[Land-speed] Cell phone for radio?

[wester6935 at comcast.net]

USFRA ran meets on CB radio for years but as conditions change, so does CB radio communication.  For years, just minor trucker problems, then we hit a year when course watchers had to do a double relay of messages from the 4 1/2 to the start.  That's when we switched to the FM radios for more reliable, uninterrupted communications for offficials about safety and track needs.  Gary Wilkinson has tried everything to give us the most reliable communications possible.  His untiring efforts really have paid off for us.  Doesn't mean the salt gremlins won't jump up and bite us in the future.  A chunk of the entry fees go for radio rentals every year.  As technology changes it becomes more obvious that renting is better than owning for our once a year use.

Wes

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: john.szalay at att.net (John Szalay)
> Right:  http://sprint.com/nextel  for push to Talk cell feature info.
> 
> Now. a long rant!
> 
> As for Cell and radio on the salt, we have yet to have a problem on
> the salt. We have AT&T cell, and had no trouble using it anywhere we 
> went on the salt. even out at 7 miles.  and when we volunteered with
> USFRA and used the FM radios they worked good, no matter where
> we were ( and we went everywhere at WOS)
> CB , we had no problem. both on our car, on Jon's (Seldom Seen Slim)
> truck or at the USFRA timing RV.  or the timing slip tent.
> But then,  I have a good antenna on the car for CB, and have an external
> Cell antenna on the car, for good coverage now matter where we are.
> 
> a good antenna and the right radio make things 
> IIRC: the radios we used at WOS were on the 464 MHZ freq
> >From personal experience over the years , the 154 MHZ leave a
> little to be desired as for range. the 460 MHZ radios seem to work 
> great. the new 800 trunked radios leave MUCH to desired and this
> is the same band that cell phones work, so an external antenna
> helps, its a shame that most cell phones are not made to make use
> of them. (ours (Nokia) does). 
> 
> Thats my opinion,
> Your mileage may vary..