Is a CB radio the same thing as an ham radio? If not what is a ham Radio and where do I get one?

Question

I am trying to become a ham operator and I wanted to know if a CB radio is the same thing as a ham radio and If it isn't then what is a ham radio and how do I get one?

Answer 1

CB and ham radio are different.

For ham radio you need a license, which requires a test.

Answer 2

Citizens' Band radio (CB) is, in many countries, a system of short-distance, simplex[1] radio communications between individuals on a selection of 40 channels within the 27 MHz (11 meter) band. The CB radio service should not be confused with FRS, GMRS, MURS, or amateur ("ham") radio. Similar personal radio services exist in other countries, with varying requirements for licensing and differing technical standards. In many countries, CB does not require a license and, unlike amateur radio, it may be used for business as well as personal communications.

Amateur radio, often called ham radio, is both a hobby and a service in which participants, called "hams," use various types of radio communications equipment to communicate with other radio amateurs for public service, recreation and self-training.[1]

Amateur radio operators enjoy personal (and often worldwide) wireless communications with each other and are able to support their communities with emergency and disaster communications if necessary, while increasing their personal knowledge of electronics and radio theory. An estimated six million people throughout the world are regularly involved with amateur radio.[2]

The term "amateur" is not a reflection on the skills of the participants, which are often quite advanced; rather, "amateur" indicates that amateur radio communications are not allowed to be made for commercial or money-making purposes.

Answer 3

CB radio is open to everyone - no license needed.  You are legally limited to 40 channels around 27 Mhz at 5 watts AM.

Hams have many bands they can operate on and can use up to 1000 watts.   You will need to get a license.  It is not that hard, and it is a great hobby:

http://www.wedothat-radio.org/

Answer 4

Hi BrettBell

The answers that you have so far are correct , but I don't think they are giving the full information that you are after.

The biggest immediate difference between the two type of radio communication is the technical skill required to become an operator.

For example,, with CB radio your first (and almost only) step is to purchase a radio and start talking.

With ham radio purchasing the radio is almost the last step taken.

Before a purchase is made you should know what type of ham radio you will be requiring , and this will depend upon the type of license you get.

The different licenses available all require testing of your radio and electronics knowledge by an approved tester.

If you only go for the most basic license you will be only able to operate on selected VHF and UHF ham bands.

The next step up in license will give almost all of the ham bands but at reduced power.....and the highest skill level license will let you use all of the different ham bands at a much higher power.

Even though there are many great studying resource books and websites out there , unless you have a very good grasp of electronics then perhaps the two higher class licenses are out of your reach,,,for the time being at least.

That is why most ham operators start with a low class licenses and then work their way up as their knowledge increase....but it may take many years.

One point that is often not talked about is the fact that ham radio operators are licensed by the federal government in their own country.

This means that while this is a great privilege, it also can bring great troubles if you misuse your privilege.

If found to be deliberately jamming frequencies , using bad radio equipment that interferes with other users , playing music , bad behavior , these things can bring very heavy fines from the government.

Fortunately there are only a small percentage of idiots are on the ham bands.

Another statement which is often said is that you can speak around the world on ham radios.

While that is true it isn't as simple as that.

For user on the lowest class license with VHF and UHF radios direct worldwide communication is impossible.

However range can be substantially increased by accessing repeater stations (which retransmit your signal at a higher power) or by going through an amateur radio satellite.

For the middle class licenses with a lot of effort you can use the HF (high frequency) ham bands and use the ionosphere to bounce your signal down into another part of the world.

Have a look at my recent YouTube videos of what a simple HF ham station can do - http://www.youtube.com/user/OH2FFY

While these contacts are many thousands of kilometers away at present reliable worldwide communications isn't possible on the ham bands.

In summary , the ham radio hobby is vast , and rewards those with patience and electronics skill.

Those that have the CBer mentality will eventually return to the rabble of the mud-duck band on 27Mhz.

If your interested in getting a ham license , contact your local ham radio club and someone from there will help you go through the licensing procedure and help you buy your equipment.

73 from Finland.