CB Radio vs FRS

[HummerTeam]

Hello all!

This question was posted on another list asking about CB vs FRS radios. I have used both for a long time, and am interested in this groups experiences and opinions. My pro and cons list is below, and I am wondering if there are any I missed?
-------

Steve,

In response to your post about CB vs FRS, I've always found that the CB seems to be the "universal" mode of communication when out on the trail. I don't know about the rest of the country, but here (Southern US), channel 4 is
the recognized channel for 4x4 traffic. I can go to a new area and always find or communicate with others on the trail easily. The CB never runs out
of batteries, and they seem to have a much longer range with a mounted antenna. They definately have more power. Also I consider any emergency situation...I would rather have a CB than my FRS if I REALLY needed lifesaving assistance.

I also own about a dozen of the handheld FRS radios for events, and really enjoy them as well. The FRS radios seem more private, and certainly have more channels. You can put them in your pocket, or clip them to a backpack.

Pros for CB
- Always available, uses vehicle battery
- Longer Range
- Use for other information, highway use, traffic
- Universal, most people offroad already have them
- Channel 4 is well known for 4x4 traffic
- Many CB's come with other features, weather band, etc
- Emergency personel monitor chanel 9 much of the time

Cons for CB
- Limited channels
- Possible profanity
- Higher cost
- Installation required

-----------

Pros for FRS
- Small, portable
- Inexpensive
- More private communications
- No installation

Cons for FRS
- Only .5 watt
- May not work in wilderness areas beyond one mile
- Dependent on batteries
- No antenna option
- Not good for communications in an emergency

I personally would not go without my CB for safety reasons alone. If I am in trouble, I have a better chance of contacting someone/anyone with a CB.

If I am in a small group, and want more private communications, I'll choose to carry the FRS.

My opinion is that a CB should be standard equipment when you go offroad, an FRS is nice to have.

Does anyone know af any hybrid of the two, or something better all together?

All the best,

Travis

Travis Patterson
http://www.HummerTeam.com
http://www.AdventureTeam.com

[HummerTeam]

Hello all!

This question was posted on another list asking about CB vs FRS radios. I have used both for a long time, and am interested in this groups experiences and opinions. My pro and cons list is below, and I am wondering if there are any I missed?
-------

Steve,

In response to your post about CB vs FRS, I've always found that the CB seems to be the "universal" mode of communication when out on the trail. I don't know about the rest of the country, but here (Southern US), channel 4 is
the recognized channel for 4x4 traffic. I can go to a new area and always find or communicate with others on the trail easily. The CB never runs out
of batteries, and they seem to have a much longer range with a mounted antenna. They definately have more power. Also I consider any emergency situation...I would rather have a CB than my FRS if I REALLY needed lifesaving assistance.

I also own about a dozen of the handheld FRS radios for events, and really enjoy them as well. The FRS radios seem more private, and certainly have more channels. You can put them in your pocket, or clip them to a backpack.

Pros for CB
- Always available, uses vehicle battery
- Longer Range
- Use for other information, highway use, traffic
- Universal, most people offroad already have them
- Channel 4 is well known for 4x4 traffic
- Many CB's come with other features, weather band, etc
- Emergency personel monitor chanel 9 much of the time

Cons for CB
- Limited channels
- Possible profanity
- Higher cost
- Installation required

-----------

Pros for FRS
- Small, portable
- Inexpensive
- More private communications
- No installation

Cons for FRS
- Only .5 watt
- May not work in wilderness areas beyond one mile
- Dependent on batteries
- No antenna option
- Not good for communications in an emergency

I personally would not go without my CB for safety reasons alone. If I am in trouble, I have a better chance of contacting someone/anyone with a CB.

If I am in a small group, and want more private communications, I'll choose to carry the FRS.

My opinion is that a CB should be standard equipment when you go offroad, an FRS is nice to have.

Does anyone know af any hybrid of the two, or something better all together?

All the best,

Travis

Travis Patterson
http://www.HummerTeam.com
http://www.AdventureTeam.com

[Big Z]

About as close to a ham radio as you can get in a cb. It am, upper & lower side bands, and WX band. With a little tweek, can get over 200 channels. Just an example, I've talked to others in Alaska, Florida, Texas, some other states, & a few other countrys (with a good skip).

[Arizona Hummerboy]

I have all ways had CB in all my trucks, I have a realistic 40 ch upper & lower side band radio, I have talked to people all over the country with it. Now that I have the H2, I am looking to putting a radio into it, my problem is I dont know were to mount it. I have been looking at smaller radio's , I am also looking into Ham radios, with lower band, they have a longer range then the CB radio.I have talked to a few H1 owners in the Phoenix Area, they are running Ham in there rigs. A friend of mine has a hand held Ham radio, that he is using in his H1, he says it works great because he can get CB ch on it, and he is able to get out of the Hummer and watch what going on when there out off roading, and he still know what going on over the radio.

[HummerTeam]

Arizona,

Any idea on how difficult it is to get a license for a HAM radio? I'm sure there is a fee of some kind involved, but the Ham radios seem to really be the best for serious distance.

Travis Patterson
http://www.HummerTeam.com
http://www.AdventureTeam.com

[Arizona Hummerboy]

I talked to the man at radio shack, he says there is a low band license that you can get,and you don,t have to know all the Ham radio things, the low band license is like a cb license. A friend of mine has a Ham radio, and he told me also about the low band license.

[SJ]

HummerTeam:

I like your list of pros and cons; very helpful. I've only owned CB in the past and I plan to go that route again. The biggest gripe I've heard about FRS is their lack of range/clear signal in heavily forested areas.

Arizona:

Mounting location was a big ??? for me too. I'm now thinking that the area atop the dash and to the far left will work best. There appears to be plenty of room to accommodate most standard width units. The cable can then be run near the front pillar and out to a magnetic roof antenna.

Any other ideas on mounting spots are appreciated.