Not if you can't hit the repeater. I was on more than one call where you could not talk to a guy you were looking at. I saw a Chief get so frustrated he threw 2 different radios as far as he could. After we cleared the incident he sent a memo to his companies stating if we lost a man for lack of communication, he would be the first with a class action suit against the city.

The real problem was with how the contract specs were written and the fact the city would not go to bat to make the contractor come back and put repeaters where there were dead spots. They actually were pretty good otherwise. I was just being a smart guy after dealing with this issue for a couple years. I am still teed off the city would put us at risk like that and not follow up with a contractor. They should have taken them to court, IMHO.

 

we have used cb's for years with no problem. also if they are set up right they will reach very good distances we talk frequently for 30miles and that is not uncommon back in the 70's 80's a friend had a base unit that he could talk to another guy who lived almost 60 miles away!!!!!

 

The 2-way radios used in BC and Alberta that you should be looking for are FM VHF (150-174 Mhz) radios. I believe they do require a license. They are available with up to 50 watt transmit power, and a good one will cost in the $400-$600 range. There are common frequencies used on logging roads, as well as frequencies licensed to companies that you would need their permission to use (usually not a problem if you are working on their roads, as it is much safer). They should be available at any good communications shop.

 

Now, that makes sense.

 

First: I made no assumptions. I took your statement at face value. It indicated extreme bias and a lack of understanding.

Second: I read exactly what you wrote. You did not state that a CB was a two-way radio. The only diatribe was launched by you.

Third: Bumper mounted on a pickup? The worst possible place to mount an antenna. Performance from that position would be less than ideal. Heres a thought, why not place the antenna in an ideal position and then give it a shot. By your argument any antenna in a CB installation is garbage. You do not know half what you think you do. By the way, I have never installed a single antenna on the sheet metal in my applications. If you'll give me second I'll get my hip boots and wade through the rest of this.

Fourth: In a CB installation you are matching the antenna to the ground plane - period. There are powered meters that enable you to match the antenna without a transceiver even being present. Transceivers are interchangeable. I have done it too many times and detected no change on my meter.

By the way: Any antenna can be defective or of low quality and not perform as one might expect. Dummy loads? Stick to the subject. Had you ever matched a quality antenna like a Wilson to a good ground plane in a preferred mounting position, you would have found that it is easily possible to obtain a 1.1 to 1.1 or 1.2 with the center of the band at 1.0. Performance will be outstanding. I have done it too many times with both single and dual Wilson's.

Fifth: I made no mention of my "Daddy"! Rather, I referred to a statement by my father that in concept has direct application here. I suggest you read for understanding this time. If you buy a cheap poorly made antenna and pair it with an expensive high quality radio, performance will be disappointing. The antenna like a stereo's speakers is the gross limiting factor. However, If you buy a quality antenna like the Wilson, it can be paired with a $50 Radio Shack transceiver and performance will be very good. I have matched this combination many times for guys and they are shocked at how much better their radio works. They have usually come to me because their radio is junk and does not get out. So they want a much better radio without addressing the antenna. Everytime I have been able to convince them to purchase a high quality antenna and allow me to match it, they have kept the old radio.

What I read about the military also has direct application here. You condemned CB as not being a form of two-way communication. If the frequencies used for CB were previously used by the U.S. Military for two-way communication, then why is it not considered two-way communication when we use the same frequencies for the same purpose today?

Six: I did not miss the point. However, it is clear you have never seen a linear either. A linear is not a complex device. If this person is indeed a rookie and incapable of properly installing a CB, then the installation would be left to a knowledgeable person. 'IF' a linear was legal for his installation, then that person would also accomplish it's installation. In fact a linear is so simple a device that an average person could routinely use a CB and have no idea they were using one. It's rather like when one goes to a muffler shop for a new muffler. Maybe they don't own a lift, an air compressor, a pipe bender, a welder and the necessary expertise to use them. However, when they leave there they will have a fully functional exhaust system. They will use it daily and will remain totally incapable of installing it.

Seven: Again read for understanding. I said "IF" they were legal. U.S. and Canadian Law tend to parallel one another. The question was by no means a nonstarter. All possibilities should be presented for his analysis. Remember I was addressing him not you.

Eight: Effective communication in any area is dependant on several factors. In a rural area one of the most important factors will indeed be the number of people on a given type of radio and frequency. If you will recall he was worried about emergency assistance in remote areas. He has no way of knowing when and where he may have a serious accident. Therefore, the last thing he wants is the best radio known to man that has only one guy in the nearest town on that radio's frequency who only uses his radio on Sunday evenings. He needs to be on the frequency or frequencies the majority of people in the region use, regardless of radio type.

Further, what is the likelyhood a small rural area would have the resources for a highly developed repeater system. Since, if he finds himself on the wrong side of the mountain with respect to the repeater his radio would be useless. Further, would it even make sense to create a repeater network in 1,000 square miles of mountainous forest just in case one individual might need help 60 miles in?

It is called Citizen's Band for a reason. It provides low cost short range two-way radio communication for any intersted citizen without licensing. Putting CB's on repeaters would defeat it's purpose. CB power must be limited because it operates on frequencies that will cause interference with other commonly used frequencies. This is why there are different classes of radio communication.

Nine: Do not make assumptions. What I choose to call myself in no way relates to my location.

Did I not state that my radio(s) had been 'Peeked' and 'Tweeked'. If you knew anything about CB that alone tells you that it has been tuned for greater power. Wouldn't common sense tell you that I have read the documentation that came with all of my radios and that I am fully aware of the power limitations in my location? You are attempting to make points where there are none to be had.

Ten: CB does have problems with some users but that is true of many things, like the highways or guys that adjust their engines so they can bury other drivers in thick black carcinogenic smoke. I really can't see it. I just can't see why you did not simply perform a little aquaeous bipedal locomotion and spare the rest of us all of this hogwash.

 

wow..... enough said.....

 

getting my popcorn.....