SSB CB RADIO VS. HAM RADIO What To Consider

Erik from Farpoint Farms steps on a few toes to make a point about the current state of both CB radio and Ham radio.
Is a 3k Ham radio setup worth it in 2017, or can a $200 dollar SSB CB base setup do the job just fine?

[FarpointFarms]

What's the point of this video?  Its not "you can't do packet radio, CW, slow scan, bla bla whatever".   I'm saying for the masses, you can get into a used SSB CB for less than $25 used. (I just picked up an nice browning baron for $10) add an antenna for another $30 and for $55.00 plus tax your talking with Britain, Canada, Australia and anywhere else the skip rolls to. And when the skips not rolling talk to locals every night with out the B.S.    You can do all that, and still find out why traffic is stopped on the highway faster than on your cell phone.
  I rest my case....Again.  I'm really getting shocked to see all the Ham's out there that just refuse to see the logic of this video. Its not about all the things ham can do that very few actually do do, its about all the things that Ham and CB do that CB can do MUCH cheaper.
  Please people stop being so butt hurt about 1 man's opinion. Go make a video telling the world how great HAM is and sit back knowing your super cool like me.

[donamiche]

KB1LYE
I have fun with all communications, it's a hobby for all to enjoy at any level.... 73's & God Bless. Great video Eric.

[brianatkinson]

I have a Cobra 148GTL manufactured in the Philippines in 1991, that was given to me by a friend who's father left it to him when he passed away, and a Antron 99 with 30 feet of LMR 400 coax that was given to me by another friend who was willing to help me out to get back into the CB world, i greatly appreciate all the help i've gotten from good CB radio enthusiasts, love your videos, thank you, keep up the good work.

[davidcarter]

Everyone's a critic Eric. Good video on the pros of CB..which I still use. If someone wants to try out using two-way communications its what you make of it. HAM, CB, FRS, GMRS, MURS....whatever you start with there are good users to help you out. Once one starts and gets some experience then you can decide where you want to go. CB is fun and easy to get started with.

[ericblair]

Years ago I was into CB and we did fox hunts which were a lot of fun. I liked your video! Also as a HAM I can see that CBs are still of use and has a place in emergency COMM. I did get into a heated discussion with another HAM at a meeting with more non radio people. He was saying how CB was dead and worthless. I asked him to explain to the group the physics between 10M & 12M ham radio and CB [11M] and what the performance would be like IF they were matched watt for :} he finely had to admit that they were very close to each other and that he had just not thought it through before. Thank you for the videos you put out.

[JBenedict]

I bought my first CB radio a couple months back for $15. Is a Uniden PC68XL and I installed it in my Jeep. Been fun to turn it on and listen to the chatter.

[atlasofart]

Hi Erik, love your statement and i also have a HAM Licence, but here in Germany CB is where you find good conversations. Subscribed and liked ;)

[theeconomictrucker]

Good video and information. I am new to trucking, going on 3 months now and just bought a cobra 29 lx yesterday and am going to start using it tomorrow, God willing. I look forward to watching your posts, thanks for sharing your expertise in the field

[eriklundqvist]

I do both CB and Ham. The CB is mostly for local, and ham mostly for world-wide. Both are nice hobbies, and CB got me started into the world of radio five years ago. For beginners, I recommend to buy a CB Radio with SSB and an antenna like the A99.

[Lee]

I was a CB’er back in the early 1960’s and a General for over 20 years. They both have pros and cons. I still want to get another SSB CB and sell most of my ham gear and get mobile ham rig I’ve been eyeing. I have everything else I need. Minimal is the way to go. 73

[spudrubble]

Been years but I remember being part of a CB group that we tried to push the limits of how far we could talk with 1 watt ( 1 watt dead key that is). Was pretty fun messing with antennas, forward modulation and such. Found out connecting to the chainlink fence that surrounded the school behind my house back then made my old Cobra Cam base talk pretty good.

[mduffy]

I think your a legend. Been meaning to get back into cb for years so I brought one on eBay a few years ago and it was dead. Thought about ham radio but it sounded too complicated too expensive. Yesterday I learnt about ssb and found you and you have made my mind up. Cheers dude.

[DavidSmith-mkqo]

I have talked all over the world with a 50 watt (on a good day) radio. And people here seem to think you need a big amp to reach Florida. I have talked as far with 50 watts as I ever did with a huge amp. Mother nature is my amp.

[spraymadfoamyo]

I've been "Rabbit" since I first qot on my dad's CB in his truck. That would have had to be about 1978 or 9? I've love it ever since. The last radio I had was, like 1999. I took some interest in HAM, and bought a UV-5R, but have not gotten my cert. I've since decided I want back into CB. Bought a couple of radios and am looking for a decent antenna.
Thanks to you for being one of very few, who are on the 11 meter air. Working to be myself.
Thanks again. Rabbit, on the side.

[MrScotchpie]

Sideband is where it is today. In the UK our national regulator for communications is called OFCOM. A recent request to them from a radio user revealed that though pushing more than 12 watts on sideband is illegal (in the UK) they wouldn't take action against someone putting out more unless they caused interference and received a complaint. I was thinking about a ham licence but why bother. When the skip is good I can talk to many people on 11 meters across Europe. I usually transmit at 100w on my Yaesu 450D that is modified to include the 11 meter frequencies. The old 40 or 80 channel AM/FM CB radio is dead in the UK and I think in most parts of Europe but there are many contacts to be found on the international calling frequency 27.555 USB.

[ShainAndrews]

I'm seeing a bit of a resurgence of CB use. Just made a contact from my truck to a base 60 some miles away (AM). Had a nice short chat, but he made sure to inform me that was the channel he and several others ran on, and that they were all good guys. They had all run through the 70's CB craze and were trying to re-live it to some extent. So he was pretty excited when a new mystery voice cut through the late night static. I have to admit it brought back some memories for me too although I was knee high to a grasshopper in the 70's.

[Happyoldfashionfamily]

Had cb in my 20s. Lost interest for almost 30 years. Getting back into it. Love all your vids.

[flintdavis]

Thanks Eric! I finally got my mobile unit installed, had an old 40 channel I dusted off and stumbled on two whip antennas with cables for $17 a radio shack clearance. I'm in Hawaii, looking forward to move of your videos!

[AdamosDad]

I've wanted to be a ham radio operator since I was 15, I bought a CB radio in 65 or 66 from a summer job earnings, this filled my passion until I joined the Navy in 68. I tried to learn code and got to 5wpm and even helped run a MARS station on board ship, then for the rest of my life I had too much work and too many beers to work on getting my ham license. Now being retired at age 70 I took the tests and got my general ticket and joined a local ham club, several people that go to club meetings go home and talk on their CB radios, I think there is room for both.

[Swoop]

I run both. I run a Yaesu FT 857D into a Yaesu ATAS 120A, and a Stryker SR-447HPC2 into a 102" SS whip.
Each has a specific purpose, I use the CB for traffic conditions and to alert other drivers of hazards or backups.
The other I use to help pass the miles.
And like you, I believe both have their good and bad operators.
Take care and 73'
John C.