Thinking about getting a CB radio with a Ham channel built into it.

Hornet 17

Hornet 17

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When I'm on the road traveling I hear the truckers talking about changing channels and skip land. What Ham channel do they listen to ?
I know on CB its channel 19, but in ham land is it like channel 41 or 42?
Can I just make up a callsign and handle and be OK?
I don't want to take a test.
Are those Baofung Cobra radios any good?
Can I just get a rubber duckie antenna and talk to over seas?
When is the best time to call skipland?
Breaker Breaker this is hornet 17 callsign BR549 calling hong kong or tokyo.
Im practicing up.D0E329CE-048D-40FA-A4A5-D1387218DC56.jpeg
 
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Not 100%, but I believe you need a HAM radio operators license to transmit.

Not sure what the difference is with CB, but you don't need a license to transmit on CB.
 
Based on your photo and your interesting mix of terms, I'll have to assume you're being tongue in cheek. šŸ¤Ŗ

Questions you've been asked?

iu
 
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Beef15 said:
1) Legally.
2) POWER mostly, CBs in their legal configuration are pretty weak, still enjoy mine, and no interest in Ham.
Click to expand...
I was giving the benefit of the doubt, I haven't looked at HAM anything in a very long time.

Consider me learn-ed.
 
Yeah you will get busted on Ham frequencies. Hams are resourceful. They'll keep you talking while they figure out where you are. I've heard it happen.

Call signs are public. A real call sign can be Google searched easily. Once you're found out (and you will be quickly) you be called put.

There aren't really "channels" on Ham radio. There are mostly repeaters on certain frequencies. You can listen easily. But unless your radio is programmed for it, you won't be transmitting on the correct frequency anyway.

As for HT radios and rubber ducky antennas, they're fine for receiving and mostly garbage for transmitting. A repeater will be a strong signal usually from high on a tower with a pretty long whip. Your 1 to 5 watt HT and rubber ducky will likely receive several local repeaters, but may only hit one of them transmitting.

Short version: I you want to talk on Ham radio, get the license and the proper equipment. CB is the wild wild west. Get a radio and start jabbering.
 
CB is AM radio mode. HT type radio is on FM mode. AM signals travel around the world while FM is sort range line of sight as they say.
I would recommend you check out a ham radio meeting via video or in person once things get back to normal.
Many clubs hold classes at no cost, you just pay for the textbook and the exam fee that the volunteer examiners proctor.
The CB frequencies are not in the same place as our Amateur Radio frequencies so you will not have anyone to talk to. CB radio is manufactured to work on CB frequencies. Working the 'skip' is not legal because the radios are modified or external amplifiers are used and that can cause interference to legitimate radio services, not just on the frequency ie 'channel' the CB is tuned to. The signal can be multiplied many times and work its way where it should not be and that is not a good thing.
 
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