CB Radio

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kasparov

Member
Dec 14, 2002
166
0
0
Anyone own one of these? I am thinking of getting one for my car just to see how fun a CB radio can be. I wonder what I will be able to do with one of these things.

I am thinking of purchasing an old cheap CB radio from ebay. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I should buy? Also, can anyone relate any experiences that they might have with a CB radio? What exactly can u do with one?
 
minendo

minendo

Elite Member
Aug 31, 2001
35,560
22
81
I have one, but rarely use it. I turn it on when making long trips to hear the truckers list where all the "bears" (cops) are.
 
Kadarin

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
44,296
16
81
Back in the early '90s, a couple of years before everyone and their dog had cellphones, we used them out at the street races to coordinate our activities. It worked pretty well.
 
T

Tsaico

Platinum Member
Oct 21, 2000
2,669
0
0
well, they certaintly are not as popular as they used to be. I am still planning on getting one for my truck, as they are still popular for the non-coastal areas as well as for off road traffic. Just don't expect to be sitting in your room tuning in to the 40 channels and having hours of fun. I will also be hooking mine up to a PA system. that alone can make it worth having.
 
Kadarin

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
44,296
16
81
Originally posted by: kasparov
so is a CB radio like an ancient thing? No longer useful?
Click to expand...

Well, it's certainly ancient, but it is still a valid means for communication. Just keep in mind that it's broadcast as opposed to the cellphone's point-to-point.
 
K

kasparov

Member
Dec 14, 2002
166
0
0
Guys any idea on what type of CB radio i should get? I want the cheapest easiest one to hook up and go.
 
A

Antisocial Virge

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 1999
6,578
0
0
Originally posted by: kasparov
Guys any idea on what type of CB radio i should get? I want the cheapest easiest one to hook up and go.
Click to expand...

Anything with 40 channels. You probably don't need sideband stuff. They are only a positive and a ground wire and a coax connection. Then you should get the swr set on it though.
 
M

munruss

Golden Member
May 4, 2001
1,104
0
76
CB was great in the day. Channel 14 was the channel on Long Island. I was Johnny Pinhead on the radio.
 
C

Cyberian

Diamond Member
Jun 17, 2000
9,999
1
0
Cobra , Midland and Uniden used to be the heavy hitters IIRC.
Cobra (and probably others) made a handheld unit with a magnetic roof mount antenna if you want to try CB out without actually having any installation involved.

I'm almost sure that MichaelD said that he had a CB radio in his new truck.

BTW - They seem to be cheap enough on E-bay that you could buy one, try it and sell it again for just about what you paid for it.
 
K

kasparov

Member
Dec 14, 2002
166
0
0
okay; I think I will purchase a cobra on ebay. and try it out. How steep is the learning curve on one of these babies?
 
M

MacBaine

Banned
Aug 23, 2001
9,999
0
0
Originally posted by: kasparov
okay; I think I will purchase a cobra on ebay. and try it out. How steep is the learning curve on one of these babies?
Click to expand...

Learning curve?

Pick up mic - depress button - talk

If it takes you any longer than .5 seconds, you shouldn't have bought it.
 
GeekDrew

GeekDrew

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2000
9,099
19
81
I just bought a '99 Ford Explorer, and I also bought a CB to put in it... just a Uniden off of the Walmart shelf... no, it's not the greatest out there, but I don't need the greatest. I also bought a magnetic antenna, and ran the wire down to where I mounted the CB... now to tune it... I just bought and SWR meter, does anyone know anything about them? I do need to find a short piece of coax though, as I don't have any lying around :-/

Also, does anyone just leave their SWR meter attached to the line? I didn't know if it is even possible to use the CB while it's attached... I would think so, but I don't know a lot about it (yet).

Drew
 
C

cavemanmoron

Lifer
Mar 13, 2001
13,664
28
91
Originally posted by: shuttleteam
In the 1970's we had CB radio...

In the 21st Century, we have the chatroom!

Folks that remember 23 channel CB rigs will remember the music in that one too! :)

-DAK-
Click to expand...

LMAO

KFQ-36xx my old call letters... from 1970..


a CB is only as good as your antenna,
Wilson 1000,or Wilson 5000 about the best for an automobile..



 
MichaelD

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
Originally posted by: Cyberian
Cobra , Midland and Uniden used to be the heavy hitters IIRC.
Cobra (and probably others) made a handheld unit with a magnetic roof mount antenna if you want to try CB out without actually having any installation involved.

I'm almost sure that MichaelD said that he had a CB radio in his new truck.

BTW - They seem to be cheap enough on E-bay that you could buy one, try it and sell it again for just about what you paid for it.
Click to expand...

Wow, somebody remembered me! Kewl. :)

I do have a CB. I can tell you this: the ANTENNA SETUP is the most important part of it. I took the time to do the research, ask a lot of questions and did a lot of testing to get my antenna tuned correctly. It pays off BIG as far as reception/transmission range goes. :)

Lemme get some pics.

Overall shot of the CB mounted.

PA horn under the hood. (It's loud enough to yell at the idiot in front of you at a light! :D)

Radio from the other side of the truck.

Antenna

Another antenna pic.


I'd be happy to assist you w/your endeavor. :)

I have a blast with my CB. (BTW, it's a Uniden PC78LTW) I drive on I35 daily..major trucker corridor and chat with them. It also comes in handy when I go wheeling (the real reason I bought it) to communicate with others on the trail.)

ps
The antenna is a FirestickII, which has a tuneable tip. Basically, a setscrew that you screw in or out that effectively changes the length of the antenna and therefore the SWR.

 
K

kasparov

Member
Dec 14, 2002
166
0
0
Hey MichaelID!

I just bought this CB radio

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004VXNF/102-3555560-1261717?v=glance

What do I need to do to install it? Do I have to take it to a mechanic?
Also, do I have to have an antenna? If so, can I use my existing FM/AM antenna on my car?

I wanna see what CB radio'ing is all about .. and not have to spend a lot of money for it in the beginning... If its fun, I have no problems spending more money.

thanks for you help.

PS: BTW, Your setup looks awesome.
 
MichaelD

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
Originally posted by: kasparov
Hey MichaelID!

I just bought this CB radio

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004VXNF/102-3555560-1261717?v=glance

What do I need to do to install it? Do I have to take it to a mechanic?
Also, do I have to have an antenna? If so, can I use my existing FM/AM antenna on my car?

I wanna see what CB radio'ing is all about .. and not have to spend a lot of money for it in the beginning... If its fun, I have no problems spending more money.

thanks for you help.

PS: BTW, Your setup looks awesome.
Click to expand...

Hi there. Firstly, this forum helped me A LOT. Most folks on that forum are a bit older and the forum moves slowly (expect 24 hours to elapse before someone responds) but they WILL respond. With mega-knowlege too boot. They helped me out a lot when I had a ton of questions. :)

You don't need a mechanic!!!! It's easier than installing a radio. It has three connections; +12V, ground and antenna. Simple. Be sure to fuse the +12V lead (most probably, the CB comes with an inline fuse holder attached...most do...mine did) Attach the ground to a screw/bolt under the dashboard.

The antenna is by far the hardest part. You need to TUNE the antenna (YOU NEED A SEPARATE CB ANTENNA! YOU CANNOT USE YOUR AM/FM ANTENNA!!!!)

I purchased a cheapie SWR meter to help me tune mine. The meter plugs inline b/t the radio and the antenna. Like this:

Radio-------------Meter--------------Antenna

Check out this page and read the"Checking and Setting SWR" article. that's the exact article I used to setup my antenna.

:)
 
J

jaydee

Diamond Member
May 6, 2000
4,500
4
81
I have one for my car that I put up on long trips on the NY interstate (I drive 250 miles each way home and back from school once every couple weeks or so). It's nice to have when your in a hurry.
 
MichaelD

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
Originally posted by: jaydee
I have one for my car that I put up on long trips on the NY interstate (I drive 250 miles each way home and back from school once every couple weeks or so). It's nice to have when your in a hurry.
Click to expand...

Very good idea. :) If you have a CB, you can always get help. Especially if you're on a major corridor like the Thruway.
 
K

kasparov

Member
Dec 14, 2002
166
0
0
Is it possible to operate the CB radio without an antenna -- at least initially?

Because.. I am worried about moding my car.. and worried about how much work it will take to set this whole big thing up...

Also, I have noticed that there are hand held CB radios... like walkie talkies... are they any good? They don't seem to need an antenna.. since they have one built in.
 
MichaelD

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
Originally posted by: kasparov
Is it possible to operate the CB radio without an antenna -- at least initially?

Because.. I am worried about moding my car.. and worried about how much work it will take to set this whole big thing up...
Click to expand...

NEGATIVE! Keying the radio (attempting to transmit) without an antenna (load) attached will fry the ouput section of the radio!! In fact, I read somewhere on Uniden's site that they don't recommend even turning on the CB without some kind of load attached.

The truth is that as long as you dont' try to transmit ("key") w/o a load attached, you're OK>

However, w/o an antenna, you won't get any reception, either.

Check out Firestik's page that I linked to. I read almost every one of those articles. They are in plain English...even I understood them. :confused:
 
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