forgive me....any advice appreciated

[lking]

First of all, please forgive my cb ignorance, but I'm looking for any and all suggestions.

Presently, I have Midland 2-way GMRS radios, (5 watt) with a labeled distance of 14 miles under ideal conditions. From the inside of my truck I have spoken clearly to the inside of my home at a distance of 5-6 miles, not too bad at all.

My primary use for the radios is for hunting purposes. While running dogs it's nice to communicate with fellow hunters. My problem is that I am growing tired of charging my radios as they have no lighter adapter plug in. My thinking was to go to a 40 channel cb radio, like the midland 75-785 which can be plugged right in, as well as gain 18 more channels.

So, would my average range be sacraficed significantly by going this direction? Is there a mobile cb available that can still get good range while being plugged in to the lighter? I really don't want to permanently wire this into my truck and would like to keep it mobil. Please, any advice is welcome as is criticism.

If fellow hunters have GMRS radios and I go to a cb, will communication still be possible?

Thanks,
Les

 

[NorthStar]

The issue with CB handhelds is with the rubberduck the performance is horrible. In the open out side 2-3 miles is max under most conditions.

 

[lking]

options

Would it be worth my while to go with a HH with an outside antenna? Is there a mobil cb made that is adaptable to my cig lighter? Are GMRS and cb mobils compatable?

Thanks for the help norhtstar.

 

[bandaid kid]

CB handhelds do have exttremely limited range and yes, it's the antenna that cuases this loss of range. And CBs can only talk to other CBs You wouldn't be able to talk with a GMRS radio. The frequencies are very different as is the type of transmitted signal.

Any radio that is powered by an auto electrical system can work from the cigareete lighter and you can make your own cable to use the lighter. Using a mag mount antenna will allow the radio to get out fairlly decently. But you won't be able to talk with the guys who don't have CB in their vehicles and are using GMRS.

if you just want to avoid having to mess with battery charging issues, get GMRS radios with drop-in automaticchargers.

An a side note: GMRS requires that you get s license from the FCC.

 

[lking]

thanks

Thanks for the help. I am familiar with the FCC requirement. I appreciate the input and advice.

Still don't know what to do. I know this is a tricky question to answer, but if a person went with a roof mounted antenna with a handheld or even a mobil cb unit with roof antenna, what would be a satisfactory range?

 

[Moleculo]

You could always purchase a used UHF mobile radio (ham or business) and program the GMRS frequencies into it. That could be permanently wired to your truck like a CB so you wouldn't have to worry about it. GMRS lets you use up to 50 watts mobile, which would greatly extend your range.

 

[Roger Dodger]

GMRS/FRS freqs are better suited to your situation and the antenna is smaller, making it even more portable. You might want to carefully check your state's hunting laws regarding 2-way communications as some states do not allow electronic communicating devices for hunting, other than to exchange info. aside from wildlife harvesting. It's one thing to exchange the time and location to meet for lunch. it's another to use them to organize a drive or locate animals. Again that depends upon your state's laws governing such.