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Communications for the Beginner
- Thread starter Joedie
- Start date
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Enthusiast III
You're on the right track. The reason your CB looks like that without bars means it isn't receiving an RF carrier or signal. CB's do not constantly transmit and therefore if you aren't in range of anybody AND they aren't transmitting you won't see the bars. It's hard to say what the bars represent as there's no true scale typically. Different manufacturers and different models even, have different thresholds for representing received signal strength.
Have you measured SWR or tuned the antenna on your setup?
Here's a good read on that if not, may be worth a shot just to make sure your antenna/coax/radio are all performing correctly.
https://www.rightchannelradios.com/blogs/installation-guides/18330687-cb-antenna-tuning-instructions
Best of luck!
Kk I figured that's what was happening. Haven't tuned it yet with the SWR. Surprisingly none of the truck stops I've gone to in my area don't do that type of thing[emoji848]
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Call this the most newbie question of all. I see there are mobile and handheld solutions. I know the handheld's have the audio piped out through the device but for the mobile CB's does the audio come out of the Box or the Mic. Also for most of you guys, do you purchase a 5watt external speaker or is the cb itself sound loud enough?
Enthusiast III
CB's typically have built in speakers but not all are adequate in my opinion. It also depends how you mount your radio - if you have a downward firing internal speaker and mount your CB to the roof near a rear view mirror (which is popular) then you probably won't have any issues, other areas may cause a reduction in audio and depending how loud your ride is could make a difference. I typically always recommend some kind of external speaker, for the price and added clarity you really can't go wrong and then you can mount the speaker somewhere that's convenient for you to hear. Just keep it off the a/b posts if you have a new vehicle to avoid the side impact air bags!
A cell phone is great where it works. It does a lot easily and quickly, but the places I like best don't offer reliable service, and for that I am grateful. To supplement the cell phone, I also have a standalone Garmin GPS, a CB, and a Delorme inReach.
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Member III
Sounds ok. Usually under 1.5:1 is acceptable. What was the reading on 20? If it is between your other two readings, you can tune the tip pout a bit and shoot for getting the lowest reading on CH 20 and going up as you go toward either CH1 or CH40.
Member III
They are good to have if you're going to have a radio. They can be used to troubleshoot many issues you'll encounter.
Yep with a firestick works great.
Traveler III
I hope I don't start a "Rotella" type thread haha
I am newbie, wont deny it. My question to you all is, what are tried and true CB radio's that work, are reliable and lastly, are budget minded.
I am newbie, wont deny it. My question to you all is, what are tried and true CB radio's that work, are reliable and lastly, are budget minded.
Off-Road Ranger I
- 2,932
- First Name
- Dan
- Last Name
- Rich
- Member #
-
0582
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- K6DHR
You'll hear this more than one time if you haven't already...
It's more about the antenna than the radio, moreover the MATCH between the radio and the antenna.
Find a good spot that an antenna will survive on your truck, buy the best antenna you can afford, buy a reasonably good radio and then match it (or have it matched by someone who knows how) using an SWR meter and you'll be as happy as if you spent huge money on the radio.
Dan.
Member III
The cobra 19dxivlvth4-366/14.251a6^3 or whatever the designation is now (19dxiv or ultra iii haha) is a solid, small package and affordable radio. A slightly larger is the 18wxst-ii is a good one, has the weather channels and is a good choice as well.
I personally ONLY use 102" whips with CB. I've had the best luck with those over any of the fiberglass ones I've tried to use and they'll take loads of abuse off-road as well.
I personally ONLY use 102" whips with CB. I've had the best luck with those over any of the fiberglass ones I've tried to use and they'll take loads of abuse off-road as well.
Where can your get FRS channels to program. Is there a list or ? As I just got one of these radios & am trying to figure how it works.
Enthusiast III
Just use wikipedia to look up the General Mobile Radio Service. It gives a lot of information about GMRS and FRS as well as their frequencies.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Mobile_Radio_Service
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Mobile_Radio_Service
Enthusiast III
I have a CB and a Baofeng handheld in the Jeep, and also got my HAM license. I put a magnetic 2m antenna up for the handheld and a 3 ft. firefly firestik for the CB. Covers a lot of bases, most the guys on the trail are CB (which I prefer due to ease of use, legality, accessibility to all, and affordability). But several folks also have the Baofengs onboard as well. They come in handy when the groups get split up and they lose contact with CB. Usually the Boafengs will reach a little better and can help keep the groups in contact (and they in turn spread the messages via their CBs).
