To CB or not to CB?

Submitted: Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 14:16

ThreadID: 54667 Views:2581 Replies:6 FollowUps:12

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Member - jjt98 (QLD)

Hi, Had a mounted CB in my last vehicle but am just pondering whether to do the same in my new vehicle or by a quality hand held. Used hand helds before but not for travel. Am traveling with friends that have a mounted CB.

Any advise would be great
Cheers
Jason

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Reply By: stefan P (Penrith NSW) - Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 14:34

Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 14:34

I have been informed that for range, you still want a mounted unit with a quality antenna.

Last I looked a good 5watt handheld was not cheap either. I guess get the one which will suit your long term needs

Cheers Stefan

AnswerID: 287944

Follow Up By: The Explorer - Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 14:49

Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 14:49

Hello - What about a handheld UHF with external mounted antenna for in car use and normal antenna for when out walking?

Cheers
Greg

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FollowupID: 553224

Follow Up By: stefan P (Penrith NSW) - Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 14:55

Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 14:55

what he said!!! lol

FollowupID: 553225

Follow Up By: Member - Fred G (NSW) - Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 15:12

Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 15:12

I have three hand held 5w units as well as the in car. Great when in convoy for vehicle to vehicle and also when going for a wander around on foot, for staying in touch with each other/base camp etc. Gives you a bit of flexibility, but I still would not be without the in car unit. We use them at our bush camp. Consider also they are a cheap form of backup or extra comms.
Fred.

FollowupID: 553230

Follow Up By: Member - jjt98 (QLD) - Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 16:03

Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 16:03

Thanks for the replies. Might do the mounted CB first & look at the hand held later :-)
Cheers
Jason

FollowupID: 553244

Reply By: DIO - Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 14:50

Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 14:50

I use a GME TX6200 hand held. It is a full 5watt unit and when attached to an external aerial (I use a magna base 6 db Ground Independant) mounted on the roof in about the centre. As good as a console/mounted unit, plenty of range plus added flexibility of being able to carry it with you as required. Check this Link for some additional info, price etc.

AnswerID: 287947

Follow Up By: Member - jjt98 (QLD) - Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 16:04

Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 16:04

Thanks fro the link DIO - will check it out.
Cheers
Jason

FollowupID: 553245

Reply By: Patrolman Pat - Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 15:12

Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 15:12

I'd get both. A basic 5W unit in the car and a cheaper 2W handheld for those other occasions. I use the hand held for guiding mates on tracks, backing the trailer into tight spots and keeping an ear on the kids around camp etc. In fact my 1W units do all that and were very cheap from Dick Smiths and the like.

AnswerID: 287950

Follow Up By: Member - jjt98 (QLD) - Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 16:06

Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 16:06

Thanks Patrolman - Sounds like a good option. Will start with the mounted unit & look at the hand held before the trip.
Cheers
Jason

FollowupID: 553246

Follow Up By: pt_nomad - Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 18:06

Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 18:06

I rekon Patrolman Pat in on the money. Even if you just gor the mounted unit and cheapie hand held is very important on the harder trips.
Paul

FollowupID: 553270

Follow Up By: Member - Michael O (NSW) - Monday, Feb 18, 2008 at 20:59

Monday, Feb 18, 2008 at 20:59

What he said...

Only thing is, the handhelds are savage on batteries. Carry a large box of spares.

Great for guiding down steep tracks, or when travelling with guys who don't have a radio...

FollowupID: 553483

Reply By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 16:17

Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 16:17

I use both HH and in-car - our GME HH 6200 5 watter does nicely in convoys - for longer reaching, suggest in car with decent antenna is always better. The GME is around $400 with a slow charger (sometimes on special, with fast a charger and cradle thrown in).

AnswerID: 287959

Follow Up By: Member - jjt98 (QLD) - Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 16:46

Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 16:46

Thanks Darian - I guess there is no harm in having both
Cheers
Jason

FollowupID: 553251

Follow Up By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 21:03

Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 21:03

I should have mentioned - one type of UHF is enough for most people - but being into 'camping toys', I justified my HH on the basis of safety - comes in handy for comms back to the car when only one of us is out walking in the scrub.

FollowupID: 553293

Reply By: fozzy - Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 19:51

Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 19:51

Jason
i have found that the cb is in very limited use these days and most people have a uhf system fitted.
having said that if all of your friends and vehicles are using the cb then certainly use that for convoy communications.
i would certainly reccomend some form of uhf communication whether it be in car or handheld especially around the common 4wd areas and the outback.
cheers
fozzy

AnswerID: 288001

Follow Up By: Member - jjt98 (QLD) - Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 22:01

Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 22:01

Thanks Fozzy

FollowupID: 553310

Reply By: Member - Vince B (NSW) - Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 21:29

Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at 21:29

Hi Jason.
I have both units.I find that the hand held unit is great for the wife to use when I back the camper up my steep drive way.
Also comes in handy on trips when you explore bush tracks & send the wife out into the wilderness!!.
Reghards.
Vince

AnswerID: 288031