CB's

[Dick Renaud]

You got it. And to legally possess a modified ham radio you must have a technician class license and be also licensed member of a MARS group (Military Affiliated Radio Service) anone can join a MARS group (ARMY, Navy or Air Force)if they are licensed Hams. The only time you could legally operate such a modified radio on CB, GMRS, FRS or MURS would be in an emergency. As a side note, if you modify the radio without contacting the manufacturer to get the mod instructions and giving them your MARS license info the warranty is voided.
I am a Licensed Ham and I am joining a MARS group so I can legally possess a modified radio (ICOM-7000) so I have the broad capability in an emergency.

[ree]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Dick Renaud:
You got it. And to legally possess a modified ham radio you must have a technician class license and be also licensed member of a MARS group (Military Affiliated Radio Service) anone can join a MARS group (ARMY, Navy or Air Force)if they are licensed Hams. The only time you could legally operate such a modified radio on CB, GMRS, FRS or MURS would be in an emergency. As a side note, if you modify the radio without contacting the manufacturer to get the mod instructions and giving them your MARS license info the warranty is voided.
I am a Licensed Ham and I am joining a MARS group so I can legally possess a modified radio (ICOM-7000) so I have the broad capability in an emergency. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yikes. Sounds like the best approach for a lightweight user is to just get individual CB, GMRS/FRS radios and if MURS is viable in the area a MURS radio as well. Cables cables everywhere.

[Dick Renaud]

It is not easy or cheap. The Tech class license is the easy part. Buy a book, study for a week or two and pay $14 and take an easy multiple choice test. The Mars deal requires taking ecom training and participating in a minimum amout of MARS functions handling ecom traffice etc. The radio setup I have for mobil in my H2 consists of the radio, tuner for the HF, a VHF/UHF ant on the roof and an 8' whip with ball and spring (old CB style) mounted on the drivers side rear quarter panel, cost about $2500. (including grounding, extra rear mounted battery etc)
It works great and in an emergency can transmit at up to 100 watts on HF (and CB) and 50 watts on VHF/UHF (Hummer freqs, GMRS, FRS and MURS).
It is worth it to me because I participate in may ecom functions local and national.
I also travel alot and want every capability I can get in an emergency. It called life insurance.

Your right, the easy solution is get the different radios. You can use a duplexer or triplexor to combine some of the radios to one antenna. All the VHF/UHF can be combined to a small (16') rubber antenna on the roof. The best CB is still the old full length whip and ball/spring which can be tied down with a gutter clip. Or use the firestick mount in an earlier post.