Is a CB radio the same as a VHF radio?

[bowman316]

I just bought a CB radio at wal-mart for 36 bucks!
I was just wondering if it is pratical to use this in my boat? They say it has a 4 mile range. Can i communicate with the other boats on vhf radios, is it the same thing?

 

[flargin]

Re: Is a CB radio the same as a VHF radio?

nope, different frequencies. they cannot listen to or communicate with each other.

VHF http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/vhf.htm

CB http://www.livecbradio.com/cb-radio-frequencies.htm

 

[arks]

Re: Is a CB radio the same as a VHF radio?

Completely different radios. If you want to talk to other boats you need a marine VHF.
Many years ago I kept a CB radio onboard in addition to the VHF, but almost nobody on the water used them.

 

[bowman316]

Re: Is a CB radio the same as a VHF radio?

good thing i never installed it then, bought it today and returned it an hour later. I will just get the 48 dollar handheld vhf from wal-mart.com

Thanks for the info.

 

[Seon]

Re: Is a CB radio the same as a VHF radio?

From what I've read about hand held VHF, not too many owners are satisfied with them. You're better off buying a VHF at Radio Shack, Cabelas or West Marine for $100 and an 8' antenna for $40 and you'll be very satisfied. Also check in Craigslist. I've seen them in there as little as $40. Good luck

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Is a CB radio the same as a VHF radio?

good thing i never installed it then, bought it today and returned it an hour later. I will just get the 48 dollar handheld vhf from wal-mart.com

Thanks for the info.

What are your boating destinations? I bought a hand held from West Marine for about $100 and it works great. I'm never that far from shore or other boaters. My next boat (upgrade to a sport cruiser) will have a mounted unit with big a$# antenna.

 

[Mark2009]

Re: Is a CB radio the same as a VHF radio?

Hand held are very good for a few miles offshore and work better at sea than they do on land, that is coz the radio signal bounces over the water. If you are going quite fas out then you need a base unit and larger ariel.

A CB radio is if you want to just talk to a load of strangers and truck drivers.

I have used both in the past, in the UK you need a licence for CB and a permit for VHF which is also the COASTGUARD on CHannel 16.

 

[bowman316]

Re: Is a CB radio the same as a VHF radio?

yea, i don't ever go offshore. but where i boat it is not super crowded. so only a few boats (or no boats) may be in sight at a time. since the bay is so big.

I heard that if they can not see your antenna, they can not hear you. So for a hand held, if I can not see them, i can not talk? Can you plug it into an antenna?

 

[lowkee]

Re: Is a CB radio the same as a VHF radio?

It is correct on the line of sight theory. Keep in mind, we are talking about the curvature of the Earth, not how far you can see, so you can go quite a distance and still be in radio contact, just not 2 time zones away.

 

[arks]

Re: Is a CB radio the same as a VHF radio?

So for a hand held, Can you plug it into an antenna?

Yes, with SOME handhelds. You'd need to have a radio with a removable antenna and an adapter that connects the handheld to the onboard antenna. Doing this will significantly increase the range.