Hand Held CB radios

[jlrhiner]

Anybody use one? Opinions?

I'm thinking about deer season this year. I always go, but just sit around the fire. I'm thinking this year I might have someone drop me off in the woods. Being able to contact someone might be a good idea.

 

[CW Spook]

I've never been much of a fan of handheld CBs. The length of a proper antenna for 27Mhz makes handhelds terribly inefficient. A mile or so range is about all you can expect, particularly with one of those laughably short rubber antennas that come with some of the handhelds. A better alternative would be a pair of the newer FRS/GMRS UHF radios. They're much more compact and the effective range will be better, though don't believe the 25-30 mile claims unless you're trying to talk between two mountain tops that are in line-of-sight with each other.

 

[K1500]

They suck unless you string up a dipole antenna, which kind of defeats the purpose. If you have anyone else to talk to a FRS/GMRS handheld is better.

 

[Roadtrash]

Had a Cobra for awhile and there just isn't enough range. Not to mention if you have one someone will call you just as something walks up with antlers that look like and up turned tree.

 

[CajunBass]

We used to use them back in the day, and they worked well enough with fresh batteries. But batteries die quickly. And they were heavy. They also are subject to a lot of interference for other stations.

But if others in your party monitor CB, they'll probably work well enough. It doesn't seem like they're going to drop you way back in the boonies and you'll be a million miles from anyone else. Just make sure you know what channel the others in your party monitor.

The rubber duckie antenna's are pretty much worthless. A full length extendable antenna is the only way to go. Get to high ground for best range.

The FM/FRS radios are much better IF someone else monitors it. They don't really have much more range but they are smaller and much lighter. I keep a couple of them around so my wife can call me if she needs me when I'm out back pretending to be hunting.

All in all, a cell phone is probably the best bet if you're in an area that has coverage.

 

[Moonman]

"Breaker ONE-Nine"

 

[jlrhiner]

"This here's the Duck"

These won't be used for a life or death situation (I hope!!) more of a "call a ride" thing. Or to get them boys up there to wrangle a dead one. If they take me farther than 2 miles from the campfire, they'll be used for whining.

It looks like the FRS/GMRS are the way to go. May go to Cabela's and look around today. Thanks guys.

 

[Ogandydancer]

I agree with the bulk; get a couple of FRS radios. Much lighter and not to mention battries last much longer.

 

[BearBio]

One thing to be careful of: Some states restrict the use of radios while hunting.

We used them once to find a lost hunter. Trouble was=he was too dumb to come TO the car lights. He was told to go downhill and he was determined to go downhill! I was 100 yards uphill shining the lights right at him (it was too late to hunt anyway). Ahhhh, the stories guides could tell.

BTW The handheld radios work better than CBs but you have to have specific call in times and alternate channels (if one doesn't work). Otherwise you'll just wear the batteries down.

 

[H Richard]

Have you checked for cell phone coverage? You all probably have one, and you can put on vibrate only so no noise. You may be surprised that your hunting ground is covered. I was surprised a couple years ago when sitting on a hill in real rural SD shooting Prairie Dogs I had good cell phone coverage.

 

[rburg]

I've got a little handheld. Its great for my uses, which is leading a line of Jeeps out in the desert. There's little to no interference, but they only carry reliably for the line of 50 or so jeeps. Those are generally right together, and if a gap opens, we've got to relay the messages back toward the tail-gunner. To say range is limited is an understatement.

But about 5 years ago we had a separate incident that was very impressive. A buddy was with us up on Copper ridge. It was up past Canyonlands Airport and from our mountain top we could easily see I 70. Another of our group of friends was up busting snow trying to get to the top of Geyser Pass in the LaSal mountains. So our buddy could see the mountain (how could you miss, its a darn mountain/Haystack). So he grabbed his little handheld. Its about the size of 1/3rd of a CB handheld. And he gave his call letters and bang, back came the response. I think they called it simplex or something, not using a repeater. So maybe 40 miles of clean cool dry air. Yes, it was ham radio. But still very impressive in how far it worked. They couldn't talk about anything else for a couple of days. Strong signal. These are retired Air Force officers, not nurds living in their mothers basement. I just assume that to impress them, its got to be special.

So one of the morals to the story is call from a high place to another high place. And make the contact where there's nearly no one else around. Less electronic noise.

Now for the OP...if you've already got the handheld, get a buddy or two and got out to test the idea. Start with clear conditions, only a fool would go testing in rain. Just talk to the other guy as he (or you) drive away. You'll learn soon enough.

 

[RonJ]

I would recommend Motorola brand FRS radios. Give one to a friend and check them out before your hunting trip.

 

[amazingflapjack]

I'm still waiting for satellite phones to become realistic for the average guy. Any movement in that area?

 

[Roadtrash]

Satellite is way too expensive for most of us. But it would be the best if you could afford it.

 

[jlrhiner]

Just got back from Cabela's and that was a waste of time. Only had Midland in stock, and I was looking for a Motorola.

Still looking........

 

[RonJ]

RadioShack used to carry Motorolas. There;s one on Richardson Rd and another at South County SC. Worth a call. You drove all the way to Cabellas from Arnold?

 

[jlrhiner]

RadioShack used to carry Motorolas. There;s one on Richardson Rd and another at South County SC. Worth a call. You drove all the way to Cabellas from Arnold?

Yeah, I roam pretty far. (especially when unsupervised) I'd rather take a beating then go to WalMart, but I'll check radioshack out.

I know you didn't suggest Wally world, but the girl at Cabela's said they carry a lot of them.

 

[stlr_dude]

Nothing wrong with the Midland Xtra-Talk radios, I have a set, they work great. They say 32 mile range, actually about 1 or 2 miles in the mountains. I do like the side band channels mine has. Hunting season there is always alot of traffic on the main channels but not on the side bands. They are also Rechargable with base.

 

[mountaingun629]

RonJ -
Do you have a reason to suggest the Motorolas over Midland?
I have been watching the sale ads for a set, and no one so far has even advertised Motorola. Dick's and Gander had a rebate on Midlands but nothing on the Motorolas.

Myron

 

[Squarebutt]

Another vote for the FRS portables. We only turn them on for a quick check at the top of the hour or if shots are fired. One thing to check before you leave the store - certain models broadcast a loud chirp every time you key the mike. Not sure you want that in the deer woods.