CB radios

Post by **justang1997** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 3:19 pm

I just picked up a new CB radio from the pilot truck stop. It's the only SSB radio they are selling now. Uniden Bearcat 980. I got a 4 foot tunable firestik with it so my mobile radio is much improved over my old one. My old set up is going to be made for use camping and hiking.
I know we have some HAMS on here but is anyone else on here using SSB on citizens band?

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1fastmach1 · Post by **1fastmach1** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 4:17 pm

I usually just listen to police/fd/emt bands when I get bored. I never key in on any channels myself. Sometimes friends will jump on it and try to strike up a few words but I can't pickup a great deal other than leo in my area.

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Post by **KYgundude** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 4:21 pm

justang1997 wrote:I just picked up a new CB radio from the pilot truck stop. It's the only SSB radio they are selling now. Uniden Bearcat 980. I got a 4 foot tunable firestik with it so my mobile radio is much improved over my old one. My old set up is going to be made for use camping and hiking.
I know we have some HAMS on here but is anyone else on here using SSB on citizens band?

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I did years ago. Spent a whole Lotta time on lower 36.

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Post by **WLJ** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 4:25 pm

Remember when CBs where all the rage back in the 70s,80s

Post by **justang1997** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 5:08 pm

I don't get any Leo on my scanner anymore. I was told they went digital and I have an analog scanner

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Post by **justang1997** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 5:11 pm

Trying to convince my friends to get SSB cb's. Lmao

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Post by **Wyldman** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 5:30 pm

How much are these SSB rigs, now? They used to be mondo expensive, especially with a tunable antenna.

Post by **KYgundude** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 7:41 pm

Wyldman wrote:How much are these SSB rigs, now? They used to be mondo expensive, especially with a tunable antenna.

Most people don't buy them anymore. The hardcore CB folks actually buy 10 meter ham radios. The radios are made under the guise of being ham radios but are actually made with the intent for CBers to buy them and mod them to work on 27 mhz. They do this because CB radio is limited to 4 watts and the 10 meter ham radios put out 100+ watts. It's technically illegal for folks to operate a ham radio on 11 meters ( CB ) but the FCC doesn't do anything about it. I can't recommend any specific ones as I don't have one and haven't talked on 11 meters in years but you can get them locally at Copper Electronics. http://www.copperelectronics.com You will still need tro find a multi-mode one as I don't think they all do SSB.

I don't think sideband is as popular as it was back in the day but it is a far more efficient mode than AM. I think it rules.

I will say that Uniden is a great radio manufacturer! That's the one Justang got.

Post by **Joe** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 9:35 pm

It is not set up but I have a Cobra 142 SSB with an electronic slider and a Palomar 300A amp, These are base station equipment.

Eireguy · Post by **Eireguy** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 11:53 pm

Decent site to browse through http://www.rightchannelradios.com/
Good forum w alot of info http://mauldroppers.com/ I use a cheap uniden 510 w a lil wilson antenna . Its a cheapie but I tell you it has saved me time multiple times hearing about wrecks etc & avoiding them

Post by **justang1997** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 12:02 am

Wyldman wrote:How much are these SSB rigs, now? They used to be mondo expensive, especially with a tunable antenna.

The radio I got was $179 at pilot truck stop but I seen it for $139ish plus shipping on amazon. The tunable firestik was $30 and the mount and quality coax was $30. It really is much nicer than my old setup that only cost me $70.
I plan to do a good side by side comparison soon to see what the real difference is but I have to get a base station antenna up.
I really wanted SSB because it's 12 watts of power over the regular am cb's 4 watts.

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Eireguy · Post by **Eireguy** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 12:21 am

I use this on my base. I put it up on the roof & it does pretty good. My problem is I have alot of wires around me so it cuts down my reception
http://www.copperelectronics.com/cart/p ... cts_id=364

Post by **justang1997** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 12:29 am

Wow that is a great price on 18 feet worth of serious antenna. I was considering some different stuff though. Thinking of making a dipole with 2 vehicle whips. Maybe putting it in the attic.

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Eireguy · Post by **Eireguy** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 2:17 am

http://www.csgnetwork.com/antennaedcalc.html homemade is always good . The higher you can get it the further it will reach . I have homemades for my shortwave listening & fm broadcasting

Eireguy · Post by **Eireguy** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 2:22 am

Solarcon a99 video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMNYQJm ... ata_player

Post by **KYgundude** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 5:34 am

justang1997 wrote:Wow that is a great price on 18 feet worth of serious antenna. I was considering some different stuff though. Thinking of making a dipole with 2 vehicle whips. Maybe putting it in the attic.

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Dipole's are not ideal for CB. They transmit horizontally polarized when the vast majority of other folks transmit vertically. A99 is where it's at! ( or a big beam )

Post by **justang1997** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 9:42 am

The one I was considering was a vertical dipole from a couple of firesticks. If that didn't work out I'd use them in an attempt to cophase. I want directional over omni.

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Post by **KYgundude** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:16 am

justang1997 wrote:The one I was considering was a vertical dipole from a couple of firesticks. If that didn't work out I'd use them in an attempt to cophase. I want directional over omni.

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Co phasing 2 no gain antennas. Not sure how much benefit you'll gain.

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Post by **Joe** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 2:05 pm

I have been tempted to set up another base and mobile. I believe I still have a Palomar 75TX mobile amp somewhere.

Eireguy · Post by **Eireguy** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 12:16 am

Antenna designs, baluns, chokes & more info http://ac6v.com/cb.htm

Post by **justang1997** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 12:49 am

Well, today I got a car jump starter from autozone. It's got a usb phone charging port and a 12v dc lighter port. I soldered a 12v lighter end to my old cobra cb radio power wires and I caan plug it onto the car battery jump starter. The jump starter is small and only for 4 cylinder cars so it fits in the small front pocket of a typical back pack.
Tested the old Wilson magnet car antenna on a cookie baking sheet instead of a car roof. I was able to talk 3.5 miles on this antenna at ground level with no elevation. Swr was 1.6 on the meter.
All of the gear fits into a small back pack I had laying around. Hoping to build a better one I can pull up into a tree and get some range with this weekend.
Thinking I'll leave the bag in my daily driver so if I have to walk 45 miles home I can bring my radio. Plus I'll have a jump if I need it. Or charge my cell phone.

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Post by **justang1997** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 1:05 am

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Eireguy · Post by **Eireguy** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 1:34 am

That's a pretty neat set up you've got going on there . Great idea
I would try it out and see how long your charger will last . How much was the charger if you don't mind me asking?

Post by **justang1997** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 10:21 am

The charger was $46. I started using the radio at 76% battery on the jumper. Talked a bunch doing radio checks with my brother for about 20 min and it was still at 76%.

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Post by **mtchbrian** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 1:11 pm

justang1997 wrote:Sent from my Q10 using Tapatalk 2

I've got that same radio in my garage. just seems like no one uses them anymore. I used mine a lot about 10-15 years ago when I used to drive to EKU. I'd just listen to the radio for bear reports.

Kentucky Armory Club

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