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Handheld CB range

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by jake slatnick, Mar 23, 2017.

  1. Mar 23, 2017 at 8:12 AM
    #1
    jake slatnick

    jake slatnick [OP] Well-Known Member

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    What's the range on a handheld CB? Any better than a nice walkie talkie?

    I'm trying to avoid the whole mount and wiring process while still maintaining a decent line of communication.

    Any advice?
     
  2. Mar 23, 2017 at 8:14 AM
    #2
    wilcam47

    wilcam47 Keep on keeping on!

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    depends on how far you are wanting to talk to the other person. Walkie talkies have a decent range nowadays.
     
  3. Mar 23, 2017 at 8:15 AM
    #3
    Jibbs

    Jibbs "When in doubt, throttle out!"

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    Whoooooooshchchch
    I run a Midland 75-822. It's a great piece of kit- you can slide a battery pack and a rubber ducky on it and use it as a handheld, or run an actual antenna into the bottom and plug it into your cig lighter for a 'docked' CB. I am currently using a Wilson Lil Wil mounted on my hood with the wire run through my firewall (mega easy, there's a big plug on the left side of the engine bay you can pull out and route it through into the passenger footwell). With the actual antenna, I have measured about 8-9 miles of range with a friend before we lost each other.

    We use the handhelds on backpacking trips sometimes and handheld to handheld we got about a mile and handheld to antenna I was able to receive my buddies handheld at about 2 miles, but that was from the top of one ridge to another ridge.
     
  4. Mar 23, 2017 at 8:28 AM
    #4
    T6A1C9O

    T6A1C9O Well-Known Member

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  5. Mar 23, 2017 at 8:30 AM
    #5
    Phoosa

    Phoosa I never saw nothing.

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  6. Mar 23, 2017 at 10:28 AM
    #6
    Hiker46

    Hiker46 Well-Known Member

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    Jibbs, I have the same setup as you. Did you tune the antenna or just use the given length?
    Thanks, Hiker
     
  7. Mar 23, 2017 at 10:30 AM
    #7
    Jibbs

    Jibbs "When in doubt, throttle out!"

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    Based on the recommendation of the guy from the CB shop i bought the antenna from, I just pushed the whip all the way down into the mount. I think it could be improved by tuning, but I'm not overpowering it or running the risk of frying my radio. Still going to get a SWR meter and tune it "when I get around to it"
     
  8. Mar 23, 2017 at 11:33 AM
    #8
    Hiker46

    Hiker46 Well-Known Member

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    I'll probably do the same..
    Thanks.
     
  9. Mar 23, 2017 at 11:43 AM
    #9
    DoubleAction

    DoubleAction Well-Known Member

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  10. Mar 23, 2017 at 2:06 PM
    #10
    dorton

    dorton rockcreekoverland

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    A handheld CB, with the factory rubber antenna is not super effective. Even a 3ft, or 4ft CB antenna is a compromise.

    We wrote some articles getting into the basics of radios:
    https://www.rockcreekoverland.com/single-post/2017/02/13/Ham-Radio-Intro-Part-2
     
    uurx likes this.
  11. Mar 23, 2017 at 2:15 PM
    #11
    Nexusix

    Nexusix Well-Known Member

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  12. Mar 23, 2017 at 2:22 PM
    #12
    dorton

    dorton rockcreekoverland

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    They do work well especially for the $, but do not transmit of frequencies in the CB band, and though very often used on FRS, and GMRS frequencies,
    it is also illegal to do so(full disclosure).
     
  13. Mar 23, 2017 at 2:24 PM
    #13
    Nexusix

    Nexusix Well-Known Member

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    I'm getting my tech license soon. Just got into the ham world.
     
    dorton[QUOTED] likes this.
  14. Mar 23, 2017 at 2:55 PM
    #14
    Woodrow F Call

    Woodrow F Call Kindling crackles and the smoke curls up...

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    As easy as it is to get your Tech and as cheap as the Chinese handhelds are (Some are even in the $30 range)..... just get an external antenna.... I really don't see why people don't go ham more often.
     
    Rambo54 likes this.
  15. Mar 24, 2017 at 5:09 AM
    #15
    dorton

    dorton rockcreekoverland

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    Awesome, congratulations! It can open a world as big as you want, or as small as you need.

    If everyone knew how easy it was, and how much better it worked everyone would be a ham.
     
  16. Mar 24, 2017 at 6:20 AM
    #16
    lamia2super

    lamia2super Well-Known Member

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    ham is so much better
     
  17. Mar 24, 2017 at 6:48 AM
    #17
    Joe23

    Joe23 Canuckistikian

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    For range maybe but useless here as no one uses it. Just cb
     
  18. Mar 24, 2017 at 7:07 AM
    #18
    jake slatnick

    jake slatnick [OP] Well-Known Member

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    285/75r16 KO2's, Baja XL 80's on CBI ditch brackets, TRD intake, opticoat pro, clear bra running the bottom sides, morimoto LEDs, all white LEDs inside, mounted shovel and axe above wheel well in the bed, linex'd the bed...
    What's easier to carry around with the best range?
     
  19. Mar 24, 2017 at 8:05 AM
    #19
    dorton

    dorton rockcreekoverland

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    Yes, and no. Would you be better off having a more common mode, but not be able to talk far enough to contact someone, or
    a less common mode and better range? With ham, using line of sight VHF my farthest has been 90'ish miles. Utilizing a repeater(thousands
    across the USA)your range is greatly extended(to worldwide audience if connected to the internet), and on vehicle mounted HF(not an entry level license)
    have talked as far as Russia. CB, especially a handheld is going to be really handicapped for range.
     

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