c b radios

[screamdennis]

hi : i was planning on putting a cb radio in the mm , i was wondering what type of antenna would be the best to use , i dont want to drill any holes in the body to mount the thing . anybody have any good ideas ? thanks

[Paul T. Casey]

I use a magnetic base antenna. I run a hand held unit. What I did was to remove the center child seat anchor from the rear dash, cut the end off the antenna wire, run the wire through the hole, re-attach the connector, and voila. The connector will remain in the little compartment when not in use. I store the antenna in the trunk when not in use. I can get some reception with it in the trunk, but the range is poor. You could also use one of the side child seat anchors, and run the cable under the C-pillar and door trim up to the dash if you plan on a permanent mount.

[hitchhiker]

I use a magnetic base antenna. I run a hand held unit. What I did was to remove the center child seat anchor from the rear dash, cut the end off the antenna wire, run the wire through the hole, re-attach the connector, and voila. The connector will remain in the little compartment when not in use. I store the antenna in the trunk when not in use. I can get some reception with it in the trunk, but the range is poor. You could also use one of the side child seat anchors, and run the cable under the C-pillar and door trim up to the dash if you plan on a permanent mount.I use a Wilson 5000 magnet mount with my Ranger RCI-2970 10-11 meter radio. It works well. :beer:

For those who don't know: 11 meter band is the old 27 MHZ CB

Check on ebay for both stock and modded radio equipment and the Wilson 5000 antennas!

The k-40's are not even in the same league as Wilsons. :nono:

I know, my vehicle has been mistaken for a base station on many occasions.

Note: Use large wire (10-gague) for your power and ground connections. Ground your radio to the vehicle chassis with grounding braid and put grounding braid straps on the hood and truck lid to make the entire top surface of your vehicle an acceptable ground plane.

Output in radio is 90% antenna and 10% radio/amplifier :up:

If you have a Ranchero, like one of mine, a heavy duty ball bount 1/4 wave
steel whip attached to the rear bulkhead is perfect; right in the center of the vehicle with no exposed coax. :up:

Best Regards,

David (Hitchhiker)

[Dan]

No matter what you do a magnet mount will scratch the plate. Caution is advised.

NBCShooter has a scanner in his MM (I think). Maybe he will chime in or you could ask him what he did for an antennae.

Best,

Dan

[CRUZTAKER]

Use a trunk lip mount with a K-40. The Wilson 1000 I use is an older model that was made well. Wilson has since gone down the crapper in the K-40 is the only way to go for high power applications. Don't buy a new Wilson. As far as radios, buy one that can be easily modded at any truck stop. The Uniden bearcat series, Cobra, and Galaxy.

I have a heavily modded Uniden that comes in very handy for reaching out 20 miles and stomping phones and tv's....:nono:

[Dan]

How did you mod it, via an amp or just some other means?

Best,

Dan

[Murader03]

I've got two types of antennas installed. I have a k-40 magnetic mount with additional covering of the magnet base. The other is a thru the glass unit, which is being used now. I don't particularily like it as I think the range sucks. I'm running a Cobra radio, unmodified. Also have a one-hander unit, but don't like it as much as the Cobra unit.

[gja]

:mad: STOP SUGGESTING THAT PEOPLE "MOD" CBs AND USE FREQUENCIES THEY HAVE NO RIGHT OR LICENSE TO USE. I love you guys, but I am a licensed Amaeur radio op (ham) and it pisses me off to hear you crapping around with garbage-sounding splash-boxes and breaking federal laws by using illeagal power and frequencies.

Shame on you Hitchhiker!!!!, I expect more from you.
I hope no FCC folks read this board or Riley Holingsworth will be paying you a visit. (he is their legal shark)

Try buying a LEGAL radio and sticking with it "as is".
"Modualtion changes"...HAHAHAHA....you can screw with your audio input chain all you want, it will NEVER get you anything more than loud and distorted. Power comes from the finals, PERIOD. Want more power, you need a real radio or a linear. Illeagal/black-market amps S#CK!!!!
They are almost always cheap/poorly built and of very slack design.
Oh, and they still have very poor output considering their required input supply power.

[jabo731]

gia ,you say you need real power,like aftermarket amp. I have a cobra 29 classic ltd bought in the 80's and a bulldog 600 watt amp. Sounds and works good in the Peterbilt.

[Paul T. Casey]

Re. Magnetic mounts. To avoid the scratch problem, I super glued a piece of felt to the bottom of the base. It seems to have worked so far. The only scratch I have is when I dropped the thing once. I haven't found a solution for clumsiness. :rolleyes:

[Sactown]

Wow! Amazing to read several admissions of federal law violations. I am surprised you guys haven't considered becoming licensed amateur radio operators and join in the real fun. So many more opportunities as a HAM and you stay legal too. You won't regret it.

[teamrope]

No matter what you do a magnet mount will scratch the plate. Caution is advised.
Speaking from experiance, you are 100% correct. (OUNCH!) :eek:

[Warpath]

People still use CBs? I'm surprised. I figured everyone would just use their cell phone.

[teamrope]

People still use CBs? I'm surprised. I figured everyone would just use their cell phone.
CB is more reliable than SOME celular providers, and a lot more reliable than the AM/FM for current traffic conditions :wink wink: in rural areas.

[djmcnary]

CB is more reliable than SOME celular providers, and a lot more reliable than the AM/FM for current traffic conditions :wink wink: in rural areas.
Wink Wink heck!! :) I have a CB in my unmarked patrol car, and if I am every uncertain of my location, all I have do is ask....they know where I am better than I do! :) :) LOL :baaa:

But you are correct, they are very nice for those long, possibly highspeed runs :burnout: , better than a radar detector!

Doug

[hitchhiker]

:mad: STOP SUGGESTING THAT PEOPLE "MOD" CBs AND USE FREQUENCIES THEY HAVE NO RIGHT OR LICENSE TO USE. I love you guys, but I am a licensed Amaeur radio op (ham) and it pisses me off to hear you crapping around with garbage-sounding splash-boxes and breaking federal laws by using illeagal power and frequencies.

Shame on you Hitchhiker!!!!, I expect more from you.
I hope no FCC folks read this board or Riley Holingsworth will be paying you a visit. (he is their legal shark)

Try buying a LEGAL radio and sticking with it "as is".
"Modualtion changes"...HAHAHAHA....you can screw with your audio input chain all you want, it will NEVER get you anything more than loud and distorted. Power comes from the finals, PERIOD. Want more power, you need a real radio or a linear. Illeagal/black-market amps S#CK!!!!
They are almost always cheap/poorly built and of very slack design.
Oh, and they still have very poor output considering their required input supply power.

:eek: Old Hamster:

I hope you feel better now after your rant!

I use my power wisely. I have dealt with the elite-ist attitude of old hams before. I, like most HAMS use only the power needed to work another station. My radios do not produce the spurious harmonics of poorly modded cheap radios. Hams are an obsolete relic of another time when dah-ditting was about all one could do on the radio and the cost of communications was high. The FCC is quite busy enough policing the HAMS who bleed over on their neighbors phones and televisions while trying to blame others for it. You see HAMS ARE held responsible for their actions while CB'ers are presumed ignorant. Radio is radio; you either know what you're doing or you don't. I own both the ARRL antenna book and the electronics book and follow the principles laid out there completely. I identify my self with HAMS more than CB'ers culturally, but I don't care for the uptight dudly-doo-right attitude of many HAMS.

I seldom broadcast much anymore, but I used to have a lot of fun on the radio. I am simply too busy most of the time. I do enjoy the sporadic E-layer capabilities when they occur. It is kind of fun to see the east/west travel of the bounce switch to north/south for a few days!

Today, Cell phones have replaced CB's on the road for most practical purposes, and the internet's capabilities further obsolesce HAMS, but there is still an opportunity to learn electronics and radio technology and have a lot of fun.

I believe that RF was created by God, not the FCC. I consider RF to be another form of 1st amendment protected free speech. I assert my right to use any frequency not currently occupied by law enforcement or other public safety or commercially licenced entity.
:rock:

Lighten up and enjoy your MM.

Best Regards,

David

[Paul T. Casey]

Back to the topic, another way around the scratches is to mount the antenna inside the trunk. I leave mine there sometimes (don't really want that copcar look). Reception is affected somewhat, but still usable. I mostly listen anyway.

[teamrope]

Wink Wink heck!! :) I have a CB in my unmarked patrol car, and if I am every uncertain of my location, all I have do is ask....they know where I am better than I do! :) :) LOL :baaa:

But you are correct, they are very nice for those long, possibly highspeed runs :burnout: , better than a radar detector!

Doug
On the flip side, if they know your out there, they will slow down and possably stay out of a terrible accident. :D

Myself, 10 over the limit...15 MAYBE. 19 over is two close to a neg driving infraction for comfort. :burnout: (At least in WA State)

[Dan]

Hitchhiker,

Well put. :rock:

The reason that I chose CB over HAM is that I can count on every truck to have a CB and rarely a HAM. For the road warrior a HAM is limited as to its uses because knowing where the next speedtrap is becomes very important. That same goes for being able to warn truckers of brake checks and other hazzards or for getting short cuts and go-around from those same truckers.

I wish that there was some CB enforcement but I don't think there is. Heck, I couldn't even get the state PD on Ch. 9 once when I was trying to report a drunk using all four lanes.

Best,

Dan

[teamrope]

The only thing I hate is when you get a smart a$$ with a base station who thinks his only funtion in life is to jam channel 19 (or 17 down the I-5 coridor)

I know Tacoma has one that runs Daffy Duck noises almost 24-7. I seems I remember one in the Red Bluff or Redding area also.

[gja]

:eek: Old Hamster:

I hope you feel better now after your rant!

I use my power wisely. I have dealt with the elite-ist attitude of old hams before. I, like most HAMS use only the power needed to work another station. My radios do not produce the spurious harmonics of poorly modded cheap radios. Hams are an obsolete relic of another time when dah-ditting was about all one could do on the radio and the cost of communications was high. The FCC is quite busy enough policing the HAMS who bleed over on their neighbors phones and televisions while trying to blame others for it. You see HAMS ARE held responsible for their actions while CB'ers are presumed ignorant. Radio is radio; you either know what you're doing or you don't. I own both the ARRL antenna book and the electronics book and follow the principles laid out there completely. I identify my self with HAMS more than CB'ers culturally, but I don't care for the uptight dudly-doo-right attitude of many HAMS.

I seldom broadcast much anymore, but I used to have a lot of fun on the radio. I am simply too busy most of the time. I do enjoy the sporadic E-layer capabilities when they occur. It is kind of fun to see the east/west travel of the bounce switch to north/south for a few days!

Today, Cell phones have replaced CB's on the road for most practical purposes, and the internet's capabilities further obsolesce HAMS, but there is still an opportunity to learn electronics and radio technology and have a lot of fun.

I believe that RF was created by God, not the FCC. I consider RF to be another form of 1st amendment protected free speech. I assert my right to use any frequency not currently occupied by law enforcement or other public safety or commercially licenced entity.
:rock:

Lighten up and enjoy your MM.

Best Regards,

David

David,
Amatuer radio ops are relics?
Lets try 9-11-01 on for size. I, like HUNDREDS of other HAMs, spent alot of time at ground-zero. It was a wholey humbling experience.
The ONLY sizable communication staff came from the HAM ranks. Sorry, you are DEAD wrong.

HAMS bleed over?...Then they should lose their license, or get a fine.
I work, and have worked, more countries than you could find on the map and my neighbors are always bugging me "Why arent you ever on-the-air"?
They never even know I am active. 14 bands, legal limit amps and I NEVER show up on any equipment except that which I intend to.

You feel the 1st amendment covers radio transmitters? Good luck in a court of law with that. Even Marty wouldn't take that case.

Oh, I don't even OWN a key by-the-way.
Come into the 21st century dude. I use more digital modes than you know existed. And work the Shuttle and station missions as well.

You all want to use CB's? GREAT, wonderful!! Stick to legal radios.

Want the best antenna for 11 meters? I would tell you all that Wilson and K40 still make decent quality for a normal price. You don't get a good return for blowing big bucks on a mobile antenna. They are a compromise design no matter WHAT the price. ALL electrically short design are. It is just physics.

NO MAGNET MOUNTS ON OUR BEAUTIES BOYS... :fire: :shake: :nono:
They WILL scratch, especially at high speed. They will do a slow walk on the paint!!!!!!

I am NOT a "uptight dudly-doo-right" kinda guy. But we have to respect the law or it is anarchy. My club is actually some of the wildest maverick types you will ever run into. We like our fun.

I am not willing to make a mess of the radio spectrum because I am looking to beat the speedtraps.

Get some REAL protection, like I have. And Logan has. Get a Blinder and a V1.
Then the playing field is nearly even with the boys-in-blue.
Well, maybe tilted in our favor in the case of LASER, as it is worthless against the Blinder....HAHAHA.

[CRUZTAKER]

I am NOT a "uptight dudly-doo-right" kinda guy.
I've met you, and you certainly aren't!:P

I'm not a radio buff, and apolgize for suggesting to mod a cb radio. It has gotten me past alot more radar than a jammer ever did. I don't transmit much, just to help lost drivers or give info....I'm a listener.

[Dan]

I prefer having an edge over the speedtraps vs breaking even. :) I hate even odds.

Give me a blinder, a V1 AND a CB and I am happy. Toss a Uniden trunk tracking Beartracker and now we are reeeeeaaaally talking. :)

Best,

Dan

[hitchhiker]

:beer:
David,
Amatuer radio ops are relics?
Lets try 9-11-01 on for size. I, like HUNDREDS of other HAMs, spent alot of time at ground-zero. It was a wholey humbling experience.
The ONLY sizable communication staff came from the HAM ranks. Sorry, you are DEAD wrong.

HAMS bleed over?...Then they should lose their license, or get a fine.
I work, and have worked, more countries than you could find on the map and my neighbors are always bugging me "Why arent you ever on-the-air"?
They never even know I am active. 14 bands, legal limit amps and I NEVER show up on any equipment except that which I intend to.

You feel the 1st amendment covers radio transmitters? Good luck in a court of law with that. Even Marty wouldn't take that case.

Oh, I don't even OWN a key by-the-way.
Come into the 21st century dude. I use more digital modes than you know existed. And work the Shuttle and station missions as well.

You all want to use CB's? GREAT, wonderful!! Stick to legal radios.

Want the best antenna for 11 meters? I would tell you all that Wilson and K40 still make decent quality for a normal price. You don't get a good return for blowing big bucks on a mobile antenna. They are a compromise design no matter WHAT the price. ALL electrically short design are. It is just physics.

NO MAGNET MOUNTS ON OUR BEAUTIES BOYS... :fire: :shake: :nono:
They WILL scratch, especially at high speed. They will do a slow walk on the paint!!!!!!

I am NOT a "uptight dudly-doo-right" kinda guy. But we have to respect the law or it is anarchy. My club is actually some of the wildest maverick types you will ever run into. We like our fun.

I am not willing to make a mess of the radio spectrum because I am looking to beat the speedtraps.

Get some REAL protection, like I have. And Logan has. Get a Blinder and a V1.
Then the playing field is nearly even with the boys-in-blue.
Well, maybe tilted in our favor in the case of LASER, as it is worthless against the Blinder....HAHAHA.
Gja,

I guess it all comes down to attitude. You are trying to make this personal and it's not. A licence is a nice thing if you choose to go that route. I consuder myself an unlicensed radio amateur. I abide by proper procedure and operating limits. My work with mine and other's antenna systems in the past, both CB and HAM has both increased effeciency and reduced interference.

There are, however two very annoying tendencies of many HAMS which are quite offputting. First their automatic disdain for those called 'CB'ers regardless of the radio knowledge obtained by same, and secondly the tendency to pat themselves on the back at regular intervals. Get over it, you are NOT an official communications force! You as a group are simply 'allowed' to function as an auxilliary communications service. Voluntering at times of need is great, but can just as often be superflous in nature. No body needs a self directed bunch of pre computer era nerds showing up wanting to play like they are their own government agency. HAMS are NOT a special radio police force!

On the positve side, the contesting and sharing of technical information is great and someday when I have more time, I will probbably sit for a license exam which I will no doubt pass.

Modding of radios, of all kinds, and such is a hobby shared by far more people than HAMS and is done worldwide.

On a site where people brag about speeding down the road, your condescending self-appointed-special-radio-police tone seems a little overbearing here.

I respect your hobbies; please respect and quit bashing mine. Bashing me for my radio hobbies will NOT make all the CB'ers go away. I am seldom active any more anyway! You HAMS have never gotton ever the fact that the FCC gave us a chunk of the HF bands years ago. All most of you do with 10 meters is phone anyway!

I will admit that there are some VERY annoying CB'ers both on the road and at stationary base stations who abuse the airwaves by filling them up with garbage and profanity. But remember as I said before...HAMS are required to be absolutely to-the-letter-legal while CB'ers are presumed ignorant by the FCC. This may, infact, be the biggest dis-incentive to licensure that exists!

You HAMS should be building bridges instead of burning them. Your hobby is currently dying with each new 'dead key' See, I read the copies of ARRL that I can get my hands on. You could bring a lot more people into your hobby and sphere of influence by encouraging the interest of radio and electronics rather than bashing and tattling on those who discover this ability on their own.

I can assure you that the majority of HF equipment being sold on ebay, from the estates of former HAMS, is going to itenerant, off the books hobbiests, not other HAMS.

Radio: The desire plants the seed. You can make it grow with the right attitude or drive it away with the wrong one. Those you drive away WILL operate, just not with a license.

Work WITH them not against them (newbies) and you may gain some new friends and preserve your hobby for future generations!

Relax and enjoy the hobby we have in common. Mercury Marauders :rock:

Best Regards,

David

[Sactown]

:beer:
Gja,

I guess it all comes down to attitude. You are trying to make this personal and it's not. A licence is a nice thing if you choose to go that route. I consuder myself an unlicensed radio amateur. I abide by proper procedure and operating limits. My work with mine and other's antenna systems in the past, both CB and HAM has both increased effeciency and reduced interference.

There are, however two very annoying tendencies of many HAMS which are quite offputting. First their automatic disdain for those called 'CB'ers regardless of the radio knowledge obtained by same, and secondly the tendency to pat themselves on the back at regular intervals. Get over it, you are NOT an official communications force! You as a group are simply 'allowed' to function as an auxilliary communications service. Voluntering at times of need is great, but can just as often be superflous in nature. No body needs a self directed bunch of pre computer era nerds showing up wanting to play like they are their own government agency. HAMS are NOT a special radio police force!

On the positve side, the contesting and sharing of technical information is great and someday when I have more time, I will probbably sit for a license exam which I will no doubt pass.

Modding of radios, of all kinds, and such is a hobby shared by far more people than HAMS and is done worldwide.

On a site where people brag about speeding down the road, your condescending self-appointed-special-radio-police tone seems a little overbearing here.

I respect your hobbies; please respect and quit bashing mine. Bashing me for my radio hobbies will NOT make all the CB'ers go away. I am seldom active any more anyway! You HAMS have never gotton ever the fact that the FCC gave us a chunk of the HF bands years ago. All most of you do with 10 meters is phone anyway!

I will admit that there are some VERY annoying CB'ers both on the road and at stationary base stations who abuse the airwaves by filling them up with garbage and profanity. But remember as I said before...HAMS are required to be absolutely to-the-letter-legal while CB'ers are presumed ignorant by the FCC. This may, infact, be the biggest dis-incentive to licensure that exists!

You HAMS should be building bridges instead of burning them. Your hobby is currently dying with each new 'dead key' See, I read the copies of ARRL that I can get my hands on. You could bring a lot more people into your hobby and sphere of influence by encouraging the interest of radio and electronics rather than bashing and tattling on those who discover this ability on their own.

I can assure you that the majority of HF equipment being sold on ebay, from the estates of former HAMS, is going to itenerant, off the books hobbiests, not other HAMS.

Radio: The desire plants the seed. You can make it grow with the right attitude or drive it away with the wrong one. Those you drive away WILL operate, just not with a license.

Work WITH them not against them (newbies) and you may gain some new friends and preserve your hobby for future generations!

Relax and enjoy the hobby we have in common. Mercury Marauders :rock:

Best Regards,

David

All I am interested in is sharing info with the group. The following is pulled from http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/personal/cb/

Authority to use a CB radio in the USA is provided by the FCC only if you use an FCC certified CB radio. Modifictions to the radio cancels its FCC certification. Linear amps are banned. Mods and amps forfeit your authorization to use it.

You are entitled to your opinions, but these are the rules. Do what you want, but don't be shocked when you get busted for breaking them.

Ignorance is no plea. "But officer, I thought it was OK to drive drunk on the left side of the road through the red light at 90 mph without a license in an unregistered car that I stole." Use of the radio spectrum is a priveledge, just like driving.

[hitchhiker]

This HAM vs CB thing has been going on for years. It will obviously not be resolved now. While the HAM world is more sophisticated, CB is, and was, by far more popular because that's where the people are.

I agree that there are rules regarding the radio, but have you ever tried to get a word in edgewise using a stock CB. You might as well have two cans and a string!

None of the truckers run legal limits! They all use amplifiers!

This is exactly like we all never drive over 55 - right?

Do what you want to do, and face the consequences of your actions if you're selected for enforcement.

I suggest that those coming down real hard on the modded CB hobby have governors installed on their cars limiting them to 65 mph!

This dialogue is getting very old. I have not transmitted a peep for several years now. I finally reached a point where I decided that radio was taking too much of my time and I grew bored with it. Cell phones render the old CB mostly obsolete on the road.

This will be my last post on this thread since the origional poster has more than enough information and opinion at this point to proceed as he chooses.

Radio is another form is free speech protected by the first amendment!

Speek loudly and proudly. :rock:

Best Regards,

David

[TooManyFords]

Don't want to date myself (any more than normal...), but I can remember applying to the FCC for a CB License. KHQ9034 was what I got when you still had to pay for them!

It's been a long time ago! Still have a Tram Diamond 60 sitting around here somewhere with some, er, ahem, special parts in it. Slider comes to mind, but I agree with not using the linears. :D

Anyone interested in a pair of Johnson white-faces??

John

[merc406]

No kiddin c b 's are still in use. I had factory installed one in our 80 DeVille, but thought after cell phones that was out. :confused:

[JCMM]

KBEN70625 here. I have not used that call number in almost 20 years. But it's still ACCO taped on my mic. I remember installing the AM/FM/CB Cassette stereo in the 81 Buick.

But I digress, I run a CB in all my vehicles (along with a 3 watt bag phone in the Jeep off road) You never know when or what will get you the help you need.