CB RADIO QUESTION

[Dusty Dude]

Speech compressor sounds familiar. I never knew much, but a good friend had a shop and was good at his trade. He came from working on Sub chaser- Spy planes /U2’s/and SR71’s (under armed guard). When he wanted more power for his base he picked up a 5KW radio station pull-out tube and built an amp, the only downside, he couldn’t plug it and the dryer in at the same time. The once thriving CB/ Stereo/ pager shop slowly declined becoming obsolete with cell phones and factory upgrade stereo’s and closed. He moved, lost contact after a few years. ?

I worked at a shop in the town where I went to college. Over the couple of years that I was there, I specialized in CB, Ham, and FM business band radios. I did a lot of modifications to improve how they operated, but stayed away from the big power. I did repair a number of high power amps for others, just didn’t use them myself. The tube amps were far better, but boy did they make the meter spin when you used them.

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[Nukem]

Hey guys/gals

im new to the cb radio work -kinda...
can one communicate nationwide ? state wide ?
im thinking ahead , " in case cell towers/phones are not available, can one communicate very ling distances with a CB Radio ?

Cheers

I use a VHF/UHF radio. You can use a software program to change the frequency to whatever the club/adventure group is using on the trips.

 

[Dusty Dude]

I was reprimanded and informed of my incompetence the first time I took the old tuber in. Rod took the cover off and ? ….. I see the problem ……You fixed it yourself ……. Don’t Do it Again !!

I used to say that a lot too…

I had one customer that wouldn’t leave things alone. I would fix and tune his radio, then he would open it up to “get more power”. After I fixed his radio for the third time, I put a note inside his radio:

Hey! What did I tell you? DO NOT TOUCH!

 

[2nd 392]

I worked at a shop in the town where I went to college. Over the couple of years that I was there, I specialized in CB, Ham, and FM business band radios. I did a lot of modifications to improve how they operated, but stayed away from the big power. I did repair a number of high power amps for others, just didn’t use them myself. The tube amps were far better, but boy did they make the meter spin when you used them.

Yep— I could only use it for a limited time before it drained all four batteries and had to let them recharge, it dimmed the lights immediately even after getting a buddy at the shop to install the biggest alternator they had. As mentioned, his 5K tube base required 240 V. But when talking to a base in a distant land and being asked where I was… Southbound I-5 north of LA. , and getting Your Mobile ? ! like from Australia was priceless . ? Edit- heater not required when using, AC full blast in summer

 

[zouch]

that’s all ‘bout conditions, not power.
i would routinely do the same sort of thing with a 20W mobile on HF.

one of the Good/Bad things about 11 Meter CB is that if you’re in a Solar Sunspot Cycle (like Cycle 25 that just peaked around New Years) you can work the world on a stock CB. missed it? there’ll be another one in ~11 years. ?

Yep— I could only use it for a limited time before it drained all four batteries and had to let them recharge, it dimmed the lights immediately even after getting a buddy at the shop to install the biggest alternator they had. As mentioned, his 5K tube base required 240 V. But when talking to a base in a distant land and being asked where I was… Southbound I-5 north of LA. , and getting Your Mobile ? ! like from Australia was priceless . ?

 

[2nd 392]

that’s all ‘bout conditions, not power.
i would routinely do the same sort of thing with a 20W mobile on HF.

one of the Good/Bad things about 11 Meter CB is that if you’re in a Solar Sunspot Cycle (like Cycle 25 that just peaked around New Years) you can work the world on a stock CB. missed it? there’ll be another one in ~11 years. ?

Agree— in the CB heyday you had to be on a clear channel or have some power to talk more than a couple truck lengths over all the BS and stupid including idgits on base stations who

I don’t miss it but it kept us posted and awake BS’ing when running with buddies. A few of us had the power/ability to warn those following on the “company” channel of approaching problems/ conditions/ and advise. A useful tool of the trade. Many facilities like Costco used them to contact you for your door # etc. , the company realized their usefulness and started installing them in all tractors without since lower seniority drivers didn’t have a “bid” tractor. You were required to leave your personal one in so I took the tube amp out when I brought it, the Messinger was locked under the passenger seat unplugged from the control head mounted on the dash. A toy radio otherwise. I also took my high dollar microphone and left the stock one plus my tool box after they disappeared. Thieves among the ranks didn’t exist my first 25 years but they were getting desperate for new hires and it showed. (From min 5 yrs experience with a clean record to out of truck school) I was even removed from training them after one scared me so bad I took over driving and reporting He couldn’t drive his finger up his a$$ with a roadmap and directions . They hired him anyway….. he was fired after rolling a set of doubles……They didn’t learn.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

I’m in the Northeastern US and typically CB is line of sight within 3 miles (and that was top of one hill to the top of another, no interference on a clear day).

most of my group have switched over to GMRS/FRS. 5ish mile radius if it’s clear, clearer transmission quality, and you can program in some NOAA channels to keep track of the weather.

just my anecdotal 2 cents. I have some experience with radios, but nothing deeply technical

 

[SargeDiesel]

actually, you just need to pass the test (might not need a course) so you can get your ‘ticket’.

go for it.?

there are FREE WEBSITES that give you practice test and you can take the test when you feel confident. I normally wouldn't give this advice, but since the way the questions are worded it can be tricky... Study the answer of the question ... it is multiple choice, don't let the wrong answers enter your mind.
https://hamexam.org/

 

[tomk62]

Go watch NotaRubicon on YouTube. He’s not for everyone but I find him very entertaining. His videos will answer most of your questions on radios - CB, GMRS, Ham.

https://youtube.com/@TheNotaRubicon?si=vHw0eEcbSa16k7uf

 

[danba]

easiest thing "for an Emergency" if you're trying to get help is probably the inReach (or something equivalent), but it's not free. as long as you have an uninterrupted view of the sky, you should have coverage.

if you're talking true apocalypse, you probably would only want to be listening, not talking and giving yourself away.

iPhone 14 and up have a similar satellite SOS capability like the inReach has. Not other features (like tracking, etc), just SOS and limited messaging, all for free (for the next few years).

 

[SargeDiesel]

Go watch NotaRubicon on YouTube. He’s not for everyone but I find him very entertaining. His videos will answer most of your questions on radios - CB, GMRS, Ham.

https://youtube.com/@TheNotaRubicon?si=vHw0eEcbSa16k7uf

yeah.... he is great.. ton of knowledge of GMRS. He is good at answering questions to.

 

[zouch]

sure; there are even apps if you're into using your phone for everything.

point was, you don't need to take a class.
but if you can devote a Saturday to it, you might be able to do a HamCram with some local club where you study in the morning and take your test in the afternoon; that's about as quick/cheap/easy as it gets. it's not like you have to prove you can receive Morse Code anymore.

there are FREE WEBSITES that give you practice test and you can take the test when you feel confident. I normally wouldn't give this advice, but since the way the questions are worded it can be tricky... Study the answer of the question ... it is multiple choice, don't let the wrong answers enter your mind.
https://hamexam.org/

 

[zouch]

with the inReach (and perhaps others) you can even send text messages out over the satellite networks; don't think you can do that with the iPhone via the Sat connection.

iPhone 14 and up have a similar satellite SOS capability like the inReach has. Not other features (like tracking, etc), just SOS and limited messaging, all for free (for the next few years).

 

[danba]

with the inReach (and perhaps others) you can even send text messages out over the satellite networks; don't think you can do that with the iPhone via the Sat connection.

You actually can send "here I am" pings as well as communicate with responders. Again, InReach has additional features, but their basic (and still not cheap) tier is also very limited.

An additional note is that Garmin and Apple might use different satellites. There might be pros/cons in that too, especially when it comes to coverage, but I don't think it matters in the US.

Here's some more: https://hikingguy.com/hiking-gear/iphone-14-vs-garmin-inreach/

 

[thecritter]

Anyone else remember holding onto the CB whip and whistling into mic and see who could hold on longer.. not stock and not safe. Glad you can type one handed on a phone now lol.

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