1979 called, they want their communication device back

Stoopid Jeep

Stoopid Jeep

YJ Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 25, 2021
Messages
343
Location
North Idaho
So, all the hillbillies I hang out with still run CBs, apparently we are in the shrinking minority.
I recently went on an organized run and everybody was running GMRS radios, so my old CB was rendered obsolete. I have never used anything but a CB so I was a little surprised. GMRS requires an FCC license which I don't have and never had a reason to obtain. I don't know how many people bother to get a license, but it's a $30,000 fine to operate without one. Anyway, I was without communication, which wasn't the end of the world, but kinda sucked.
Today I registered with the FCC, obtained an FRN number, and applied for a Call sign. I also picked up a decent pair of GMRS handheld radios.
Next time I go on a run, I'll be "in the loop".

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SirDoopYJ said:
Yeah I understand. I was just curious why they would use GMRS over CB. I never heard of GMRS before.
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Apparently it has better range and clearer sound.
Most importantly has "privacy settings" that filter out chatter from people who are not in the group , and are using the same channel.
Not sure on much more than that, I first heard about them on Sunday...I bought a pair of radios and applied for my license yesterday. It's all pretty new to me.
 
jdn40 said:
so if you have the GMRS I'm assuming you cant talk to a CB and vice versa
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I have GMRS and I can talk to CB's because I have one of those too.
but you are correct, GMRS radios won't communicate with CB's and vice-versa.
cbs talk to cbs and gmrs talk to gmrs, ham radios can talk to everyone.
 
SirDoopYJ said:
Yeah I understand. I was just curious why they would use GMRS over CB. I never heard of GMRS before.
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Smaller, less bulky equipment and antennas, FM vs AM signal so much nicer to listen to and understand, 50watts vs 4 watts of power in some circumstances. GMRS also interoperates wtih FRS radios so those with bubble pack radios from WALMART can still communicate. Also ability to access repeaters which can greatly expand range. I can have a clear conversation with someone in Greenville from the east side of Dallas. That's about 40ish miles as the crow flies.
 
jdn40 said:
so if you have the GMRS I'm assuming you cant talk to a CB and vice versa
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Correct. CB is really in the "HF" or "High Freqency" area, if the conditions are right you can talk 1000+ miles with CB but that's not a common thing that the average consumer is going to be doing. GMRS is the UHF or "Ultra High Frequency" Aussie "CB" is very similar to GMRS but with a different name.
 
Stoopid Jeep said:
Apparently it has better range and clearer sound.
Most importantly has "privacy settings" that filter out chatter from people who are not in the group , and are using the same channel.
Not sure on much more than that, I first heard about them on Sunday...I bought a pair of radios and applied for my license yesterday. It's all pretty new to me.
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The "privacy" settings are BS. Yes you can use them to filter out static and those you don't want to listen to but it's not private by any means. This is accomplished using something called CTCSS or DCS tones. These are subaudible tones or digital codes the recieving radio listens for to open the squelch. This can make it to where you are not constantly fiddling with a squelch knob to get maximum listening range and not having static bust in allt he time.
 
Stoopid Jeep said:
I have GMRS and I can talk to CB's because I have one of those too.
but you are correct, GMRS radios won't communicate with CB's and vice-versa.
cbs talk to cbs and gmrs talk to gmrs, ham radios can talk to everyone.
Click to expand...
Sorta. You're not supposed to use a HAM radio that's certified as HAM radio to transmitt on non HAM frequencies unless you are using your radio for emergency operations. But it's largely ignored.
 
so if you are with a group you want everyone to have a CB or GNRS , understood . But if you are out driving around its hit or miss on the road . I'm a truck driver and most are using CB . i want to put something in my YJ but am torn . I don't run with a " Jeep " crowd . just want the most used . opinions ?
 
jdn40 said:
so if you are with a group you want everyone to have a CB or GNRS , understood . But if you are out driving around its hit or miss on the road . I'm a truck driver and most are using CB . i want to put something in my YJ but am torn . I don't run with a " Jeep " crowd . just want the most used . opinions ?
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If you want to talk to people off-road at this point GMRS will probably be the most used in the majority of areas now. If you want to talk to your fellow truckers when in the YJ then CB. Or you can do both. It's not a ton of extra space needed the hardest part will be running 2 COAX lines and the associated antennas and mounts. You can find CB antennas with an NMO base which is probably the most common antenna mounting base for HAM and GMRS radios. My XJ is setup for GMRS, HAM, CB and APRS. By other Jeeps are all GMRS only.
 
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