Just curious who of us are using cb's when exploring baja and what channel do you monitor?bajalou - 6-20-2004 at 05:35 PM
A lot of people on the east coast use Marine VHF - 69 74 25David K - 6-20-2004 at 08:50 PM
While doing our Matomi canyon excursion http://vivabaja.com/204 , most of us had CBs and some used family band radios. The problem with CBs is the skip condition creating so much noise.
We just turn the squelch way up, but when we get too spread out we lose contact with each other.
Sitting on a yacht in the bay?
We monitor VHF Channel 16 during business hours.
Call sign ?DESEA?
Sitting in your Pre-runner?
We monitor 2 meter Channel 151. 625 during business hours
Tio Rocky David K - 6-30-2004 at 11:36 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by jrbaja
Sorry JR, I just now saw this... The family band was better, but not much. While it was quiet (no skip at that frequency), it is 'FM' and that means
'line-of-sight'... Once we were seperated by hills or bends in the canyon we were out of contact.
As long as all vehicles were in visual range, it was fine. However, CB with the squelch turned up to silence the skip and static was as good, in our
situation.
i like GMRS band, it has longer range
capt. mike - 7-1-2004 at 12:38 PM
than the FRS radios.
Good in Baja/ great in LA traffic
thebajarunner - 7-1-2004 at 04:49 PM
We use CB in our annual trek, usually 5 or 6 vehicles. Makes travel real easy in Baja, you can warn about oncoming, or clear roads, etc.
It really is sweet going through the LA basin. Us NorCal boys kinda freak when we hit the 5/405 split.... makes lane changes and decisions much
easier.
Yep, it has limited range, but sure works great for all kinds of 'head-up' situations.
No particular band, if one gets noisy we move up a notch.
(The little two-way radios work great for two vehicles, for mountain hiking, or when you get shuffled in the mobs at a NASCAR event)
Baja Arriba!!
2-meter would be a step up...
bajataco - 7-11-2004 at 11:10 AM
...and is not really a big deal to make the switch.
Yea, I realize for those who are not familiar with it, it sounds like too much of a hassle - too much to learn, too much research.
But it's not that bad. Really. If you can take the time to buy a GPS unit and learn how to use it, you could do the same with a 2-meter VHF radio.
...with friends, and just about all of us had 2-meter (at least) radios, and it makes communications WAAAAY better. It's kind of like the radio
equivalent of going from 2wd to 4wd
They cost considerably more than a CB radio, more like a low to mid-end car stereo unit. A little bit of studying, and take an exam, and you are set.
A nice benefit is that you will learn some things about how radios work and what amateur radio can be used for - kinda like when you learn how GPS
works and what it can be used for. Very cool.
Of course you can still keep your CB radio hooked up. It's good to have one on board so you can still talk to people who use CBs, or relay important
messages to those in the group who might not have 2 meter.
The biggest challenge is getting all of your traveling companions to make the switch. Peer pressure works well Once everyone gets on-board, you all wonder what took you so long!
[Edited on 7-11-2004 by bajataco]whodat54321 - 7-11-2004 at 11:40 AM
or you could do like the old days and just tack on a 50 watt linear amp (afterburner comes to mind) to that cb and not worry about range. Just don't
get caught with it stateside.TMW - 7-13-2004 at 06:58 AM
Talking about radios here is how not to use a ham rig.
JACK GERRITSEN AND THE LONG BEACH BOMB SQUAD
Last month, the FCC issued a $10,000 Notice of Apparent
Liability to Jack Gerritsen for making radio transmissions
without authorization in the two-meter amateur radio band. This
month, one of Gerritsen's radios was reportedly blown up by the
Long Beach Police Bomb Squad after a "suspicious package" was
found at the Long Beach VA Hospital. That package contained
Gerritsen's Yaesu VX-5 and spare battery that he left on the 11th
floor of the hospital. VA Police also confiscated a second radio
and his recorder used to play his now-infamous messages on L.A.
area ham radio repeaters.
Gerritsen has reportedly purchased a replacement radio and
has been heard on local repeaters since the incident saying "I
shall return... with my recordings!" Sources say the VA is
interested in pursuing charges against Gerritsen.
The above adapted from a story by Chris Carmichael -
mailto:chris43@pacbell.net. For more info, see: http://tinyurl.com/28eqd
2 meter
bajalou - 7-13-2004 at 07:22 PM
I have bought 8 2 meter sets (3 handheld and 5 base) units off Ebay in the last year - all Icom's price - $100 to $175 each. All work great. In
addition to the ham 2 meter band they receive the Marine bands and many commercial bands including most that the off road racers use (Weatherman BFG
etc). Not legal to transmit out of freq except in emergency but great to have out in the desert.
Once everyone gets on-board, you all wonder what took you so long!