The Simple Guide To CB Radio. Everything You'll Need To Know To Get On The Air And Talking Made Easy
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- Опубліковано 20 лип 2024
- I've been meaning to put this together for ages. It's an easy guide to understanding CB radio. It doesn't matter if you are new to the hobby or have been at it for years. This guide should take some of the mystery away from communicating via CB radio in a way that everyone can understand.
Enjoy!
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CB is alive and well. Spend a day setting up a good antenna system and you’ll realize how much is actually happening on the air!
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Totally! A good antenna setup right makes the world wide open.
Right ham fest finds fingerhut cb radio 📻
I was acutally suprised that CB is still alive and well. I think it's still useful even today for travelers as well as truckers to keep up on changing weather and traffic issues that are probably faster than any app.
Around here it is used a bunch, cell reception is poor at best so apps just won't work.
@@FarpointFarms So much for modern technology. It's amazing to me how the "old" stuff is still useful even today!
This is one of the best beginner videos lately. Your radio videos have improved so much the past 5 or so years. I really like using a trail cam battery instead of a car battery.
Good idea! Trail cam battery setups are light weight and still have the power to run stuff!
That negan of commo, I love it
Thanks, I could be called worse names
@@FarpointFarms you just kinda look like Jeffrey dean morgan with the beard 🤣 seriously though the info is great and I’m hunting down my first CB and antenna for my car now
16 and 4 are traditionally the off road channels (4x4=16) and are mostly used for off roading. Overland Bound officially uses 16 as the CB calling channel. Another great vid!
Thank you for sharing the 16 4 channels. good to know
16 is a SSB (Sideband) channel. Has been since the 1960's. Using it on AM is causing other people problems. Just an FYI.
@@tahoma6889 You're literally the only person I've ever seen say that and every single resource online agrees with me.
Are these radio resources you are looking into, or off road resources? Channels 15 and 16 were designated SSB channels to accommodate 23 channel SSB radios. They are still used today and I often hear a lot of overseas stations on 16 SSB. There are also regular net's that take place on 16 LSB. If you have been researching radio sources, then you know what a net is. Traditionally, these (15/16) were the only designated SSB channels there were until the introduction of 40 channel usage. At that point, 31 thru 40 were adopted in as well. Everyone knows, 15, 16, 31 thru 40, are sideband. @@WhiteCavendish
@@tahoma6889 I'm not very big into it, but here in EU 16 is offroad and 4 is general comm of Germany
A great basic& simple explanation for new people getting intonCB/ 11 meter radios.
That was the aim. To give a person interested in radio a good place to start.
@@FarpointFarmsis that you singing in the introduction of your UA-cam channel ? 🎶
@@FarpointFarms Just bought the Uniden 980 SSB Thanks for the tips
Great video! I am glad to see people getting back into CB. No subscriptions are user fees. The one thing you forgot to mention is the fact that once you get everything you need then you start wanting more. More channels,bigger antenna, more power and the list go's on. LOl 73's from 828 Guitarman.
Shhhh! We don't want to scare people away! Ha! Yes, it's a great hobby and it can and sometimes does get a bit addicting.
I am just getting into using a CB. And I have learned more from this video than the past four hours. I appreciate that. Thank you.
Great to hear! That was my intent!
I'm glad someone is explaining this for the newbie's. Good video.
I'm aiming to keep the hobby alive by drawing in new younger users.
I’ve never wanted to watch someone talk about anything more, you are very clear and have a wonderful voice
Thank you
CB videos never get old. Fun hobby too.
It's kept me on the air since the late 80's!
As the owner of 27 Cobra 29, 23 Channel CB Radios. Peaked and Tuned by a very knowledgeable Radio man. I will never touch a 40 Channel radio.
Is your radio guy near me, I could use a good one
Great refresher thanks Eric! Have a fantastic weekend with your loved ones also! 👍🏼🙏🏼
You to my friend!
Thank you for doing this! It’s been many years and this is going to help a lot.
I hope so! Let me know if you need help.
The antenna is no joke. I talked to a guy sixty miles away on four watts (because he couldn't see his radio clear enough to SSB) on the Antron before the wind claimed it.
It's the number 1 reason for a good or bad signal. You can slap an amp on a crummy Antenna and still not match the performance of a good stock setup.
Hey this was really helpful. Probably the best video I’ve found! Thank you very much.
Glad you found it helpful
Meaning to get back into CB. Thanks for the timing of this video!
Welcome back to the hobby!
If only the other cb ers were as chill and level headed as you…. Great job!
I appreciate that!
I used to be into cb radios when me and my dad plowed snow all night in the 90's. Still got them in me garage. Think ill try to find them. Cheers!!
That sounds like some cold but good memories
I 102¨whip on the roof of that Mazda would look pretty cool.
Heck yes!
Thank you so much for this! I want to get into Cb radios and this was very helpful!
Glad it was helpful!
Video is full of good info for someone getting started. Wish I’d had these videos 30 years ago. 👍👍
We had books and friends to help us back in the day. Now it's all on film!
Great video Eric
Thanks for sharing
Safe travels
Thanks, you too!
Another home run. Great informative video.
Thanks for watching!
Good inexpensive hobby to get back into, I have got 35 dollars invested in 3- forty channel CB radios and a magnet antenna. Thanks for keeping and revitalizing this hobby.
Thanks for sharing! Those are good deals in 2023!!
Great informative video. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I’m just starting to look into this as a communication tool with my family when STHF begins. You gave a great overview sounds a lot easier than a ham set up, thanks!
Glad I could help! You got this!!!
This video is the most comprehensive and easy to understand for a newcomer (myself) to learn about CB radio. Thanks for making this video, I’m now a subscriber.
Glad it was helpful! It is comments like this, that makes me glad I can make videos
Awesome video, hopefully it will help get more people on the air. In my area we are blessed with a lot of locals, Someone is out there just about anytime of the day. Take care Erik, Enjoy the hobby!
Same to you my friend! I've got some old timers near me that spend their evenings chatting, so when I moved here I was in heaven. Since then, I've got a few younger guys to join the conversations as well. Love it!
During the 80's I used a 1st version President Lincoln with a 12' stainless steel whip and 18' of RG8, I had the antenna mounted at the top left corner of the bed of a 1965 C10 with a 1/4" thick steel 6" X 12" plate bent 90 degrees to form an L mounting bracket and mounted near the tailgate, no amps all barefoot, the SWR at all channels were 1.0 to 1.1, I was able to communicate worldwide on SSB, and numerous states on AM, it had good grounding and the 1/4" bracket acted as a ground plane.
I definitely miss that set up and days of DXing with numerous QSL cards from around the world.
I do miss the glory days of cb for sure. We had monthly meet ups back in Raleigh.
@@FarpointFarms Back then we had no clubs or meetings but we helped each other with their setups weather it's a mobile or base station, also there was hardly any obnoxious skips and commotion interference.
Thanks for this video and many others. I have a lot to learn but I just got my first cb today, a cobra 29 nw ltd classic from a junkyard for $15
Glad I could help! You got a great deal on that CB!
You were the one who convinced me to get (back) into the hobby, and get a ssb McKinley radio. I had a ham license, but I let it lapse. I also really enjoy listening to shortwave.
Glad to hear it. Shortwave gets way too little love these days.
Renew your ham, the bands are amazing right now.
If you go take the technician license test and pass it all your previous privileges will be restored.
In the late 60's the Citizens Band radio was carved out of the Ham Radio Part of the frequency and given it's own band with 27 megahertz band. Pretty strict back then. Then the trucking industry adopted it for their use,(I was a trucker)to keep up with where the speed traps etc. were.Truckers still use them but not as much in the last few years.I know because I was a trucker for 20 yrs. A boyfriend of my sister was an electronic whiz and built me a Heathkit 5 channel CB back when I was 13 yrs. old. Later on I became a trucker and retired about 3 yrs. ago.Still got some CB's. 72 yrs.old now.
Good info. Thanks!
Finally got my Maco Antenna up on the Roof. Sure helped getting out and getting heard..
I hear great things about those antennas.
Seeing that I'm installing a radio building in the rural area I'm moving to, your guides will come in handy soon! Thank you for all the hard work.
Glad to help, good luck with your build!
Look up the UUU Ham Shack build. There is more to making a proper radio station than electronics. His video will help understand wiring, grounding and other very important topics.
COuld you do a video on the best handheld CB antennas? like your top three antennas !
Not a lot of options there, but I'll see what I can find.
I am enjoying your videos. I started looking to get back into CB radio after many years. I mentioned this to someone at work and a few minutes later he handed me a Cobra 29 LX that he had laying around. I ordered a K-30 to put on the roof. I drive down to Pinehurst often and this should make the trip more enjoyable I think.
That is awesome! You have a really nice coworker to give you that.
Yard sale yesterday picked up 2 radios K40 ant. +old RS 12v supply 30$ made my day Great video as usual thanks!
That is awesome! Those deals are still out there. I find antenna's to be a lot harder to find than radios.
Was helping my uncle clean out a old mobile home and found a 102 stainless whip . I was pretty happy to say the least. Been using a lil Wilson on my f250 truck roof . Gonna put the whip on my ranger I think . Great video .
That 102 is really going to impress you!
😀thanks for all the great video
You bet! I've got a whole series in the works.
Good job Eric. ❤
Thank you! I tried to make it easy for everyone!
Thanks for another great video on radios.
Glad you like them!
@@FarpointFarms You bet I do, Thanks!
Good info , thanks !!
Glad it was helpful!
Perfect and succinct.👍🏽
Thanks!
Eric...I credit you in my quest for a mobile CB. Down to earth and informative videos regarding all subjects. Thank you 👍🏽
Here it´s either 19 or Lower 29, all the base stations went down there to escape the skip. So really only two channels around here locally. Kinda a shame cause you would think the CB is dead if you only have regular 40 channels.
It is an issue for AM only users. A lot of base station operators use SSb most of the time.
@@FarpointFarms Yeah, the local guys been using AM since the 70´s, so it just will not change. It would be cool to have FM locally, but we are all on AM, and once in a while a ¨"new" radio will pop up, like a Golden Eagle. Also many of the old timers only have AM with an expansion mod.
Great CB Radio Content I'm Miami 305 on LSB Channel 37 38 Which it is 27.3750 27.3850 and sometime on 27,3950 Which is Channel 39. I'm sometime on it from 4:00 Pm sometime 5 PM. and so on Conditions are bad now but I can tell you guys this it going to be Great Starting Next Year or the Following one. we just have to Hang in there until this Happen. 73 to all of you guys from the Miami area
Can't wait!
@@FarpointFarms Can't Wait either. Take care my Friend
Hi Eric I like CB radio I am stil) using My cobra model 148 I've been using since the late 70s and a starduster antenna and I also have a radio in both of my vehicles have handhelds in both my vehicles thanks for all your good videos Eric keep up the good work I wish I was able to pick you up on the radio and be able to talk to you you're too far away I'm out in Northern California have a great day my brother God bless you and your family stay safe oldgeorge.
Keep your radio on! I speak to folks in CA all the time!
Thank you for the content
Glad you enjoyed it!
Prices have definitely gone up! I couldn’t find any decent radios on eBay at the prices you listed, not even remotely close at this time! I have had some luck on FB market place as well as Craigslist. eBay seems to think they are all collectors items! Great video and I look forward to seeing what comes next!
It's sad that many of the hobbies that I enjoy are rapidly being priced out of the range where I can enjoy them.
Bring back the CB radio!
YES!
A cheap, but excellent base station antenna is the simple wire dipole. Instructions are all over the internet, and they work great, as long as you tune it. I’ve used one in the past with great results and I had an adapter to hook it to my shortwave radio when I wasn’t “feeling” the CB radio. (Not both radios at the same time though) I have the parts in the basement to make one, but I can’t seem to convince my wife that we need it. 😂 Also, you can string it up in the attic, if you live in a “radio hostile” area. Anyway, I hope this helps someone. Great video!
Great info, Thanks!
You are correct. Our local channel is 26.875 for whatever reason, and then 27.205 for the morning time group. Very aggravating for someone that cares about swr as much as me. A little more difficult to tune an antenna with that much spread in frequency.
That is quite a spread. What are you able to get it down two on those channels?
i have gotten and abandoned cb radios about once a decade or so since there was still a license for cbs... love the chatter ,hate the liniers and hars an discontent❤
I don't hear much hate these days on air. Maybe it's my area.
Good explanation.
Thank you
Great video for people getting started. They should remember to keep your coax as short as possible to avoid losses. With 100 ft of RG8X, you could see a 1.5 db loss, which is over 20% of your power. At 4 watts, that's a lot. (and with a high noise floor, your signal may disappear to others listening.)
Good point. Better quality wire makes for less losses, but still, 4 watts isn't a lot to start off with!
You can use a Jackery to power your radio also, and it is light weight and portable for off grid use, and can serve for other power needs as well (phone charging, lights, etc).
great tip-
Hi, thanks for saying most cars still use am radios, thats something i really wanted to know. As well as not to use a mobile antenna for a base station. Thanks for all you do. Best wishes !!
There was talk for a while about some car companies wanting to do away with AM radio. There was a bit of push back on it
Who the hell sings the into song? I can't find it anywhere
Just by chance, I happen to drive a Mirage and yes I got an antenna too! I got a 3 foot and use some Velcro to tamp it down on rainy days.
Cool!
Thank you!
You're welcome!
Great video. My main problem with my late 70's/early 80's Cobras (148 GTL AND 142 GTL) is finding someone who works on them. They've been sitting for quite a while, and need to be checked out for operation.
Sadly it is becoming an issue with some of these older radios.
Great info for the beginner!! Four watts... how quaint (LOL) Been in the hobby for almost 50 years. It has changed a lot over the years but it does seem to be coming back. I find myself on 11 meters more than other bands, tends to be more friendly and down to earth.
I agree that things seem to be on a large upswing. Lots more locals on the air at any given time around here.
If you run legal power, you learn that the antenna is the most important part of a station. Antenna and coax. A great antenna turns the crappiest radio into King Kong. A bad antenna turns the best radio into a mudduck.
@@spaceflight1019who runs legal power anymore fcc does not care
@@joshchilders-fy1pk Fundamentals.
Again a good video. In the Netherlands is mostly FM radio, I have a base station with a good antenna With AM and FM
Interesting! AM is dominate here, but FM is gaining steam.
@@FarpointFarms In the 80's CB radio's only had the FM. AM wasn't allowed in Europe.
FM has a short distance. Antenna's have to be "in sight".
@@nicogeelen1039in the 80s many had a "kacheltje" which made in possible to reach the UK from the Den Helder area
Great video
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you
You're welcome
That was interesting especially how cheap the radios and kit are. In the UK where I live things are much more expensive. I was a self employed courier driving a small van all over the UK and had a CB because thee truckers would put out messages about delays or accidents quicker than what local radio stations did. In the UK CB is not as popular as it was but all heavy goods lorry drivers all have them.
Thing are starting to spiral out of control here cost wise. Sad state we are in.
E an old realistic trc 415. My grandson is having a lot of fun with it. Is there a way to bump up modulation or just getting more out of it? Love your channel and thanks for good quality, family friendly content 👍
There are people that can tune even those older radios, but I am no expert on it.
Excellent video Fred :) also years in 1960 to 1988 my area Channel 11 was Truckers Channel 1960 to 1977 then in 1978 to present years Channel 19 also 1994 Channel 9 not used for Emergency crew of Tow Truck plus Fire Department or Cops of Town or Country plus Highway anymore ! Also for 4 watt am , 12 PEP Sideband lots operators use more than in home base and mobile too! But lots get Peak & Tune higher watts to get out by license techs and is illegal in USA because hear Canada never her illegal to since CB license dropped in 1988 for all Canada ! Also lots operators use higher channels above 40 and Below Channel 1 to plus Export radio like 2950 of 10 meters and plus All band radios like Kenwood Base or Mobils for 11 meters of 26.000 to 27.999 on FM, Am , Sideband too ! Myself had no problem with it plus Use I max 2000 since 2002 and RG 8 U coax big black type and Used A99 in past plus Shakespeare Pogo Stick 2 peice too ! Power Supply I use is 35 amp for my CB radio and daul band 2 meters and 440 no problem at all I license radio operators since 2007 for ham radio antenna is homemade J pole daul band 2 and 440 plus LMR 400 coax 100 feet and RG 8 is 100 feet too in home back garage! I used battery back up when needed and window open too when use it or recharge up on trickle ! Plus battery is deep cycle Marine boat type!
Sounds like a great setup!
@@FarpointFarms yes Fred also I used RadioShack Magnetic mount had chrome spring was my first antenna , 2 was Emergency Kit steal whip antenna, then 3 was K40 Magnetic mount and Wilson 1000 Magnetic mount was 4 ! Also Emergency kit antenna, plus K40 Magnetic mount black one and Wilson 1000 Magnetic mount still got and have use loads!
I love the radio shack references. However radio shack is no longer around. Way back in the day I ran radio shack radios. They were great. Now I’m running cobra with a lil Wilson magnet on my van, 42” stainless whip. But I’ll be using the whip soon. Truck stops are always throwing them on clearance rack.
Btw. Ppl can hang around and find an old school trucker to talk about cb’s. It’s quite helpful
Thanks for sharing
Can do you a video covering antennas for those of us in apartments that can't have outdoor antenns
Working on one this week.
I bought a Wilson 1000 for my Randy2.. gonna try to find someone local to tune it for Me.
Get yourself a used SWR meter and save the $$. You can do it!
Ole timer new to your channel. I used to be all into it, back in the early 70's. I even had a base station with a tower, set of beams, and a silver eagle D104. LOL.. I really can't get into the whole setup again, cause I lease now and don't own a place, or I would. I'm interested in hand held cb hand helds. Maybe even with ssb too. I basically want to use it for on the move via vehicle and traveling by feet lol... Got any suggestions?
There is one called the Cherokee brand- (old school) that had SSB- It might be worth looking into
I really envy you guys in the US,
Here in Australia if you want to buy a used SSB 40ch 25yr old radio, you won't get one for under $230.
Bummer! Sorry to hear it.
Me too!
Australia is now one of the most expensive countries in the world to live. Everything is 3-4 times more expensive than what you guys pay.@@FarpointFarms
To buy radios, you can also go to a nearby truck stop. However they won’t have base station antennas.
I stopped at one on the west coast that did sell them- This was a huge place and had everything
Every time you do a video you get my more radios on that cabinet. Its started off as 1 now its 5.
You are starting to sound like my wife- (don't tell her I said that). I like to display things that I will be filming soon or that I think are cool
@@FarpointFarms Its all part of Radio. I just started not long ago and my wife is already complaining
Going thru noise reduction steps reduces noise and makes signal reception better. Metal/ tinnedbraid from clen metal spot on tailpipe to car frame plus ground strap from hoid to firewall can make large difference. Add choke coil in dc line and on coax just inside entrance to car. The pipe acts as an antenna for spark plug noise, as can shield and dc cord. There are kits for plugs but , assuming cables to spark plugs is good condx. some hams wrp alum foil secured with bare wire around each lead and wired together and to engine block. Resistor type plugs are also used. See auto shop for detail. I have made customer, mil and agencies, so quiet , that no noise was heard in radio. Hard to do on HF AM/ SSB, but the basic steps above will act like ther stations sound 4 to 10 times louder.
Awesome, that you for sharing that
A single capacitor installed in the vehicle properly, will do all of these at once.
You must have a lot of spanish speaking subscribers because I had to listen to a spanish speaking ford ad
I am one...
Interesting. I wish I could speak it!
I've been looking for a really good base station antenna for my ranger RCI-6300f25
I LOVE the Antron A99. It's a good price and works well for at least 20 years.
@@FarpointFarms will it handle 25 watts
Love the intro song
Thanks, it was.madw by Marky Shaw a fellow youtuber
@@FarpointFarms was singing it all morning !! 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks for this intro to CB. I guess one needs a License to transmit on CB? If so, what do you recommend as a receiver-only for non-licensed users (listeners) to CB?
No! There is no license for CB radio!! It's one of the best parts of the hobby. Buy one at a yard sale and get right on the air, no checks or codes needed.
Do you have a recommendation on a 9 foot whip antenna where to buy 1
I found my 2 old CB radio I had when I was a kid have fun talking to local in morning for about 10 minutes a day. Keep on when I drive around
If you can go back in time, Radio Shack. Maybe Ebay or Amazon for it.
I've got my base station gear already to go. President McKinley radio, 75' of cable, power supply and the ever popular Antron A-99. All, except the power supply, purchased from Walcott Radio in Iowa. In talking with the pros there, I was told the A-99 antenna does not need to be grounded. I asked the question a few times to confirm. What are your thoughts on that?
It doesn't need to be grounded as long as you are OK with burning your house down when lighting hits it.
GROUND IT!
Well, there you have it! Grounded she shall be! Sort of assumed that all long and when I purchased my gear. Surprised they gave me that answer.
Could you do or re-do a vid just on grounding that shows where wiring should be attached to the antenna and ground stake to run into the ground? Thx
Is it ok to still use your CB call sign just for fun because I was given my CB license call sign Wayback in the 80s and it’s such a cool call sign lol
Totally OK to do that.
I just scored a Cobra 2000 on Facebook market place
😃
That is the last "Dream" radio I'd like to own. So cool looking!
I agree about having batteries inside the house/living area, that is, if they're the "old school" lead-acid type that has liquid electrolyte in them with removable caps you need to keep an eye on (electrolyte level) and add distilled water if need be: Those certainly can be a problem inside one's house/apt -- such as off-gassing sulfuric acid vapor damaging the area immediately around it (like carpet!) if it's overcharging, or even leaking -- no thanks!
But I use AGM type deep-cycle auto/marine batteries, and yes, they're still lead-acid technically but there's no liquid inside, just a glass mat (so no leaking) and "maintenance free" (I don't use Gel type batteries). I've never had to do anything to my 3 AGM batteries but keep them charged/de-sulfated, and they last YEARS LONGER if you do that -- WAY longer than you'd think! Will be getting another AGM for my Base Station setup, and it will have a small charger/de-sulfator on it to keep it charged up/maintained/ready at all times in case of a power outage. We've been having outages here a bit too often lately and that's been HIGHLY annoying!
Otherwise, will be using a AC/DC power supply for the radio.
The "Base Station" will be (when it's finished) a 3' tall "compact/heavy-duty shelf unit" built on top of a Harbor Freight furniture-moving dolly (their ~$13 "Franklin" brand 12"x18" wood/carpeted platform on casters) so the station can easily be moved around -- a MUST as it will be heavy! The 12v AGM deep-cycle automotive (or deep-cycle marine battery, if I can find something decent, AGM and priced reasonably) will be on the bottom shelf as it's the heaviest item. The Pyramid PS15K.5 12v power unit (heavy, but way lighter than the 12v battery!) will be on the 2nd shelf just above the battery, and the radio on the top (3rd) shelf. So most of the "serious" weight (center of gravity) will be VERY low so it should move around nicely w/o much of a tipping over danger.
A small charger/de-sulfator (probably something by "BatteryMINDer") will be mounted on the side and connected to the battery 24/7 and plugged in to AC (in my apt) at all times. The battery is just there so it's charged/ready to go at a moment's notice (no need to go FIND a battery!), but it won't be used unless the power goes out (as said)...or a SHTF/TEOWAWKI/WROL situation -- IF. of course, I was one of the survivors. ;-)
I wanted a small/compact and PORTABLE SB Radio Base Station -- with EVERYTHING right there in one package (self-contaned, if you will)...not a setup taking up desk space. This station can be rolled over to my living-room easy chair (!) and used that way, then rolled back to it's "storage area" so it's out of the way AND out of sight (maybe).
I have 2 home-built "Portable Solar Emergency Power Stations" as well -- the larger one uses 2 AGM deep-cycle 12v batteries and the smaller one has 1 AGM battery. Plus, each station has its own MMPT solar controller, sine-wave inverter AND a serious/larger "BatteryMINDer" charger/desulfator -- so the 2 power stations are also stand-alone/self-contained (except for solar panels, which I can hook up when needed). Both are ALWAYS being charged/maintained 24/7 by their respective/attached "BatteryMINDers."
Of course, EITHER of these units COULD be used to run my CB Base Station but I wanted a "stand-alone" unit so I need to get another AGM battery for it. That will allow me to use the 2 Power Stations for other things (as per original plan).
In all the years I've had the 2 Emergency Power Stations (inside my apts!), I've never noticed any off-gassing issues (or smells even) from their 3 AGM batteries. Given that LONG experience (since 2009), I don't expect having 4th AGM battery inside for the Base Station will be a concern.
The newer-technology lithium-iron-phosphate batteries (100Ah LiFePO4 batteries would be VERY nice to have) are still too expensive...don't want to pay that much as I'd need FOUR of them total! Quality AGMs are half the price. Consequently, I'll continue with my AGMs for a while longer and will get the lithiums later on (maybe). No hurry. ;-)
-- BR
Sounds like a great setup! Also sounds like you are ready for what comes next!
@@FarpointFarms Thanks...coming to you from the brown desert of West TX...not quite the green hills of NC. ;-)
-- BR
Great for cars but, How can I improve the match of my home antenna?
Good quality RG213 wire. A good grounding system and of course SWR adjustments on your Base antenna. I have my Antron A99 set down to 1.2 across all 40 or better.
Height is also a plus when it comes to Base setups. The higher off the ground, the better the line of sight reception.
What do you recommend me for the semi truck as far as a decent radio & Antenna, thank you man..
Love the President Walker III, and the Classic Cobra 29. As for Antenna's, tram/wilson/K40 are all great antenna options.
I’m in MA and one son is in FL… interested in home base… can you recommend what we (and him ) will need?
I've made many videos on the subject. Look at my base station video and my power needs video to get more help.
I miss running a CB I used a mobile Cobra 29 LTD as a base station. NEVER seen those CBs for that cheap so not sure where you are getting those prices at not even on Ebay are they that good
I look at local flea markets, ham fests, random thrift stores. They are getting harder to find, but they are still out there
Trickle chargers are not for long term use, that would be battery maintainers
Got it!
What are your thoughts on a dipole antenna? Lazy me sees them or the parts for them on Amazon.
No issues at all. They are great for areas where antenna's are frowned upon.
I cant find any uniden 980 ssb for under $120
Mine cost 169.00 with shipping included.
Used? When I filmed this 2 months back they were new for 119 on Amazon. I know inflation sucks but dang.
Don't buy that,the display WILL Not last long
I have a 75 foot tall poured cement silo that is full of steel rerod and the ladder rungs are steel part of the structure could I just clamp a 102 whip on the top rung and use that for a base station antenna?
It should work, but I would check the swr to make sure that it is low enough to use.
Hey is there an adjustable antenna that goes from 2 feet to 9 feet
Thanks for letting me ask
Not that I am aware of.
I think it's ironic (or was it planned??) that your truck has the badge DX right next to the 102 " whip lol
Ha! good point!
Question please…….thinking of putting a “base” unit in my house so I can communicate 20-30 miles out to my children in case cell phones go out. They would have a mobile CB in their car ( Cobra 50 WXST ). Would this work ?
I doubt that you will be able to get that far of reception. a GMRS radio might work better for you especially if there are repeaters in the surrounding areas
So im a paid on call firefighter in the northeast and a ford police interceptor utility I'm looking at picking up has a Cobra Ultra iii in it can it be programmed for my fire department frequencies?
No sadly you'd need both a CB and a scanner for that task.
What is your opinion on Wilson Antennas?
I love TRAM/Wilson/K30 or 40 antennas. They are all made by the same parent company and all work great.
Hey Eric,
I have been wanting to get into CB radios for a while because of watching your videos. I was trying to do it on the cheap with all used stuff with poor results (probably because my used antennas were limiting my range.) For Christmas my wife bought me a President McKinley 12/24v and a Sirio GP 3-E, I still have to ground it as it is mounted above my TV antenna. I don’t have an SWR meter but the McKinley has a built in SWR meter. I did a range test with my car and I did a CB range test and I have about 3 miles between my car and my base station. With SSB, I can’t get anyone to talk back to me. Maybe I just have to keep trying. I’m about 40 miles west of Minneapolis, MN.
Those ranges seem very short. Hmm.. Keep me updated.
I have an old K40 radio with K40 antenna. Any good? I don’t have a tuner to adjust the wave of the antenna.
That should work, it was decent in the day
Wait you can ground your radio to your outlet ground? Please explain how to.
Yup. The ground terminal on your outlet of just that, a ground. Run that to the chassis and there you go!
@@FarpointFarms any special equipment needed? Like a modified 3 prong plug , or use just the the ground prong and not the hot and neutral?
@@mikecricket113 I'd verify ground is good with a circuit checker, modify a three prong plug by cutting off the hot and neutral prongs, drag a rough file across the face to knock off the sharp stubs that will remain and, for good measure, use some good electrical tape and tape over where the prongs have been filed down. BUT FIRST!... After checking with a circuit checker, I'd use a meter and make sure that your ground is grounded. Back in days of yore, the old computers used to use ground voltage (zero) as reference for zeros (0V = 0, 5V = 1). Every rental I moved into the first thing I'd do is check voltage between all three prongs of an outlet (H-N, H-G, N-G). In order for an outlet to be safe for a computer, there had to be less than a third of a volt between N-G. It's possible a homes/buildings electrical grounding could be a floating ground. I've seen it. I've seen chassis grounds have higher voltages than earth grounds.