CB vs GMRS

[Roert42]

If someone wanted to look into it you are supposed to have a license for a CB..

"
Anyone, regardless of age, can operate a CB station – except a foreign government, a representative of a foreign government, a federal government agency or someone who has received an FCC a cease-and-desist order that is still in effect. Anyone who is eligible may operate a CB station for personal or business use, in accordance with the rules.


An individual license is not required to operate a CB station and the FCC does not renew formerly issued CB Radio Service licenses;


The FCC service rules for the Citizens Band Radio Service (CBRS) are located in 47 C.F.R. Part 95. "

From the FCC's Website

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

"
Anyone, regardless of age, can operate a CB station – except a foreign government, a representative of a foreign government, a federal government agency or someone who has received an FCC a cease-and-desist order that is still in effect. Anyone who is eligible may operate a CB station for personal or business use, in accordance with the rules.


An individual license is not required to operate a CB station and the FCC does not renew formerly issued CB Radio Service licenses;


The FCC service rules for the Citizens Band Radio Service (CBRS) are located in 47 C.F.R. Part 95. "

From the FCC's Website

They used to require a license and callsign for CBs, which they gave up on in the 80's because everybody ignored it...

 

[Mike92STX]

Well I guess you looked it up, I got mine back in 78 so it was a rule that nobody followed back then but it's not anymore.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Well I guess you looked it up, I got mine back in 78 so it was a rule that nobody followed back then but it's not anymore.

I heard about it but I did look it up to confirm.

Dad had FM radios when I was growing up, he had mentioned when he was renewing his license that back in the day you were supposed to have a license for CBs but nobody did.

 

[Biggfoot44]

We actually did ( Dad did , I was still 'yute , but it covered the whole family ) back in the day . But yes 90% of users didn't . And even those who did rarely used them ( giving call signs, etc ) . There was a critical mass of " populist freedom of communication " , and handles or nicknames of people you actually knew quickly became the New Normal in mid '70s .

 

[Curious Hound]

On the bright side, my gmrs arrived today. It is already installed in the fun50. Will be a 5 minute job to swap it into the Ranger when i get to the trail ride.. Now I just have to go online and get the license and then read the manual to figure out how to use it.

 

[FJQue]

I installed a new CB in my FJ Cruiser. Went out to meet the local Toy guys for trail riding and though some still had CBs, 80% were using GMRS all tuned to a specific channel of the day. They told me when we stopped for lunch to invest in one, even if only a $25 Beofeng handheld. Which I do own now.
I left the cb in the FJ, monitored the roads for a while, never really picked up a convo. I just sold my 4th TJ Jeep. A lot of Jeep guys will run CBs still because they're cheaper, the guys tend to be more old school and they're cheaper if they get rained on.
All this said, if I did a hard wire install over again, I'd spend the extra bucks on a good GMRS radio. You'll run into more & more people using them. They're awesome for emergencies, I turn mine own during tornado watches, there are older guys for miles around reporting every step of the storm. You'll have way more range in a trail ride, smaller antennae & less finicky tuning.
Since I already hard wired a new CB in, I promised myself I wouldn't buy myself a good radio for my daily driver until I got my HAM license.
If you're still on the fence, get you a cheap CB and a Beofeng 5Vr just to get started in that world. Kinda what I did unintentionally..

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I got the CB working last night, actually caught a little chatter on my way to work.

Hearing guys talk about getting ready for the trail ride it sounds like GMRS is getting pretty popular though.

 

[Curious Hound]

Wish i would have gotten the fun50 set up so i could swap the cb into it easily. Totally forgot about that throughout the past year.

 

[Dirtman]

I was out playing with my radio and made a command decision, gonna install a real radio in the truck and keep the portable in my bag.

Just ordered this guy...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B2DZSTL/?tag=959media-20

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I was out playing with my radio and made a command decision, gonna install a real radio in the truck and keep the portable in my bag.

Just ordered this guy...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B2DZSTL/?tag=959media-20

Keep me posted on the antenna, I would be curious how easily that nub comes off for my camper.

If I do get a different radio it will probably be this one:

Amazon.com: Midland MicroMobile 15W GMRS Two-Way Radio with Integrated Control Microphone: Car Electronics

Amazon.com: Midland MicroMobile 15W GMRS Two-Way Radio with Integrated Control Microphone: Car Electronics

www.amazon.com

 

[Curious Hound]

I was out playing with my radio and made a command decision, gonna install a real radio in the truck and keep the portable in my bag.

Just ordered this guy...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B2DZSTL/?tag=959media-20

Now we know who has the money

 

[Curious Hound]

Keep me posted on the antenna, I would be curious how easily that nub comes off for my camper.

If I do get a different radio it will probably be this one:

Amazon.com: Midland MicroMobile 15W GMRS Two-Way Radio with Integrated Control Microphone: Car Electronics

Amazon.com: Midland MicroMobile 15W GMRS Two-Way Radio with Integrated Control Microphone: Car Electronics

www.amazon.com

Thats the one I got.

 

[Dirtman]

Now we know who has the money

I thought that was fairly inexpensive for a 40 watt radio. My portable was something like $150 and is only 6 watts.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Wish i would have gotten the fun50 set up so i could swap the cb into it easily. Totally forgot about that throughout the past year.

It is going to be kinda cool. @Uncle Gump and I will be able to talk about you with our crude CB's and you won't even know it.