CB Radio - do you use one??

[searay245se]

I do not like most of the new radios out there,they do not seem to have very good noise filtering.I run an old school Cobra 148GTL(side mic plug,front mic are the newer ones),Palomar Elite 300,Wilson 1000 and old realistic power mic...When everything is turned up it dead keys around 100 watts and swings up to 300 on AM.Have been into CBs since the 70s,even still have a base thats the same as mobile but with a rebuilt star duster ant. and D104 for the mic....In the long run its up to you what you want to do with it and how much you use it and what you want to pay.

[chuckw5kav]

Word to the wise, operating a CB radio over 5 watts or modified
to do extra bands or higher power can get you into trouble and
is not legal.

The FCC is still around even if some people might think they are
not they do monitor the CB band.

Using high power can get you a fined and prison time or both,
also your equipment is confiscated and destroyed

[Sagecoachdriver]

Since the Class C I am ordering has so much fiberglass, where do you find a ground plane? Plus mounting somewhere on the roof or ladder would make you too high and hit trees,bridges etc. I tried a non ground plane antenna on my current Minnie and didn't work worth a darn and hit stuff. I have a good old Cobra 29 classic, but it's worthless without a good antenna.
I do have a Yaesu 2 meter radio with a short Diamond on the ladder and works fine. But again never hear anyone on 520. No room anyway in the E450 cab.

[RiverBird]

Not much 2 meter activity on .520, though an occasional contact and conversation while at the campsite. Did CB in the 70s but not anymore. To much trash talk and noise. Use phone apps for traffic info.


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[B and B]

Bama Bob if I find my meter we can tune your antenna in Nashville for maximum smoke. I may have tossed it a while ago, have not had a CB for a long time


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[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by Platokidd

Like the fact it has noaa

Me too - AND the fact that is is compact! I wanted the CB for the Nashville-Goshen rallies this year, but it's ultimate use will be alternate commo for our trip to Alaska in 2018.

I like the fact that we can get a magnetic mount antenna as well - that way I can use it in the Ford now and then perhaps come to a more permanent mounting solution once we get the Dodge.

Originally Posted by Radio

X2

The antenna, and how it is installed and tuned, is the most important part of the system.

And now that Radio Shack is pretty much gone, Flying J is likely a good bet for CB type equipment.

Which antenna do you recommend? Based on the fact that I DO like the Cobra Hand Held one.

As for vendors...I have Amazon and know how to use it - just tell me which antenna to order!!

Originally Posted by B and B

Bama Bob if I find my meter we can tune your antenna in Nashville for maximum smoke. I may have tossed it a while ago, have not had a CB for a long time

Awesome Brian Thanks!!

Question if we tune it on the Ford, will we have to re-tune it when it gets mounted on the Dodge?

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by HSVBamaBob

Me too - AND the fact that is is compact! I wanted the CB for the Nashville-Goshen rallies this year, but it's ultimate use will be alternate commo for our trip to Alaska in 2018.

I like the fact that we can get a magnetic mount antenna as well - that way I can use it in the Ford now and then perhaps come to a more permanent mounting solution once we get the Dodge.



Which antenna do you recommend? Based on the fact that I DO like the Cobra Hand Held one.

As for vendors...I have Amazon and know how to use it - just tell me which antenna to order!!



Awesome Brian Thanks!!

Question if we tune it on the Ford, will we have to re-tune it when it gets mounted on the Dodge?

Once you have each antenna set you can move the radio at your whim.

[Radio]

Originally Posted by HSVBamaBob

Question if we tune it on the Ford, will we have to re-tune it when it gets mounted on the Dodge?

Yes, you will. At least if you want max optimum performance. But if it's a mag mount in the middle of a large metal roof, the difference will be something you can likely live with. It's just a CB.

And after 40 years I'll tell you a secret about tuning SWR that I kept from all my CBer friends at the time:

1. Tune the antenna in an open place with no power lines, trees, buildings, vehicles or other such around. There was a church with a large parking lot I would usually use. The wave length of 27 MHz is about 11 meters. Any metallic object in that range will effect your tune, so for best tune find a clear place.

2. Tune with trunk lids and doors closed. And in the case of a TV, you might even want to tune with the trailer attached. (like right before a trip.)

3. Don't tell anybody.

And as far as a recommendation goes, a base loaded mag mount by K-40 would be my first guess.

[B and B]

I think Bama Bob needs twin trucker antennas on the Mirrors of his new Ram....




Not that they will work any better they do have redneck value though....Breaker Breaker good buddy!!!

[Radio]

Originally Posted by B and B

I think Bama Bob needs twin trucker antennas on the Mirrors of his new Ram....

Not that they will work any better they do have redneck value though....Breaker Breaker good buddy!!!

If you can get them at least 80 inches apart then you get power fore and aft, almost none to the sides, which is what the big rig drivers want.

But if you can't get them 80" apart... waste of time.

[Lefty59]

Originally Posted by chuckw5kav

Word to the wise, operating a CB radio over 5 watts or modified
to do extra bands or higher power can get you into trouble and
is not legal.

The FCC is still around even if some people might think they are
not they do monitor the CB band.

Using high power can get you a fined and prison time or both,
also your equipment is confiscated and destroyed

X2!!

I work for the FAA and occasionally we have a CB'er who is transmitting above legal limits and interfering with Air Traffic Control (ATC) radio frequencies. We typically obtain call sign info and turn them in into the FCC for enforcement. Last guy I remember was operating at near 1kw near Cheyenne WY and splattering all over several ATC frequencies. A large fine and confiscated equipment put an end to that!

FYI...some high powered mobile phones also can interfere with ATC frequencies & can be traced by airborne flight check equipment if they are interfering with ATC.

[Timex]

I have been using CB's for years. I'm not interested in talking to someone 10 miles away. So I use a glass mount with a short antenna. Yeah, it only travels maybe 3 miles but it also doesn't pick up all the noise that all those transmissions produce. It is hardly noticeable and does a great job. I tucked the cable under the interior trim and stuck the small box on my rear window, as high up as it could go. I have had no problems with it since I installed some 11 years ago! I find that the truckers don't talk on CB's quite as much as they used to. But when they do.... That's what the squelch knob is for.

It helps to keep me awake and let's me know which lane to get in if there is a slow down in traffic. I don't talk on it much, just listen mainly.

[Tonkatoy77]

I have a CB in my old pickup that I haven't even turned on in about 5 years. I also have one in the Peterbilt. Most of the time I don't even turn that one on. If i do it's to talk to my dad or brother in their semi's. The biggest problem I have with talking to other truckers is I only speak English. There is a ton of Russian truckers on the west coast these days.

As far I a good radio. Cobra is good, but I really like Galaxie radio's.


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[Dabmeb]

I use a galaxy cb with a Wilson 5000 mag mount and for none metal surface a galaxy ground plain
Also run a kenwood 10 meter


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[DocGTO]

Cobra 29FTD Chrome. I have it peaked and tuned with a Lil Will antenna and Road King mic. We usually use ch 13 but will check 19 for any highway issues.

[BamaBob]

Thanks for all the advice folks! I may wind up and wait until we get the Dodge we have FRS radios which should work well if we caravan to Goshen

[jeff64]

I've got a pair of Motorola walkie talkies with many channels. They work especially well when the DW is trying to ground guide me into a site or the driveway. Don't have to see her and I can hear her as long as she pushes the button and keeps yaking. Know what I mean

[Timex]

Originally Posted by jeff64

I've got a pair of Motorola walkie talkies with many channels. They work especially well when the DW is trying to ground guide me into a site or the driveway. Don't have to see her and I can hear her as long as she pushes the button and keeps yaking. Know what I mean

Yep, I know exactly what you mean.

But she is a good woman.

I'll just leave it at that.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by SpringerPop

Been using CB, on-and-off, since about 1959. Had an 11Q-XXXX call back then.

Still screw the antenna onto the roof mag-mount when we go on the road and listen for road conditions ahead (along with "the color").

Don't use it here in town.

Pop

Mine was 17Q4180 issued 1960

[Platokidd]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Mine was 17Q4180 issued 1960

Must of ran outta numbers mid 70's KLR6755
Funny, somethings ya never forget