A question about Radio's

[Behindthewheel]

If you have a ham operators lisence, and you drive truck, can you have the 10m radio mounted and use it in the truck?

If you are asking yourself why...

10m radios are legally able to output more than 4 watts on the cb frequencies. I will not say how much as my research is not current, but it is significantly higher. With that said, you also have to be aware of your output power near other trucks, as you could damage other radios if you are not aware.

That is part of the reason for the limit on CB radios, as well as interferance issues.

[Ron-MARS Trucking]

Originally Posted by Behindthewheel

If you have a ham operators lisence, and you drive truck, can you have the 10m radio mounted and use it in the truck?

If you are asking yourself why...

10m radios are legally able to output more than 4 watts on the cb frequencies. I will not say how much as my research is not current, but it is significantly higher. With that said, you also have to be aware of your output power near other trucks, as you could damage other radios if you are not aware.

That is part of the reason for the limit on CB radios, as well as interferance issues.

Only 4 watts? ok what'll I do with the other 100?

[TexasMike]

If you have a valid amateur radio license and your license class allows you access to the 10m band, then yes you can put the radio in your truck. Assuming your company allows you to install it, I haven't found one that wouldn't yet. But then again I have't really looked all that hard at what companies allow beyond CB's.

73's

[Behindthewheel]

Thanks for the responses.

I do not have the license yet but it is something I have wanted to shoot for, for quite some time. I was a calibration tech in the military so have been around electronics, so the electronics section will just needing some brushing up. I mainly have to study the rules/regs part.

[BobC]

Before someone beats me to the punch, remember that although you might have a ham ticket with 10 meter priviledges, you're not supposed to be using that 10 meter or any other ham radio on cb...except to listen.

I frankly don't care what you do with your radio.

I just thought you should hear this from me instead of this forum's resident hammer head that is bound to get in your face about the 10meter thing.

I'm surprised he hasn't beat me here to get in your face about it already.

[Gadfly]

A "10 Meter" radio can NOT be used on 11 Meters. PERIOD. While drivers DO this, it is against the LAW! In order to remain legal and keep from getting fined, you may install the "10 Meter" radio, then install a 4 watt, 40 channel CB to use for CB.

I would suggest locating a VFO-driven---even multiband--radio since it is likely you will upgrade. The "channelized" and so-called "10 Meter" radios limit one's options and flexibility by limiting one to "channels". Amateur Radio is not restricted to "channels".

I hope this helps.

Gadfly

[Behindthewheel]

So by using a multiband radio, I could use the same radio for 10m and 11m and stay within the legalities?

[Gadfly]

No! This is a common mistake made by new hams. It is natural to want to limit the number of radios due to expense, space, and other factors. But,
you may NOT use a ham radio of any sort on the CB band at the risk of your hard-earned license (not to mention fines!) You MUST, as I said, use a 4 watt, 40 channel, UN-modified, FCC-certified (it will have an FCC sticker and certification number on the back). Period. Then you may install your amateur equipment to use ON the amateur bands as well! IOW, Keep the TWO operations SEPARATE and don't try to "mix" equipment. I suggest reading Part 97 (Amateur Radio Regulations) and Part 95 (CB Radio Rules and Regulations) before operating. The restrictions also mean that you need to shy away from the so-called "10 Meter" 'amateur' radios" found in truck stops, etc. These, too, are ILLEGAL for use on CB.

Gadfly

[Behindthewheel]

Wow, thanks for the info Gadfly. So having CB antennas hooked up to a multi-band radio would be a bad thing

In all seriousness, I can see where the confusion would be, and the truck stops selling the equipment would be sure it was the buyers responsiblity to know the rules and to not use those radios on CB frequencies, however I highly doubt they say anything!