| Author |
Message |
    
Mark Metrovich
| | Posted on Sunday, July 01, 2001 - 11:07 pm: | 
|
That about sums it up, I am looking for the most range for 250 bucks, I know nothing about this stuff. I am a 4 wheeler and need to make contact with a trucker on the highway if I ever breakdown in the desert 20 miles from the highway. Should I get a 10 meter or CB? is SSB the same as a CB? PLease help!
Mark... |
CQDX181
| | Posted on Monday, July 02, 2001 - 12:07 am: |
|
Mark,
Welcome to the hobby! Even if you're thinking of purchasing a radio for "emergency" purposes, there is no doubt you will eventually get hooked!
A good radio for less than $250. That's not difficult at all. As a matter of fact you could lower your sights and get a very good transceiver in the $175-$200 range. Or less!
Let's start by answering your questions...
10 meter radios or "export radios" usually provide more output power than your standard CB. These radios are designed to operate on the 10 meter ham band and are easily converted to allow them to operate on the 11 meter CB band.
SSB or Single Side Band is a different mode of emmission than the standard AM mode of communication most popular with CB communications. SSB is more efficient, as it is entirely modulation (voice) driven. When transmitting on AM you are transmitting at a constant level of output power that, usually increases when you speak into the microphone. When you are transmitting on SSB, there is no constant carrier, as the higher amount of voice modulation entering the radio dictates the output power. Bother AM and SSB emissions are acceptable forms of communication on the CB band. SSB is mostly used for "skip talking" or for extreme long distance communications, and most people do not monitor SSB transmissions for emergency, help, or local information calls. This is the simplest way to explain the difference.
20 miles from the highway in the desert? Hmmm. Well, it's not impossible with low power CB communications but 20 miles could be a stretch. If the terrain is relatively flat you could make contact with someone. That is a little far though.
If you are only concerned about reaching truckers on their frequency, (CB Channel 19) then an AM radio is all you need. But if you want to be able to have a little fun and "shoot some skip" then a SSB capable rig is what you need.
If you ask around, you will find a dozen different people telling you a dozen different radios are the best. But here at the Copper Forum we like to TRUTHFULLY inform people on what's available.
Below are a few radios that might fit your needs. Check them out, and look at their features. When you have it narrowed down to a couple of different rigs and we will try to help you in choosing the best one for YOUR needs! If you have ANY questions, do not hesitate to ask!
Here's the list of some popular CB's. There are cheaper, no frills radios out there, and you can find the rigs below and the less expensive models on this site...
Galaxy DX949
Galaxy DX959
Uniden PC78LTW
Ranger TR-296
Voyage VR-9000
Galaxy DX66
Galaxy DX88 (Basically the same as the Voyage VR-9000)
Give these rigs a look!
Steve
181 |
Mark Metrovichc
| | Posted on Monday, July 02, 2001 - 12:55 am: |
|
Steve,
Thanks a lot for the info you have helped a lot and hopefully you can explain more, I have already had my eye on the Galaxy 949 nad 959 and then saw the Voyage vr 9000. I should have clariffied that, yes this will hopefully will get me out of a pinch in an emergency but it will also be for talking to my buddys in a caravan who all have regular radio shack CB's. I also like to drive up to a local hill thats about 1500 feet in elevation and listen to the CB and TRY to talk, right now I have this lame Cobra 19DXII that no one hears me on! I noticed the Voyage does'nt have SSB it has other such as LSB? As far as looking at the Features, I am lost. I guess I need to educate myself more, I am anxious though! I started to order a Galaxy 959 today but stopped thinking I needed to do some more research. So basically the uses are as follows.
1.Chatting with buddies who have regular CB's on the freeway and trail.
2.Driving up to the local hill on a Friday night.(God I need a social life!!)
3.Power for some decent range incase of an emergency in the middle of nowhere.
4.I am a "Tim the toolman Taylor" guy, I love power, it would be trick to raise someone in Arizona or Texas from here in San Diego Ca. on one of those friday nights on the hill.
5.250.00 to spend
Thanks again Steve, bye the way, where are you? Maybe I'll raise you one of these nights. Oh and what is "Skipping"?
Mark... |
Mark Metrovich
| | Posted on Monday, July 02, 2001 - 1:49 am: |
|
Steve,
I am also interested in the "peaking and Tuning" I have been hearing about, Does Cooper do that? I am, as I said earlier, considering the Galaxy DX 959. If I ordered that would they peak and tune it before sending it out? Also, How does the Galaxy DX88 and the Voyage VR9000 campare to the 959, I noticed that the Voyage does'nt have SSB which from what I have learned is good for skipping. which is long distances? Man I have a lot to learn!
Mark, San Diego |
|
