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New radio from ranger

Strangebrew My Dad just retired a few weeks ago. I still drive on occasion but it is not my day job! 99% of the time when I drive it is not a dry van it is a passenger's so CB radio kind of out of the question when they do have a radio it is a business band radio. I can only imagine what sort of companies you are working for and what they are leasing if you are not getting modern trucks with radio's built in. These must be really small fleets because it is getting harder and harder to get a stripped down truck and any company of any size is getting deals on what ever is available. That is like not having air conditioning or not having a AM/FM/CD! I am sure you can find that but it sure is not common. Are you working for a Union company?

TMS Transportation Management Software and digital tracking and communication hardware built into trucks has made it mostly obsolete from an industry stand point.

I am pretty sure that the FCC, most trucking companies, DOT and NTSB have rules about running a radio that is not a Part 95 compliant CB if you are not a licensed amateur radio operator. The second you put a radio inside the truck that is illegal you are already breaking rules and laws even if they are seldom enforced. So most of what Galaxy, Connex, General Lee, Anytone, Stryker etc....sell are not legal for us on 11m aka CB! Having an amp is a no no too but again not really enforced by law enforcement yet or most companies. An export radio that puts out more than 4 watts from the factory is still violating the rule of no amplifier since it is taking the place of an external amplifier by having a much more powerful rf deck built into the radio. Like a lot of small minded people you ignore the spirit of a law or rule when it benefits you. Once you site rules and laws then violate them yourself you have no leg to stand on intellectually! It has nothing to do with my opinion and everything to do with fact.

No professional truck driver that is not licensed for ham radio has any business operating most of the what Stryker, Galaxy, Connex, Antone, Magnum and the like inside their work vehicle because they are breaking the law. Just becasue you might own your truck does not mean you can do as you like if that was the case you could do cocaine inside of your truck or rape people inside the truck and trailer etc....That is not how things work though a motor vehicle in most states has very few constitutional protections compared to a house or your person especially while it is operating on public roads for hire! When you are at work you should be professional and above reproach not that most truck drivers I see on the road today are very professional they drive often like they are driving a 4 wheeler!

This might surprise you but even when you are doing things in a foreign country that might be legal in that country your own country can prosecute you for when you return! So if you go some place where sodomy of a minor is legal and partake of that then return to the USA you can be prosecuted when you return to the USA even if what you did was legal in the country you where in. Same thing applies to Maritime Law. The difference in Maritime Law though is that the craft is an extension of the Sovereign Nation it is registered in no such thing exists though when talking about vehicles operating on land. So while an owner operator might be able to purchase and install any radio he or she likes at no point does it make it legal to do so!

My point about the 2950 is not that it would make a better radio for a trucker that is not a amateur radio operator. My point is that at this point it is Old School and vintage for anyone with 2 or more functioning brain cells! At this point their is nothing modern about it. So for someone to think that the appearance of a say a Cobra 29 is the only "old school" or "Vintage" control lay out is an error was my only point. If you really want to get vintage most early CB's had tubes in them, crystals in them and often only had 3-9 channels even on bases. A lot of them had no chrome on them at all as well a lot of them had some very plain face plates and black or wood-grain vinyl etc...

Wow! Anyone that would spend hard earned money on a truck that is not their own and can be taken from them at any time is not a very smart person. They fact that people like this exist is not a good thing or a bad thing but no rational logical argument can be made for their decisions. It is not different than pointing out that a lack of impulse control and empathy exists in with in the inmate population of our prison system. No matter how you slice it and how true it is it is not a good a thing in any way!

It does not matter if people want an over powered CB's it is against the law. They are not getting around the FCC rules they are just breaking them. The fact that it is not enforced does not mean it is ok to do. When you are in your place of business you should always be professional and breaking the law is in no way professional. If someone wants to do this in their daily driver that is one thing but to do it in their work place is just wrong and no way to justify it.

Also since you are going to be operating on Interstates mostly as an OTR driver you do not need extra power to facilitate doing your job! In 2018 a radio is not about getting into a place or waiting to be told your next in line to unload it is about the radio's owner personal entertainment more than anything else. Every company worth working for gives you a fun today like they used to give out pager's. Most companies a lot of companies also dispatch and update right through Qualcom or similar systems.

If you want to just come out and say you like operating illegal radio's in your company truck just come out and say that because your argument is so full of holes as to be funny! You can never justify breaking federal laws in the daily function of transporting goods for sale! Once you do something illegal especially when it is not required you have no leg to stand on at all.

Again nothing that radio can do for you that a legal type approved radio could not also do with regard to driving a commercial vehicle for hire! This is 2018! Do not confuse your twisted logic and desire to do something that you know is illegal with being necessary!
 
DOT and NTSB have rules about running a radio that is not a Part 95 compliant CB
The DOT & NTSB have no jurisdiction over radio types or radio rules. That's the FCC's domain.

However, hands free laws and distracted driving laws are purposely vague and could be used against an operator if proven in an accident. In Canada, hands free laws have included CB radio's with a 3 year compliance delay for manufactures and users to find an alternative.

The only communication requirement that's necessary for DOT rules is for large oversized loads requiring escorts. For obvious reasons, there has to be communications between the driver and escort vehicles. This doesn't specify CB only, it can be any 2 way communication device such as GMRS, Business band radios, or even cheap old Radioshack walkie-talkies.


(c) A two-way radio communications system capable of providing reliable two-way voice communications, at all times, between the operators of the pilot/escort vehicle(s) and the extra-legal vehicle(s).

(d) Nonemergency electronic communications is prohibited except communication between the pilot/escort vehicle(s) and the transport vehicle during movement.
 
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There may be a lot of radios that are better overall but you have to look at this things intended purpose, if you drive a company truck and need something that will talk well on 19 while not bringing on many of the issues associated with installing something in a company truck this thing solves a lot of problems. It may not be useful to you but that doesn't mean it doesn't have merit.
That is exactly y I bought this radio. It serves its purpose. If I want the other features I use my other radios
 
But what the DOT can do, is make you compliant.

IF you have the license to operate - you're fine.

CB's don't require license, FRS neither - but a 10-meter radio "converted" does.

IF you don't have it - they have a right to ask more questions - including the issues of evasion and interference. They can't force you to talk- but they can make you wait - at their discretion.

Radar detectors - fall under that rule. Mobile Scanners - if they are active while in their presence - can also be determined in that ruling as potential for evasion.

If you use a business band radio - that's fine - it's up to the company to show license - not you - it's in the paper work on the dash or visor or side panel pocket.

That's straight from a DOT guy that I got a chance to have a talk with while I waited for the repair shop to fix a blown tire...SIGH

In some ways, having a license gives you a level of freedom from harassment - but you are also determined to be competent in knowing the law.

If you don't have a license yet own and use the device, the ruling is that you purchased a device requiring a license to use. IF you use the device - even though it is used in accordance with channel and all other frequency requirements - the radio is still not type-accepted for use as purposes intended which requires you to have a license to use it.

It's their "double speak" that makes this such a mess.

:+> Andy <+:
 
Far as the 39vhp is concerned, I just got the pleasure of tinkering in one yesterday. Personally, I like the radio. A lot of the newer trucks are coming with CB cubbies that aren’t big enough for anything larger than a Cobra 29. This radio fits that and that’s why Ranger made it.

It did almost 80w peak right out the box. The board looks a lot like a 6900 series board but the number on the board, I don’t recall ever seeing it before. Can’t remember what it was either, radio is gone now. There is no empty slots on it, it’s fully populated with a slew of army green disc caps. The mosfets, no idea what they are, they were sanded clean.

Uses the 827 transistor on the side wall. Despite some people’s opinion and dislike for the NPC/PPE modification (or hack job, depending on your opinion) I like it myself. I live not to terribly far from 8541 Electronics and I’ve spent a little one on one time with Richard. I do it the way he wrote it up way back, seems like it’s quoted somewhere on this forum. No, it’s not the best thing to do to a radio buts a favorite with truckers.

With that, I found setting the carrier at 10w, the peak was 100w, the radio sounded clean and clear. The owner was happy with it. The receive in it seems pretty good out the box, had no trouble hearing the tone easily down to -120dBm on my HP service monitor. That’s better than some radios I see, so I’m not gonna complain about it.

Overall it’s a good radio. Yea it’s a little pricy I guess but it’s not really that much over wholesale, I can tell you that for fact.

Also have to edit my post cause of my dumb phone
 
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Far as the 39vhp is concerned, I just got the pleasure of tinkering in one yesterday. Personally, I like the radio. A lot of the newer trucks are coming with CB cubbies that aren’t big enough for anything larger than a Cobra 29. This radio fits that and that’s why Ranger made it.

It did almost 80w peak right out the box. The board looks a lot like a 6900 series board but the number on the board, I don’t recall ever seeing it before. Can’t remember what it was either, radio is gone now. There is no empty slots on it, it’s fully populated with a slew of army green disc caps. The mosfets, no idea what they are, they were sanded clean.

Uses the 827 transistor on the side wall. Despite some people’s opinion and dislike for the NPC/PPE modification (or hack job, depending on your opinion) I like it myself. I live not to terribly far from 8541 Electronics and I’ve spent a little one on one time with Richard. I do it the way he wrote it up way back, seems like it’s quoted somewhere on this forum. No, it’s not the best thing to do to a radio buts a favorite with truckers.

With that, I found setting the carrier at 10w, the peak was 100w, the radio sounded clean and clear. The owner was happy with it. The receive in it seems pretty good out the box, had no trouble hearing the tone easily down to -120dBm on my HP service monitor. That’s better than some radios I see, so I’m not gonna complain about it.

Overall it’s a good radio. Yea it’s a little pricy I guess but it’s not really that much over wholesale, I can tell you that for fact.

Also have to edit my post cause of my dumb phone
Lovin mine
 
But what the DOT can do, is make you compliant.

On transportation rules or any other Civil or Federal crimes and violations, yes.

Nearly all states merged DOT with DPS and are full fledged officers like any other State trooper and can enforce traffic laws and perform other duties the same. They are now just a specialized division for commercial vehicle enforcement. Radio rules aren't within their power nor would most of them know the rules and aren't trained to as officers to know them. Why would they? An exception would be using a Police or other dedicated emergency radio.That would fall more on a criminal violation and one should be severely prosecuted for it.

Any law in the books will have a statute number, criminal code, ordinance code, etc, that will appear on a infraction ticket just like any other traffic violation would. There is no statute code by any state, city, or county that an officer can charge you with regarding radio usage . If there were, than it would be published information that can be be looked up.

Having an Amateur radio (type accepted or not) in your vehicle doesn't violate any state, city or county laws therefore you can't be cited for even having one in your vehicle. I already brought up the hands free law issue that in some areas or circumstances, it's usage could.

Other than that, listening to an Amateur radio station isn't illegal and an officer would have to prove you were transmitting on it like that's really going to happen. The FCC doesn't have rulings against owning an Amateur radio to be used for listening purposes, only transmitting it without the proper license.

The type acceptance issue is one that the FCC still leaves subject to interpretation unlike the illegal use of amplifiers on CB's which is cut and dry for even possessing an amp capable of operating between 24 and 144 Mhz without a valid Amateur license. Even still, it isn't up to a DOT officer which is the point here to interpret what is or isn't.

Therefore, there is really nothing a DOT officer or other officer can because you aren't out of any compliance listening with an Amateur radio.

I have yet seen or read about any illegal radio enforcement by DOT or anyone ( and hardly the FCC too ). All I ever heard was the B.S. stories from Mr. Billy-Big Rig and it usually happened to somebody else or a buddy he knew. I been driving trucks for over 30 years and I always keep current on trucking news and issues and this would have certainly came up.

If this were so, Then the DOT could have had a field day with all the trucks running illegal radios and amplifiers. I have been through numerous DOT checks and traffic stops and only once was asked about my radio and only because the DOT officer was a licensed HAM himself and he liked my mobile setup.


Radar detectors - fall under that rule. Mobile Scanners - if they are active while in their presence - can also be determined in that ruling as potential for evasion.

Radar detectors usage and possession have been banned in commercial vehicles for over 2 decades and is published in the DOT rule book. They are illegal for everybody in Virginia and Washington D.C. far as I know.

Scanners in vehicles are only illegal in only a few states. Some states only have laws outlawing scanner usage altogether if a crime was committed. This is where a DOT or other officer can intervene because it is a violation of state laws in those states where applicable.

HOWEVER! All states that have scanner laws banning their usage in vehicles give exemptions to valid Amateur license holders. I already looked this up and verified it!

I have the new Uniden 885 scanner/CB radio and if it ever came to be traveling in those certain states, then I would have to show my valid Amateur license if any officer saw I had a scanner in my truck. There is a chance the officer isn't familiar with the exemption and I could be cited, but I'll easily win in court even without a Lawyer.


That's straight from a DOT guy that I got a chance to have a talk with while I waited for the repair shop to fix a blown tire...SIGH

That's typical rhetoric from a DOT officer who thinks he's the judge, jury, and D.A. all in one. Many times these guys are wrong and anyhow, the defendant has his day in court. Next time you see him, ask him what statute or violation code it is so we can all look it up! They sure as hell can't write you an FCC ticket and what are they going to do, hold you in jail without bond until an FCC agent comes down and formerly cites you?

Until the FCC gives any kind of radio enforcement powers to state, local and DOT officers, there is nothing they can do about it!!!
 
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I was getting a general inspection and he said “let me hear your horn”, so I romped down on the K5LA...hahahahaha. He just looked at me for about a minute and then said “not that horn, that horn!” and pointed to the ones on the roof. He was a good sport about it, I thought it was funny.


Edited. I hate this damn phone.
 
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I still remember a customer who fumed because a DOT wrote him up for his "unmade bed" in the sleeper.

Always figured there was something more to the story than that.

73

Was it in Connecticut?

Believe it or not if you have a bunk you're supposed to have clean white sheets there, supposedly so they can be used as bandages in an emergency situation (I appreciate the offer but if you don't mind I'll just bleed out thank you). That one is pretty much never enforced though, your customer must have pissed the officer off.

I've been told by friends that run up that way a lot to keep a new in the package set of white sheets in the truck and you're good to go.
 
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Was it in Connecticut?

Believe it or not if you have a bunk you're supposed to have clean white sheets there, supposedly so they can be used as bandages in an emergency situation (I appreciate the offer but if you don't mind I'll just bleed out thank you). That one is pretty much never enforced though, your customer must have pissed the officer off.

I've been told by friends that run up that way a lot to keep a new in the package set of white sheets in the truck and you're good to go.
I’m not too concerned like my wife is, but she always warns me about using new sheets without washing them first, same thing with clothes. It’s all about rinsing out all the chemicals, particularly urea formaldehyde.
 
The point of the new sheets is to show them to the DOT guy and that's it, supposedly as long as you have clean ones with you what's on the bunk is irrelevant.

IMHO the whole situation is ridiculous, but that can be said about a lot of laws still on the books.

I've been told by one LEO that there are still laws on the books in NJ requiring that when driving a motorized vehicle you need to have a guy on horseback riding ahead to warn people that you're coming, I wonder how bad you'd have to piss off the cop to get written for that one.o_O
 
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