CB radios
- justang1997
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CB radios
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 know we have some HAMS on here but is anyone else on here using SSB on citizens band?
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- 1fastmach1
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- KYgundude
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Re: CB radios
I did years ago. Spent a whole Lotta time on lower 36.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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- WLJ
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Re: CB radios
Remember when CBs where all the rage back in the 70s,80s
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- justang1997
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Re: CB radios
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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- justang1997
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- Wyldman
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Re: CB radios
How much are these SSB rigs, now? They used to be mondo expensive, especially with a tunable antenna.
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- KYgundude
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Re: CB radios
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.Wyldman wrote:How much are these SSB rigs, now? They used to be mondo expensive, especially with a tunable antenna.
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.
- Eireguy
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Re: CB radios
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
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
- justang1997
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Re: CB radios
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.Wyldman wrote:How much are these SSB rigs, now? They used to be mondo expensive, especially with a tunable antenna.
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
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Re: CB radios
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
http://www.copperelectronics.com/cart/p ... cts_id=364
- justang1997
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Re: CB radios
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
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Re: CB radios
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
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- KYgundude
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Re: CB radios
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 )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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- justang1997
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Re: CB radios
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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- KYgundude
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Re: CB radios
Co phasing 2 no gain antennas. Not sure how much benefit you'll gain.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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- justang1997
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Re: CB radios
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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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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- justang1997
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- Eireguy
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Re: CB radios
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?
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?
- justang1997
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Re: CB radios
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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- mtchbrian
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Re: CB radios
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.justang1997 wrote:Sent from my Q10 using Tapatalk 2
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