FJ Cruisers of Northern California

Integrated HAM and CB Units?

would anyone happen to know if there are any integrated HAM/CB units out there? is it even possible? i heard that there were units, but they were expensive (like $600.00 range). if these do exist, i'm assuming you would just use a HAM antenna for transmissions while mobile?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by manoweb on September 29, 2010 at 12:56am

Well it is technically possible. A unit that supports both VHF (the "traditional" ham) and HF, in particular 27MHz, would allow to operate in CB bands. You would most likely need two antennas, that kind of radio has normally two separate outputs. And yes, I think 600USD sounds reasonable for that kind of radio, because it offers so much more than a CB. Keep in mind with the correct antenna and propagation, you could be able to talk to Australia or South America :)

Also, radios that support the "transponder" function would work as a "bridge" between say, "Family radio" and "CB".

But don't ask me if all the above is allowed by the FCC regulations... :)

Permalink Reply by opg4759 on September 29, 2010 at 7:29am

There isn't a type accepted radio that performs this function legally.

The FCC, the various manufactures and the ARRL has seen it fit to keep the two services CB (Citizens Band aka 11 meters) and Amateur Radio Service separate. One of the main reasons is that they don't want non-HAMs buying these radios and then spewing crap across the HAM bands. HAMs are very protective of their bands and will go out of their way to find people operating in the HAM bands illegally.

Now there are radios with a little modification (not legal per-say) that will allow you to open up 11 meters. This isn't legal but it can and is done.

Now as far as cross-band repeating VHF or GMRS/FRS to CB with the current radios out there it can't be done, and even so there are limitations on radios that could do it in the past (Kenwood TM-742a) The 10 meter module that was modified only transmitted in FM and all legal CB's in the US are AM to you have hardware incompatibility. So if you bought a export CB that has FM (which does exist) you might as well have bought a nice HAM rig and gotten your license.

Permalink Reply by potatomutato on September 29, 2010 at 11:41pm