GEN 2 CB install

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MnFlyer

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Question I've never found a certain answer to: is there a single radio out there that supports both amateur and CB bands? Pretty sure the answer is no due to fundamental incompatibility.
I was wondering the same thing. Near as I can tell the FCC regulates certain frequency bands, ie CB, MURS, FRS etc to certain power outputs usually .5, 2 and 5 watts or so (might be a 10 watts in there somewhere) amongst other things. The transmitters are certified by the FCC as well. So getting the FCC to certify an “all in one” transmitter is akin to turning gold into lead.

The you get into what kind of antenna do you need for each band and my head gets all swimmy and I end up in the corner sucking my thumb.


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bryanb

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Question I've never found a certain answer to: is there a single radio out there that supports both amateur and CB bands? Pretty sure the answer is no due to fundamental incompatibility.

For mobile applications the answer is probably "no" if you are referring to VHF amateur bands. The antenna and modulation requirements are different enough that you'd end up with two different radios inside the "single" radio using two antennas so why bother. You'll notice that a CB antenna is pretty long owing to operation on the 11 m band (HF, aka shortwave, AM and sometimes SSB). The amateur bands you are most likely referring to are VHF using frequency modulation which is perfect for mobile and handheld devices because the antenna can be short.

If you are referring to the shortwave (HF) amateur bands then the issue becomes a legal one even though the technical issues get much simpler. The FCC has rules against operating HF amateur radio gear on CB frequencies, though this is technically possible without the limitations mentioned above for VHF. But you're not supposed to do that and some amateur gear is programmed not to allow it. The primary reason for this limitation is that HF HAM gear can transmit at much higher power, generally speaking, than the unlicensed CB limit.

If you only need to receive, then absolutely there are radios that will do everything from kHz to low GHz, AM, FM, SSB, etc., but you'll still have to use different antennas if you're talking CB and VHF/UHF.
 
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Christian Johanneson

Christian Johanneson

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This is what I ended up doing. I’ve got a headache rack so mounted the antenna on there, but had to go on the passenger side cuz I was getting real bad SWR’s on the driver’s side. I only need the CB for tractors at the ranch and off road convoy so I didn’t chase a powerful setup. My required reach is a half mile tops, but testing it, it reaches about 2 miles.

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That is an interesting install location. How often do you use it?


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Rmax150

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Christian, I don’t use it too often, but when I do, I just keep the mic in the cup holder or in my hand which is why I kept the stock Uniden mic; it’s really small and light. I use the PA more often to yell at not very smart people lol.

I had two stipulations when doing my CB setup. 1) I didn’t want to take up any useable real estate (i.e. middle storage console, console in front of the shifter, etc). 2) I didn’t want to spend any money since my use is limited. That meant I wanted it to be in a place I could hear (no external speaker) and didn’t need anything else than what I already had. I spent $18 on a SWR meter and that’s it. I might end up getting a cap for the antenna mount and keep it under the seat till I need it.

The setup definitely suits my needs (for now at least).
 

MEIRONMAN207

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I have the same issue now...I had a nice rig in my FX4 before for running forest roads in northern ME (Cobra 29 and a big Mag mount whip) then for my Beast and expedition adventures, I set up a amateur rig, (ICOM ID5100A and a Diamond dual ant on my canoe rack) works great. So, now I’m torn between adding the Cobra rig to the Beast or just getting a handheld CB for the forest road runs and save me the trouble of installing a second rig...Bingo
 

SS308

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I have the same issue now...I had a nice rig in my FX4 before for running forest roads in northern ME (Cobra 29 and a big Mag mount whip) then for my Beast and expedition adventures, I set up a amateur rig, (ICOM ID5100A and a Diamond dual ant on my canoe rack) works great. So, now I’m torn between adding the Cobra rig to the Beast or just getting a handheld CB for the forest road runs and save me the trouble of installing a second rig...Bingo


I already have a ham radio installed but, I've run across people who only use CBs. So I'm thinking of installing a CB unit in mine as well.
 
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