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YIKES!
There is more MIS-information in this thread than bugs at a Sunday picnic.
CB radio CAN be useful, both on the road and for base stations. Reality is that most mobile operation is both AM, and with VERTICAL (no gain) antennas. With that setup (1/4 wave vertical and 5 watts) range is limited to 10 miles or less, depending on your elevation and height over average terrain. Worse yet is that the effeciency of magnet mount antennas is very poor.
Folks who decide to use illegal amps face the wrath of FCC official Riley Hollingsworth, who has been handing out fines (Notice of Apparent Liability) in excess of $10,500 for the last 10 years like CANDY to illegal operators. They are easy to spot, and usually get reported by the amateur radio community who DO monitor.
People who operate on frequencies NOT assigned to the CB range stick out like sore thumbs, and are not only easy to triangulate from earth stations, but now the FCC has access to satellites that can easily track it to a specific address.
In the 1970's and 80's, illegal operation was rampant, and the FCC was understaffed and did not have the technology to bust the offenders...that playing field is now totally different.
Worse yet are operators who buy 10 meter ham rigs (without a license) and fire up on amateur radio frequencies...again, EASY to spot, report, and eliminate.
Once the FCC gets involved...plays the digital recording (and spectrum monitor analysis in some cases as illegal signals are WIDE) to the offenders...they most often admit their guilt--have their equipment confiscated and pay a hefty fine.
There are very easy ways in base operations to increase signal strength and range (up to 150 miles) WITHOUT illegal amps is to use an antenna with GAIN. My homebrewed 10 meter 6 element quad at 70' (fixed supports facing Europe and the Middle East) cost less than $100, and had a gain of over 20. My 100 watt signal sounded like 2 KILOWATTS on the other end. Did VERY well in contests...best DX?....Kazakhstan on the first call.
If your interest is to talk over long distances and meet new people from countries all over the world and have some pretty cool friendships worldwide??--get a ham license.
The test is like anything else, if you study, you will pass.
Why the test? Your government is entrusting you with both long and short distance communications, and up to 1,500 watts of power. It's a privilege. Hams nowadays (post 9/11) handle disaster and emergency communications (9/11, Katrina, etc.) and traffic in and out of places where power and regular telephone communications are down. Hams can also get additional training via the Armed Forces and handle phone patches and messages for military stationed abroad (M.A.R.S.).
You can also communicate via satellites, repeaters, and computer-based nodes, send Fast and Slow Scan Television. With VoiP technology, you can log onto computer nodes and talk over repeaters in countries WORLD with with your Aces High headset! If you don't want to by the new Yaesu 9000 at a pricetag of $10,000--use your computer. No antenna required.
And for anyone who says Morse code is dead? Most of the JUICY DX (rare long distance stations) operate CW (Morse code)...a signal that can get through fading, noise, interference, and static where voice communication can't.
One of the most fun Air Warrior things to do was the hams on AW would get on 40 and 80 meters at night with other ham squaddies and use it before we had VOX on that game!
Most any ham will do everything they can to help you get a license, and arrl.org should be your first internet stop if you are interested. Heck, e-mail me and I will help!
I'd much rather help fellow AH'ers to get a legitimate license rather than see them get fined.
Is talking on 27.625 LSB with an illegal amp on worth a $10,000 fine?
Respectfully,
ROX
K5TEN
