GMRS or HAM radio?

I have noted that many truckers seem to be using high power amplifiers for their CBs. We’re talking hundreds of Watts here. They overdrive them badly and the signal splatters over three or four adjacent channels. The signals are badly distorted of course and make a wide swath of frequencies unusable.
 
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GMRS is a good gateway drug to Ham. You get to learn a bunch about repeaters and how that all works. Once you have the basic knowledge, moving over to Ham seems like the logical way to go. Personally, I'm happy sticking with GMRS for now. I have several repeaters in my area and actually host a net control one night a week for fire watch until the fire season comes to an end.
 
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Hey, is that an external CB speaker on your roll bar? Does it get in the way of your rear-view line of sight?

Yes that is a external CB speaker. And no it doesn't affect my rear view sight.

I'd get a HAM radio and perform the MARS mod on it (or buy it that way), which allows it to work across GMRS as well. Technically it puts you outside of FCC regulations, so just be aware of that.

So technically you're not supposed to be using the Ham radio to talk on GMRS frequencies?
Not that I ever use to run a modified CB with a little more power ;).
This is sounding more like the ticket than getting a GMRS radio and then adding a Ham later. Does the Ham antenna work for GMRS also?

Since we're on that subject. What type of antenna do you run on a Jeep for Ham? I can't imagine using some of the huge antennas I've seen on cars going down the road.
 
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My club is still using CB's and I don't see that changing any time soon. So I've got to keep that radio. But adding a second radio seems like the logical thing since I've got the room.
What is a good Ham radio that has the separate display that you mount remotely?
 
So technically you're not supposed to be using the Ham radio to talk on GMRS frequencies?
Technically speaking, yes :)
Not that I ever use to run a modified CB with a little more power ;).
🙈
This is sounding more like the ticket than getting a GMRS radio and then adding a Ham later. Does the Ham antenna work for GMRS also?
That was my thought, I didn't want to spend the money twice (though a dedicated GMRS is a bit cheaper) nor take up the space of two units. Most antennas should work for both, but you have to check for the frequency ranges. Typically they are optimal around 140-170MHz (2 meter) and 420-470MHz (70cm) - GMRS is in 460MHZ (462 and 467).
Since we're on that subject. What type of antenna do you run on a Jeep for Ham? I can't imagine using some of the huge antennas I've seen on cars going down the road.

You can get by with a little stubbie pretty reliably for HAM and GMRS. For now I have this which is just a magmount. I have that sitting next to the back of the sport bar.

In case you're going to follow up asking what radio I run, it's this one: http://www.icomamerica.com/en/products/amateur/mobile/2730a/default.aspx

Overall it's a pretty good radio but there's two things with it that are irritating:

1. The speaker is in the remote base, and it's not very loud - so you will want an external speaker unless it's near your head. I was able to use the one I had for my CB.
2. You have to buy a separate attachment to mount the head unit anywhere (even to the base unit).
 
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So technically you're not supposed to be using the Ham radio to talk on GMRS frequencies?
If we're getting technical then the normal walkie-talkies people use would require a license by the FCC to operate...
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If we're getting technical then the normal walkie-talkies people use would require a license by the FCC to operate...

GMRS Walkie Talkie
Linky no worky, but yes, if it is an actual GMRS walkie, you do. Most of the little cheap ones are FRS though which has overlapping freqs, but isn't the same and requires no license.
 
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FRS HT's are 2 watts max and have 22 channels that overlap in the GMRS frequencies. FRS radios have a fixed antenna that cannot be removed or upgraded. GMRS HT's are 5 watts max and have removable antennas. Mobil units can go up to 50 watts max. Some GMRS radios won't let you transmit on channels 8-14 as they are limited to 1/2 watt, so many radios can't transmit that low. Midland just flat out removes those 8 channels from their radios, so you can't even listen in on those channels. One of several things I don't like about Midland.
 
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My club is still using CB's and I don't see that changing any time soon. So I've got to keep that radio. But adding a second radio seems like the logical thing since I've got the room.
What is a good Ham radio that has the separate display that you mount remotely?

I have the Yaesu 7900, which is a dual-band Ham (and which, with MARS mod picks up GMRS too). It has a detachable faceplate, as pictured at the bottom of this post.
 
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Here you guys go. All the CB frequencies.

CB ChannelFrequencyFrequency Use
Channel 126.965 MHz
Channel 226.975 MHz
Channel 326.985 MHzUnofficial Prepper CB Network (AM)
Channel 427.005 MHzUsed by many 4X4 clubs
Channel 527.015 MHz
Channel 627.025 MHzYou’ll hear many operators using illegal high-power amplifiers
Channel 727.035 MHz
Channel 827.055 MHz
Channel 927.065 MHzChannel 9 is the universal C.B. emergency channel
Channel 1027.075 MHz
Channel 1127.085 MHz
Channel 1227.105 MHz
Channel 1327.115 MHzOften used in some areas for marine use & recreational vehicles.
Channel 1427.125 MHzFrequency for many walkie-talkies. FCMA (Federal Motor Coach Assoc) heard here
Channel 1527.135 MHz
Channel 1627.155 MHzUsed by many 4X4 clubs
Channel 1727.165 MHzUsed by truckers on the east-west roads in California
Channel 1827.175 MHz
Channel 1927.185 MHzUnofficial Trucker channel (but probably where you will find most of them hanging out)
Channel 2027.205 MHz
Channel 2127.215 MHzUsed by truckers for North-South routes in some areas of the country
Channel 2227.225 MHz
Channel 2327.255 MHz
Channel 2427.235 MHz
Channel 2527.245 MHz
Channel 2627.265 MHz
Channel 2727.275 MHz
Channel 2827.285 MHz
Channel 2927.295 MHz
Channel 3027.305 MHz30 and up are often used for SSB operation
Channel 3127.315 MHz
Channel 3227.325 MHz
Channel 3327.335 MHz
Channel 3427.345 MHz
Channel 3527.355 MHz
Channel 3627.365 MHz
Channel 3727.375 MHzUnofficial Prepper 37 (USB)
Channel 3827.385 MHzUnofficial SSB calling channel, LSB mode
Channel 3927.395 MHz
Channel 4027.405 MHz
CB Resources & Radios


And if anyone cares.

10-1 Receiving poorly
10-2 Receiving well
10-3 Stop transmitting
10-4 OK, message received
10-5 Relay message
10-6 Busy, stand by
10-7 Out of service, leaving air
10-9 Repeat message
10-10 Transmission completed, standing by
10-11 Talking too rapidly
10-13 Advise weather and road conditions
10-17 Urgent business
10-20 My location is ____, or what’s your location?
10-23 Stand by
10-26 Disregard last information/cancel last message
10-28 Identify your station
10-30 Does not conform to FCC rules
10-32 I will give you a radio check
10-36 Need correct time
10-37 Wrecker needed at ____
10-38 Ambulance needed at ____
10-39 Your message delivered
10-41 Please tune to channel ____
10-42 Traffic accident at ____
10-43 Traffic tied up at ____
10-44 I have a message for you
10-50 Break channel
10-60 What is next message number?
10-62 Unable to copy, use phone
10-65 Awaiting your next message or assignment
10-71 Proceed with transmission in sequence
10-77 Negative contact
10-91 Talk closer to the mic
10-94 Please give me a long count
10-99 Mission completed, all units secure
10-100 Need to go to bathroom
 
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@Wildman get that licence, ham is not just one frequency or set of channels. It spans the entire radio spectrum. GMRS is close to 70 cm ham, but there's also 2 meter which is close to MURS and 10 meter which is almost exactly what CB is. GMRS, FRS, CB and MURS are all tiny little slices of a big pie, ham is the whole pie.
 
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I have the Yaesu 7900, which is a dual-band Ham (and which, with MARS mod picks up GMRS too). It has a detachable faceplate, as pictured at the bottom of this post.

Yes it was seeing your pictures was what had put that idea in my head.

@Wildman get that licence, ham is not just one frequency or set of channels. It spans the entire radio spectrum. GMRS is close to 70 cm ham, but there's also 2 meter which is close to MURS and 10 meter which is almost exactly what CB is. GMRS, FRS, CB and MURS are all tiny little slices of a big pie, ham is the whole pie.

Funny thing was that back when I was a kid living in AK I wanted one of those Heath radio kits so bad so I could build my own radio. Back then you had to take the morse code test still. I never ended up doing it but it's stuck in my head all this time.

I'll start studying.
 
Here you guys go. All the CB frequencies.

CB ChannelFrequencyFrequency Use
Channel 126.965 MHz
Channel 226.975 MHz
Channel 326.985 MHzUnofficial Prepper CB Network (AM)
Channel 427.005 MHzUsed by many 4X4 clubs
Channel 527.015 MHz
Channel 627.025 MHzYou’ll hear many operators using illegal high-power amplifiers
Channel 727.035 MHz
Channel 827.055 MHz
Channel 927.065 MHzChannel 9 is the universal C.B. emergency channel
Channel 1027.075 MHz
Channel 1127.085 MHz
Channel 1227.105 MHz
Channel 1327.115 MHzOften used in some areas for marine use & recreational vehicles.
Channel 1427.125 MHzFrequency for many walkie-talkies. FCMA (Federal Motor Coach Assoc) heard here
Channel 1527.135 MHz
Channel 1627.155 MHzUsed by many 4X4 clubs
Channel 1727.165 MHzUsed by truckers on the east-west roads in California
Channel 1827.175 MHz
Channel 1927.185 MHzUnofficial Trucker channel (but probably where you will find most of them hanging out)
Channel 2027.205 MHz
Channel 2127.215 MHzUsed by truckers for North-South routes in some areas of the country
Channel 2227.225 MHz
Channel 2327.255 MHz
Channel 2427.235 MHz
Channel 2527.245 MHz
Channel 2627.265 MHz
Channel 2727.275 MHz
Channel 2827.285 MHz
Channel 2927.295 MHz
Channel 3027.305 MHz30 and up are often used for SSB operation
Channel 3127.315 MHz
Channel 3227.325 MHz
Channel 3327.335 MHz
Channel 3427.345 MHz
Channel 3527.355 MHz
Channel 3627.365 MHz
Channel 3727.375 MHzUnofficial Prepper 37 (USB)
Channel 3827.385 MHzUnofficial SSB calling channel, LSB mode
Channel 3927.395 MHz
Channel 4027.405 MHz
CB Resources & Radios


And if anyone cares.

10-1 Receiving poorly
10-2 Receiving well
10-3 Stop transmitting
10-4 OK, message received
10-5 Relay message
10-6 Busy, stand by
10-7 Out of service, leaving air
10-9 Repeat message
10-10 Transmission completed, standing by
10-11 Talking too rapidly
10-13 Advise weather and road conditions
10-17 Urgent business
10-20 My location is ____, or what’s your location?
10-23 Stand by
10-26 Disregard last information/cancel last message
10-28 Identify your station
10-30 Does not conform to FCC rules
10-32 I will give you a radio check
10-36 Need correct time
10-37 Wrecker needed at ____
10-38 Ambulance needed at ____
10-39 Your message delivered
10-41 Please tune to channel ____
10-42 Traffic accident at ____
10-43 Traffic tied up at ____
10-44 I have a message for you
10-50 Break channel
10-60 What is next message number?
10-62 Unable to copy, use phone
10-65 Awaiting your next message or assignment
10-71 Proceed with transmission in sequence
10-77 Negative contact
10-91 Talk closer to the mic
10-94 Please give me a long count
10-99 Mission completed, all units secure
10-100 Need to go to bathroom
Do you know of a specific ham radio that will cover AM in that frequency range as well as GMRS?
 
Do you know of a specific ham radio that will cover AM in that frequency range as well as GMRS?
You'll have to hack a ham radio for it to work on 11 meters, just search for that and you'll find some answers. You will also have to tweak it for GMRS in the same way. You basically want something like a quad band that does 70 cm and 10 meters that can be modified to work.