What is the Difference?

[Iwanttobeatrucker]

Can someone tell me what the biggest difference is between a standard 40 Channel CB and ones that I have seen that have as many as 167 channels? Midland has one that is 40 channel CB w/side band, 120 channel operation (USB-AM-LSB) & 7 channel US/3 channel Canadian weather receiver. Model #79-290. Do I really need all of this or is it just a waste of money?Thanks for any input.

[lostNfound]

The main difference seems to be 127 channels ... and the fact that, I suspect, your wallet will be a lot lighter. However, you will still get some retard telling you he isn't wearing any panties, racist statements of every kind and someone else's idea of "entertainment" but only leaves you with the desire to stick an ice pick in your ears.





Seriously though, it might prove more useful if travelling in more remote areas like Wildkat does, where CBs are next to useless ... not that CBs are necessarily all that useful in more populated areas these days.

[Native Dancer]

Originally Posted by Iwanttobeatrucker

Can someone tell me what the biggest difference is between a standard 40 Channel CB and ones that I have seen that have as many as 167 channels? Midland has one that is 40 channel CB w/side band, 120 channel operation (USB-AM-LSB) & 7 channel US/3 channel Canadian weather receiver. Model #79-290. Do I really need all of this or is it just a waste of money?Thanks for any input.

Not sure what kind of radio that is. I have an Ikom 108 frequency VHF radio that I use when I'm up North. It is stock 50 watt and gets out 30-100 miles depending on conditions. Also have a stock Uniden CB with weather channels. Didn't know there were seperate Canadian weather channels. I always pick them up on the same frequencies as in the U.S., in 2 languages no less

[thetez]

well the 120 side band channels give you 2 channels extra for each channel, side band is a way to communicate further but only to those with sideband radios as well.... i enjoy it, but its not for everyone.

[Otter]

The radios with more than 40 channels are made for the Europian market. Only the Uniterd States and Canada are limited to 40 channels. The Europian radios will go up into the 10 meter band and down into the 12 meter band, which requires a General class Amateur Radio License.
Upper side band, Lower side band, FM, AM, & CW are Modes, not to be confused with bands. Most CB radios are AM mode, some are AM & Side band, some are all mode, some are AM &FM modes only. On any given frequency you can select the mode, Side band is usually used for long range communications on the HAM bands, CB is almost always AM, very little FM or side band, AM sucks and the band conditions are poor. If all you want to do is talk across the street on channel 19, any 40 channel radio will work. VHF & UHF radios are more reliable for line of sight because they are FM. I can't tell you what you need or want, but by understanding more about communications you can make an educated decision.

[thetez]

actually a lot of legal AM CB radios have sideband on them, and are heavily used on certain channels (normally above 35) they are more of a hobbiests thing, you will find some people using sideband on the lower channels, truckers and all that, but sideband is used heavily for hobbiests, its a more loose less strict version of the ham bands, we use call signs as well and often you will hear q codes but are very open to new people who do not understand the lingo.

[Iwanttobeatrucker]

Thanks for the input, I guess I need to do more research on the different CBs out there. Is there a preferred brand of CB, (reliablity, clarity, distance of broadcast/reception)?

[thetez]

EVERYONE is gonna give you their fav. youll get a few different answers, like me for example i like the galaxy.... but if your looking for a pretty easy, standard radio, the Cobra 29 is pretty much the standard truckers radio, you can now get it with bluetooth, you can get it with weather band, night watch features and all that, almost no one will say that its a bad radio.... its a pretty good one, their are better but look into it.

[Iwanttobeatrucker]

After more research I think that I have decided to go with the Uniden PC78LTW. It seems to have all the fuctions that I need and is reasonable priced. Does anyone use this unit.

[Native Dancer]

I have one and it does a good job for me.