Why not a CB for communications?

[sundance]

I'm looking for a bike to bike commuinications system for my me and my wife.

I saw this on another thread.http://www.jmcorp.com/SeeProducts.asp?PF=24. Looks sweet!


So apart from the " But I cant run my cell phone through it" Which quite honestly bewilders the hell out of me. Cell phone?...On a motorcycle? WHY?!
No disrespect...I understand if your a heart surgeon on call and need to return immediately cause Dick Cheney needs another bypass; or maybe your carrying one of those secret nuclear brief cases and your being contacted by the pentagon to detonate it right where you are on RT.50 in WV. Hey...what do you carry in your vario's? :rotf:

Okay..sincerely I didnt mean to offend you cell phone carrying riders, whatever you need to do, just having fun with my lack of understanding about it, I ride to get away from all of that, at least for a little while.

So...I digress...I dont need replies about why you need cell phone capabilities, please, in the back of the 10% of my brain I use, I know why.

So that leaves me 9% to ponder this:

Check out the CB in the above link;seems sweet! What I dont understand is: why is it when someone posts a question about B2B communciations you dont see more recommendations for CB's? CB's are great inexpensive, reliable communication devices.

Knowing what I know about CB's, since I am a truck driver;

Advantages: You have 40 channels! They can be very private, choose any channel besides 19.

You can adjust the squelch or RF gain, whatever the capability, and it will eliminate or minimize any noise or signals beyond your immediate vicinity. And Really, out of 40 availiable channels, what are the chances we are going to run into someone else on our channel? If they are...simple enough to change channels or say "hello" to your passing friends.

CB's are very reliable, and easy to fix. CB's shops can be found quite easily. They can also be internally boosted by your local CB wizard to increase your output, giving you a stronger signal. Its a cheap thing to do that enhances performance.

In the event something happens, go to channel 19 and you have the world at your fingertips; surely you will find help.

The antenna, mounting of this system seems so user freindly. IMO..better than attaching a chatterbox to the side of my helmet or somehow securing it to my tankbag or handlebars. That looks so "Not right" to me.

Okay....so I ask this cause I keep thinking I need to go with the Kenwoods GMRS or FRS or whatever. However, that system is expensive when you take the autocoms into consideration. Hey...check out that J&M CB!!! I can hook a satellite radio up to it...or a GPS. Okay..that gives you cell phone riders ammo now. :rolleyes:

Sooo....Please....I need guidance. Am I missing something here? What is the advantage of a GMRS or FRS radio over a CB? This J&M CB seems so user freindly. ANyone know of any others that are similar? Also, do I still need an autocom or would the CB alone suffice for communciations, music?

Phew!...yeah...that was long winded. If you made it to here...your a patient fella. Thank-you! :beer:

[sprdoorman]

Hi Steve, Use a CB for my bike to bike communications and works fine. Most riders I ride with have a CB. I have the BMW branded J&M CB like the one your looking at except its not a full comm system. Pretty happy with it since 2nd dealer finally got it to work.

There's one for sale on Ebay right now - looks like reserve has been met and still has a few days to go. See item #290047413549.

[rodgtc]

Steve, I have the J&M you are looking at. Intercom, CB, weather, CD and radio play through it. I love it everything has its own volume control and it works great. I also have my GPS and MP3 player going through it. I set my cell on vibrate and check to see whos calling before I pull over to talk. One draw back is it is not VOX so you get a little wind noise if you set the volume to high. I use mine to talk to other bikes and truckers for weather forcast down the road also works for traffic jams.

Good Luck
Rodger

[Big_E]

You can run your cell phone through it, http://www.sierra-mc.com/proddetail.asp?prod=JM%2DJCB03%2DCFRG

[sundance]

ACK!!! :eek:
First...I now realize I may have posted this in the wrong category. Guess I could've posted it in Accessories, etc.... Ah well.

Hey..thanks for the heads-up on the e-bay item. Never thought of looking there.

Well...I'm convinced now that this may be the solution I'm looking for. Seems perfect for our use, unless someone says otherwise. This unit seems so user freindly.

About the wind noise though, how much are we talking? I would expect it at like 70mph, but cruising the back country at 30-55, how about then?

I'm feeling "spendy" tonight....flipping over to e-bay now. :D


07' GS-mine
05' ST-hers

[messenger13]

I would suggest the device that most suits one's needs. My riding friend and I use FRS/GMRS. My ICOM radio also doubles as a nice communicator with my kid's FRS radios. So FRS/GMRS was a no-brainer for me. But if you think a CB would be best for you...then go for it.

[sundance]

Hee-hee. :D

A sincere Thanks to whoever moved my topic. I felt strange over in that "other" place. :abduct:

[Lonewuff]

Sundance,

If you are used to a BIG radio in a truck you are going to be VERY dissappointed in this radio. If works okay, but mainly line of sight. They are nothing like the radio in a rig. Most of the time truckers tell me to go to the radio shop and have mine looked at. After riding with a bunch of guys with this radio in a group, I understand why. Not the best signal. Works okay to stay alert to what is up ahead in the road, but not good for long distance chats.

[sprdoorman]

Hey Steve, Just took another look at the one on Ebay. It looks like its the BMW branded unit which is just a CB and weather radio. It is not a full comm system. If your looking for the full Comm system this is probably not the one for you.

Carl

[hschisler]

I think you've covered, or had mentioned in replies, what you're looking for:


use CB to communicate with truckers.
use FRS/GMRS to communicate with other users of these inexpensive little radios that (it seems) everyone has these days.
In my admittedly-limited experience, it looks like the Gold Wing crowd is more into CBs than the BMW crowd. No polls or stats to quote, just an observation. Many here have both, and I can see how that makes sense. The simple quality of an FRS/GMRS conversation is going to be better than CB, I believe, as well as the transmission/reception range.

With FRS/GMRS you don't have antenna/SWR issues, and you can have hundreds of combinations of channels and security codes for even more privacy if you need/want that.

For the ultimate in transmission/reception range... well, that's when I use the cell phone. :o And, I'll readily admit -- for the first time on this forum :rolleyes: -- that I'm a bit of a gadget freak and I like the idea of telling someone I'll call them back later when I'm off the bike. Makes for an interesting water cooler conversation at the office the next morning. "You were on your motorcycle? Huh...?"

I would install a CB on my bike if I had the time to do the research and put it all together into once nice package, if that's possible.

[sundance]

Argh!! Just when I think I'm a CB convert, you guys raise some good points. Yeah...I have a 2-meter in my truck. Its loud, But I need it so my big mouth will be heard over everyones elses big mouth. :D Honestly...it stays off 90% of the time for that very reason.

Well...I thought about the power of this radio. I suppose it can peaked/tuned by my local CB guy, but I really wonder just how much they can get out of it. Its an inexpensive mod that can make a noticeable difference. And for those of you interested...they can do it while you wait... it doesnt take long at all.

BUT....yeah...I really dont need much more than line of site...right? I just want the ability for basic communication with my wife. Not really chattting so much as ..... hey...are ya hungry? Which way should we go? Tight turn up ahead...etc. But good strong communciation never the less.

Mostly though, for when we are sorta lost...and I want to tell her I'm looking for a pulloff to check a map. To say the least, being lost has gotten us into some confusion before. Argh....Women. :rolleyes: I do say that lovingly. :bmw: I admit...it was my fa..fa..faul.....eh hem.....my fffaul....sorry, keyboard is sticky.... IT WAS MY FAULT....OKAY...THERE.....I SAID IT!!! :eek:

Hey...something just stomped out of the house and slammed the door....I believe it was my manhood! ...... What did I do????

[messenger13]

For the ultimate in transmission/reception range... well, that's when I use the cell phone. :oA cell phone is NOT a "bike to bike communicator" at all. Bike to bike communications are usually just short transmissions every few minutes. They are not conversations. And you just go ahead and try to use your cell phone when you're in the mountains, or the desolate areas of this country...where the real LD'ers ride. That's when you need a GMRS or CB, because the cell phone is useless.


And, I'll readily admit -- for the first time on this forum :rolleyes: -- that I'm a bit of a gadget freak and I like the idea of telling someone I'll call them back later when I'm off the bike. Makes for an interesting water cooler conversation at the office the next morning. "You were on your motorcycle? Huh...?"Esteem issues, Howard? :rolleyes:

[PMitchell]

Argh!! Just when I think I'm a CB convert, you guys raise some good points. Yeah...I have a 2-meter in my truck. Its loud, But I need it so my big mouth will be heard over everyones elses big mouth. :D Honestly...it stays off 90% of the time for that very reason.

Well...I thought about the power of this radio. I suppose it can peaked/tuned by my local CB guy, but I really wonder just how much they can get out of it. Its an inexpensive mod that can make a noticeable difference. And for those of you interested...they can do it while you wait... it doesnt take long at all.

BUT....yeah...I really dont need much more than line of site...right? I just want the ability for basic communication with my wife. Not really chattting so much as ..... hey...are ya hungry? Which way should we go? Tight turn up ahead...etc. But good strong communciation never the less.

Mostly though, for when we are sorta lost...and I want to tell her I'm looking for a pulloff to check a map. To say the least, being lost has gotten us into some confusion before. Argh....Women. :rolleyes: I do say that lovingly. :bmw: I admit...it was my fa..fa..faul.....eh hem.....my fffaul....sorry, keyboard is sticky.... IT WAS MY FAULT....OKAY...THERE.....I SAID IT!!! :eek:

Hey...something just stomped out of the house and slammed the door....I believe it was my manhood! ...... What did I do????
Just for the record . . . {probably more than you ever wanted to know about two-way radios}

2 Meters is around the 144-147 MHz VHF band and is dedicated and limited to FCC licensed amateur operators. This type of FM communications is typically relayed through non-profit Repeater Associations for longer distance communications rather than limited line-of-site.

FRS is a low power (1/2 watt or less) 462MHz and 467 MHz UHF spectrum and does not require an FCC license. General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is an FCC regulated service and also requires a license at an application cost of ~$70. Power is approved up to 50 watts input to the antenna for base stations also in the UHF spectrum.

The Family Radio Service (FRS) also shares seven low power GMRS channels. GMRS users are allowed 5 watts ERP (effective radiated power) on these channels and FRS only one-half watt.

CB @ 27 MHZ (11 meters) is unlicensed and is legally limited to 4 watts input to the antenna.

The common power amplifiers used with CB transceivers are illegal can be confiscated as well as heavy fines levied if violators are prosecuted. The FCC recently has targeted some domestic and import operations for marketing non type-accepted equipment including transceivers and amplifiers.
73,
Paul N8QZ
Pres., Western Reserve Emergency Communications Assoc.
http://www.ncweb.com/org/WRECS/

[hschisler]

A cell phone is NOT a "bike to bike communicator" at all. Bike to bike communications are usually just short transmissions every few minutes. They are not conversations. And you just go ahead and try to use your cell phone when you're in the mountains, or the desolate areas of this country...where the real LD'ers ride. That's when you need a GMRS or CB, because the cell phone is useless.

Esteem issues, Howard? :rolleyes:Your first point: Of course. No argument there. I got sidetracked on the question of "Why have a cell phone on a bike?"

Your second point: Right. That's why I have FRS/GMRS on the bike already.

Your third point. Naturally. Very similar to: "Your new bike goes how fast? And the top case color matches the rest of the bike?" :rolleyes:

BTW: "Real LD'ers"? I guess I have to ride in prescribed locations to qualify as the "real deal"? (Not claiming that I do, but some day I'd like to ride across the U.S. and I was kind of hoping that I could choose my own route...) :D

[sundance]

I'm gonna put a 150 watt 2 meter on my GS. That would be a site!!! Heck, I could talk to y'all from Mongolia. :histerica

[dshealey]

--------------So apart from the " But I cant run my cell phone through it" Which quite honestly bewilders the hell out of me. Cell phone?...On a motorcycle? WHY?!---------------

When I was doing a lot of cross country riding, the addition of the cell phone into my Autocom, with auto answer, was a HUGE relief for my wife! She called me a few times a day while I was on the road to see how I was doing, and when I got into those late night hours after 18 hours of riding it was also an occasional "alert check" to get a call from her. She could tell from how I was talking how I was doing, and if she felt I was getting too tired she would urge me to stop. Believe me, I never felt that was nagging in the least, and really appreciated the keeping in contact. The beauty of it was that since I never had to touch anything, it was great. That also meant I did not have to stop to call her. If needed, I could also voice dial to call anyone.

[meese]

Cell phone?...On a motorcycle? WHY?!I've also heard "Radio?...On a motorcycle? WHY?!" It's just another tool, that when used properly, can be of great benefit. But, to paraphrase pilots, "First, ride the motorcycle." Everything else is secondary.

[Lonewuff]

I asked one of the more reputable radio techs in the Houston area if he could "Tweak" my radio for me. He said sure, come on in. When I rolled up he looked at the bike and said "Okay, where is the CB?" and me being the complete idiot said "Right here" as I pointed to the control on the handlebar. He laughed and said, "No, the actual radio" and I said (again - idiot) "Oh, it's probably under all the plastic." He said "Well, when you get it out of there bring it in some time and I'll adjust it, then we'll see about your antenna. So, my radio is still hidden some where under all that plastic and I asked the dealership how much they would charge me to pull it out (when they had the tupperware off) and let me run to the tech with it. You don't want to know what they quoted me. So, line of sight and the occasional comment from the truckers about needing to take my radio to the shop are the order of the ride, until I figure out how to get the radio to the tech. Now before you all start telling me how easy the radio is to get to, keep in mind, I do not own tools for a reason. I could f**k up an anvil and it always ends up costing me three times more than it would have to let someone do it right the first time.

[Big_E]

If you have the BMW or J&M unit on the handle bar, that is the CB, there is nothing else under the plastic.

[hschisler]

... I do not own tools for a reason. I could f**k up an anvil and it always ends up costing me three times more than it would have to let someone do it right the first time.Jerry, you are my new hero. This phrase exactly describes what I think about my own tech/mech skills... and I have witnesses to prove it!

Maybe we should have an Alternative Tech Session: everyone rides their bikes to someone's house where we proceed to NOT work on the bikes. Except for maybe cleaning a windshield, rotating valve stem caps or something of equivalent difficulty. :rolleyes: Have a nice lunch, shoot the breeze, ride home...

[Lonewuff]

If you have the BMW or J&M unit on the handle bar, that is the CB, there is nothing else under the plastic.

The tech told me that the unit on the handlebars (The BMW CB) is just the controls and the brains are in the actual radio. I know the antenne goes to the radio as do most of the wires coming out of the control unit.

Howard....sounds like a great tech session to me...now we just need some acutal Tim The Tool Man Taylor types to set in, so we can get real stuff done too. :rotf:

[Big_E]

All the brains are in the handlebar unit. Maybe the tech's brains are under the plastic.