CB Radio Recommendations

[campfire joe]

Originally Posted by HSVBamaBob

Or you can use a FRS - slightly more private that the CB channels

Okay bamabob, whats a FRS.

[Capt. Mike]

[QUOTE=HSVBamaBob;697985]I am sorta MEH on not only the Garmin but our Sirus traffic updates in the truck.

I agree a handheld CB is the best solution for what the OP is looking for.

Regarding traffic - well there's a app for that

Check our Waze for the iphone/Pad droid - social media meets GPS

Back to GPS...I am eyeing the Rand McNally RV GPS because it has a databas of low bridges (a encounter we had on the way to Goshen and I do NOT want to repeat!)[/QUOTE]

Bob, I just bought the Rand McNally RV GPS (7735, the newest one, from Camping World, with the Good Sam brand on the front.) I really like it, and it is easy to use, once you get used to it...I've used a Garmin for so long, and this takes a bit of getting used to. Setting it up with specifics for your 5er (height, length, weight, etc.) is easy, and it has a feature that lets you switch from "towing" to "not towing" or "car" mode, which shuts off all the low bridge, weight restriction, tunnel warnings.

The only thing I DON'T like about it is the screen is very hard to see in bright sunshine conditions. If you get one - and I plan on keeping this one - get some kind of a visor/sunshade for it. Even a cheapie $6 one from Amazon.com helps.

Sorry for the thread highjack...we now return you to the OP's original discussion of CB radios.....

[Kaadk]

Originally Posted by campfire joe

Okay bamabob, whats a FRS.

Family Radio Service

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Radio_Service

It's sort of the modern take on CBs. They're walkie-talkie style radios that share a public band with a couple of more restrictions than CB.

1) they can't use more than 1/2 a watt of power compared to cb's 4 or 12 watts.
2) they can't have a detachable antenna, so they can't be sent through an amplifier to get more power

This limits most of them to only having a range of a mile or so. Fine for keeping in touch in campgrounds or convoys. But not so good for "what's up ahead" in traffic.








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[campfire joe]

Originally Posted by Kaadk

Family Radio Service

Family Radio Service - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It's sort of the modern take on CBs. They're walkie-talkie style radios that share a public band with a couple of more restrictions than CB.

1) they can't use more than 1/2 a watt of power compared to cb's 4 or 12 watts.
2) they can't have a detachable antenna, so they can't be sent through an amplifier to get more power

This limits most of them to only having a range of a mile or so. Fine for keeping in touch in campgrounds or convoys. But not so good for "what's up ahead" in traffic.








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Thanks Kaadt, never heard of it before.

[B D HOWie]

We carry a pair of these. Good for backing into the campsite for communication between driver and spotter. No yelling.


Paul
Big Dog House On Wheels
2013 Coachmen Freelander 28QB
on 2012 Chevrolet 4500
Using FR app

[chuckw5kav]

Originally Posted by Steelframer

BTW. I have been considering jumping on the HAM bandwagon but know absolutely 0, nada, nothing, about how, what where to get started. We have no clubs around me and the internet sites are very confusing.
So if anyone could lead me in the right direction I would really appreciate it.
What is a good start up set up that won't break the bank.
Thanks all.


TT-2015 Cherokee 274dbh TV-2010 Jeep Commander Limited

try this Getting Licensed

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by campfire joe

Okay bamabob, whats a FRS.

OOPS missed this thread for a couple of days

FRS is Family Radio Service you can buy them in pairs or in some cases in a set of 4.

And they work when there is no cell signal

[BamaBob]

[QUOTE=Capt. Mike;698129]

Originally Posted by HSVBamaBob

I am sorta MEH on not only the Garmin but our Sirus traffic updates in the truck.

I agree a handheld CB is the best solution for what the OP is looking for.

Regarding traffic - well there's a app for that

Check our Waze for the iphone/Pad droid - social media meets GPS

Back to GPS...I am eyeing the Rand McNally RV GPS because it has a databas of low bridges (a encounter we had on the way to Goshen and I do NOT want to repeat!)[/QUOTE]

Bob, I just bought the Rand McNally RV GPS (7735, the newest one, from Camping World, with the Good Sam brand on the front.) I really like it, and it is easy to use, once you get used to it...I've used a Garmin for so long, and this takes a bit of getting used to. Setting it up with specifics for your 5er (height, length, weight, etc.) is easy, and it has a feature that lets you switch from "towing" to "not towing" or "car" mode, which shuts off all the low bridge, weight restriction, tunnel warnings.

The only thing I DON'T like about it is the screen is very hard to see in bright sunshine conditions. If you get one - and I plan on keeping this one - get some kind of a visor/sunshade for it. Even a cheapie $6 one from Amazon.com helps.

Sorry for the thread highjack...we now return you to the OP's original discussion of CB radios.....

Re-Hijacking

One of the folks at Goshen had one mounted in his truck and it had a 3 sided shade on it. He said he got it when he bought his unit at CW

De-Hijacking

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by B D HOWie

We carry a pair of these. Good for backing into the campsite for communication between driver and spotter. No yelling.

X2! We use either our Cell Phones or our FRS AND when 6 Actual is spotting for me she has her headphones plugged in and I am in the truck on Bluetooth with the windows rolled up -

completely eliminates "helpful" campers offering advice

[Geri]

There is also an RV rag chew net on 40 mtrs, I think on Wedns at 9 eastern with all sorts of RV specific radio skills
geri N4GHI

[BooBoo23]

There are a number of RV travel nets on amateur radio. Most on 40M. Eastcars, Southcars, Midcars, Good Sam nets, Wally Byam nets (airstream) and many more.
The "Cars" nets usually run all day long with net control changing every hour to get better coverage. They are somewhat location specific.