subject: 10 Meter Radio Or Cb Radio. Which One Do I Need? [print this page] CB or citizens band radio is a simple uncomplicated introduction to the airwaves. Many use mobile CB radio equipment as well as handheld CB radios because they are relatively inexpensive, all you need is a transceiver set and an antenna and you're off and running.
You can install one of the larger base station CB radios in your home and a mobile CB radio in your vehicle. If you use your vehicle as a 'base' you can add handheld CB equipment to talk over short distances, while the larger antenna on your vehicle should allow the signal from a vehicle mounted CB 'rig' to 'get out' further.
In all cases CB radio is free. Once you've bought your equipment you're done, no license fees no usage fees and no monthly bill, no matter how much you use it.
CB operates on the 11 meter waveband. It's range has been limited as a result of government regulation which caps the power of CB radio equipment at 4 watts. As a result, some CB radios are very short range and can transmit no more than a mile or so. A properly tuned antenna can often increase that range a great deal; 5, 10 and 20 miles are not unknown depending on the geography of the area, other radio traffic and the atmospheric conditions.
Perhaps most frustratingly, the 11 meter band is excellent for long range communications as the radio signals bounce off the ionosphere in a phenomenon called 'shooting skip'. Again government regulations prohibit conversations on CB radio where the distance involved is over 150 miles.
Ten meter radios are intended for use by licensed amateur radio enthusiasts. They operate on considerably higher power but like CB radio (which operates in the 11 meter band) signals bounce off the ionosphere making ten meters ideal for long distance communications.
This aspect has made ten meter radio very popular and enthusiasts even have their own club; 10-10 international. In addition to having daily calls for members 10-10 encourages members to contact every county, every state and as many members as possible by awarding certificates for the number of contacts.
As the frequency of operations is very similar between 10 meter and CB radio, ten meter radios can be modified to work on CB frequencies, in fact many manufacturers make this ease of modification afeature of their ham radio transceivers.
In theory the opposite should also be true, however the lower power of CB radios means any such modification is unlikely to be useful. In the past, CB was always preferred due to the lower cost of the equipment, however ham radio transceivers have reduced in price and a ham radio license itself is free, although there may be a small (often less than $20) fee for the examination required to get one.
If your requirements are strictly short range and unlikely to change, CB is ideal for you. If you feel you may want to move to long range communications 10 meter radio is the better choice.In either case you'll always be able to reach afriendly voice and best of all, there's no monthly fee.
