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The basics of how a CB radio works is similar to that of a two way radio. Both allow you to communicate with others over the public airwaves, but there are circumstances where one would be preferable to the other. I will try to outline the major differences here.

CB Radios
CB radios are primarily used in vehicles, so if you are looking to communicate with others only while in a vehicle then a CB is a great choice. With a CB you are not limited to talking to others in your caravan, it is acceptable to strike up a conversation with anyone.

Most CB's are designed to be connected to an external antenna, which can offer range far greater than that of a two way radio. Some individuals mount antenna's on their roofs to allow them to communicate via CB with homes that are miles away. With a 2 way radio, this would require a repeater which can be very expensive.

CB radios are better if you need to a way to call for help. Although it is rare, In some areas channel 9 is monitored by authorities for emergencies.

Bottom line: CB radios have an advantage when travelling and when you need more range without buying expensive equipment. They are great for communicating with both friends and strangers, and do not require a license. Disadvantages are portability, privacy, and the perform poorly inside buildings.

Two Way Radios
Two way radios (walkie talkies) are small and hand held, which makes them very portable. You can use a 2 way radio to communicate with a family member in another vehicle while travelling to a theme park, and then take the radio with you to use in the park. This wouldn't be possible with most CB radios. Even handheld CB radios can be rather large.

While conversations are not at all private on either a CB radio or a two way radio, two way's provide better perceived privacy. They offer features such as privacy codes which filter out the transmissions of other radios, making it appear that your group has the frequency all to yourselves. This makes two way radios a good tool for communicating with a group but, unlike a CB, they are not especially useful for communicating with strangers.

Two way radios are available in many frequency ranges. VHF two way radios work well outside, while UHF radios (such as GMRS and FRS radios) work well in many environments including inside buildings. Many types of two way radios, however, require a license which can be an added expense.

Bottom line: Two way radios have an advantage in portability, size, and privacy. They operate adequately in most environments including inside buildings. They are not intended for communicating with people you don't know, and range is usually less than 2 miles unless you buy expensive equipment like a repeater. Some types require a license.

The following is a list of CB radio "10 codes". Ten codes are an abbreviated way of sending messages, some of which are very common among those that use CB radios frequently or professionally. If you're new to the CB world, take a look at the list below to get familiar with some codes you may hear.

As you can imagine, some are more popular than others. I don't recommend that you memorize the list below, just use it as a reference if you hear something that you're not sure about. The list of 10 codes below was taken from the manual of a Cobra CB Radio.

CB Radios are communications devices that are almost exclusively used in vehicles. They are typically used to listen to or participate in friendly conversation with others on the highway, but they can also be used to communicate with friends or report emergencies.

A typical CB radio is mounted and hard wired directly into a vehicle. An antenna is typically mounted on the outside of the vehicle. Connected to the main CB unit, will be a palm-size microphone. A button is pressed on the side of the microphone to transmit a message over the currently selected channel. Other CB owners within range will hear your message if they are tuned to your channel.

Standard CB Radios support 40 channels, and those supporting SSB (Single Side Band) support even more. Channel 9 is an emergency channel and should only be used to transmit an actual emergency. Channel 19 is the preferred highway channel in most areas. Many CB radios have "Instant Channel Access" buttons to let you quickly tune to channels 9 or 19.

CB radio range varies from a few miles to possibly thousands of miles. The type of antenna and the output power of the radio most directly affect the range, but other factors can contribute as well. Radio output power is limited to 4 watts by the FCC and most CB radios operate at this maximum. Antenna's, however, can vary widely. In general, the longer the antenna the better.

Because of the frequency range within which CB radios operate, it is possible that radio signals can bounce off the ionosphere (called "skip") and be heard hundreds or even thousands of miles away. Taking advantage of this "skip" to communicate with those hundreds of miles away is discouraged by the FCC.

CB radios are now predominately used by truckers, but there are several reasons the average person may find them convenient. For exclusive vehicle use, they may be better choice than a two way radio for communicating between vehicles on a road trip. Many offer NOAA weather channel support, which allows you to stay aware of local weather. Just being able to communicate with other travellers has many other small benefits, such as getting suggestions for where to dine or being alerted to speed traps.

CB radios can also be fun! CB radio users have their own lingo, including ten codes and slang. They can also be quite inexpensive to get started with, so why not give one a try?

If you've found our voice recorder selection while browsing our product selection, you may be asking yourself "who needs one of these?" Voice recorders, especially digital voice recorders, are convenient items to have around and they can be helpful in a number of ways. Obviously voice recorders are great for professionals, such as lawyers and executives, but below I will point out a few ways that they can help just about anyone get through their day.

• Students can use a voice recorder in class to avoid taking notes. The student can devote their full attention to the lecture, and they also have more detailed notes. This also applies to professionals at meetings or conferences.
• Sticking a voice recorder to the fridge is a great way to pass information to family members.
• Writing "To Do" lists is a thing of the past. Just speak your tasks into the recorder.
• Don't write down a shopping list for your husband! Just record the list and he can take the recorder along.
• Any notes that you make for yourself can more easily be recorded!

In addition to these benefits, some voice recorder features make things even easier. For example, many recorders allow you to adjust the playback speed of a recording. If you playback a class lecture 50% faster, you can still understand the speaker but you finish in half the time!

How do you use your voice recorder? Let us know!

The use of LIDAR (laser) guns by police to detect vehicles speed is growing rapidly throughout the United States, as well as the world. With this growing threat, it is very important that drivers realize that a radar detector alone should not be trusted to protect them from laser. In this post, I want to explain in basic terms how police laser works and why it is difficult to successfully detect. I will also point out several products that are effective at slowing down or stopping this threat.

How Police LIDAR Guns Work
Before you can defend yourself against LIDAR, it helps to have a basic understanding of how it works. Police laser guns release a narrow beam of light at a targeted vehicle. Portions of this light are reflected off the vehicle and back to the laser gun. From this reflected light, the laser gun can calculate the speed of the vehicle.

In order for the laser gun to calculate a vehicles speed, the light has to be reflected back to the gun. Because of this, police are trained to target the more reflective areas of the vehicle. Typically this is the front license plate, headlights, or perhaps a shiny front grill.

Why Is Laser A Problem For Radar Detectors?
With regular old police radar guns, the actual radar signal is very wide and it bounces off just about any obstacle in its path. This makes radar comparatively easy to detect because, even with instant-on radar, your detector will typically "catch a bounce" when the officer targets another vehicle around you.

At 1000 feet the laser beam is only 2 feet wide and, unlike radar, it doesn't "bounce". This narrow beam has to actually hit your radar detector before it will produce an alert. In most cases, the police officer will be targeting your car before your detector alerts you and, since the laser gun can calculate your speed in less than a second, you will not have time to respond before getting a ticket.

Luckily, there are several choices, both active and passive, available for those looking for a solution to police laser.

Laser Jammers
The best defense against police laser is a laser jammer. Laser jammers are an active defense against laser, actually interfering with the light from the laser gun. A laser jammer will block the light from the laser gun, preventing the gun from calculating a speed.

According to recent tests, the best laser jammers currently available are made by Blinder. The Blinder M20 provides 2 transceivers, which will provide coverage for the front of a vehicle or both the front and rear of a motorcycle. The Blinder M40 includes 4 transceivers, enough to cover both the front and rear of a typical vehicle.

We also offer the Shifter ZR3 from Escort. This jammer also tested very well and will integrate with your high end Escort radar detector.

Passive Solutions
If the laser gun can't find a reflective surface, it can't provide the vehicle's speed. It's as simple as that. Passive laser defense products work to make your vehicle less reflective. If the police officer needs to hit your vehicle for several seconds before he can get your speed, that is time for you to respond to your radar detector's "LASER" alert and slow down.

Laser Veil is the best passive solution available, and is far less expensive than a laser jammer. Laser Veil is a translucent paint-like substance that you apply to the reflective areas of your car, such as the headlights, fog lights and license plate. It makes these areas much less reflective, which could significantly reduce the range of a laser gun.

Laser Veil has been tested and was found to be quite effective. It can even be used in combination with a laser jammer to reduce laser punch-through, making your jammer even more effective.

The Laser Shield is a non-reflective license plate cover. Since police are trained to first aim the laser gun at a license plate, using a Laser Shield could buy you a couple of seconds if you have a good radar detector. However, you have to keep in mind that it only covers the license plate, so the police officer will usually pan right to the headlight if he isn't getting a speed from the license plate.

We have found that the best passive solution involves a combination of Veil and a Laser Shield. The manufacturers of Veil recommend against applying Veil directly to a license plate, so the Laser Shield is a perfect compliment. Apply Veil to the headlights and fog lights of your vehicle, then to a Laser shield. Place the Laser Shield over your license plate, and you're in business.

Two way radios communicate with each other by using using radio waves, which are regulated in the United States by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC decides what types of devices are allowed to use various frequency ranges, and they have the power to charge users of these devices a registration fee. A registration fee is required for many types of two way radios.

Keep in mind, we are not the FCC. We are only providing this information as a benefit to our customers. If you have detailed questions concerning licensing, we suggest that you contact the FCC directly. An FCC license is not required before purchasing radios from us, and we do not provide information to the FCC about our customers.

Below, I list several popular types of two way radios and provide important details such as how to register and the cost of registering. This information is only applicable to customers using two way radios within the United States. Customers from outside the United States should check with their governments for information on any two way radio regulations that may apply.

FRS Radios
The FCC does not require a license if you are using FRS.

The Family Radio Service (FRS) was intended to be used by family, friends, and associates to communicate within a neighborhood or while on outings. Radios used for FRS cannot transmit at more than one half watt of power and they must have non-detachable antennas. Because of these rules, the range of FRS radios is typically limited to a half mile or less.

It is now actually rare to see a radio that only operates on the FRS. Most consumer radios now support both FRS and GMRS. If you purchase a FRS/GMRS dual service radio you can use it for FRS only (and avoid the license requirement) by staying within the FCC's rules for FRS. Basically, just be sure that you are only using channels 1-14 and have the radio in low power mode. In low power mode the radio will automatically limit it's power to one half watt of power.

GMRS Radios
According to the FCC, the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a land-mobile radio service created for short-distance communications for an adult individual and his/her immediate family members.

A GMRS license is good for five years, and is renewable. One license covers the individual named on the application and their immediate family members. The FCC defines "immediate family members" as a spouse, children, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and in-laws.

A GMRS license is currently $80, and the easiest way to get one is to apply online through the FCC's Universal Licensing System (ULS). The ULS Radio Service Code for GMRS is "ZA". If you would prefer not to file online, you can file FCC Form 605 manually.

Business Radios
The business two way radios that we offer operate in the 150-174 Mhz (VHF) and 450-470 Mhz (UHF) frequency ranges. These frequencies fall under the FCC's part 90 regulations for Industrial / Business communications.

The licensing cost for business frequencies is usually much less than the cost of a business licensing consumer (GMRS) frequencies, but the license process is much more involved. Before applying for a license, the business must contact a Frequency Coordinator to be assigned frequencies that are not already used in their area. After receiving your frequencies, you can complete the license application using the Universal Licensing System (ULS). Getting started tutorials for ULS are available through the FCC's web site.

The cost for a license varies based on the frequency, but for the frequency ranges that our radios support the cost is $155. A license is usually issued for 10 years, and is renewable.

We frequently get questions from business customers asking if they really need to buy a "business" two way radio. Business radios are generally much more expensive than consumer radios and the features are often very similar, so it is easy to see why this can be confusing. In this post I'll try to explain the common differences between these types of radios, and hopefully provide enough information for you to decide what's best for your business.

FCC Regulations
Whether a 2 way radio is "business" or "consumer" is decided by the frequencies that it uses to transmit and receive communications. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has set aside 22 UHF frequencies as general frequencies for use by consumers. These frequencies make up GMRS and FRS channels that are supported by the consumer radios that we sell.

Technically, use of the GMRS channels requires an FCC license. This license is good for 5 years and covers the applicant and his/her immediate family. GMRS licenses are not issued to businesses. Here is a note from the FCC's GMRS license application form (form 605):

Note: For GMRS: effective January 1, 1989, new or major modification applications may NOT be filed by non-individual (business) applicants/licensees. (See Rule 1.929(c) (4) & 95.5(b).

For GMRS radios to be legally used by businesses, each person using the radios would need an individual GMRS license ($80 each). A business could use the radios on an FRS channel without a license, but when using FRS channels the radio cannot transmit at more than a half watt of power. This is generally only good for a quarter to a half mile of outdoor range.

Business radios use different frequencies ranges that have been approved by the FCC for business use. These frequencies are not as popular, so you typically don't have to worry about "chatter" on your channels. You can also get business radios that operate on VHF frequencies, which work better than UHF outdoors or inside of and around wood structures. An FCC license for your business is $105. You will pay more upfront for your business radio, but if there are several employees that will use it you will likely save money after factoring in the license cost.

Durability
Business radios are usually designed to hold up to abuse better than consumer radios. Consumer radios are usually built for infrequent use: weekend hunting trips, multiple car caravans, skiing, camping, amusement parks, etc. They are usually lightweight with a thin plastic casing. Business radios are designed to be used for hours every day, and they will hold up better than consumer radios. Many are built to military specifications.

Battery Life
If your business plans to use radios for more than a few hours a day, battery life is something that you will not want to overlook. Most consumer radios include rechargeable batteries that are good for 8 hours or less of use. As is typical of batteries, this life will likely diminish slightly over time. Some business or professional radios are also limited in their battery life, but others will typically 13 hours or more on a charge.

Accessories
Business radios typically have a better selection of accessories than consumer radios. If accessories, such as headsets or earpieces, are important to your business, you should look at what accessories are available before you choose a radio. Things like rapid chargers and multi unit chargers are only available for business radios.

Accessories
Common Scenarios
There are some scenarios where a business radio is always your best choice. For example, anytime you expect to use the radio frequently and for more than 7 hours with each use. If you purchase a consumer radio for this, there is a good chance you will be disappointed with the battery life. Also, if you are in a "tough" work environment, such as a construction or industrial situation. Consumer radios are not designed to take this kind of beating.

It would best to choose a consumer radio in a light-duty situation where very little range is needed. This would allow you to get away with only using the FRS channels and avoiding the license fees. A great example is a school that needs radios for directing traffic in mornings and afternoons.

I hope this has been helpful. If you have any specific questions you can, as always, feel free to call or email us!

All of our consumer two way radios operate on either the GMRS or FRS channels, and most support both. We are sometimes asked for the exact frequencies of these channels. Below is a table showing the channel number, type of channel, and the frequency.

By Richard Wallace II
Author of "An Educated Guide to Speeding Tickets - How to Beat & Avoid Them!"

This is article number 6, in the continuing series of articles that I have been writing for Banoggle.com. All of my previous articles can still be viewed here, so if you missed any of the fascinating articles that deal with beating speeding tickets, avoiding speeding tickets, photo camera radar, radar detectors and the bait and switch of speed detection equipment you should catch up on your reading today, you will be glad you did.

In this, the sixth article in my series, we will look at how a motorist can learn how to avoid and beat the driving while intoxicated or operating under the influence rap. Now before we get under way here, I first must tell you all why I felt that an article dealing with beating and avoiding a DWI rap was necessary. In its simplest terms, I feel the punishment does not fit the crime and it is widely unfair in its enforcement. Let me explain. You see, in all states the DUI / DWI / OUI laws apply equally to the motorist who consumes 3 or 4 drinks and then decides to drive a motor vehicle and the same for the motorist who consumes 10 or more drinks and then operates his car. The punishment and penalties are rendered the same for both motorists. It is clear to me from my over 15 years of law enforcement experience that the motorist who consumes 3 or 4 drinks is far more sober and able to operate a motor vehicle properly than the motorist who consumes 10 or more drinks. The real hazard on the roadways today is this severely intoxicated motorist, not the business man or woman who decided to have a few drinks after work and then drives home. While both of these people may be legally drunk according to the law, with the blood alcohol level being .08 in most states, which is about 3 drinks in an hour, the real threat to public safety is the severely intoxicated driver, not the light drinker. I advocate laws in all states based on the levels of total intoxication, not just if the arrested persons blood alcohol level is over .08. There are many other factors that need to be considered before we throw the book at somebody who just consumes a few drinks. Again, simply put, the punishment should fit the crime and it does not in my opinion.

In this article I will tell you a little about what the police are taught in the academy to assist them detect drunk drivers. You will learn how to avoid detection if you have been drinking and decide to drive. You will learn what to do and most importantly, what not to do when stopped by the police. You will learn why you should refuse all field tests as well as any blood alcohol test you are requested to submit to by the police. By using my strategies outlined in this article, you will probably never get convicted of drinking and driving in a court of law. And lastly you will learn how you can save your drivers license and also thousands of dollars by not paying fines and insurance surcharges.

Continue reading →

By Richard Wallace II
Author of "An Educated Guide to Speeding Tickets-How to Beat & Avoid Them!"

This is article number five in a continuing series of articles I will be writing for Banoggle.com. You can still view and read all of my previous articles at this website and all are encouraged to do so. You will be very glad you did.

In this, the fifth article in the series, we will discuss Photo Camera Radar and will look into what it is, how it works and most importantly, how we can beat it.

Continue reading →