Right, I need you to speak real numpty language please.
What do I need to be able to communicate with others in case of other standard communications not being available.
I am not able at the moment to do any training (HAM radio courses) so would be looking at CB, I guess.
Please give me the basic info to be able to firstly, understand what the hell you are saying, and then to be able to purchase the best possible unit at the cheapest possible price.
CB is good for local stuff, is cheap and easy to set up, I have 4, two hand held units and two vehicle units, total cost for all four was about £500, but the handhelds are about £100 each and come with kit to make them vehicle usable.
They are licence free and you don't need any training courses.
preppingsu wrote:Thanks gnoley.
What is the range on the hand held units?
Not a lot better than the better PMRs, say 5miles with good line of sight, less in populated areas.
Some will say go the Radio Ham route, but the problem you get with that is the lower end stuff there is a lot more traffic on it from the old CBers cluttering the airwaves, at least with CB there is hardly any other users on if you are talking between family members.
preppingsu wrote:Thanks gnoley.
What is the range on the hand held units?
Not a lot better than the better PMRs, say 5miles with good line of sight, less in populated areas.
Some will say go the Radio Ham route, but the problem you get with that is the lower end stuff there is a lot more traffic on it from the old CBers cluttering the airwaves, at least with CB there is hardly any other users on if you are talking between family members.
Just need a mag mount and arial to make it a car mount.
5 miles isn't a lot is it? So to get a greater distance I would need to look at the HAM route?
Could an ariel in the garden get a greater range like a car ariel thingy?
If you go the amateur radio route, you can get on the air with an foundation course which comprises of 2 weekends of classes, and a short multiple choice exam. This is a great introduction for a radio newbie, as it teaches you how to set up your antenna, the radio, how to operate your radio, and a bit about radio etiquette; as well as other subjects like radio waves, propogation etc.
You can use all frequencies if you have this ticket, but you are limited to 10 watts.
The 2 metre VHF band around my area is fairly busy with chatter from what sounds like the old CB lot. The range is slightly better than CB, but it is line of site due to it being in the VHF portion of the radio spectrum. However, as gnole says, CB is pretty quiet these days.
You can get much greater distances on the HF bands (0.1 - 30Mhz) but the equipment is more expensive if you're buying pre built kit.
PMR or CB is the cheapest and easiest way into short range communications. If you need to communicate over longer distances you need to go the amateur radio route.
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail - Benjamin Franklin
I've always been fascinated by this, my dad was a ham. It was always all men though and that put me off trying it. I had a shot of a scanner once up here and in a whole week I got one drainage contractor and the Water Board
diamond lil wrote:I've always been fascinated by this, my dad was a ham. It was always all men though and that put me off trying it. I had a shot of a scanner once up here and in a whole week I got one drainage contractor and the Water Board
I remember my cousin having one, when I was little. He used to be able to pick up the comms from aircraft flying overhead! I wonder if you can still buy them...?
