CB Radio Forums

Anonymous

I know nuffink about CB - Never used it, never seen it. But what uses does it have that may be beneficial to motorhoming and if so, what is the ideal equipment to purchase, the equipment to avoid if any, ranges etc.

bsb2000

I used CB a lot in the early eighties when it first came on the scene, I was driving HGV at the time so it had it's uses. Times change and the last time I listened to one it was full of rubbish. I don't think there's an awfull lot to gain for motorhomers unless you travel with another van and can keep in touch, that being said on a recent trip to France we met up with some friends and just used phones to keep in touch.

Anonymous

Thanks BSB - I can scratch that off my wish list.

dodger148

I moniitor the UK/CEPT CB frequencies occasionally, and there are really only the HGVs on there now.
A few Caravan/Motorhome Groups use them when on rallies (for talk ins)

Just before Ofcom took over from the RA there was a suggestion that CB was to become an unlicenced service, but I guess Ofcom have more on their plate and havnt done it yet

Many of the HGVs did in fact take their Amateur Radio Exams a few years ago to get away from the kids and idiots that ruined CB in this country The HF (Amateur Bands) are getting like CB now along with some of the 2 metre repeaters.

BarryandSue

Not exactly an answer to you, Pusser, but a friend and I use excellent Kenwood handheld transmitters to chat to each other while out on our motorcycles. This may be another option for those friends in separate motorhomes who want to keep in touch while on the road but don't want the 'blah-blah' of CB. Note that the range is only two miles or so at best.

I've also considered getting another unit so Sue and I can use them round campsites/towns, particularly when abroad ("They don't have any of [i:cbe2ac9baa]what-you-want[/i:cbe2ac9baa] on the shelves, dear!" "Well, use your initiative and get me [i:cbe2ac9baa]a-decent-alternative[/i:cbe2ac9baa]!!") Er, there again, maybe I won't...

Barry

Anonymous

Thanks B&S. That would be handy cos I want something so when we travel with my daughter and tribe we can talk to each other without having to use mobiles.

BarryandSue

They're expensive, but beautiful quality - real professional items. Their only problem is 240volt charging of the rechargeable batteries.

If you do get a pair (as I said, very expensive!) let me know and I'll give you plans on how to run them off 12volts.

Barry

Anonymous

The word expensive doesn't sound to good at the moment. It won't be til next year anyway that I get them, but I think I prefer to pay a bit more and get something that is right than cb which sounds as useful as a cat flap in a submarine. Certainly will be back for more info when I get my act together and thanks for the offer of help.

dodger148

You dont have to pay the earth for these, they are available at 30pounds upwards for a pair. The thing is that like CB conversations are not private, but they are a better option for short range conversations and you dont need a licence
If you were on the Amateur Bands (LIcenced) then you could probably justify paying the Yaesu, Icom,Kenwood Prices.
VHF and UHF equipment is very much line of sight signals and the flatter the terrain the better the signal, unless one of you is on a mountain of course

Texas

Like an earlier reply, I was one of only 2 CBrs in Whitely Bay in the early days...when they were illegal, but a lot more powerfull. Along came the government - and their licence fees - and made the pitifully weak models legal, whilst still outlawing the better, more powefull sets. The results was a swamping of the legal air-waves with loads of inane chatter from desperately lonely people - and not a few suspect characters. The government was still 'tracking down' the outlaw sets, making the 'proper' CBs non-viable.

10,10 see you again.

Texas