Do you mean a linear amp? They are illeageal to use on the 11M/CB band but I know they are popular with the big truckers down south, heck even I have a problems up here getting out over the skip they generate some days. Morons pushing big power to they can talk over the idiots.

No one I know runs one. Basically its like using a fire hose to wash your dishes works great but makes a mess in comparison to using a Ham radio where you can get a clearer message using less power. My guess is people use them on CB bands so they can talk "big" but are not inclined to get their amateur radio license.

VHF is where its now. You can do more with less and there are more people on it, plus with the repeaters it makes it pretty muck limitless.

My guess

 

I've got a friend that has one of these:

Spot GPS (http://www.findmespot.com/en/)

We take it camping in central Idaho since the sat phone was freakishly expensive and some places we go we can't get a signal over the ridgeline. This thing works like a champ and you don't have to worry about the FCC and getting a license.



Kris

 

Cause it's real fun to bleed over the local drive thrus. Seriously though, If your in the mtns linears are a big help. On the VHF front, we have company VHF radios with two of OUR own repeaters. In some places our VHF's won't get out, even pushin 85 watts out the back. But the ole Galaxay & 667V makes it out to the shops Galaxy base. On 10M no less. Whats really funny is our VHF's won't make it two miles as the crow flies in a few certain places.

 

Ok. Now I'm more confused than ever.
Lets ask a different way.
A Fully worked Galaxy CB/SSB, or a fully worked General Lee 10m? Other than cost, which would you run for an applicaton in the mountains, & on the HWY?
Assuming I get the 10m, I'll get my license, & usually run it on a "leagal" power level on the CB bands. I just want to have the abillity to "reach out there" if I have to.

 

10M is a fun band, but when you need help in the woods, it is only about as as good as a cell phone. I have worked 9 western states and Mexico from a low powered base, but I can't get to the next town or even across town many days. It is not for reliable tactical comunications. That is where VHF comes in.


Technically, operating any radio not approved by the FCC for use on a given band is illegal unless it's in an emergency where life, saftey, or property is at risk. The 10 meter radio isn't approved for 11 meter use, so it is illeagal.

I have modded all of my radios so they transmit everywhere, but when I program them, I turn off the TX so they won't transmit unless I manually enable it. This keeps me from accidentally transmitting on the Sherriffs, Police, Fire, Railroad, and other public service. In an emergency, if I can't get help in any other way, one of those freqs will work.

Unless you are into 10M DX, or having an illeagal high power cb, I'd get an inexpensive CB with a good antenna for use with other locals. Then since you were thinking of getting licensed, get a UHF/VHF mobile for the emegency stuff when it really counts. Many of the UHF/VHF mobiles are cheaper than the better CB stuff.

I run a 4 band Yaesu FT8900R radio and a CB in my truck. I also use a SPOT. Got it all covered. This summer my wife broke her ankle and leg at the lake. I wanted to call the family an let them know. The cell phone didn't work....go figure. Picked the HAM radio mic and talked to my family no problem, plus got all my local buddies offering to help with anything we needed. I can work repeaters from my mobile 125+ miles away. I have worked a repeater 90 miles away with a handheld 5w radio.

If you have any questions or don't know where to start with the HAM stuff, drop me a mail and I'll get you started. It's super easy. Mom, Dad, Wife, and I all got licensed in the spring this year.

 

That was my thought, if you go thru the work of getting your license you may as well play on the VHF bands.

 

I used to have a RCI 2950 that I ran on low power then piped into a Superstar 250 set on low most of the time, then to a super antron antenna. It would put out and sounded excellent. In the early am when the sun is just starting to charge up the ionosphere I could skip out past Jamaica easy. It was the best of both worlds.

 

I have a Galaxy Dx-94HP, it's a 10-meter radio, was modded to also get the CB band. It does put out more wattage that the legal 4 watts, but like you, I live in the mountains and the need to transmit in case of an emergency was my main goal. There are so many guys on the CB bands with 250 watt linears, it is almost not worth trying to listen to or talk on those frequencies. Most all the 10M mobile units have a power down switch, so you do not have to put out the max of the radio when you don't need to, comes a little closer to the max output of the CB usage.

I have been studying for the ham technician exam, it's not that hard, then I will be able to fully utilize the radio. If you want information about the study guides on the internet for the tech exam, pm me and I will give you the information.

I also plan to get a YAESU FT-60, it's a really good hand held FM 2meter radio, plenty of 2-meter repeaters most everywhere you go, so transmitting in the mountains might not be an issue. I will still use the 10-meter radio for CB if I need to in an emergency when either the ham bands are not good to go or if the 2-meter is not good to go.

I just purchased the Galaxy 1-meter base radio, plan to set it up so the family could get a hold of me on the CB if needed. I got it unlocked/peaked and tuned like I did the mobile. I got my mobile from the same place you are thinking about, super wacked. I got the base somewhere else, there are some good deals on them right now.

CD

 

IMO, CB is good for one thing, and nothing else matches it: Highway information; and number of users.

I have a UNIDEN 76 that CLAY'S RADIO SHOP went through for me back when I got a CDL in the mid-90's. Figured it would be my starter radio, and later I'd get a big one. Hundreds of thousands of miles later I still have and use it exclusively.

Better, I learned, to get the cleanest power to the radio, and spend time and any effort on the antenna (the transmit -- TX -- side). No toys, no talkback, no BS. Set it up that others consider transmitted voice to be clear and clean. Never fails to get compliments (whether mounted on cars, SUV's, pickups or big trucks; temporary or slip-seat or permanent mounts) (Turner RK-56 mic).

On a good day Receive can be above 7-miles, and Transmit apparently above 5. That's good enough for traffic information of any sort that is up-to-date. Night time is farther, again, rural, and few talkers.

Found out last Friday that westbound I-10 through Houston had a multi-mile backup including my exit onto US-59. So we jumped off early and ran through the woods to pick up the Sam Houston Toll Road around the south side. I might as well have gained time as saved it.

The typical crappy installation might not have picked up the problem until too late. Many drivers ignore being helpful, so being able to find out early is worthwhile.

RECEIVE IS ALL THAT MATTERS WITH CB.

If the CB is "quiet" and one can separate the wheat from the chaff, then it has done it's job.

Off road, I'd look for something else. CB really has limitations. I have played with a number of antennas and there is only so much one can do. I would NEVER want to rely on it for emergency TX.

CB isn't much more than a toy.

 

BIGWHEELS, I have the General Lee from Radio Active myself. It is a 10 meter but i only use it for a CB. It gets out and recieves great. I dont know anything about using all the 10 meter stuff on it , but i got it just for a CB and didnt care about the 10 meter and all its options it has.