CB Radio

[MichaelD]

Ripped article on antennas and TUNING:

TUNABLE CB ANTENNAS
Compliments of Firestik® Antenna Company Technical Support Team

Copyright © 1996 Firestik® Antenna Company

Throughout history, manufacturers have found a way to create confusion within their markets. Some do it intentionally to overcome their inability to sell their products or services based upon the merits of the product or service. Other manufactures simply ignore the fact that many users of their products have absolutely no background regarding the product and need the most fundamental information from which to build their knowledge base. The antenna industry, by use of vague terminology, has created some confusion too. Two of these areas, "factory pre-tuned" and "tunable antenna", will be explored.

Factory Pre-Tuned

This DOES NOT mean that you can screw the antenna into the mount and go. CB antennas are not plug-and-play devices. "Factory Pre-Tuned" only tells you that the manufacturer has established a standard frequency for the production of their antenna(s) and that the antenna was manufactured to meet that standard. The manufacturers standard refers to a given frequency ? NOT a specific SWR reading. Furthermore, the standard is developed on a specific and fixed ground plane. It is doubtful that your vehicle ground plane would match that of the test standard ground plane. You MUST set the SWR of all CB antennas after the antenna is mounted in its final location. Failure to do so will limit the performance of your system and could damage the radio?s circuitry.

Tunable Antenna

All CB antennas are tunable in one way or another. Those antennas that have an easy, often mechanical, tuning device are referred to as a "tunable antenna". Accordingly, lots of people think the other antennas are not tunable and so they make no attempt to have the antenna tuned. This is a critical mistake.

Wire-wound antennas without mechanical tuners, that test electrically long, can be tuned by removing wire from the top. If SWR testing indicates the antenna is electrically short, the coils at the top of the antenna can be separated and spaced further apart or accessories that increase the physical length of the antennas (springs, quick disconnects) can be added.

Solid fiberglass antennas (straight or helical wire impregnated in fiberglass resins) that are electrically too long can have the cap removed and the top can be cut off with a hacksaw. If the SWR test on one of these antennas indicates that it is electrically short, the addition of a spring or quick disconnect (or both) is the only way to correct for the short condition.

Base loaded antennas with wire whips have a set screw (or two) just below the area that the whip is inserted into the loading coil. By loosening up the set screw(s) you are able to slide the whip up or down as required.





Firestik Antenna Company - 2614 E Adams St - Phoenix, AZ 85034 - (Tel) 602-273-7151 - www.firestik.com

 

[propellerhead]

I rely on my CB more than my radar detector when I'm traveling the freeways. The truckers on Channel 19 constantly inform each other of visual sightings of cops (bears, smokey, black & whites, county mounty, city kitty, etc.) You don't hear them as much at night since it's hard to visually spot the cops. But during the day, you'll know where the cops are 5 miles ahead of you even if they are not using a speed detector.

 

[jaydee]

Originally posted by: propellerhead
I rely on my CB more than my radar detector when I'm traveling the freeways. The truckers on Channel 19 constantly inform each other of visual sightings of cops (bears, smokey, black & whites, county mounty, city kitty, etc.) You don't hear them as much at night since it's hard to visually spot the cops. But during the day, you'll know where the cops are 5 miles ahead of you even if they are not using a speed detector.

Not only that, but you can get weather reports, find out where the contruction zones are, bad accidents that require a detour, ect.

My dad used to haul beans to the factory years ago, he was known as the "Lean, Mean, Green Bean Machine", heh.

 

[Triumph]

Truck driving would be fun.

 

[kasparov]

Guys,

I finally got my CB working. It's great!!! I didn't get a SWR meter for it yet though and fully calibrate it. Is that really necessary.. if the setup seems to be working just fine?

Also, what do you guys chat about on the CB? And which of the 40 channels do you use to chat?

 

[Lvis]

Back in the seventies my dad owned a small electronics shop. He paid me ten bucks to install them in customers cars... Back then Cobra was well thought of, and the antenna brand and model was very important.

We could tell whether a rig was working well without putting the meter on it, so no, it's not necessary. You can usually get a bit more range out of them if you tweak them though.

 

[Nighthawk69]

A CB is priceless if you're into 4-wheelin'... there's just no substitute.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: cavemanmoron

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-

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..

Wow, KNF-3054 was our family's... What a flashback

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Ripped article on antennas and TUNING:

I understand that the tennis ball on the antenna also helps quite a bit with reception.

 

[kasparov]

Originally posted by: Cyberian

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Ripped article on antennas and TUNING:

I understand that the tennis ball on the antenna also helps quite a bit with reception.

lol... are u serious man? I thought the ball was to stabilize the antenna.

 

[kasparov]

also, what do you guys talk about on CB? and which channel do u use?

 

[Rogozhin]

I have a ranger 9270 with a talk back board that will blow you away (new it was $750) will sell it for $250..

rogo

 

[Soybomb]

The ball is to keep the antenna from hitting and scratching the car, its just a bumper

I have a CB in my jeep for off-roading and I cringe when I turn it on going down the road. Maybe its just me but trucker chat seems to be devoid of all signs of intelligence but I'm a ham so I'm probably somewhat biased.

 

[Bulldozer]

I have the radio that you just purchased. It works fine but others suggested that I get a higher quality mic. They said that when I used a different mic they had a much easier time understanding me.

 

[KC5AV]

Originally posted by: kasparov
Guys,

I finally got my CB working. It's great!!! I didn't get a SWR meter for it yet though and fully calibrate it. Is that really necessary.. if the setup seems to be working just fine?

Also, what do you guys chat about on the CB? And which of the 40 channels do you use to chat?

It is absolutely necessary that you get the swr tuned. If the swr (standing wave ratio) is too high, you can fry the final outsput section of the radio. What swr really is is a ratio of forward power:reflected power. Anything below 2:1 is safe. Anything below 1.5:1 and you can't tell any difference. Anything over about 3.5:1, and you are in danger of destroying your radio. If you have a cb shop anywhere around, they should be able to set if for you for a nominal fee, if they charge you at all.

 

[kasparov]

Originally posted by: Rogozhin
I have a ranger 9270 with a talk back board that will blow you away (new it was $750) will sell it for $250..

rogo

have no idea what a ranger is. care to post a link?

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: Soybomb
The ball is to keep the antenna from hitting and scratching the car, its just a bumper

You did see the smiley at the top of my post, no?