CB Radios - Scan or No Scan

[TomoHawk]

I'm getting on for caravanning with the club. Do you consider it necessary to have a snanning capability, or is it just a fancy do-dad, since you don't switch channels while in the caravan?

I like the Midland 75-785. A basic handheld CB with the 4-pin microphone connector.

thx

[=Enigma=]

The scanning feature is nice to have, however you are correct that while in a caravan, you will normally be on only one channel. I like the scanning feature which I use when on off-road trips because I can listen in on other groups on the trail, as well as listen to folks in my own group who have moved to another channel for an off topic or more private conversation.

That said, I believe that GPRS radios are a more convenient, more economical, and all around better choice for on-road caravans, plus there are often more channels, less interference, and clearer voice quality than with a CB. The big problem is that everyone needs to agree on one or the other. That is why I have both. Actually, I have an in dash CB in my 4runner, as well as a hand held GPRS and a hand held CB radio for when I'm out of the truck or in my car.

[TomoHawk]

Our club is leaning towards the CB rdios lately because the FRS radios really do seem to be "cheap," meaning that the range is too short for anything less than a tight caravan group, and the sound was really bad- especially if you have the volume high enough to drown out the Z's engine. I've tried a couple of the headsets, but either they couldn't handle the engine sound or the wind sound from the open window, or the radios were not working right, so as soon as you plugged in, they would start transmitting, and you had to turn it off to fix it.

The only reason I could justify getting a (handheld) scanning CB is to scan the area where you are, say after you exit the highway to a town, or before getting back on, to locate locals for local traffic info , or for emergencies, when you just need to find the first person who could help.

Do you mean GMRS radios? What's a license run? hard to get?

What are you doing for the antenna on your handheld in the car?

thx

[ggarrard]

Tomohawk - Our club has gone from CBs to the FRS radios for caravaning, and have no issues with clarity and range... one member had the voice-activated mike/headset, which was a pain because his loud (open) exhaust would set off the mike and everybody got an earfull when he hit the gas, but he has since switched to a manual mike headset (have to push the button to speak). Range on the FRS is several kilometres, which has been good enough for us. As Enigma noted -agreeing on a common channel is the big issue.

GWGarrard

[TomoHawk]

I'll see if I can locate a manual headset. Maybe it's the little speaker on the FRS radios that make it sound bad.

[=Enigma=]

Do you mean GMRS radios? What's a license run? hard to get?

Sorry, I meant FRS. Not sure what I was thinking about.

What are you doing for the antenna on your handheld in the car?

I have a magnet mount antenna from Radio Shack.

I'll see if I can locate a manual headset. Maybe it's the little speaker on the FRS radios that make it sound bad.

Buy a better FRS radio. I like the higher quality Motorolas.

[TomoHawk]

I have a set of Motorolas, and a set of Cobras, and something cheap fir the kids. It's the same deal with every radio.

thx

[TomoHawk]

You must be having some fun trying to talk into your handheld CB with that stiff antenna cable connected directly to it.

[=Enigma=]

You must be having some fun trying to talk into your handheld CB with that stiff antenna cable connected directly to it.

Not that big of a deal and I'm not much of a chatter anyway. I only use the external antenna when I need to communicate over longer distances. In a caravan, it's not really needed. When I'm in the 4runner, I just use the in-dash CB, and only use the handheld when I'm outside of the vehicle directing traffic, walking around scouting trails, camping areas, or spotting while off-roading. My son uses the handheld CB or FRS to communicate with me back at camp when he goes off exploring.

[TomoHawk]

Uh- sorry about that- I forgot.

There's really no place to put a mounted CB in a Z, so I had to get a handheld.

[1 Bravo 6]

Hmmmm,

I must admit that this thread had me more than just a little confused after reading the first few posts. Caravanning with a Zed??? ... it'd need to be a bloody small van.

It's now obvious that the American definition of caravanning is vastly different to the Australian definition.

Down here in the Land Under Down Under, when I go caravanning, I've got a 18ft pop top home away from home, (caravan), hitched up to my Prado.

Rick.

:devious: :devious:

[johncdeere]

My experience is that the CB gives better range ad is mor versitile but it comes down to what your group uses.

I use the Cobra 75WXST http://www.cobra.com/index.php?page=shop/flypage&product_id=5&id=1&ps_session=d8f167207bcd6aad811b79bfb95078fe460a5734

You can find them under $100 and the all in one design makes it real handy. No clutter of unit and mic around the dash. I mounted the box under the drivers seat and you can drop the mic under the passenger seat when not in use. The mic has all the controls and has the speaker built in. I have an additional speaker plugged in since I'm a litttle hard of hearing. I also move it between 4 different cars by having other remote boxes.

Antennas are another problem. Magnetic exterior antennas will give you good range and be removable but can scratch a good paint job befor you even get it on. I cheated and put in a Miata anttenna instead of the stock Z and then bought a signal slpitter from Jeff Anderson. Unfortunately he will only make them for Miata antennas but for just a few bucks you've got a CB with no exterior evidence.