dravnx
Nomad
Posts: 108
Registered: 10-27-2005
Location: N. Cal.
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CB
Are CB's still being used? What channels? Are Baja travellers using VHF in their cars?
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Most people are using FRS "TalkAbout" radios for traveling....
They cost about $10.00 each
Small and powerful and use very little battery power.
CB's are OUT!!!
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eetdrt88
Senior Nomad
Posts: 986
Registered: 2-20-2005
Location: Az/Ca/Baja
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we had a set of those type of radios...
on a baja trip and not only did they get way less distance than they advertised but one of the radios didnt even last the length of the trip...is
there a certain brand that works better than others?
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
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Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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mine are supposed to be 6 miles. HA! not even 3-4 line of sight. in the mountains they are maybe 1/2 mile at most, but enough to tell the guy
following that the coast is clear to pass that semi....
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
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Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Try these...good for traveling
http://cgi.ebay.com/COBRA-FRS104-2-TWO-2-WAY-RADIOS-WALKIE-T...
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
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that's a big 10-4 good buddy. come back.....
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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How come I ALWAYS talk like that on the radio too???
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
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CBs, FRS, GMRS, etc
I gave up on all of them and just use Marine band units, stationary or travelling. Better power and range for the buck.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
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Location: South of the broder
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Same here MrBillM - marine band units (actually I use 2 meter units on the marine channels - better power than the marine units.)
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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eetdrt88
Senior Nomad
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lou,can you explain for idiots like me
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajalou
Same here MrBillM - marine band units (actually I use 2 meter units on the marine channels - better power than the marine units.)
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what a marine band unit
is???
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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A VHF radio that is set to operate on the frequencies assigned for Marine service is what I was refering to as a "marine band unit". The come in both
hand-held and stationary - usually 12V and are designed to let people on the water comunicate between other boats/ships and shore. If you use one for
any other purposes you have to be very careful not to interfer with others using it in the intended manner.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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Hook
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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I have a stationary VHF unit in my truck
....but I'm not about to raise the antennae while I'm doing 65 on the hwy.
I have had excellent results with the FRS radios on the road, especially since most communications are line-of-site or close to it. they are also
cheap enough to buy 2-4 and give them to others in your "caravan" that are without. VHF radios, even handhelds, are too expensive to expect everyone
to have one. Unless, of course, they are boaters. Most all boaters have a handheld.
I prefer the Motorola FRSs. I think they are superior and can utilize a small earplug/ mic combo. They also seem much closer to their predicted range
than other manufacturers I've used.
Costco often has sets for sale, complete with chargers. Definitely get ones that accept alkaline batteries as well; it's not always easy to keep a
NiMh or NiCad pack charged when you're on the road.
[Edited on 10-28-2005 by Hook]
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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Midland radios------
There are now 5-watt handi-talkies available from Midland that have a 14 mile range, and operate on GMRS/FRS freqs. and two of them can be bought for
about $60 at discount mailorder places----like the "Sportsmans Guide".
You also can get the same radio in 4-watt versions priced at 2 radios for $35 rated at 10 miles ("Sportsman's Guide").
Both radios are realistically good for about "up to 8 miles" under near ideal circumstances, in my experience.
The obvious advantage over CB's is no static noise, and portability. I have been using the 2 watt and 4 watt ones for years and have been really
happy with them. Now I have the 5-watt versions, but there is a problem with them----you have to shift to low power (2 watt) when fairly close to the
other radios----if you leave them on the high power (5-watt) setting they overpower, and are hard to hear each other when within 1/4 mile of each
other. This is a nuisance.
But, I still have my single-side-band CB "on" all the time while on the road, and there is still lots of "traffic".
Another great source of any of these radios at cheap prices is E-bay. Just type in "midland radios" on your search engine and up come dozens of them,
some new and some used.
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