Radio's
The more runs I go on the more I am soo disatisfied with CB"s.
They just don't seem to perform well off road.
Yes they are common for everyone to use and own but is it the right call.
I am thinking that the Leader and the sweep car should switch over to VHF so at a minimum
the group is in tact and CB's for the rest to chat
I realize is is hard for an entire group to switch over but I think a change is in order.
I am not a radio techy and I hope those that are can chime in
I know some use Marine radios but they are not really legal for a bunch of us in the desert to start chiming in for the coast gaurd.
As a group I think we can come up with a radio standard that we can slowly start switching over to
What do ya think?
RADIO'S CB or VHF????
RADIO'S CB or VHF????
I think we already have a standard, and that's the CB radio. Now what we need to do is to get everyone to have GOOD CB radio's. I don't think the $35 jobs from WalMart are the way to go. If nothing else, we need to have a remote speaker hooked up pointed straight at the driver (with boosted power so as the speed increases the volume increases), or headsets so that the drivers/passengers can hear and can reply. Highway speeds kill off that little speaker that is on the bottom of the typical CB. I know we had a big problem at Clearlake, and it was a discussion around the campfire. Just my thoughts as I have CB's in the buggys and the motorhome and I don't know anything about VHF radios.
Gary Berry
Prosser, WA
1971 Turista
1969 ManxVair
Member #1112
Prosser, WA
1971 Turista
1969 ManxVair
Member #1112
RADIO'S CB or VHF????
We run with both CB & VHF and the option of using UHF business band @
473.775. VHF and UHF are far better then CBs no matter how you might
toy with them. There are a number
of scientific reasoning why the upper bands function better (does that
matter?). On the
last outing we used both CB & VHF and conformed communications
using
the VHF was by far better (a per-verbal no brainier). The VHF quality
was
exceptionally clear and performance well beyond exceptions.
If
not
just for the safety aspects, but also, being able to reach of areas
where
CBs are lost in the canyons and cell service is nonexistent VHF is the
way to go.
Mark n Carol
473.775. VHF and UHF are far better then CBs no matter how you might
toy with them. There are a number
of scientific reasoning why the upper bands function better (does that
matter?). On the
last outing we used both CB & VHF and conformed communications
using
the VHF was by far better (a per-verbal no brainier). The VHF quality
was
exceptionally clear and performance well beyond exceptions.
If
not
just for the safety aspects, but also, being able to reach of areas
where
CBs are lost in the canyons and cell service is nonexistent VHF is the
way to go.
Mark n Carol
RADIO'S CB or VHF????
How much money?? Where does one go to get a VHF unit? Does one need an FCC license (or any license) for it?? Any chance there is a combo CB/VHF (maybe with a cell phone/GPS option) unit available?
Gary Berry
Prosser, WA
1971 Turista
1969 ManxVair
Member #1112
Prosser, WA
1971 Turista
1969 ManxVair
Member #1112
RADIO'S CB or VHF????
So if we use VHF radios during Gene's "Clear Lake Run" we need to remember to use channel 17 that is specified for Aquatic Sports Events?
Mark
Mark
RADIO'S CB or VHF????
My group of friends that I go to the desert with just recently all got Kenwood TM-271A vhf radios: http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Communication ... es/TM-271A
We got them through http://www.hamradio.com/ for under $200 for radio and antenna. They work great with an excellent range through alot of terrain. With a little modification they also pick up the off road race frequencies. I'm not sure on the licensing requirements as we are just using them.
We got them through http://www.hamradio.com/ for under $200 for radio and antenna. They work great with an excellent range through alot of terrain. With a little modification they also pick up the off road race frequencies. I'm not sure on the licensing requirements as we are just using them.
-
ManxManiac
- Posts: 200
- Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2010 5:00 am
- Location: Ventura, CA
RADIO'S CB or VHF????
I've been a Manx Club member for almost 11 years & the subject of CB radios & other forms of communication have been discussed many many times.
I've found that folks don't like change or they are very slow to change!
With that being said... if everyone would just take the time & effort to "dial in" their CB radios (if they even have one), the communication "on the trail" & during runs would be much better, especially more so than it is now, which at times can be non-existant!
The idea of the leader & the sweep car being on a different radio system sounds practical, as communication between them is vital! However, if they are on a different radio system, they still need to moniter the CB channel.
The GMRS radios are more expensive, though they do work better, especially if you hookup an external antenna. The handheld GMRS radio is limited due to its internal antenna & less power output.
Of course, "by Federal law" they require a license to operate which costs about $85.00. Sure you could buy one of the radios & not buy the license, but I'm sure the Manx Club wouldn't want its members to "break the law"! So a good GMRS radio & a FCC license would set the buyer back at least $300.00!
I have my CB radio "dialed in" & several times, in the desert, in the mountains & in the dunes, folks have used my radio to summon help or give directions, since my radio was the only one that could be heard & it was the only one that could "hear" the person needing assistance.
There's always room for improvement concerning our ability to communicate while "on the trail".
I've found that folks don't like change or they are very slow to change!
With that being said... if everyone would just take the time & effort to "dial in" their CB radios (if they even have one), the communication "on the trail" & during runs would be much better, especially more so than it is now, which at times can be non-existant!
The idea of the leader & the sweep car being on a different radio system sounds practical, as communication between them is vital! However, if they are on a different radio system, they still need to moniter the CB channel.
The GMRS radios are more expensive, though they do work better, especially if you hookup an external antenna. The handheld GMRS radio is limited due to its internal antenna & less power output.
Of course, "by Federal law" they require a license to operate which costs about $85.00. Sure you could buy one of the radios & not buy the license, but I'm sure the Manx Club wouldn't want its members to "break the law"! So a good GMRS radio & a FCC license would set the buyer back at least $300.00!
I have my CB radio "dialed in" & several times, in the desert, in the mountains & in the dunes, folks have used my radio to summon help or give directions, since my radio was the only one that could be heard & it was the only one that could "hear" the person needing assistance.
There's always room for improvement concerning our ability to communicate while "on the trail".
Michael Cates
ManxManiac
#958
Ventura, CA
Original Meyers Manx "Xena"
M1609C8S22
ManxManiac
#958
Ventura, CA
Original Meyers Manx "Xena"
M1609C8S22
RADIO'S CB or VHF????
Probably all CB's use the same PLL (Phase Locked Loop) circuitry, and some CB's have output amps that jump up the power that they can broadcast, but all of that usually can't be "dialed in". What can be adjusted is the Antenna so that the Standing Wave Ratio (or SWR (look it up on Wikipedia) can be minimized. This is a problem with loss of power when the antenna isn't the right length for the wavelength that that one is trying to broadcast on (blah, blah, blah I know). The thing is, that with a fairly inexpensive SWR meter at any of the runs, a person could adjust everyone's antennas to their individual CBs (not the handheld ones) and get them dialed in. Might take some snipping off the base of the antennas, but probably over time everyone's CB would be performing better. I use to do this back in my van run days (70s and 80s) when we would travel down the highway with 30 or 40 vans stretched out for miles. I don't go to Manx runs due to the donut policy, but I could get a SWR meter and bring it to Sinkeyone and see if it would help with this problem of not being dialed in.
Gary Berry
Prosser, WA
1971 Turista
1969 ManxVair
Member #1112
Prosser, WA
1971 Turista
1969 ManxVair
Member #1112
RADIO'S CB or VHF????
Gary,
The other problem that goes along with what you have mentioned is people sometimes buy the wrong CB antenna for their vehicle. That is, they buy an antenna not designed to be operated on a fiberglass vehicle or mounted at the top of a roll cage or bumper. If you have the wrong antenna, no amount of adjusting can make it function well.
While CB radios do not have the same capabilities as GMRS radios, if you have the proper radio/antenna combination that is tuned with an SWR meter as Gary described, they function fairly well. For all of the reasons mentioned above, it's usually best for a novice radio operator (most of us included) to purchase/install their CB radio and antenna at a local truck stop or reputable radio shop.
It's disappointing when experienced buggistas come to a run unprepared. Whether it be the lack of a functioning radio, spare tire, tools or just showing up with a buggy that's not road worthy, it places an undue burden on the rest of the group. Misfortune will find each of us one day, it's just easier to cope with it if you come prepared.
The other problem that goes along with what you have mentioned is people sometimes buy the wrong CB antenna for their vehicle. That is, they buy an antenna not designed to be operated on a fiberglass vehicle or mounted at the top of a roll cage or bumper. If you have the wrong antenna, no amount of adjusting can make it function well.
While CB radios do not have the same capabilities as GMRS radios, if you have the proper radio/antenna combination that is tuned with an SWR meter as Gary described, they function fairly well. For all of the reasons mentioned above, it's usually best for a novice radio operator (most of us included) to purchase/install their CB radio and antenna at a local truck stop or reputable radio shop.
It's disappointing when experienced buggistas come to a run unprepared. Whether it be the lack of a functioning radio, spare tire, tools or just showing up with a buggy that's not road worthy, it places an undue burden on the rest of the group. Misfortune will find each of us one day, it's just easier to cope with it if you come prepared.
Ed