Don't even know what to say, Mike.Mike_Rupp said:
250km is certainly a short-range communication.
Bouncing CB signals off the ionosphere is legal.
CB antenna?
- Thread starter flyfisher11
- Start date
250km is certainly a short-range communication.
Bouncing CB signals off the ionosphere is legal.
ptschram
Well-known member
p m said:
Peter:
Per 47 CFR 95.413 (a) (9), it is unlqawful "To communicate with, or attempt to communicate with, any CB
station more than 250 kilometers (155.3 miles) away;"
While it may be legal to use ionospheric propagation, it is unlawful to use such acts to communicate with another station.
ptschram
Well-known member
p m said:
Peter:
Per 47 CFR 95.413 (a) (9), it is unlqawful "To communicate with, or attempt to communicate with, any CB
station more than 250 kilometers (155.3 miles) away;"
While it may be legal to use ionospheric propagation, it is unlawful to use such acts to communicate with another station.
Fixed the last sentence for you, Paul.ptschram said:
Do we have a collective case of poor reading comprehension, started by Mike Rupp and continued by Will and you?
I haven't even mentioned the legality of long-range communication. I have said that the range (that is, a distance at which a communication is established between two CB transceivers) is anywhere around the world, using ionospheric reflection. Since the ionospheric reflection is the only way how an FCC-legal communication can be established by two CB operators 250km away, I maintain that using that mechanism of transmission is legal in itself.
But that goes far beyond mounting the CB antenna on the front bumper.
I never said it was illegal to bounce them off the ionospheric, I was just pointing out that your not supposed to use 11 meter for communications over 150 miles away.
ptschram
Well-known member
Well, Peter, if we wanted to get really, really technical, there are other ways for HF signals to propagate. We have auroral propagation, tropospheric ducting and near vertical incident skywave.
Granted, ionospheric is clearly the most likely.
My father has worked all over the world on 10 meters during periods of intense sunspot activity using not much more than the five watts input allowed on 11 meters(not intended to sound braggadocious, even though I do have an extra class license
).
Granted, ionospheric is clearly the most likely.
My father has worked all over the world on 10 meters during periods of intense sunspot activity using not much more than the five watts input allowed on 11 meters(not intended to sound braggadocious, even though I do have an extra class license
).
Of course, Paul, that's why I mentioned "roughly twice the line of sight," sort of padding the envelope for tropospheric refraction.
The whole thing was in response to Lefebvre's comment on FRS/GMRS having the longer range than CB.
The legality issue is also moot - once in 1995, I've been driving near Kalamazoo, Mich., and heard a conversation between two truckers, one North of Chicago, another - halfway between Indianapolis and KC. The transmission was unbelievably loud and clear, with a very characteristic ring to it, indicating round-the-world propagation. The guys must've had at least a kilowatt in the antennas. Everyone knew about 4W carrier limit on CB, and yet, you could legally buy a kw+ linear amp (don't know if you can nowadays).
The whole thing was in response to Lefebvre's comment on FRS/GMRS having the longer range than CB.
The legality issue is also moot - once in 1995, I've been driving near Kalamazoo, Mich., and heard a conversation between two truckers, one North of Chicago, another - halfway between Indianapolis and KC. The transmission was unbelievably loud and clear, with a very characteristic ring to it, indicating round-the-world propagation. The guys must've had at least a kilowatt in the antennas. Everyone knew about 4W carrier limit on CB, and yet, you could legally buy a kw+ linear amp (don't know if you can nowadays).
ptschram
Well-known member
p m said:
Sales of amplifiers capable of even 10 meter operation were severely restricted long before 1995. Buyers of amplifiers have been required to provide proof of licensure to be provided with directions to make such operations capable for years. This was implemented before Heathkit died, it's been that long.
Ok, I'm a total CB noob, but I wanted to get a setup just because that's what everybody else has on the trails around here. Also will be nice to have on the highway. I just have some basic questions cause I don't even know where to start.
While I have the headliner out, I figure it's a good time to set up a CB radio since it probably makes sense to run the antenna cable to the back through the headliner?
I think the rear mounted antenna is the way to go for me for now, first because I don't have a bullbar yet anyway, I don't think I want it on the roof, the spare tire carrier seems like its neat and tidy installation. As long as it works, and it seems like most people says it does ok.
The local truckstop has all manner of antennas. Cheap metal ones, as well as a Firestick and the Wilson No Ground Fiberglass which is recommended here. Is the NGF the way to go in this application? It's listed as a 5/8 wave, but I hear most people talking about 1/4 wave antennas, what's up with that?
For the radio, I'm just looking for something basic and cheap, but most importantly compact, as I'd like to install it up in that cubby hole above the sun visors. I saw the Uniden 510xl and it seems to be the slimmest I've found.
http://www.uniden.com/products/productdetail.cfm?product=PRO510XL
Any reason I wouldn't want to go with this thing? I also check Walmart, I think they had some Cobras or something, but they were much thicker. 2+" compared to 1 3/8" for this thing.
Maybe it's funny shopping for radios by their dimensions but... I just want a basic cheap setup that fits nicely in the truck so if there's no reason not to get the 510...?
Lastly, how can I tune the SWR? If I just went to the truck stop, are they likely to have a meter and help me out?
Any input appreciated.
While I have the headliner out, I figure it's a good time to set up a CB radio since it probably makes sense to run the antenna cable to the back through the headliner?
I think the rear mounted antenna is the way to go for me for now, first because I don't have a bullbar yet anyway, I don't think I want it on the roof, the spare tire carrier seems like its neat and tidy installation. As long as it works, and it seems like most people says it does ok.
The local truckstop has all manner of antennas. Cheap metal ones, as well as a Firestick and the Wilson No Ground Fiberglass which is recommended here. Is the NGF the way to go in this application? It's listed as a 5/8 wave, but I hear most people talking about 1/4 wave antennas, what's up with that?
For the radio, I'm just looking for something basic and cheap, but most importantly compact, as I'd like to install it up in that cubby hole above the sun visors. I saw the Uniden 510xl and it seems to be the slimmest I've found.
http://www.uniden.com/products/productdetail.cfm?product=PRO510XL
Any reason I wouldn't want to go with this thing? I also check Walmart, I think they had some Cobras or something, but they were much thicker. 2+" compared to 1 3/8" for this thing.
Maybe it's funny shopping for radios by their dimensions but... I just want a basic cheap setup that fits nicely in the truck so if there's no reason not to get the 510...?
Lastly, how can I tune the SWR? If I just went to the truck stop, are they likely to have a meter and help me out?
Any input appreciated.
you can pick up a SWR meter and a lengh of terminated cable at Radio Shack...around $20 or so.
Local CB shops should also have one (or more) on hand, and should offer the service of matching your radio/antenna.
Local CB shops should also have one (or more) on hand, and should offer the service of matching your radio/antenna.
Wilson No Ground Fiberglass works well for me, the tuning resistor is neat
fwiw...I've tried friestik and some k40s as well
I put size 2nd and went on the feature requirements:
Illuminated face, so I can see what dials are whata t night
PA speaker
Ready parts like mics etc-so this is usually uniden,cobra or midland
Built in SWR meter for when you have to replace it with a temporary one
RF GFain
Squelch
rugged
I chose the Cobra 129 Nightwatch, its a bit big and doofy but its been thru hell and still works like it did on day one.
fwiw...I've tried friestik and some k40s as well
I put size 2nd and went on the feature requirements:
Illuminated face, so I can see what dials are whata t night
PA speaker
Ready parts like mics etc-so this is usually uniden,cobra or midland
Built in SWR meter for when you have to replace it with a temporary one
RF GFain
Squelch
rugged
I chose the Cobra 129 Nightwatch, its a bit big and doofy but its been thru hell and still works like it did on day one.
RovinAround said:
Ok, I'll ask when I buy, I'd think they would have one to borrow.
I notice the 520XL is the same size, has a few more features, but don't know if I need them. Seems to have a PA, which I don't think I need, RF Gain which I'm not sure what that is used for, and Instant Channel 9. I guess 9 is some emergency channel? Not sure if I really need that button?
The cubby seems to be about 1" deep, i think I can cram the radio up there. Anybody else doing that?
I looked for a pic but couldnt find one,..
I can take a pic and post it later, its not a high tech mounted solution, but it does work.
Its by the passengers left knee, I can move the seat up all the way but then its tight.
Normally, that seat is somewhere in the middle between fwd and back..
I can access dials fine, and
in the pic below you can see the stainless looking hanger for the mic, the unit sits just below the curry hook, easy to access, service, wires run thru front fire wall to antenna on front bumper(rte)
I can take a pic and post it later, its not a high tech mounted solution, but it does work.
Its by the passengers left knee, I can move the seat up all the way but then its tight.
Normally, that seat is somewhere in the middle between fwd and back..
I can access dials fine, and
in the pic below you can see the stainless looking hanger for the mic, the unit sits just below the curry hook, easy to access, service, wires run thru front fire wall to antenna on front bumper(rte)
Attachments
Since this thread go revived I should say I have this:
http://www.cobra.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=314&category_ID=30
and this:
http://www.wilsonantenna.com/ngk.htm
I mounted the antenna to the tire carrier via Peter's advice LOL and the radio power unit under the passenger seat and used a hot and ground from the now removed CD player. The head unit is mounted to the coin tray.
Cheers,
Mike
http://www.cobra.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=314&category_ID=30
and this:
http://www.wilsonantenna.com/ngk.htm
I mounted the antenna to the tire carrier via Peter's advice LOL and the radio power unit under the passenger seat and used a hot and ground from the now removed CD player. The head unit is mounted to the coin tray.
Cheers,
Mike
Ok, I got the setup finished and... not much is happening. My driveway is about 2-3km from the highway, and I went through all the channels. I only heard one faint conversation on one channel. Not sure if that's normal?
Did you guys get the 3ft or 4ft antenna? I got the 4 foot, thinking it would be better for getting over the roof. Problem is, it'll hit going into the garage, and the antenna isn't near as flexible as I thought it would be? I have to take it off to get in and out. Inconvenient to say the least.
Did you guys get the 3ft or 4ft antenna? I got the 4 foot, thinking it would be better for getting over the roof. Problem is, it'll hit going into the garage, and the antenna isn't near as flexible as I thought it would be? I have to take it off to get in and out. Inconvenient to say the least.