  Kantrova
| Ham vs. CB
I've been an active CB user since I was a kid and recently someone suggested I take up ham radio. Right now I'm perfectly happy with my CB and wondered why I'd want to go in to hams. It is pretty much the same thing, right? |
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  n2jtx
join:2001-01-13 Glen Head, NY
·Optimum Online
| The culture of Ham Radio is different. You are allowed to build, modify and repair your own equipment. You can run up to 1500W of power legally. Under CB rules, unless one is breaking them, you are limited to 4W (12W PEP SSB), you cannot repair or modify your equipment and you are limited to communicating with stations no more than 150 miles away. In addition you are limited to AM and SSB modes only. No repeaters, FM, digital or other interesting modes of communication. -- I support the right to keep and arm bears. |
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  GeekNJ Premium join:2000-09-23 Waldwick, NJ
| reply to Kantrova I don't think CB is anything like ham radio. I guess the absolute most basic concept of station to station communications over the airwaves is the same, but I think it stops there.
The closest communications equivalent between CB and Ham is a simplex SSB conversation. That is where CB's capabilities really end. Amateur radio starts there and what you can do with a CB is what most new amateurs start out with but it also includes repeater communications where there's a central frequency that allows many folks that can't talk direct between 2 stations to still have a conversation as long as each can make contact with the repeater.
And from there it just goes on to worldwide communications on different bands, different modes of communications, etc. And then factor in the community involvement for emergencies, etc and the world of ham radio is monstrous compared to what a CB can do.
it doesn't hurt to study and pass your tech exam which is the first step and costs no more then $15 to become a licensed amateur radio operator and experience this all for yourself. Of course, it's just the beginning and a radio can run you $100 or less to many thousands. -- Tweaked your connection? | Mail Parse | Speed Converter |
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 Tommyastro
join:2004-01-18 Poughkeepsie, NY | reply to Kantrova I smell a troll. Considering you could Google ham radio and see the difference. |
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  GeekNJ Premium join:2000-09-23 Waldwick, NJ | You can google most things and find an answer. The fact that this site flourishes is proof either people can't google or don't trust what they find. |
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 Speedy Petey
join:2008-01-19
| reply to GeekNJ said by GeekNJ :I don't think CB is anything like ham radio. I guess the absolute most basic concept of station to station communications over the airwaves is the same, but I think it stops there. The closest communications equivalent between CB and Ham is a simplex SSB conversation. That is where CB's capabilities really end. Amateur radio starts there and what you can do with a CB is what most new amateurs start out with but it also includes repeater communications where there's a central frequency that allows many folks that can't talk direct between 2 stations to still have a conversation as long as each can make contact with the repeater. And from there it just goes on to worldwide communications on different bands, different modes of communications, etc. And then factor in the community involvement for emergencies, etc and the world of ham radio is monstrous compared to what a CB can do. it doesn't hurt to study and pass your tech exam which is the first step and costs no more then $15 to become a licensed amateur radio operator and experience this all for yourself. Of course, it's just the beginning and a radio can run you $100 or less to many thousands. This is a GREAT answer, but I think Tommy might be on to something. This original post is pretty suspect. |
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  Saaaaaaaam
@chickenkiller.com | reply to Kantrova Eh, it is all the same thing. What I say is, "to each his own". Whatever you like, do it. CB, HAM, ect., yes it is all the same but whatever gets you off, go for it. |
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  mattmag Premium,ExMod 2000-03 join:2000-04-09 NW Illinois clubs:
·Mediacom
| reply to Tommyastro said by Tommyastro :I smell a troll. Considering you could Google ham radio and see the difference. And now there are two.
Don't feed the trolls fellas... |
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  Ham4Life
@hananet.net | reply to Kantrova I've been a ham operator for over 20 years and I hate CB kiddies. Every time I see an 11 meter antenna on a car I yank it off or snap it in two. The' are all lids in my book. |
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  Axilla Finger, Finger Premium,Mod join:2001-03-26 Schofield, WI clubs:
Host: Mediacom Weather
| reply to Kantrova We have tried this topic before.
»/nsearch?q=CB&···me&296=1
If that doesn't help I suggest »www.google.com -- INFLOW-WI |
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