First time on the CB

[NPloysa]

I mostly listened! I knew it was going to be a long drive from Denver to the Springs last night after our big winter storm, so I put the antenna up and tuned it in to channel 19.



They, the truckers, were mostly making comments about the road conditions, 4-wheelers cutting them off, going slow in the fast lane.



I caught up to a couple of Swift trucks chatting about both being from the El Paso, TX distribution center. A couple more saw my antenna and the mic up to my mouth as I was thinking of something to say.



Then I hear, "So where is that red Dodge at?" I answered and he was jealous I got so far ahead of the rigs. It was fun, and I am sure it breaks up a lot of boring miles on the road. Did for me, even though I didn't say much!



Nick

 

[Cummins Pilot]

A lot of truckers are running "big radios" now (HAM radios) I've got one & a CB. Very helpful.

 

[MN Cummins Lvr]

I've got a Cobra in my 05 and an old Midland in my 92 (came w/truck) I always have it on during road trips for info but don't talk that much either. It's nice to get info about a seatcover coming up in the hammer lane :-laf

 

[Philip]

My CB is always on. I have been using them for almost 30 years.

 

[donnier]

I usually have it on either 15 or 19 when Im making a road trip.

Helps to know whats up ahead traffic wise.

Around home I dont use it to much. To many ratchetjaw kids on.

 

[Skydiver]

My Dad bought me a Kris 23 with a ground plane in 1974. In 1981 I took it to the water plant. Sure was nice to have on the graveyard shift when the skip was low. Another operator had an 80 watt booster and we could talk to New England states when the conditions were right.

About 4 years ago I installed a Cobra in the truck and it saved me a lot of time while traveling when the interstate was blocked due to an accident. The CB along with the Garmin I could get right back on course.

 

[2broke2smoke]

makes the trip to diesel nats @ indy twice as fun too ...

 

[Hammer]

A lot of truckers are running "big radios"

Funny you should mention that.

I went up yesterday with my antenna builder and we did the install on my freight truck of my newest "little" radio to use in the work truck. The Connex 4300-300 is the latest high powered bullet out for those who desire them. After my radio tech men,Gary & Dave of Road Hogs CB in Carlisle,PA,got it all set up it was moving some audio. Having 2 IFR520's driving 4 2SD1446's its has big audio drive in mind and should talk when and where I desire it to. It should make my nightly turn run a tad more lively even,LOL... ... . Andy

 

[BigEasy]

Andy, how well does that setup receive? What antenna do you use? I love my Connex 3300, but I don't like the non-illuminated face. Does anyone make a radio with a 'night-watch' type face other than Cobra/Uniden?

 

[lmills]

Funny you should mention that.

It should make my nightly turn run a tad more lively even,LOL... ... . Andy

More lively than the topless t-top driver????? :--) :-laf LOL

 

[Hammer]

Andy, how well does that setup receive? What antenna do you use? I love my Connex 3300, but I don't like the non-illuminated face. Does anyone make a radio with a 'night-watch' type face other than Cobra/Uniden?

BigEasy. .

You are at the mercy of your setup and tune when it comes to recieve on these radios. When we do a antenna install we do not tune the antennas by SWR,rather we tune them by ohms. Its more precise and accurate and will show the flaws in alot of antennas very quickly. The antenna that I run is called a "Trick Schitt" for when he was asked along time ago what they were called,he never could think of a catchy name,LOL. They are home built by a good friend of mine who is a amateur radio man and does alot of his own custom stuff. I do not have a picture of one on my truck here but will take one for you on Wednesday if you want when I return to work. They are a center loaded antenna which uses a good quality wire cut to the correct length and man they do work.



Now as for the lighted radio "nightwatch style" well you have numerous options. The new Stryker SR440 is lighted up like a pimp mobile,LOL. It has the led knobs and a led rope light which goes around the radio and when turned on high at night,its use the suntan lotion time. Stryker Radio's are what used to be called Northpointe and they have done some redesign to the faces as per the what the courts mandated. The owner of Stryker was a former partner on Magnum Radio who wnet out on his own and the radios he first produced were to close in design,hence the needed changes. The Magnum S-6,S-680,S-9 and the upcoming S-980 are all available with the complete LED knob kits also. I have a S-680 which is a 2 pill unit and it works nice also.



All of the exports can be made to use the led knobs and are done by my radio guys regularly. I didn't let them do that with the new 4300-300 because they got it ready when I dropped off my Connex 4600 turbo to have the knobs done. When the Magnum S-980 comes in I will be selling both my S-680 and my 4600 turbo as they will be not needed. As for your Connex,if you want the led knobs done let me know and I'll check a price on the job for you.

More lively than the topless t-top driver?????LOL

Now I wouldn't say that,,,LOL.

There is this gal I see everyday going south from around the Lee High at exit 195 into Roanoke driving a H3. Eye Carumba... ..... Andy

 

[KAZ MotorSports]

I took a break from life and electronics back in 1999 to 2001 and drove a truck for a living. I had a pretty good CB in the truck with me and I think it saved me from numerous accidents, tickets, and missed seat cover opportunities. It is funny to see you say that they were complaining about 4 wheelers cutting them off... I think that was MY biggest gripe over the years that cars just don't pay attention to the trucks and the room they need. I see the highways as the truck drivers office.



I hope you are ready for the next storm tonight and tomorrow. They are talking about it being the same amounts as the last one.

 

[Signal73]

Send some our way!

 

[JApol]

BigEasy. .

When we do a antenna install we do not tune the antennas by SWR,rather we tune them by ohms. Its more precise and accurate and will show the flaws in alot of antennas very quickly.

Can all antennas be calibrated this way or is it just yours?

 

[JUrish]

I would love to hear this... I am an extra class ham op and I call BS on this. An antenna should show a 50 ohm impedance to the radio but it has to "resonate" at the operating frequency. Impedance has NOTHING to do with that part. You have to load the antenna to see how much power is reflected.



By the way, now that the morse code requirement has been eliminated for all license classes, i'm sure it will only be a matter of time before roger beeps become socially acceptable on 10m.

 

[Got Smoke?]

Been using CB's about 10 years..... hard to for me to travel interstate without one anymore.



As for the IRP & SDX trips yes they make them MUCH more interesting! :-laf

 

[The patriot]

I used to have a pretty heavy duty setup in my rig.

A Galaxy 2100 radio driving a King Bee 250 (set to key about 10 watts and swiiinnnggg) that was driving a Texas star 1200.

I used Belden 9913 cable to an Audio King antenna and everything was independently grounded and battery cables went to 4 12 volt batteries with a 150 amp fuse inline.

20 years ago this was a BIG radio.



If anyone is interested, I still have some amps here that I've been wanting to sell.

 

[Got Smoke?]

If anyone is interested, I still have some amps here that I've been wanting to sell.

Check your PMs!