CB Question.

[RRoton]

On AM, I have 40 channels "below" the standard 40, AND 40 "above" the standard 40 ! Not sideband either! Makes for great talking when you have a buddy that has those extra channels also, let alone the kicker is turned on !

I never heard of that. Are you sure it's legal?

 

[TSpecht]

Using the "40 above" and "40 below" is most certainly NOT legal, however that having been said there's plenty of not legal going on out there. Most of those frequencies are assigned to various Government agencies and the military, however I suspect most go unused. By the way the 40 above are typically for freebanders who want to use SSB (single sideband) and 40 below are typically for those who prefer using AM. Whatever you do, make sure not to stray into the 10 or 12m bands, amateur operators tend to dislike it with a passion as well they should.

 

[RRoton]

I just ordered one of these mounts

http://www.westcoastmall.net/shop/product_info.php?products_id=438

looks like the best choice if you dont want to drill holes that will show, and don't like magnetic or glass mounts.

 

[Tim]

Mine are in stake pocket mounts. No holes at all.

 

[patcarman]

ok,now u need to listin to me..... get a galaxy 99 ,replace the finals with a pill, and run about a 600 texas star, and i promise u are good to go, but u r talking about 1000 dollars.

 

[CGresswell]

Export radio?

I lookedat the ads for CB's and saw a listing for export radio's? What are they? Connex is listed as 10 meter, is this CB?

Now you know I'm looking at my first radio... ... . :-laf



Dick

 

[ECappleman]

Yea, they got me looking too for my first radio.



From what I have read, the 10 meter radios use illegal amounts of transmitting wattage. US regulations state 5 watts max. These import radios (because its legal there) transmit at 10 + watts.

Legal to buy, but not to use on the roads. Tell that to all the truckers that use them. :-laf

 

[TSpecht]

The problem with the 10m radios although you can convert them to operate on the legally allocated CB frequencies, is that they can tune to other frequencies as well. Even actual ham radio equipment can't legally be modified to be operated on the allocated 40 CB frequencies, or in fact anything in the 11m band for that matter. The other problem with most 10m "export" radios is they're junk. On SSB I can always pick out the galaxies, as they drift frequency like there's no tomorrow. One is almost better off if you're going to go that way to just go ahead and get a real amateur radio to modify for 11m use, at least that way you'll get a decent radio. They aren't as "strong" on AM but then again strong is just an ego thing anyhow. I don't care how strong or booming it sounds the biggest thing I care about is it's clear and readable. Of course make sure to stay in the "proper" frequencies and stay out of the amateur frequencies.

The 10m "Export" radios also have more power than legally allowed on the allocated CB frequencies. Read Part 97 of the FCC rules, it discusses all the legality junk. Basically if it's not "type accepted" you cannot legally use it as a CB radio.

 

[tmh1955]

Frequency: CB is the 27mhz range - VHF goes from 30-300mhz

Mode: CB is AM or SSB. VHF is usually FM

 

[tmh1955]

Get your ham license. The morse code requirement has been removed. A technician (entry level) ticket will enable you to run up to 1kw on 10m and up.

 

[snowaholic]

A quality antenna and good coax go a long ways.



I prefer the Galaxy 77 HDXL dropped down to 3 watts on the low power switch pushing a 400 watt custom built kicker flowing out quality coax to a Wilson 5000 antenna. I can talk 20+ miles on a clear night. I have talked all the way to the Netherlands, Puerto Rico, South America and have heard radios from Japan, Eqypt, and South Africa on side band.



It is very addicting.

I've done the same thing with my President HR2510, it is cool!

 

[JHardwick]

From what I know, Ranger and Magnum are the only two that make their own boards. If you open most radios, they will have a Ranger board in them.



Keys to remember ... ... .....



A bad install will kill a big radio ... ... .....



A good antenna and well grounded install will make a little radio walk the dog!



Most of the high dollar stuff comes by way of features that most will never use.



As a side note ... ... ... . HAM can legally operate on CB.

 

[smitty3500]

I would like to purchase a hand held to have in the truck when on the highway towing. Just to listen, no need to talk. I am a cb rookie so please point me in a direction.



Cobra HH ROADTRIP Handheld CB Radio



??

 

[Cattletrkr]

My magnet mount antenna fell apart recently so today I bought a couple stake pocket mounts (that allow me to keep the toolbox), 18' of coax, and two quick disconnects from CB Radios & Amateur Radios Superstore & Repair | Complete Firestik Product Line | 98% In Stock Inventory -. Total was just over $100 with shipping and I already have the antennas sitting here. I got the quick disconnect so I can easily go thru a carwash.

All that for a lowly Cobra 25 Classic something or another.

Do power mics accomplish anything. I got one a month or two ago but I think my antenna was falling/rusting apart by then already. Dad said it sounded good, but the stock mic was always good too.

 

[icman95]

I figured this is as good a place as any since we're talking CB. I've got a Uniden PC78LTW in my truck with a 4' Firestik II mounted on the fender. I'm pretty sure it could perform better than it does currently and I'm guessing I would just need to have it "peaked and tuned". Am I correct and if so, does anyone know of any shops in southern New England that I could take it to?

I see you're in Oxford, MA. Not too far from where I'm in CT. I know a guy who's been peaking CB's for years in the next town over. He's probably 45 minutes from Oxford, MA. Works out of his house. sold me a radio and some Firesticks. Does this sort of stuff for all the independent big rig owners in the area. PM me and I'm sure I can get you his name and number.

 

[JHardwick]

My magnet mount antenna fell apart recently so today I bought a couple stake pocket mounts (that allow me to keep the toolbox), 18' of coax, and two quick disconnects from CB Radios & Amateur Radios Superstore & Repair | Complete Firestik Product Line | 98% In Stock Inventory -. Total was just over $100 with shipping and I already have the antennas sitting here. I got the quick disconnect so I can easily go thru a carwash.

If you are doing a dual Firestik install, you need to co phase them.

Do power mics accomplish anything. I got one a month or two ago but I think my antenna was falling/rusting apart by then already. Dad said it sounded good, but the stock mic was always good too.

Power mics increase audio, but they also amplify cab noise. I use a power mic on my base and a noise canceling on my mobile.

 

[C. Harlan]

As far as the best radio(s), a Galaxy DX99V, or Galaxy DX95T, both with dual finals, will have the best range barefoot. . The 99 is my radio of choice, but I have 2 Connex 3300's, and a peaked out, chromed out Cobra 29 Classic **Chicken Haulers Special** with the old school side mic and all the trashy noise toys... the h*ll with these new front mic radios! You can keep them!!!



DO NOT CO PHASE YOUR ANTENNAS! Just use one, be it a Wilson 2000, or 8' whip. . You can channel all your power through one antenna, and if your antennas are not set up just right, they will basically cancel each other out. . You will also need a minimum of 18 feet of coax, but do not roll up the extra in a bundle, as this will affect your signal as well...



As Far as mic's go, a noise cancelling mic is the best way to go. . Power mic's are nice, but really not practical. . I like my Road King RK56 mic, because I can have the windows down, and you cannot hear any background noise, and it is very crisp and clear. Nothing is more annoying than someone who has a stock radio, and has too much background noise. .



If you have any more questions, feel free to PM me.



-Chris-

 

[Cattletrkr]

I've odne a lot of reading the last coupe days. One site says co-phase is better even if they are too close, the next one says a single is better. My magnet mount was just as good as the twins I had before. I'm not looking for the best setup, jsut a good one. I have dad's OLD SWR meter so I can tune the antennas. The magnet mount was very close to 1. 1:1. I don't think I can get the two fiberglass ones down that far, but iirc I had them pretty close before.

I was looking at getting a Wilson Lil Wil, but I read somewhere that base loaded antennas are bottom of the barrel.

Sooooo much info to sift thru.
I think the power mic was a waste of money. The stock mic was noise cancelling. Nobody has complained yet about noise from the power mic, but I don't think I really gained anything.

EDIT: One more question. What is "co-phasing"? I haven't been able to find specifics other than "they need to be co-phased". I'll be using a cable intended for two antennas, but other than that I'm not sure what I need to do.

 

[C. Harlan]

co phasing is the pain in the butt process of matching your SWR's exactly the same. . Bro, I am telling you... have your 2 antennas, but run coax to just one. . You will save yourself so much headache! I have been there, and done that... sure, 2 look good, if that's your thing, but use one for cosmetic, and one for the actual radio...



Base loaded antennas work just fine. . I have a Wilson 1000 magnet mount, and with my connex, I can reach out--- WAYYYYY out... Alot of people think I am running a linear, when all it is, is just a good mic, and some mic gain. . Do you have talkback installed in your radio?? If not, you may want to find a reliable CB shop and get it installed, so you can hear yourself, and be able to know how your radio sounds. .



I could have told you the power mic was a waste... The best thing going, is either an Astatic 636L, or a Road King RK56... I have had the same Road King mic for going on 11 years now. . I have only had it re-wired, and had a new PTT button installed one time. Keep us posted and let's see how it turns out.



-Chris-

 

[steved]

As far as the best radio(s), a Galaxy DX99V, or Galaxy DX95T, both with dual finals, will have the best range barefoot. .

-Chris-

This is a matter of opinion... a Connex 4600 (at 200 watts) pushes almost 50 watts more than a 95T, not to mention the connex 4300-300 (at well over 300 watts). As far as I'm concerned, any radio that has "robot voice" (not echo, but actual robot) can't be that good.



Co-phasing is not that hard... just takes time. My dad is running co-phased antennas on the front fenders of his 99 with a 1. 1:1 SRW. The only thing with co-phasing is the fact you become rather "directional".



For the general guy wanting a good setup, a Cobra 29 Classic matched to a Wilson 1000 magnetic in the center of the roof will give very good service... while export radios are toys for some of us, they require someone to set them up, tune them, and knowing what frequencies to use... let alone the legality of their use.



steved