Ham Radios
Ham Radios
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450 Mhz ATV 20 watt amplifier amp ham radio band + more $12.99 |
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Workman 12 Watt, 8 ohm CB/Ham Radio PA, P.A. Horn NEW $18.49 |
CB Radios – Your Best Option?
CB radios emerged in the 70s as a popular method for communicating on America’s roadways. While not as mainstream as they once were, CB radios are still widely used by owners of trucks, jeeps, RVs, cars and motorcycles.
There are a number of alternatives to CB radios which include two-way radios, GMRS radios, HAM radios and business band radios. In order to choose a solution that best fits your needs, it’s important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each available option. CB radios, like all the previously mentioned radio types, have a number of unique advantages and disadvantages that should be evaluated when considering a purchase:
Advantages
No Licensing Fees: Unlike some types of radios, CB radio operators aren’t required to obtain a license from the FCC. This makes CB radios a very convenient choice if you don’t want to hassle with licensing exams and requirements.
Widespread Acceptance: CB radios are the most widely used means of radio vehicle-to-vehicle communication on America’s highways. On virtually all major roadways, you’ll be able to hear activity on Channel 19, the most widely used CB channel. Whether you’d like to obtain traffic information, road condition updates or just strike up a friendly conversation, you’ll be able to on a CB due to the radio’s widespread use.
Cost Effective: It’s possible to purchase a complete CB radio setup (including a radio, antenna and mounting hardware) for well under a $100. On a cost basis, CB radios can match, if not beat, most radio options. Additionally, they are usually permanently installed in a vehicle which provides for additional convenience and professionalism.
Disadvantages
Restricted Range: Due to restrictions by the FCC, all 11 meter CB radios are restricted to 4 watts of transmission power. This usually limits a CB radio’s effective range to eight miles or less, dependent upon terrain and weather conditions. While CB radios are effective for short to intermediate transmission distances, they aren’t well suited for someone with long range communication needs.
Antenna Requirements: As all CB radios transmit with the same 4 watts of power, the antenna is the primary determinant of system performance. Subsequently, CB radios need to make use of large externally mounted antennas to perform well. As these antennas tend to run anywhere from 12 inches to over 5 feet in length, they can be impractical and inconvenient on many vehicles. While short antennas can and are used, they usually produce inadequate radio performance.
Permanent Installation: CB radios generally require a permanent installation due to antenna and performance concerns, and are not a practical choice when a compact and mobile means of communication is required. Handheld CB radios are available, but tend to provide sub-standard performance unless used with a long telescoping or external antenna.
Summary
CB radios are still a widely used means of communication, especially on America’s roadways. While not suited for everyone, they offer an extremely affordable and convenient way to communicate for those who understand the medium’s strengths and limitations.
About the Author
Right Channel Radios specializes in
CB radios and CB antenna
sales. They carry a wide selection of CB products from manufacturers such as Cobra, Galaxy, Wilson, Firestik and K40. Their website hosts a CB Resources Library that contains a number of educational articles covering CB equipment selection, installation and troubleshooting.
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450 Mhz ATV 20 watt amplifier amp ham radio band + more $12.99 |
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Workman 12 Watt, 8 ohm CB/Ham Radio PA, P.A. Horn NEW $18.49 |
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Ham Radio Amateur Antenna Logo Lapel Hat Lapel Pin $5.99 |
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Ham Radio CB Amateur Antenna Logo Cufflinks Cuff Links $12.99 |
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Ham Radio CB Amateur Antenna Logo Pendant Necklace $5.99 |
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Ham Radio CB Amateur Antenna Logo Tie Bar Clip $5.99 |
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Amateur Radio Logo HAM CB Antenna Pendant Necklace $4.99 |
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YAESU FT-1000MP AMATEUR HAM RADIO DATACHART $9.80 |
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Solarcon Antron A-99 CB/Ham Radio Antenna 2000 W. A99 $72.99 |
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KENWOOD LF-30A LOW PASS FILTER 50 OHM 1 KW HAM RADIO $1.05 |
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Galaxy Mic For CB Ham Radio NEW “SAME DAY SHIPPING” $12.95 |
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Vintage Swan 500 SSB Ham Tube Radio/Transceiver $99.99 |
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Galaxy Mic For CB Ham Radio NEW “SAME DAY SHIPPING” $9.95 |
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MIC EXTENSION CORD CB / Ham Radio 4 pin Microphone New $4.70 |
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POWER BASE MIC – Small – for 4 Pin CB / Ham Radio – New $19.50 |
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LOT SET Vintage Ham Radio Books Audels Electric Library $2.99 |
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LOT Vintage Ham Radio Amateur Books Repeaters VHF FCC $2.99 |
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Ham Radio James Millen High Voltage Connectors $20.00 |
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Kenwood receiver ham radio R 599A 599 works # 730248 $69.99 |
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KENWOOD TS- TRANSCEIVER TS- 520 HAM RADIO WORKS GREAT $199.00 |
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Universal MOUNTING BRACKET for CB / Ham Radio – New $5.95 |
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Clear copper 18-FT CB,Ham Radio Coax Cable w/PL259 NEW $24.99 |
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Yaesu VX-1 Dual Band VHF UHF 144 MHz 440 MHz Ham radio $1.00 |
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Covert Acoustic Tube Earphone for Motorola Ham Radio $3.89 |
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NEW-TRONICS HUSTLER HAM RADIO ANTENNA PART ? $9.99 |
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Sticker for hf Ham Radio Transceiver Receiver NEW! $1.95 |
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2 meter ham radio / scanner Copper J-Pole base antenna $24.99 |
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50 Ft. RG-8X Coax Antenna Cable PL-259 Ham Radio Male $14.50 |
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Workman SWR-2T CB/Ham Radio Test Meter SWR2T NEW $14.49 |
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100 Ft RG-8X Coax Antenna Cable PL-259 Ham Radio RG8X $29.95 |
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4-Pin Stock Microphone for Uniden & Cobra CB/Ham Radios $10.99 |
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PAIR OF MOTOROLA VHF FIRE POLICE HAM TWO WAY RADIOS $199.99 |
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Cobra HGS100 External CB/Ham Radio Speaker HG-S100 NEW! $17.99 |
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Kenwood TS-430S HAM Radio TS430S $0.99 |
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50 Ft. RG-8X Coax Antenna Cable PL-259 Ham Radio Male $15.95 |
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COAX Antenna SWITCH 1000 W – CB / Ham Radio Workman CX3 $10.25 |
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LOT of 4 EICO Grid Dip Meter 710 for Ham Radio $24.99 |
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CB Ham Radio External Speaker, Fits Galaxy & Cobra RCI $7.99 |
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Astatic 9 ft Co-Phase Coax cable CB Ham Radio CoPhase $14.99 |
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High Impedance Headphones Crystal Radio MK484 Ham Radio $29.95 |
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CB or Ham Radio Crystal 785 – 41.5000 MHZ (41500 KC) $4.99 |
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CB or Ham Radio Crystal 781 – 48.1000 MHZ (48100 KC) $4.99 |
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Clear 18-FT CB Ham Coax Radio Antenna Cable w/PL259 NEW $17.99 |
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Kenwood IF-232c Interface Ham Radio $69.95 |
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D-Star DV Dongle Ham Radio $99.00 |
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110 VAC Dow Key Ham Radio Tube Transmitter Relay NEW! $85.00 |
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Yaesu FT-101E Ham Radio Transceiver $50.00 |
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Heil Traveler Single Side Mobile Head/Boomset Ham Radio $39.95 |
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Icom 746Pro 100 Watts Ham Radio HF-50 & 144Mhz $950.00 |
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100+ Schematics For Ham Radio Amplifiers in PDF on CD $3.99 |
