CB Radio, What is it? Why Do I Need It? A beginners Guide to Two Way Radios
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- Опубліковано 22 лип 2024
- Erik From Farpoint Farms explains what CB radio is, what types of radios are out there, and how they work, and why you need one pronto!
Its a beginners guide to CB Radio.
There is something beautiful about these older units compared to modern sets. The chrome, the led glow, the real bulb of the signal meter..... Takes me right back to 1982.
I have an old cobra slr25 it's got HF on it.. is anyone ever seen one of those
38 LSB on my 980 has really been hot on certain days
The newer ones give off that same feeling of modernism and cheapness as aftermarket radios
Son started trucking 4 years ago.
No experience with CB.
Told him to get one, he team drove
Across uSsA. Quickly found it saved
Lots of time in traffic warnings 😊
They are great for road hazards and traffic issues. No doubt!
It maybe 5yrs later but this video still gives more info then any others I've watched so far so thank you
Was told repeatedly I wouldn’t need or want a cb as “no one uses them” but I have had so much entertainment and traffic updates to where it’s already well payed for itself. Very hard for a beginner to get started but after a few mistakes and tons of internet searches, I’ve got a solid setup. Thanks farpoint
Glad I could help!
is there anything you think i should know before buying one?
@@americanoutdoorstv7648 the antenna is key. You can have a wal mart cb keep up with the high end cb’s if you have a strong enough antenna. I went with a magnet mount but after about a year, it quit working. May be better off mounting it somewhere on your vehicle permanently rather than keep replacing the magnet bases. I got the Wilson 1000 I believe. I could talk to people around 10 miles away clearly from my pickup truck
@@GaryGoat350 Ah. Im extremely new. how do you make the antenna and the CB work? hooking them up to a converter?
@@americanoutdoorstv7648 nah there’s a spot on the back of the cb that the antenna cable screws onto
Smart man we have both HAM and CB wired into the house for just such emergencies.
I've done the same here in NSW Australia, what with war talk over China and knowing GSM and internet vulnerabilities. Both UHF Aussie/NZ CB and 27Mhz/HF.
I loved using CB's in the 80's it was great to talk to strangers from as far as 100 miles away, great memorable times, my handle was 'Smasher' my sisters handle was 'Country Girl' ...not once did anything come bad when we met up with friends from the radio, friends but in reality was strangers, great times meating up with such interested people on the same level.
i just learned more then i did from any other videos on this topic combined
I am glad to hear it!
Thank you. Folks are telling me no one uses them anymore. Still my favorite. Thanks for the video. Their making a comeback.
Sadly, we are losing more operators than gaining new ones, but people still use them.
Yes
Have one in my pick up truck!
Truckers? Lol say you need directions, help, or a conversation on the road.
So I picked up a tote full of cb radios at a thrift store for 10$. 5 radios with handsets, 3 antenna's, brackets, console mounts all sorts of hardware...long story short, they all power up and make noise but none of them will pick up ANYTHING...even just 25-30 ft away from each other. What am I doing wrong? I know ZERO about CB
I remember the CB craze back in the 70s. Never had one myself, but I still remember some of the more common expressions.
Thanx! I grew up with the CB, but I have a fellow driver who didn't and is new to Trucking. So I'm sharing this video with him so he can get an idea how to work it, since I cant explain it over the phone... lol
Luckily our company has radios installed in all our trucks!
I still have my grandfather's old base station. I just need to set it up. Just need to build a tower.
Thanks for sharing
Well I am 33, I have 3 kids, 10-10-7. I love to see their eyes light up late at night and they’ve been asking for a break for a little bit, I love how them good ole boys love to hear them be excited. Keep it up bud.
Great video!! Thank you!!! Nice to see simplicity coming back full circle to keep folks in touch and safe!!!! Looking to get a Midland for my Jeep when I go overlanding. Appreciate it!!!
This video has such a wealth of information that I come back and watch it just for enjoyment, I already have absorbed all the information, and am an amateur radio operator, but I still enjoy the content. The only thing that separates a professional from a novice is their understanding of the fundamentals. It never hurts to go over old information.
There is at least one place that CBs are still alive and well - Offroading groups.
It's much easier to run a CB out in BFE than it is a cellphone, and it allows everyone in the group to listen in and chat, especially if someone gets separated. It's why you'll almost always see an antenna on a 4x4 that hits the trails. The only downside is that they don't always run their radios on the normal day to day commutes.
This is true. I hardly ever see a CB antenna on a typical automobile anymore. I usually keep a cheap-o Cobra 19 DX IV with a $12.00 mag mount in my van for winter emergencies. Otherwise I use my cellphone or 2m / 70 cm ham portable.
Going into LE work, jailing in particular. It’s nice having a way to get to someone ASAP without waiting for cell service.
In a sever need for assistance someone can call 911 for you 4 or 5 miles out- we don’t always have service which is also why I carry my gun everywhere...
CBs are still a great alternative
Funny that CB isn’t what it once was, some because of cell phones, some because of the foul language used so much. Cell phones will never replace what CB’s could do, alert you to an accident ahead or construction to avoid, a white out ahead. Sure cells have come a long ways, but CB use to allow people to talk at random with good results.
I have mine on every time I get into my Jeep (the XJ thats in my profile pic). I really wish more people used them.
... That's the reason I got a cb. Offroading.
Great video! I grew up with CB in the late 70's and of course the good movies, like BJ and the Bandit, Convoy, etc. I had a call sign at the time KBNB-7856, my handle was the Bluejay. Radio Shack was my second home! Had a great time talking to the truckers and friends back in the day. I am also a Ham operator (KO6JAY) and I still have a cheap Uniden CB in my vehicle to this day and Ham as well
Thanks for sharing!
@@FarpointFarms you mean ( smoky and the bandit?)
I found your video to be very positive and useful. Thank you for talking so positively about technology that people might still be able to use.
Good video - Thanks for the information. I have been learning electronics about a year or two now, and recently started looking at little AM radio set projects, I want to get into CB radios and maybe even HAM eventually, but this video was JUST what I needed to get the basics of how it all works
THANKS !
I have one of those Cobra 18 radios. Strong little unit. The weather function is nice and the form factor is very nice, especially with that front firing speaker!
i have a1992 Cobra 29LTD Classic that has been picked and tuned. i had a hi and loW power switch installed, also had a modulation and swing kit installed.. awesome radio..
A good video on CB radio use. May not be the most "technical" but more layman terms..which is great and makes understanding CB a whole lot easier. Good job.
You did a great job explaining CB stuff. Excellent work sir.
Incredible video!..22:02 of pure education on CB radios, installation, power supplies and the TV antenna was a bonus trick.....Sold!
This is a old 2 years ago I’m still saying thank you it helps me
I still have my radios, I'm using a Galaxy DX55V at only 4 watts, when the conditions are good I could talk to other states easily, I use a power mic that really helps, my antenna is tuned,
I also used before a modulator that people could hear me even without units.
Thanks for the video.
This is important information now, more than ever. Thankyou for the video Sir! Be safe and stay in contact everyone!
I had a Cobra 128 that was molded with peak and tune, echo reverb, roger beeps, talk back, a road devil power mic, and a 300w amp.
I had so much fun for many years on that radio, met many people who became friends, I was often able to talk to the next state over at full power.
Thank you brother, I'm old school from the 70's happy I found your channel
Hi, Erik. I got started in CB back in 1989, and my first CB was a handheld Radio Shack TRC-217. Soon after, I got a brand new President P400 (same exact radio as the Uniden Washington, only the label is different). Lots of skip back then. SSB is more fun, yes, but if you can get a few local friends together to talk A.M., that is super fun! Nothing quite like staying up late and talking on that CB. I go by J.B. on the CB radio. Have a great day.
I am dabbling with CB now and GMRS. I have been watching your videos to get more knowledge. I have a couple used CB radios and now recently antennas. Today I received my Workman SWR-3P meter. Tomorrow I begin the process to tune them. Eventually I want a base station set up also to go with the 40' tower I got at an auction. Moral of the story is this crap is getting expensive even when you're trying to go on the cheap.
I subscribed and clicked the bell. I am looking forward to more content and will be filling the time with your other CB videos.
Just discovered your channel & subscribed. I like your thorough teaching style. Thanks
Enjoyed the video, thanks for sharing your knowledge.
This is a kick as dam straight CB information one one of the best Videos
Have been enjoying your videos on CBs & SSB radios. I hope to learn more about the subject.
I had a Navaho back in the day ! So cool vid !
Interesting video . Thank you for the technical details .
I had a Cobra 142 base station back in the early 90's in High School. Had great fun with that rig!
Sounds like you need to get back into the hobby!
Hi Erik, Great video sir, iv also been on the radio nearly 4 decades now and its nice to see that god dam mobile phones is not the be all and end all....i love my radios....i presently use a lovly president franklin home base with a refurbed melos de-1 echo box and a silver eagle lollipop mic with foot pedal and a piezo 357 dx desk mic also...antenna is a sirio 827 on the chimmny stack of the house....my mobile setup comprises a cre 9800 and a superstar 360 running a sirio 5000 trucker performer antenna.....hope to hear you one day buddy on the 11 mtr...73 to you and all from coca cola unit 52 north east uk 26 division...
I run a Uniden 980 SSB with weather. I run a Wilson 5000 magnet mount but will be going to a 102" steel whip and will kick ass.
cb radio... will be what you need when the shtf.
It was there for us before cell phones and the internet. And it will be there for us after those are gone.
TheBoHoBoy Why do peppers always use the term, "SHTF?"
@@28ebdh3udnav shit hit the fan, everything gone to hell, raising Cain, all the same
@wrestlegamia productions As stated before, if we’re in a situation where Main line does communication go down, limiting communication to radio only, it’s going to be ham and CB. And the people who are most likely going to be on are of a similar preparedness mindset.
@OFFICIAL VA3DLOyou
Thanks man. I was studying for a ham license but instead I bought an export radio and a big rooftop antenna. Now I dX all across the country no license needed
I found a 1975 Royce cb 23 chan + pa I got it for 25¢ at a yard sale and it works so I'm buying a antenna soon
Wow that's like 19p I might as well give 20p and say keep the change. XD
Same. 10 bucks i got a brand new old stock general electric one, 40 channel, pa aswell. Also picked up a antenna for 5 bucks at a car show. Some good deals out there
Very informative. So much I learned from this video Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
I would enjoy that for sure! The contact for 2m would be a fur trip, and the wrong time of the year. I am from southern WI and you are in the mountains down south. Could be an interesting contact on 6m. Sorry just mussing, not trying to draw you back from the dark side lol. Have a great day
This was very informative. Thank you for making this video
I love the Cobras, for me they are my favourite cb radio, i have the Cobra 148gtl DX, Its had modifications done to it, it may sound petty but i just love the roger bleep, most people recognise a Cobra by the bleep, although it's been copied for other radios, i still use my Cobra for sideband, i use a Sirio 2012 antenna with a 35 amp power pack and an ES880 echo box, i upgraded to the Lincoln 2 version three recently but i still prefer the Cobra, there is something about the older radios for some reason they just seem to work better, you have a great channel, love your take on cb radio, keep the videos coming.
Thanks for the video, very informative. I plan on installing a CB in my vehicle soon, this was very helpful. I'll be subscribing to your channel.
Great coverage. Couple things I'd add, on Mic Gain, also helps to just move mic away and closer to mouth to adjust. As for traffic, see a lot of people on CB and HAM saying that there's not a lot of chatter, or if scanning, not a lot of activity. But magic happens when you actually push the Mic and call out a few times, and suddenly there's responses... traffic. As a new HAM operator, love to see what different people do, and in this case, your mobile unit used as a base unit. All good info.
Aside from preparing for when the cell phones don't work, I'm starting to travel the roads a good bit to see the country and visit friends/relatives, so the other aspect of radio I'm interested in is keeping in touch while on the road with those also traveling in the area of the moment, to get condition reports, smokey reports, hazards, alerts, etc. Finding that's CB still, not so much HAM, so getting both CB and VHF/UHF units in my vehicle.
I guess a question I have after watching a ton of videos, is... Doesn't having the antenna mounted low to the vehicle obstruct RF in/out? I see some screwdriver units mounted high, but still the upper cab seems to block line of site the way some mount them (when not on top of cab)? Know we have to keep them from getting knocked off by overpasses and such, but what do we give up by mounting low (and lower still on bumpers)? That higher mounting and shorter lengths balanced by the screw type winding antenna portions?
Thanks for the info. Yes, ideally we want to have our antenna's mounted dead center on the roof of the car, but in a lot of cases that just isn't possible. Getting a larger antenna and mounting it on the trunk, or even the bumper can in some cases it can overcome the loss from poor placement.
I worked in NYC during both 911 and the North East Blackout. Each event my cell phone was useless as I couldn't communicate with my family in NJ as 'all circuits were busy'. I always keep the thought in the back of my mind that when I really need the cell phone it probably will not work.
very good information. I am learning a lot. thanks.
I love the scan feature. I think all CB's should have it. Never figured out why manufacturers made that an obscure feature.
Here's my take on this. I've had CBs since the 70s and I still carry one with me when I drive. I, of course, have a load of internet based Apps at my fingertips but I still relish that immediate feedback of a live person - during a traffic jam, construction backlog or serious accident on the interstate. Also when I get tired of music or talk radio the static acts as white noise keeping me alert LOL. They're relatively cheap, simple to install and if you get tired of it just turn it off.
Even in mid 2018 nothing beats CB for instant road updates. Hit a traffic jam, turn it on, and presto! You know whats up and how to get around it.
@@FarpointFarms or how long you're going to wait 😂
Nice, very helpful, well explained!
I got my first cb radio from my local ham radio meet. I haven't done much with it yet but since hf is dead at the moment and theres some downtime on the repeaters I might use it.
Well done vid, mate. Uniden is still manufacturing !
None of my friends or family want to run a CB radio with me, but im still thinking about getting one for off road use. I know a few off road groups around me run CB radios together.
Get a CB and you'll make some new friends on the air!
I watched 10 videos before this one. Finally ... I understand CB.
Glad I could help!
If you travel .. never leave home without it!
Love the mini tv in the background.
Picked up a general electric cb brand new in the box at a goodwill for 10 bucks and a antenna at a car show for my jeep. Should be handy in the trails, some wheelers use cb radios to talk to eachother. Also handy to hear if truckers see shit gone wrong on the interstate ahead of you.
Actually, there are a lot of people in my area that do use CB radio. Many of them have very nice base stations and also operate mobile and about 70% of them are hams too. Channel 16 is still a popular sideband channel and those with 23 channel sideband rigs use it since they can't hit the upper 17 channels with their old rigs.
The Noise Blanker / Automatic Noise Limiter feature is extremely important if operating in a mobile environment. I'd never buy a CB that didn't have that feature. The Antron 99 is still widely available and there are many sources that sell it. The IMAX 2000 is a step up from the 99' and is about 24 feet in height. Some CBers that I know use the IMAX 2000 and love it. Thanks for posting this video.
excellent video, thank you
I think you are so right about any Crisis i think that would be the first thing to have ,, when New Orleans happen they found people because short wave radio they could communicate , this what I heard any way ,, cb’s are a great idea
CB was great but then along came UHF everyone switched over and scraped old rigs , that's great I've keeped my old 40ch supercheta upper and lower side band rig going to install it in my caravan with UHF , AM marine 27mg and a FRG7
100% agreed. Nice and correct explanations. 73 Eric.
Thanks for the video, I learned a lot. I want to get one for the house and my truck.
Welcome to the hobby!
You got a good deal on your handheld. Freeze framed and wrote down the model number. Best going today for that radio is 35 bucks, after shipping.
I am a general class ham, I stayed a technician until they dropped the code requirement. I became a technician in 1987. Before that I played with CB radio. I still have my Uniden Washington SSB base, and an 80 watt Galaxy amplifier. I used a 102" whip with a 4" spring mounted on the eave of my house, and a 106" length of 8 gauge wire connected to the mount and run along the edge of the roof to form an L shaped dipole. I got SWRs below 1.1:1. If you want to talk skip, you are going to need more than 4 watts, but nothing crazy, like 1000 watts. 80-100 watts works fine. My Icom IC-718 HF amateur radio puts out 100 watts, and I can talk around the world on that, with a 13' portable antenna, depending on conditions. I still play with CB once in a while, and have one in my pickup, so I can listen to truckers on the road. If you really want to get into radio, get your ham license. Ham radio gives you 1000s of times more than CB. Power up to 1500 watts, several worldwide bands with thousands of frequencies, plus VHF/UHF FM where you can use local amateur repeaters to talk across several states on a little handheld radio.
My dad was a ham for 60 years and for 50 of those years he tried to get me into ham radio. Then one day in 2011 I decided to study for the no code tech license and passed 100% . At least we were both hams for the last 8 months of his life. I have since upgraded to general and slowly and painfully working on my extra. Bought an Icom IC-7300 after Hamvention 2016 and now working DX all over the place. Unfortunately, band conditions have been less than optimal last summer.
Awesomely informative! Thanks!
Excellent intro video on this tech! Thanks!
I was stations on Guam in the 70's. When the skip rolled in at night we could talk to Hawaii and sometimes as far as California. Over 7000 miles.
Great basics. Thank you.
Great presentation! Thanks
ive been interested in cb radios since huracane maria struck and we spent days without Communications
When I was younger and Hurricane Fran destroyed most of the areas outside of Raleigh, CB was where I found all the info I needed. Where to get fresh water, who had gas pumps running. It was a life saver.
When you have a situation where you need a knife to cut something, would you Only have One knife or two? Cellphones are handy, I even carry a mobile charger (solar panel) because I don't want to be stuck without the ability to call for help!
CB Radio is the backup that I would prefer to have, If my Radio goes the Jeep already went before the radio.
It's like having a gun that you may not ever use- Just in case... I also carry first aid because just in-case.
Your power supply reminded me of a story. Back in the early 70s my uncle bought a mobile CB and a power supply in hopes of being able to chat with his local friends and neighbors. He put up a large antenna on a tower. We did the same thing and on occasion we could talk to each other over flat terrain 25 miles away. After an overnight thunderstorm he walked into the kitchen and found the rocker portion from the power switch to his 12 volt power supply laying on the floor. Both the radio and power supply were fried. The power of nature, eh?
Hi, I’ve been looking into CB radios ( don’t know anything about it) as an emergency radio to have at home. Live in Long Island, NY and I need something to communicate in case of nothing else working. This video has help me to learn a little about them. eBay has become a little expensive but still keeping my eyes open, love the vintage stations but if I find a mobile one that I like is fine . Wish me luck. Thank you
I just picked up a trc-449 for $10 at a yard sale, try going to sales or vintage stores otherwise you have to resort to ordering them online
Rusty Shackleford Wow!! That is a great deal, I just checked eBay and someone is selling one of those for $500. I will keep my eyes open for any sales. Thanks
My salvage rig has a wx setting. Given to me by a man that plugged it in back wards. For free. A little finger nail polish. to repair circuit board/ diode replaced. And good to go. I have a inverted "v" in the attic. With salvage rgu 58A rock in roll 73 de kv4li. thanks
If you go inside, remove 10.240 crystal install it on top of switch, middle wires back to board and 10.160 to bottom of switch will give you 16 channels below channel 1 and can shoot skip,Bahamas ,Jamaica and south america. I have caught some in Japan and 101-London. Was former electronic two way tech for Adelta electronics in Dallas,Tx. Aslo ran Hit Man's CB, until 1976
Hey brother first I wanna thank you for taking the time I’ve always been curious I work in a hospital and they had one in the nursing office and every time I walked in with all the ambulances or just listening to what was going on on the streets but my question basically is what would you recommend for someone who lives in the city? Specifically I am in Brooklyn New York and I know that there’s a lot of interference…If you can please tell me what I would need to be able to listen and communicate in the city, I would be greatly appreciative and if I don’t hear back from you thank you for posting this video regardless he safe and stay well
I find these walkie talkie radios you can more distance. I did 60 miles + with a Cherokee AH27F with a Wilson 4 foot flex antenna mounted on my pickup truck. I would do more test run with your walkie talkie. Other then that, this is a great video. We need to get more people back into CB Radio. Maybe in 10 years I may get rid of my ham gear and go back to all CB Radio.
nice vid. :) i have that same cb on my atv that u have in ur truck. i'll be putting a cb in my house as well.
Love all your videos!
Thanks! Cheers from Canada!
when I had my cobra up north I a set of super scanner, the cobra 2 and a palmor 3 hundred with a fifty foot slike up pipe.
In the Bronx, NYC, Delta Electronics on E. Tremont Ave sells all this gear and does repairs.
Got a cobra back in 94 in the Philippines...always get chinese transmissions on the afternoon till 7:00 PM...maybe fishing vessels...anyway love CBs simplicity
hi Eric I appreciate all your videos I question I had for you was if I use a hundred eighty in whip on top of my SUV you think I may be able to pick up more stations than what I get with a 4 ft fire stick please let me know I very much appreciate it God bless you and your family have a very merry Christmas
I have The Uniden President Washington Base Station - with the D 104 Power Mic, ( Lollipop ) my Antenna is the Antron 99 with the ground plane. My set up is over 30 years old and still Working like Day one. The Radio is both a Base Station and Mobile Unit.
All us kids on Long Island talked all night long on CBs in the 80s! We hung out on channel 33. My handle was The Black Knight.
You may be able to help me out on this. I have a ford crown victoria. It used to be a police car, and they left the lights and PA speaker in the car. I hooked up my CB radio to the PA speaker. Only the speaker is rated for 100 watts, and I know my CB is only putting out 4. How do I get the full 100 watts out of that speaker?
Btw I love the car set up. I plan on getting a mustang, and hope I can set it up like that.
Great video, a lot of good information! I'm out in Hawaii and just starting to get interested in joining the cb radio world? Do you have any recommendations of equipment, i.e. brands and/or spec that I should definitely make a priority to get started? I appreciate the sharing of knowledge. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing. Short but a informative video.
Q: At the most basic, what cb would you advise for a using in a car/truck? What classes would I need to take to talk on cb if any?
For someone just getting into the hobby, any CB that will fit in your car is a good choice. They all mostly work the same these days. As far as classes. My channel should provide you with all the info you will need to get up and running. There is no license needed to operate a CB these days.
thank you for a very helpful video
had a hygain 5 34 years ago, furthest i got was the Dutch Antilles, did ssb not go by sunspots that only appeared ecery 15 years?
I live in Forth Worth, and we have quite a few People in the area that talk on Base stations, And in automobiles, while they are off work and heading home. At times, we can have over 10 people on the air. I am also a Ham Radio operator, Now in my second 10 years!, I like talking Simplex more than using Repeaters. which work just like a CB radio, but the Ham radio is FM versus AM. I enjoy using my CB!!!, and Ham Radio.
Hello , may I ask the best Mobil unit & antenna ? Also best base station ?? Please & Thank You !! ( side note I did this back 40 years ago & missing it so much)
Im looking for a vehical mounted radio that will work with my MURS handheld 2 way radios for staying in contact with family out hunting and camping. Will a CB radio communicate with my handhelds?
still waiting for the 102" whip comparison/distance report when you have time thanks
Can you cover how to properly mount an antenna on the back of a jeep including a spring relief and how to secure connectors and what insulation at connector points is required? I purchased a 5 foot fire stick and mounting hardware it includes a metal solid washer, a lock washer and a nylon washer .... a separate spring and the whip.
... I have a 2008 Rubicon. Got my cb from Right Channel Radio. They have lots of vids that explains everything. Great people, great service. Very detailed info specifically for Jeeps.
Pretty cool set up