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  • Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    This started to come up in the HF section, but I decided to split it out.

    Probably not a bad idea to add a CB radio to the comm mix.

    You may be able to tune your HF rig to the CB frequencies, however, under normal circumstances, that is not legal.

    So what are good CBs on the market now?

    Should you get one that does just AM? Or AM and SSB?

    Good base antennas?
     

    deathracer

    Active Member
    Feb 14, 2010
    108
    link to info on CB from the FCC: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/citizens-band-radio-service-cbrs

    I have read a lot of positive reviews about the Uniden 980SSB radio: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Uniden-BEARCAT-980SSB-CB-Radio-with-SSB/20751014

    I would probably get a CB that had both AM & SSB, if I were going to get one. A few more dollars, but might be worth it.

    No clue on which antenna would be best.

    Problem; Made in China, and promoting one of Americas largest corporation that supports primarily China.
    :sad20:
     

    Outta Air

    Active Member
    Dec 28, 2015
    512
    Exactly where I want to be
    Back in the 70s & 80s when I was into CBs, SSB was used for long range. Talked to a fella a couple times in Barbados, West Indies

    Had mostly radio shack stuff then as they were into a lot of communications stuff. Heathkit and Lafayette were some others too. Don't know about nowadays though.
     

    brownspotz

    Ultimate Member
    Oct 22, 2013
    1,765
    Cobra 29 classic. Backed with a Texas star 667v 5 pill amp. Don't mess with my big radio... echo echo echo echo

    I was that guy years ago.
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    Cobra 29 classic. Backed with a Texas star 667v 5 pill amp. Don't mess with my big radio... echo echo echo echo

    I was that guy years ago.

    I had a ham radio friend, that got hit by the FCC for running high power on CB.

    This was back in the 70s or 80s, and he got hit with a $10K fine.
     

    E.Shell

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 5, 2007
    10,245
    Mid-Merlind
    link to info on CB from the FCC: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/citizens-band-radio-service-cbrs

    I have read a lot of positive reviews about the Uniden 980SSB radio: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Uniden-BEARCAT-980SSB-CB-Radio-with-SSB/20751014

    I would probably get a CB that had both AM & SSB, if I were going to get one. A few more dollars, but might be worth it.

    No clue on which antenna would be best.
    This is the one I have. Listens fine, no clue how TX is, especially with the factory mic. I was freaked out at first because there was a super-loud beep (independent of volume setting) every time I did anything, but finally figured out how to turn it off and all is well.
    Problem; Made in China, and promoting one of Americas largest corporation that supports primarily China.
    :sad20:
    Absolutely correct. Please recommend a current model.
     

    6-Pack

    NRA Life Member
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 17, 2013
    5,647
    Carroll Co.
    I have a base station CB at the house (An old Royce from the 70s). I just hook it up to my ham radio antenna tuner and antenna.

    In my truck, I have a Cobra 29.

    I think FRS is equally as important. While not everyone has a CB, many close neighbors will have FRS radios. My kids use them to talk to the kids a few doors down very often.
     

    brownspotz

    Ultimate Member
    Oct 22, 2013
    1,765
    I had a ham radio friend, that got hit by the FCC for running high power on CB.

    This was back in the 70s or 80s, and he got hit with a $10K fine.

    Now you know the story of why I don't mess around on citizens band.....4 watt maximum. That's just no fun. I could could dead key and whisper "audio" while under a closed gas station canopy and all the florescent bulbs would light up.
     

    gforce

    Active Member
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 22, 2018
    477
    Iv'e got a 7 dollar cb (cobra 19) from a thrift and a 12 dollar antenna from wally world in my truck...not great but it's fun


    ok it really sucks, go with a good antenna and not the crappy wally world one (heard good things about firestik and wilson from the radio shop in VA beach i had test out the thrift radio)
     

    TapRackBang

    Cheaper Than Diamonds
    Jan 14, 2012
    1,919
    Bel Air
    Wow. So much potential. I hope they can execute.

    What do you think about their pipe antenna?

    They are not the Heathkit of old.

    They are some investors that bought what was left of Heathkit in 2012/13, with the intention of milking the name and legacy, IMHO.

    Their prices are really high, including the pipe antenna at a nutty $150 and an RF Wattmeter for $600 (which they still aren't shipping after 3 years, but will gladly take your "pre-order" money!).
    They charge a premium for manuals for the old gear.
    They have aggressively gone after anybody offering free electronic copies of old manuals.

    https: //hackaday.com/2015/10/08/heathkit-live-die-repeat/
    https: //hackaday.com/2015/12/17/heathkits-triumphant-return/
    https: //hackaday.com/2016/02/26/the-new-heathkit-strikes-again/
    https: //hackaday.com/2017/06/23/heathkits-new-rf-meter-who-is-it-for/
     

    Engine4

    Curmudgeon
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 30, 2012
    6,983
    So, what do you suggest for a good old up to date do it all CB mobile/base radio? Last I was into this was before they increased beyond 23 channels & used tube sets.
     

    PowPow

    Where's the beef?
    Nov 22, 2012
    4,712
    Howard County
    IMHO, the 23 to 40 channel change killed CB radio (for me anyway). The folks who had money to buy the the 40 chan models road off to the chans the rest of us couldn't get to. Same with the SSB models.
     

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