Date:         Mon, 16 Nov 1998 21:33:11 -0500
Reply-To:     "Robert A. Alexander" <satcong@VOL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "Robert A. Alexander" <satcong@VOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Selecting a CB?
Comments: To: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Comments: cc: vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I'll second David's recommendation, with reservations!  The BIG problem
with low-priced CB radios is the quality of audio!  If you buy one of
the really small units, buy one that has an external speaker jack!  A
cheap, plug-in, speaker from Radio Shack will make all the difference in
the world concerning actually understanding what one hears from CBs!

Do not know what Canadian "ham radio" laws are like, but, here in the
States, one can get a "no-code" ham radio license WITHOUT learning the
International Morse Code, enabling one to utilize "repeaters" located
throughout the USA, for RELIABLE 30-70 mile communications with less
power used than a CB!!!  I can drive from the Chattanooga area to
friends' homes in South Florida and NEVER be out-of-range of a repeater,
and the ability of utilizing the "touch-tone" feature to make telephone
calls from my Vanagon!  THIS is really the way to go, compared to the
foul-mouthed CB frequencies.

BOB - WA4RRN
'85GL
http://www.impeachment.org

ps-IF you're willing to take the time to learn the International Morse
Code, you can utilize the HF frequencies of Ham Radio to talk all over
the world while Vanagoning!  I spent three hours talking to an Israeli
HAM during my trip taking my five daughters to South Florida back in
July!