
    #143
    P-Factor

    P-Factor New Member

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    Last edited: Jun 12, 2019
  24. Jun 12, 2019 at 5:11 PM
    #144
    P-Factor

    P-Factor New Member

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    GMRS is not CB but close regarding not requiring a written test. To obtain a license just fill out an application, pay a fee, and they (FCC) will issue you a call sign good for 10 years which everyone in your immediate family can use. I also like having a low profile 6" (garage friendly) antenna which I can also hit repeaters 30-35 miles away with perfect clarity. Below is a picture of my Tundra GMRS antenna mounted.

    GMRS Antenna .jpg
     
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  25. Jun 12, 2019 at 5:54 PM
    #145
    handyman

    handyman New Member

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    Well, I'm going to let it go. This is a discussion about "CB Radios," not ham radio. Didn't even mean for it to drag out as long as it did.
     
  26. Jun 12, 2019 at 6:19 PM
    #146
    handyman

    handyman New Member

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    However, do note despite the higher power output, you're not going to get out any further (than CB) due to the location of GMRS within that higher frequency range (pure line-of-sight between two radio antennas). The repeaters are somewhat worthwhile, but along with that comes a crap load of restrictions very similar to ham radio. Also note there are far fewer to talk to (compared to CB), limiting GMRS mainly to personal or business/commercial communications (the original intent).
     
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  27. Jun 12, 2019 at 6:24 PM
    #147
    texasrho83

    texasrho83 DGAF#1

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    Anyone get feedback/static through their radio when they hit the brakes? Years back I installed a noise filter and that cut engine static through my CB so I'm curious if I should do the same in this scenario?
     
  28. Jun 12, 2019 at 6:39 PM
    #148
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    I have the Bearcat SSB with Firestik. The built in VSWR meter is actually pretty good.
     
  29. Jun 12, 2019 at 6:39 PM
    #149
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    I get no noise or feed back.
     
  30. Jun 12, 2019 at 6:40 PM
    #150
    handyman

    handyman New Member

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    Due to the changing electronics in vehicles, that's far less of a problem today. After all, manufacturers today have to shield things for their own many electronic gadgets installed. I haven't had to use a noise filter in years, and that was only on the older vehicles I could afford back then.
     
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