Re: CB Radio or PRS
 

"Jerry Bransford" <jerrypb@mecox.net> wrote in message
news:PK0ec.6230$Pw1.1167@fed1read05...
> Definitely go with a CB since that is what is most commonly used on the
> trail between Jeepers, especially on organized trail runs. Most clubs
and
> organized trail rides list a CB on the mandatory equipment list.
>
> Jerry
> --
> Jerry Bransford
> To email, remove 'me' from my email address
> N6TAY, PP-ASEL
> See the Geezer Jeep at
> http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/
>

Thanks Jerry. Our club does not list CBs as mandatory equipment, but as
"good to have". I rarely go alone out that far simply because I don't have
a winch to get myself out of trouble. Till that time I will mostly go for
club runs or with buddies. I am leaning towards a CB, but the FRS/PRS are
so small in size comparatively that it would be easy to fit just about
anywhere. Locally, both CBs and PRS are a max 5W power units and can be
had with external antenna.

TW

Re: CB Radio or PRS
 

"Charlie" <nospam@all.com> wrote in message
news:_b1ec.6258$Pw1.3014@fed1read05...
>
> Of those two the CB would probably be better. Generally it will have more
> range that the PRS(FRS here in the US). Also, here at least, I don't
think
> you can use an external antenna with an FRS radio. If you get a CB, get
the
> best antenna you can. A cheap radio and a good antenna is a lot better
than
> a great radio and a cheap antenna.
>
> What Jerry said about the CB for club runs in true. If, however, you are
> going to be out by yourself and want a radio to call help if needed I
would
> suggest you consider getting a HAM license and go that route. With the HF
> radios especially you can talk a lot farther than you usually can with a
> CB. Just a thought.
>
> Remember though. Antenna. GOOD antenna.
>

HAM license..... Thats a touchy subject for me. I have been reading up on
it and it looks very interesting. However, I don't know how practical it
would be to install it in the TJ. I might get a unit and put it in the
basement for personal enjoyment.

We can get external antenna with FRS/PRSs in NZ. One of the local
suppliers is importing units from Australia (www.gme.com.au) and Uniden. I
like Uniden's X150 Pro at this stage. I was worried about lack of metal
roof and what it would do to the reception for a CB. On a TJ, am I better
off installing the antenna in the front (thus all metal hood in close
proximity) or in the back?

Thanks
TW

Re: CB Radio or PRS
 

"Charlie" <nospam@all.com> wrote in message
news:_b1ec.6258$Pw1.3014@fed1read05...
>
> Of those two the CB would probably be better. Generally it will have more
> range that the PRS(FRS here in the US). Also, here at least, I don't
think
> you can use an external antenna with an FRS radio. If you get a CB, get
the
> best antenna you can. A cheap radio and a good antenna is a lot better
than
> a great radio and a cheap antenna.
>
> What Jerry said about the CB for club runs in true. If, however, you are
> going to be out by yourself and want a radio to call help if needed I
would
> suggest you consider getting a HAM license and go that route. With the HF
> radios especially you can talk a lot farther than you usually can with a
> CB. Just a thought.
>
> Remember though. Antenna. GOOD antenna.
>

HAM license..... Thats a touchy subject for me. I have been reading up on
it and it looks very interesting. However, I don't know how practical it
would be to install it in the TJ. I might get a unit and put it in the
basement for personal enjoyment.

We can get external antenna with FRS/PRSs in NZ. One of the local
suppliers is importing units from Australia (www.gme.com.au) and Uniden. I
like Uniden's X150 Pro at this stage. I was worried about lack of metal
roof and what it would do to the reception for a CB. On a TJ, am I better
off installing the antenna in the front (thus all metal hood in close
proximity) or in the back?

Thanks
TW

Re: CB Radio or PRS
 

"Charlie" <nospam@all.com> wrote in message
news:_b1ec.6258$Pw1.3014@fed1read05...
>
> Of those two the CB would probably be better. Generally it will have more
> range that the PRS(FRS here in the US). Also, here at least, I don't
think
> you can use an external antenna with an FRS radio. If you get a CB, get
the
> best antenna you can. A cheap radio and a good antenna is a lot better
than
> a great radio and a cheap antenna.
>
> What Jerry said about the CB for club runs in true. If, however, you are
> going to be out by yourself and want a radio to call help if needed I
would
> suggest you consider getting a HAM license and go that route. With the HF
> radios especially you can talk a lot farther than you usually can with a
> CB. Just a thought.
>
> Remember though. Antenna. GOOD antenna.
>

HAM license..... Thats a touchy subject for me. I have been reading up on
it and it looks very interesting. However, I don't know how practical it
would be to install it in the TJ. I might get a unit and put it in the
basement for personal enjoyment.

We can get external antenna with FRS/PRSs in NZ. One of the local
suppliers is importing units from Australia (www.gme.com.au) and Uniden. I
like Uniden's X150 Pro at this stage. I was worried about lack of metal
roof and what it would do to the reception for a CB. On a TJ, am I better
off installing the antenna in the front (thus all metal hood in close
proximity) or in the back?

Thanks
TW

Re: CB Radio or PRS
 

"Charlie" <nospam@all.com> wrote in message
news:_b1ec.6258$Pw1.3014@fed1read05...
>
> Of those two the CB would probably be better. Generally it will have more
> range that the PRS(FRS here in the US). Also, here at least, I don't
think
> you can use an external antenna with an FRS radio. If you get a CB, get
the
> best antenna you can. A cheap radio and a good antenna is a lot better
than
> a great radio and a cheap antenna.
>
> What Jerry said about the CB for club runs in true. If, however, you are
> going to be out by yourself and want a radio to call help if needed I
would
> suggest you consider getting a HAM license and go that route. With the HF
> radios especially you can talk a lot farther than you usually can with a
> CB. Just a thought.
>
> Remember though. Antenna. GOOD antenna.
>

HAM license..... Thats a touchy subject for me. I have been reading up on
it and it looks very interesting. However, I don't know how practical it
would be to install it in the TJ. I might get a unit and put it in the
basement for personal enjoyment.

We can get external antenna with FRS/PRSs in NZ. One of the local
suppliers is importing units from Australia (www.gme.com.au) and Uniden. I
like Uniden's X150 Pro at this stage. I was worried about lack of metal
roof and what it would do to the reception for a CB. On a TJ, am I better
off installing the antenna in the front (thus all metal hood in close
proximity) or in the back?

Thanks
TW

Re: CB Radio or PRS
 

"twaldron" <thomas@OBVIOUSrubicons.com> wrote in message
news:Wt1ec.14589$w8.11923@newssvr22.news.prodigy.c om...
>
> I get about the same reliable range from my FRS as my CB. The FRS is
> UHF/FM and therefore line of sight, where the HF/AM CB should tend to
> wrap the terrain a little better. I have/use both. I find the FRS to be
> much more of a pleasant communication device to use.
>

Thats what the guy said, PRS/FRSs are clearer because they are UHF. Also
the units are smaller in physical size. But I am still leaning towards a
CB because of AM signal not requiring line of sight for attain maximum
result.

>
> My FRS rigs have mag mount external antennas which help in getting the
> signal out. You CAN use an external antenna, it just has to be factory
> attached and non-removeable so you can't boost your signal by futzing
> with the antenna gain. Why this band is so restricted, antenna-wise,
> with such a low wattage is beyond me.
>

In NZ, PRS/FRSs can be had with external antennas which can be mounted
anywhere on the rig. There is no restriction as such.

TW

Re: CB Radio or PRS
 

"twaldron" <thomas@OBVIOUSrubicons.com> wrote in message
news:Wt1ec.14589$w8.11923@newssvr22.news.prodigy.c om...
>
> I get about the same reliable range from my FRS as my CB. The FRS is
> UHF/FM and therefore line of sight, where the HF/AM CB should tend to
> wrap the terrain a little better. I have/use both. I find the FRS to be
> much more of a pleasant communication device to use.
>

Thats what the guy said, PRS/FRSs are clearer because they are UHF. Also
the units are smaller in physical size. But I am still leaning towards a
CB because of AM signal not requiring line of sight for attain maximum
result.

>
> My FRS rigs have mag mount external antennas which help in getting the
> signal out. You CAN use an external antenna, it just has to be factory
> attached and non-removeable so you can't boost your signal by futzing
> with the antenna gain. Why this band is so restricted, antenna-wise,
> with such a low wattage is beyond me.
>

In NZ, PRS/FRSs can be had with external antennas which can be mounted
anywhere on the rig. There is no restriction as such.

TW

Re: CB Radio or PRS
 

"twaldron" <thomas@OBVIOUSrubicons.com> wrote in message
news:Wt1ec.14589$w8.11923@newssvr22.news.prodigy.c om...
>
> I get about the same reliable range from my FRS as my CB. The FRS is
> UHF/FM and therefore line of sight, where the HF/AM CB should tend to
> wrap the terrain a little better. I have/use both. I find the FRS to be
> much more of a pleasant communication device to use.
>

Thats what the guy said, PRS/FRSs are clearer because they are UHF. Also
the units are smaller in physical size. But I am still leaning towards a
CB because of AM signal not requiring line of sight for attain maximum
result.

>
> My FRS rigs have mag mount external antennas which help in getting the
> signal out. You CAN use an external antenna, it just has to be factory
> attached and non-removeable so you can't boost your signal by futzing
> with the antenna gain. Why this band is so restricted, antenna-wise,
> with such a low wattage is beyond me.
>

In NZ, PRS/FRSs can be had with external antennas which can be mounted
anywhere on the rig. There is no restriction as such.

TW

Re: CB Radio or PRS
 

"twaldron" <thomas@OBVIOUSrubicons.com> wrote in message
news:Wt1ec.14589$w8.11923@newssvr22.news.prodigy.c om...
>
> I get about the same reliable range from my FRS as my CB. The FRS is
> UHF/FM and therefore line of sight, where the HF/AM CB should tend to
> wrap the terrain a little better. I have/use both. I find the FRS to be
> much more of a pleasant communication device to use.
>

Thats what the guy said, PRS/FRSs are clearer because they are UHF. Also
the units are smaller in physical size. But I am still leaning towards a
CB because of AM signal not requiring line of sight for attain maximum
result.

>
> My FRS rigs have mag mount external antennas which help in getting the
> signal out. You CAN use an external antenna, it just has to be factory
> attached and non-removeable so you can't boost your signal by futzing
> with the antenna gain. Why this band is so restricted, antenna-wise,
> with such a low wattage is beyond me.
>

In NZ, PRS/FRSs can be had with external antennas which can be mounted
anywhere on the rig. There is no restriction as such.

TW

Re: CB Radio or PRS
 

On Sun, 11 Apr 2004 17:21:17 +1200, "TW" <a t t w @ w a v e . c o . n
z> wrote:

> I was worried about lack of metal
>roof and what it would do to the reception for a CB. On a TJ, am I better
>off installing the antenna in the front (thus all metal hood in close
>proximity) or in the back?
>

I'm running a CB(Radio Shack's cheapest, thank you<g>) with a K-40
"trunk lip" style mount base load antenna.
It's in a YJ, and the antenna is mounted to an extra piece of metal
strap that has been added to the spare tire travel stop on the right
rear of the tub.
I use the radio to listen/talk to truckers on my 90 minute commute
every day. I find the *useable* range with this setup to be around 4
miles. I can hear further than that, but it won't make the trip back
unless the atmosphere is pretty quiet.
I've got a pair of handheld FRS radios in the console for use out in
the woods went we're looking for Geocache's, and a cell phone too.
Wonder what they ever did before the age of electronics!

Oh, yeah, I always carry matches in my emergency kit... I guess I
could use smoke signals, too, if I had to.
--
Old Crow
'82 Shovelhead FLT 92" 'Pearl'
'95 Jeep YJ Rio Grande
ASE Certified Master Auto Tech + L1
TOMKAT, BS#133, SENS, MAMBM, DOF#51