What is Dead Key and Swing?

**Todd** · 10-06-2009, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by Duke

Originally Posted by Todd

So when another ham operator tells me I am giving him "5 pounds", what does that mean?

Hopefully you're referring to a CBer and not a Ham Radio Operator, two different things. It's been a long while for me but 5 pounds meant 5 s-units.

Oh yeah...I got a guy that has a Cobra 29 ltd, which he says he put a 1969 final in it, that he will sell for $120. This CB actually suits my spacial requirement better since I am putting it in my car. Is there any special deal with a 1969 final? What is so special about it?

Nothing, it's just a 2sc1969 transistor. I don't know why people waste their time doing those kinds of mods though. I would just get myself an amp if you want more power. And buying a radio that someone has been inside of with a soldering iron would make me nervous, especially a used CB for $120. I'd rather spend $150 on a HR2510 if you can still find one.

I'd like to find an amp locally if it's possible, but the chances of that happening may take some time. If I'm not on the NYS Thruway or I-81, I travel by them. I hear CBr's keepin' an eye out on the LEO's. At first, I thought my Valentine One was a great investment. Now, I'm lovin' my CB. Countermeasures are cool. Trapster on the GPS might help in time, but nothing beats a CB on the highways. I did lots of traveling without my countermeasures this year, I can't wait until next year. I can't say I plan on traveling too much during the winter. I may make one road trip to Florida, but that is all I foresee in the near future.

Thanks for all the helful input guys. I'm lovin' this forum; learnin' alot.

**Todd** · 10-07-2009, 06:47 PM

Just thought I'd update that I recently found a Uniden PC76XL and a Cobra 29 wx nw st. I kind of like the Cobra, but honestly after testing all of them, I actually think my Uniden Pro530XL is the best overall performer. More mods could be done with the two CB's I justed picked up. A couple bucks at radio shack, a little soldering, and the Cobra is swinging. I wish linears and 1969 Transistors were legal.

**Duke** · 10-07-2009, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by Todd

Just thought I'd update that I recently found a Uniden PC76XL and a Cobra 29 wx nw st. I kind of like the Cobra, but honestly after testing all of them, I actually think my Uniden Pro530XL is the best overall performer. More mods could be done with the two CB's I justed picked up. A couple bucks at radio shack, a little soldering, and the Cobra is swinging. I wish linears and 1969 Transistors were legal.

Anything you do to your CB to increase the power beyond 4watts AM and 12 watts PEP is technically illegal. And communicating beyond 175 miles is also illegal. So if you're going inside of it anyway and clipping the limiter, or what have you, what's the difference if you just buy an amp?

To be frank, an amp isn't going to do you much good anyway. If you can talk further than you can hear what good is it for? You're better off making your antenna system as efficient as you can.

You should just keep it simple. Get a peaked and tweaked Cobra 148 and a little modulator and call it a day. A couple hundred bucks and you're set. I don't even know if they make 148s any more. I still have my old one on the shelf from a long time ago. :-)

You can get an amp at just about any truck stop or you could just google it and buy it online.

**Todd** · 10-07-2009, 08:23 PM

Is it legal to get an amp at a truckstop?

**Duke** · 10-07-2009, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by Todd

Is it legal to get an amp at a truckstop?

I don't honestly know the answer to that question. I don't know if possession is illegal but using it definitely is. I have a license so it is legal for me to use or build HF amps. But like I said, cutting the limiter in the radio is illegal as well, so six of one a half dozen of another. If you don't go around abusing the amp and/or you run a good low pass filter you will probably be ok. But if you overdrive it and splatter everywhere you increase the chances of getting caught. Be a good op and run it clean if you get one.

**Freebird** · 10-07-2009, 10:18 PM

Amps.. wrong term. Linear or Linear Amplifier is the term for a CB power booster. Truck Stops do not sell them anymore, they are illegal. But they can be purchased online and at select CB shops.