Smith Trucking Company Told to stay OFF the 10 Meter band

Actually, this has been covered on this site before, but here goes.

A legal CB radio is one that has exactly 40 pre-selected channels and 4 watts of power. It will also have an FCC sticker on the back with an approval number. It must be unmodified and no amplifier attached according to Title 47, Part 95, US Code of Law.

A so-called "10 Meter" radio is a device that is strictly illegal to sell OR use by unlicensed persons either on 11 Meters or on the 10 Meter band. These radios LOOK like a CB radio (often with chrome faces or rebel flags), have "echo and roger beep" and, more importantly, have "bands" of "channels" (A, B, C, D, E, F, etc). They are designed to vastly exceed the power allotment for CB and, while they usually come unmodified for the CB band, they are easily modified to cover the CB frequencies. Unfortunately, when this modification is done, the radio now covers approximately 24.000 to 30.000 MHZ, and this is absolutely against the law. Yet the sellers try to "grease the pig" so they can slide it under the Rules as "Amateur Radios" simply calling it a "10 Meter" radio! Unknowing operators, encouraged by the also illegal practice of "freebanding", eagerly swell with pride thinking they have "them extree quiet channels". In fact, There are NO extra channels for CB radio PERIOD! This is a MYTH promulgated by the outlaw CB genre, and operating outside the 40 channels CAN get you fines of over $10,000!!(See the FCC actions published and on FCC's website!)

The worst thing you can do is to go ONTO 10 Meters because the licensed amateurs will not hesitate to seek you out to turn you in. Unlicensed operators are NOT welcomed! Remember: Ten Meters BELONGS to licensed operators (along with a lot of other radio spectrum) by virtue of licensure. If you want to play, then do what is required: study and take the test! IF you are determined to have a so-called "10 Meter" radio (most hams regard these with SCORN and wouldn't touch one!), then be sure where the 40 channels are and stay ON them. You'll be OK! (maybe.)

Hope this helps.


Gadfly

 

what's a "radioray"? Anyhow, to answer your question, you will most likely end up at first on the 2 Meter band (144.000 to 148.000 MHZ) according to your Technician license. At least, this is how most new folks start out. And they start out with the little handheld like you described. You will be surprised at how well you can get out with these as well as the clarity of the transmissions as it is on FM. And there are "repeater' stations that vastly improve your coverage; your 5 watt handheld can actually talk over several STATES thru these repeaters. Beyond that if they have what is calling "linking" ability, I know of one repeater in the NC mountains on 145.19 MHZ that covers SEVEN states!!!! NC, TN, SC, Ga, northern AL, KY, and as high as Ohio! This from a handheld radio that fits in your pocket like a cellphone. Pretty neat! Then there are other bands that your license allows you from 50 MHZ up into the microwave ranges. This is the 6 Meter band on which there are also FM repeaters.
You can work all these bands direct, use CW, SSB and digital modes such as packet. Six meters CAN give worldwide coverage; just don't expect it all the time. You have to be ready for it to catch it!

The VHF antenna is actually quite small---often about the same size as a firestick. It can look like one of those magmounts with the base coil, or if you still want portable operation, you can get a 1/4 wave whip to put right on top in place of the rubber duckie for improved performance. ( the duckie really ain't too hot performance-wise). It can even look like a firestick or something we call a "hamstick". It can be pretty long, it can cover several bands (2M, 440 MHZ, 220 MHZ, or 50 MHZ) in various combinations. And there are dual-band--even triple-band radios to be had at reasonable cost.

IMHO, I would want a regular mobile radio for my truck or personal vehicle myself. If anything, it offers more power (50 watts average), can come with remote head so you can put the radio under the seat or behind a bulkhead, slip the control head off and lock it away so curious thieves can't get at it. Of course, you can just stick the handy talking in your pocket, too! Personal perference.

Hope this helps!

73
Gadfly