KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
******KHTS Editors Note: The author of this article has mistaken the term “CB Radio” with “Ham Radio.” There are big differences between the two: Ham Radio is a nickname for “Amateur Radio”, a radio service governed by the FCC. CB Radio stands for “Citizen’s Band” and is also governed by the FCC, but is quite different than Ham Radio. We apologize to our readers for the confusion. All opinions in the below article are that of the author and not KHTS Radio/Hometown Station.*******
Besides truckers, CB radios are also used by off-roaders, RVers, bikers, and all sorts of hobbyists. Apart from being a hobby for some people who use it to communicate around the world without cell phones or the internet, CB radio operators serve a critical role in emergency preparedness and communications. Also known as amateur radio operators, these people are relied on by emergency management professionals during crisis situations. These users operate on special frequencies and are licensed by the FCC. But why have CB radios maintained their appeal even in this age of more effective digital communications?
Thrill is in the chase
The short answer? In some circles, the thrill is in the chase–and CB radio still offers that thrill.
CB radios are popular among truckers and people who enjoy off-roading, like hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts. The frequency spectrum is also a plus–CBs can often get through where something like a walkie talkie can’t. And since CB radios can be used with or without a license, those who use them often feel they’re getting away with something.
Back Up for Emergency Personnel
You will be surprised to find out that there are approximately 2million people involved in amateur radio across the world. For starters, they help with emergency communications in various ways, and they are much more than hobbyists. They serve as the eyes and ears on the ground for emergency management professionals during severe storms. Some of them are also members of authorized emergency radio service organizations and they engage in emergency response and communications exercises.
CB radio operators also offer a very important function to back up state emergency preparedness services. Although CB radio operators don’t work directly with state emergency preparedness and response services, the emergency services still rely on their services. And there are several valid reasons why emergency preparedness and management services depend on them.
A Lifeline when Modern Communications Fail
CB radio operators are not only essential during actual emergencies, but they also exceptionally good when it comes to emergency drills. Regardless of the availability of high-tech communication options in this age, the world is still at the mercy of the weather. When phone lines are down and cell towers are knocked down during bad weather, CB radio operators are a lifeline. They are critical in locating where victims are stranded and sending alerts to emergency personnel.
Versatility
The appeal of CB radio lies in its versatility. It can reach any location on earth, and it’s less expensive than modern digital devices. Additionally, the device is quite easy to use, making it a good choice for people who are not very tech savvy.
CB radio has also gained popularity among vintage car freaks. The device can provide a link between drivers and their fellow enthusiasts, making it possible for them to share their thoughts and experiences about cars over the airwaves.
CB radios also have different channels that can be selected depending on the user’s needs.
So, what if I want to become a CB radio operator?
Well, you need to get an amateur radio operator license from the FCC to become a ham radio operator. All operators must sit an exam regulated by the FCC to get a license. There are three types of licenses – technician’s license for entry-level operators, the general license that permits global communications, and the amateur extra license that allows you to operate on all modes and bands. Apart from the license, you need to set up a station. If you’re setting up a station at home, you’ll need a ham radio, a little battery power, a CB antenna for house, and you’re good to operate in any weather conditions.
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You got almost every part of this article incorrect. CB and amateur radio have nothing to do with each other. They both use radio, but that is the only thing they have in common.
CB radio and Amateur (ham) radio are 2 totally different things. CB does not need a license, whereas amateur radio operators are licensed. This article is so mixed up it isn’t funny.
Amateur (ham) radio and CB are not even remotely the same thing! It’s like saying that jet planes and bicycles are the same vehicles because they both take you somewhere. Whoever wrote this article did NO research at all, and it does a disservice to licensed amateur operators everywhere. Both radio services have their uses, but please retract this utter nonsense and learn your topic before publishing. Yeesh!
Well if you delete the reference to CB or substitute Amateur Radio then your article will be better.
I have been an amateur radio operator with the callsign K0QCS since 1991. I have been interested in radio-electronics since the age of nine in 1962.
Oh my! As a Ham Radio operator, I must object to your characterization of CB Operators in the first paragraph of this article as, “Also known as amateur radio operators.” Also the implication that CB operation is licensed by the FCC. No license is required for CB operation, while it’s mandatory, and requires passing a test, for Amateur Radio.
Later on in the article you say, “The appeal of CB radio lies in its versatility. It can reach any location on earth.” In theory yes, but that’s far from typical and in the USA not legal. Range for CB is limited to miles by FCC regulation. What you’re talking about when you make this assertion is Ham Radio, and that confusion is repeated thruout the article regarding a number of characteristics you attribute to CB that actually describe Ham Radio. In some places you correctly ascribe things to Amateur Radio, but only after having equated Amateur Radio to CB Radio.
With no intent to disparage or take anything away from CB Operators, Amateur Radio is a completely different radio service that requires passing a test in order to obtain a license. Most Amateur Radio Operators in the USA are permitted to transmit using up to 1500 watts PEP while CB is limited to 5 watts. Hams can build their own radios if they want to while all CB radios must be type accepted by the FCC. There are a number of other differences and I’d point you to the national organization for Amateur Radio (in the USA) http://arrl.org for more details.
Again, CB Radio, via REACT and perhaps other CB organizations of which I’m not aware, serves a valuable and vital service, but it isn’t Ham Radio. Many Ham Radio Operators serve their community in times of disaster such as hurricanes, floods, forest fires, and the like. They also relay calls for help from ships at sea. They help to find lost hikers and the like. A Ham Operator in the USA was the first land based station to hear the SOS call from the Titanic and relay it to the appropriate authorities. We provided communication support in NYC during 9/11. We report local weather to the National Weather Service during times involving serious weather – hail, tornadoes and the like. There are many more current examples at least monthly if not weekly, perhaps daily in the case or weather reports of serious weather.
Your article essentially conflates Ham Radio as being the same as CB Radio, and lists the licensing requirements for Amateur Radio as being required for CB Radio. Amateur Radio requires a license that is obtained only after passing a test. Amateur Radio has several levels of license, each with added privileges, and each lever requires yet another more stringent test. CB Radio doean’t require any testing or license.
I hope you will make a few (actually many) changes to the article above to set the record straight. For that matter, if you were to contact the ARRL ( http://arrl.org ) I bet they would be glad to provide anough info about Amateur Radio to make for an interesting on-air show.
Best wishes, or as we hams say to each other, “73,”
Jim Higgins
Amateur radio call sign KB3PU
Absolutely the most poorly researched article I have ever read! You got nearly everything wrong. Please, delete this. Contact a knowledgeable amateur radio operator and try again.
This article blends two separate communication services together. As already mentioned in many comments…. CB radio & Amateur (Ham) radio are two quite diffetent services governed by the FCC.
Please study the two services & re-write this article.
You are obviously not a good journalist I took journalism in Hihh School and was a member of Quill and Scroll but knew at age 7 the difference between CB and Amateur (ham) radio.
At age 13, I passed my Novice exam and one year later got my General then Advanced. I have had much more fun on ham than I ever did on CB. I talked to the Shuttle Columbia, have bounced signals off the moon, talked thru satellites, and met personalities like Bob Hope because of my ham radio license. It helped me get my career in telecom, it and broadcast engineering.
You really need to do better journalism or get out of the business.
Chris Boone
WB5ITT
ex KDO2700
Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) and Citizens’ Band Radio are as different in scope and operator requirements as the difference between the 1220 KHTS 3-tower directional array and Bart Simpson’s Mister Microphone.
Perhaps things have changed since I studied journalism as an undergraduate half-a-century ago. Back then, the mantra was “accuracy, Accuracy, ACCURACY!”
Since your AM station has a directional antenna, you must have someone who acts as your chief operator and checks the monitor points on a regular basis. Perhaps you could speak with that person about the difference between the FCC 47 CFR part 95 Subpart D (citizens Band Radio) and
47 CFR part 97 (Amateur Radio). Perhaps your Chief Operator is a licensed Amateur Radio Operator.
Note that “ham” is not an abbreviation and is not written in uppercase. It is a slang term for an amateur radio operator.
Thanks for noting the mistake between CB and ham radio, but honestly this article is so bad I’d just delete it.
So last night, right at bedtime my 11-year-old son remembered that he had a book report due in the morning that he hadn’t even started. So he picked a book he read a long time ago, and spent ten minutes at the kitchen table hammering out a poor excuse for a last-minute book report on a book he vaguely remembered.
His rough draft was better researched and written than this article. Even with the disclaimer at the top, it contains so many inconsistencies and so much misinformation, it would be better to delete it altogether.
Please. Just make it go away…
Is this reporter a school kid. Sorry students, most of you do a better job of researching stories that this reported did. What a bunch of crap. Ther Editors note/disclaimer at the top is also a joke. Just delete the whole article and start over using a real reporter.
Setting aside the fact the “author” had a mistaken concept of CB and Amateur radio, how does KHTS publish an article without a byline, then dismiss the error as one of the “Author” and not THEIR Editor?
KHTS, Why do you leave this article posted? Please just take it down.
How did this utter nonsense make it to the KHTS website? Now that I know what constitutes “editing” and “quality control” at your organization, I’ll know what sort of credibility to ascribe to other material you publish.
Example of how drastic the differences are between Citizen’s Band (CFR 47 part 95D) and the Amateur Radio Service (CFR 47 part 97):
A CB operator builds his own CB-band radio, attaches an amplifier to get 1000 watts, has an antenna on a 100 foot tower, and talks from New York to London.
A licensed amateur radio operator does the same on a frequency band just above the CB band.
The amateur radio operator has no legal problems.
The CB operator gets fined for using a non-type-accepted radio, gets fined for using an illegal amount of power, gets fined for exceeding legal antenna height above ground, and gets his equipment confiscated for communicating beyond the 250 mile limit. Repeated offenses can result in higher fines and prison time.
Man, I have seen 3rd grade English papers better researched than this.
This is an example of what passes as ‘journalism’ these days. This is so wrong that the writer must have TRIED to screw it up!!!!
Few people would read the ‘Editors Note’ at the beginning of the article. My question is this: if the editors know how totally f—ed up this article is, why wasn’t it pulled???
Extreme lack of professionalism all around.