Team-BHP (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/)

-   Modifications & Accessories (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modifications-accessories/)

-   -   CB radios now available in India (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modifications-accessories/118848-cb-radios-now-available-india.html)

Some great news for the expedition folks and the long distance drive groups

CB radios are now available in India and off the shelf too. CB radios were de-licenced by the govt of India back in 2005 and so far there were no dealers or re-sellers. But there is now a dealer based in Delhi and I saw some details on facebook. Search for the India CB users on facebook and it should lead you to the page.

I shall be picking a few for some upcoming drives and and hopefully the information will help others looking for radios for their cars and SUVs. These are indespensible for long drives in groups. I am not sure if they have radios for the bikes as well but will post if I find out. cheers

This is good news. But what would e the costs? Does it make sense to buy from abroad where the chances of finding better equipment at more competitive prices are more?

Not really, the radios for sale in India now are legally imported and much cheaper than even street prices abroad. Buying from the US and other countries may not entirely be legal as the frequency plan could be different from India.

Buying here has a lot of peace of mind as they are legal and come with a warranty. Feel free to search and discover for yourself.

Did a search on ebay and it came up with some results from a Delhi based seller, probably the same dealer you are talking about. Prices start from around Rs.11,000/-

Looking forward to review, prices start at about 6k for unit and around 1.5 for antenna. Am talking about vehicle mounted units. This is info I have, this go upto around 13k for top end stuff available from a dealer I contacted.

What about hand held ones? Wont it make more sense to buy the hand held ones since they can be carried outdoors too.

The pricing is very reasonable and the radios are pretty well built. Handhelds are also coming soon.

Finally, after 50 years India gets it's legal CB Radios. :-)

Back in school days, I used to play around with them as we had them in our cars, at home and Dad's office. If I am correct at that time the dealer was Sanchar Net. Being a Ham, I really miss talking to mass, and CB radio's would be good, as most of us can buy it of the shelf now. We can now have the emergency channel 9 as in the US once these start selling in good numbers.

How relevant are CB radios in today's era of mobile phones & Google Map navigation?
Do they not affect privacy?
Can we use them in sensitive border areas in Kashmir or Arunachal Pradesh?
How does one prove that they are being operated legally if someone confronts you and accuses you of illegal operation?

1) Very relevant atleast for offroading, event organization, convoy drives etc.

2) You avoid too much of private ;) conversations, its more for coordination and stuff.

3) CB's i don't think you need permission, Ham yes you need in border area.

4) Comes with licence paper from WPC is what i understand.

Old school communications devices are a boon. 2 years back on my way to Calicut in Kerala, going through the rain forest hilly area, I had a flat with no spare. I transmitted a SOS on my Ham radio via the ham repeater in Calicut, and a very kind gentleman replied to my call. In an hours time, help came apparently a friend of the Ham who received my distress call and stayed in a nearby town, where I was stranded. I am still in touch with both these gentleman. There was no way a mobile phone could have been of any assistance since I didn't knew anyone to call for help in that area.

I doubt any communication device can be used in sensitive border areas, the absence of mobile networks is the biggest hint. I recall a fiend of mine who was visiting Leh, with a licensed Sat phone, was asked to surrender it at the army check post, to be picked up on his return.

Two way radio's are most prone to eavesdropping so I wonder why anybody would use it for illegal purposes. Homing pigeons would be a lot safer :-)

One definitely does not need permission for the CB radio and can be freely used across the country. I would suggest to carry a copy of the WPC notification in the car and produce it if questioned. Its the document that makes the difference really.

I have carried the CB radio to J &K and Rajasthan and have not been questioned so far. I was stopped at a BSF post near Tanot (beyond Jaisalmer) and he asked me to declare all cameras and phones etc. I declared my mobiles, cameras and the CB radio and all that the sentry said was not to use any of these beyond the post. I did respect his order as it is a sensitive area. He had the choice of depositing all these items with him until his return but he let me keep them. As with cameras and mobiles, we must not use the CB or deposit it if asked not to by any authority.

I am using the CB in Delhi and have never been stopped.

CB channels are definitely not private and anyone can listen in if they have a set. But then this is true of any other licensed radios as well. CBs are meant for citizens to help each other and for the hobbyist. I have found them to be great for convoy coordination when we have 2 or more cars. It is not always easy to fumble with the mobile and dial the number while driving at high speeds and asking the guy ahead to stop for lunch. Besides CBs are not illegal to use while driving unlike mobiles. and also free to use.

Mobiles cannot be used while driving and pretty useless in areas with no coverage. CBs cannot draw the map for you but you may be able to ask for directions form another user nearby or the guy ahead could warn the others of an accident or a jam or a detour, something google cannot do.

Any details of the vendor for CB radio - web site/ phone/ address?

Rgds

Here you go Seems to me the only online CB dealer I could find.

Please send me your email and I shall provide the details . Thanks