CB Radios....how many people have them? and alternatives

[RockingDad]

Evening all,

I have a CB unit in my 4x4 but am thinking about getting a cheap handheld as a backup. I'd like a handheld ham radio but frankly don't have the time and funds to prioritise the unit and license costs.

Are they still in widespread use or am I wasting my time here? Also is channel 9 still used by those that do for emergency monitoring?

I also have the possibility of having a motorola Gp340 radio unit(s). can these be programmed to be back to back or to operate as a ham unit?

Lastly..... is there a british army portable radio worth looking at from a surplus point of view?

All thoughts appreciated.

RockingDad

[northern bloke]

Hi I have 2 but switching them on I thought they were knackered it was so quiet from what I remembered it was like in the past but something inside says hold onto them they may well come back

[12mp82]

I have three mobile units, two for in vehicles and one for a spare, plus a couple of hand held sets for out and about.

Also have a few 446 sets for the hell of it, good for short range chat between houses, tents, etc.

A couple of pairs of field telephones for hard wiring secure comms between houses and out buildings if necessary.

[short circuit]

I have call sign is my name here nice kit there 12MP82

[short circuit]

Rocking Dad not as many as there used to be but thats what makes it ideal for preppers think about it if a few of us on here had them we could monitor 9 also relay to each other via cb as areas build you have a really good network to use for free

[short circuit]

And as 12mp82 said on another thread when other networks i.e. power phone mobile thay power up of 12v solar or batterys or hand jenny 'That reminds me must get hold of an old clansman hand generator' ideal to mode for cb

[metatron]

I have a 4x4 with it in and two handhelds for communicating with people outside the cab when doing winching work. I use it as the airways are dead and no one really cares what you say on them, but most importantly used hardware is very cheap.

There is very little activity here, farmers use PMR radios around here, you sometimes get a little activity in the evening on a channel, its the same two guys every time. What I say to everyone about CB is the same I say to people about PMR radios, its local comms don't expect to have anyone on the other end. When buying, buy cheap and give the other radio to a friend.

[essgee23]

i have never used CB and cant afford initial costs etc.

as you say for alternatives, however, as two way, are these any good?:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Binatone-Terrai ... 195&sr=8-8


more for a small team/partnership. seem to have a good range, good reviews and not bad costs....

[poppypiesdad]

i have never used CB and cant afford initial costs etc.

Check out gumtree and car boots , they arn't so expensive as you imagine (for cb's)

http://www.gumtree.com/search?q=cb+radi ... tegory=all

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksi ... &_from=R40


Jamie

[essgee23]

i have never used CB and cant afford initial costs etc.

Check out gumtree and car boots , they arn't so expensive as you imagine (for cb's)

http://www.gumtree.com/search?q=cb+radi ... tegory=all

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksi ... &_from=R40


Jamie

good idea, just having a look now, is one in Warwickshire - but i have no idea of value or other costs....
edit: and thanks