Adding Cb to Arsenal

[stingrayls2]

I have a cb/ssb radio and was into that hobby for over 20 years. It went down hill after 1975 especially when that movie convoy came out they had to increase the channels from 23 to 40 because there were all kinds of idiots and kids playing on it.
I could never find any good use as far as this subject matter goes.

I may even sell the cb/ssb radio with k-40 antenna as i don't use it.

[AirMoore]

^^^^

CB's work exceptionally well now for Bear reports, on interstates with high amounts of trucker traffic, they are the most effective countermeasure out there... especially if you know what you are doing.


There are virtually no kids on there anymore, and very very few average drivers (Id bet less then 1&#37, just the pros (truckers), because almost no one wants a CB antenna hanging off their car... but they are fine with a ticket.

[Montu]

Most of my CB action is going to be going up and down I5..I think it should be pretty good

hows this look?
http://www.rightchannelradios.com/ca...r-kit-485.html

[AirMoore]

^^^^

That looks excellent, though you may have some noise (electrical noise) issues when using a cigarette lighter... CB's are infamous for picking that cr@P up.


Overall it looks like a great kit.


One of my set-ups: Is the exact same thing, except hardwired and peaked and tuned.


You most likely will also want to get that SWR meter.

[stingrayls2]

alright..now to find a local cb shop..

also how do i "tilt" the mag mount? can you move it off center etc? or do i have to put it back towards my rear window so it leans back?

No more Glens you might have to go to Radio Shack.

[AirMoore]

No more Glens you might have to go to Radio Shack.

That is not good... I tend to stay away from RS for anything (if possible).


I don't think they do installs at all though.

[Pirateye]

I install rock chip protection film to the front of autos in my area and the clear film I use is ideal for use under the magnet of your antenna. A leftover scrap is plenty and it's pretty thick. I've never had one come off but I use a big magnet and I don't often exceed the ton.

[Montu]

I install rock chip protection film to the front of autos in my area and the clear film I use is ideal for use under the magnet of your antenna. A leftover scrap is plenty and it's pretty thick. I've never had one come off but I use a big magnet and I don't often exceed the ton.

great Idea, I just wonder how this will affect the magnet?, I need it to with stand 133mph.....


cant find any cb shops.. I guess I'll try tuning peaking on my own, shouldn't be that hard right?

[AirMoore]

cant find any cb shops.. I guess I'll try tuning peaking on my own, shouldn't be that hard right?

I prefer to never have anything between my magnet and Car, but thats just me.



Again... tuning/peaking is not very descriptive language.

You should not attempt to peak and tune your CB radio itself (which mean taking it apart, and messing the with internals).


You can if you wish... attempt to check your SWR numbers, and tune those (via the antenna length). You just need an SWR meter, and a 'jumper' cable... which is just a short length (normally ~3feet) to bring the signal from your CB into the meter... then from the meter to your antenna just use the antenna coax cable.

I can normally check my SWR's on 1-20-40 in less then 5 minutes.

To do it the first time, it took awhile between the trimming of the antennas and re-checking the SWR's.

Honestly... I now mostly use CB's that have an SWR meter built right into them, and my 959 has that and a SWR indicator light, if the SWR's are too high. Even though the internal meters are inaccurate, if they stay below 1.5, I don't worry (and normally the needle barely moves).


Point being: If you are a do-it-yourselfer with access to the internet you should be able to check your SWR's.

Also: BEFORE YOU TX AT ALL... you MUST check your SWR number (so the "if you wish" line I said above doesn't mean you don't have to have it checked: It means you or someone else (a shop) MUST before using your radio, if you plan on keeping it around).

[Montu]

Great, thanks for all the info, I will order what I linked early with the SWR meter and tune that.