CB Radio - Page 5

bradrhale · 10-31-2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BernieB

Tunable tips are definitely the way to go for most folks. Mine aren't, but I have no fears about trimming antennas to tune them since I have a lot of experience with them, understand the concepts and theory involved, and I've designed antenna systems in the past (all part of getting my first class ticket years ago). It's like the difference between doing your own repairs and maintenance and working as a professional mechanic, just a different level of skills and knowledge but not anything you can't learn if you want to and have the basic abilities.

this is my problem. i really know nothing about radio communications but do know enough to dial the number. i can make it work like anyone that can weld (sp??) a wrench but cant make it better without knowing the ends and outs. problem with our area is we are covered in hills, trees, and unreliable weather. i would love to talk to the mill in town, which is about a 12 mile drive from the homestead. in reality, its probably 9 miles via line of sight. but even with the best, i dont believe i can achieve that. that is, unless you have some great advice.

BernieB · 10-31-2009, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradrhale

this is my problem. i really know nothing about radio communications but do know enough to dial the number. i can make it work like anyone that can weld (sp??) a wrench but cant make it better without knowing the ends and outs. problem with our area is we are covered in hills, trees, and unreliable weather. i would love to talk to the mill in town, which is about a 12 mile drive from the homestead. in reality, its probably 9 miles via line of sight. but even with the best, i dont believe i can achieve that. that is, unless you have some great advice.

Well, let's start simple. Can you hear the mill if you listen in on the channel? If yes, then it's just a matter of getting you transmitting with a decent signal and good modulation. If you can't hear them though then it becomes an antenna problem, and the solution might be a better antenna system, like the co-phased Firesticks. Of course, even with a really good antenna, a properly operating radio, and excellent modulation, there will still be dead spots where you won't get through, but the idea is to minimize those.

Of course, if all you want to do is talk with the mill from home, then a good base station and antenna tower would maybe do the trick.

bradrhale · 10-31-2009, 02:49 PM

a base station defeats the purpose of having something mobile. i can call anyone using my home phone but when im on the road, i want to use the CB. i cant get out that far whether it is transmitting or receiving. of course, no one around here can get that far either. my purpose to get out is to reach other out in the woods if one were to get stuck. when we go out, we go in packs so that we arent out there without help. cell towers dont work out there.
at the moment, i can only get out about half a mile around the house. it gets out further if on the road with clear line of sight. i really want this improved.
what do you think of the fiberglass sticks?? my current sticks are about 48 and well more than half clear the top of the cab. i do not want them taller as it already stinks me having to get out and remove them any time i need to go under a tree.

BernieB · 10-31-2009, 04:08 PM

Instead of 48's I'd use a good pair of 36's on spring mounts. That's what's on my truck and I've hit tree branches at 30 mph with no damage.

As to the problem you're having with range near the house, it's probably the terrain, and there we run into two of the limitations of CB radio... 4 watt maximum power and Amplitude Modulation (AM)

As you probably already know from your car radio, FM stations give you a better signal, and AM stations tend to be either fairly close or really far away. That's because FM signals, unlike AM, will bounce over and around things like buildings and hills, while AM just gets blocked, or bounces off the ionosphere and comes back down very far from the transmitter (called "skip").

The solution to your problem might be to get a set of GMRS/FRS (General Mobile Radio Service and Family Radio Service) walkie talkies with extended range.

bradrhale · 11-01-2009, 05:45 AM

my CB has been tweaked from the normal 4 watt piece that it started out as. that thing has been pushed to the max so i dont think power will be a problem much. i already know terrain is a problem and thats why i am not expecting to reach 20 to 30 miles around here.
as for the 36", i am not sure that will be tall enough to keep 60% above the roof of the cabin. those springs are probably about 6in themselves but i will look into that. having to get out at every tree, limb, and drivethrough gets WAY old.

BernieB · 11-01-2009, 12:14 PM

Those springs come in two sizes, 3" regular duty and 4" heavy duty. With fiberglass antennas you want the 4" heavy duty models. You can get 'em on eBay for just a couple of bucks.

bradrhale · 11-01-2009, 07:12 PM

so what is YOUR opinion of fiberglass antennas and springs?? did you see my setup on the roll bar thread to see where my mounts are??

BernieB · 11-01-2009, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradrhale

so what is YOUR opinion of fiberglass antennas and springs?? did you see my setup on the roll bar thread to see where my mounts are??

That's what I have on my own truck, and I had a very generous budget to work with, so I guess that answers the question.

I saw your pics, but didn't see where you have the mounts. I'll have to look again.

bradrhale · 11-01-2009, 07:35 PM

there is one on the other side mounted same fashion and height. i have metal plate welded to the pipe with a hole drilled in the center for the mount on the antennas. if you have that good of luck with fiberglass, i will look into those. i guess they are preset??

BernieB · 11-01-2009, 07:37 PM

Ah, okay, now I see where you have them. I was looking on top, but you put 'em on the sides.

Frankly, I think a pair of top loaded, 36" fiberglass antennas would do just fine right there. You have a slightly better signal to the rear than to the front, but if they're top loaded and on springs you shouldn't have trouble clearing the cab.

10-31-2009, 04:08 PM	#44
BernieB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 1,910	Instead of 48's I'd use a good pair of 36's on spring mounts. That's what's on my truck and I've hit tree branches at 30 mph with no damage. As to the problem you're having with range near the house, it's probably the terrain, and there we run into two of the limitations of CB radio... 4 watt maximum power and Amplitude Modulation (AM) As you probably already know from your car radio, FM stations give you a better signal, and AM stations tend to be either fairly close or really far away. That's because FM signals, unlike AM, will bounce over and around things like buildings and hills, while AM just gets blocked, or bounces off the ionosphere and comes back down very far from the transmitter (called "skip"). The solution to your problem might be to get a set of GMRS/FRS (General Mobile Radio Service and Family Radio Service) walkie talkies with extended range. __________________ If the guys who design 'em had to take one home, use it every day for 2 years, and do all the maint and repairs themselves, cars would have a button on the dash to change the oil, filters & plugs.

11-01-2009, 12:14 PM	#46
BernieB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 1,910	Those springs come in two sizes, 3" regular duty and 4" heavy duty. With fiberglass antennas you want the 4" heavy duty models. You can get 'em on eBay for just a couple of bucks. __________________ If the guys who design 'em had to take one home, use it every day for 2 years, and do all the maint and repairs themselves, cars would have a button on the dash to change the oil, filters & plugs.

11-01-2009, 07:35 PM	#49
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,030	there is one on the other side mounted same fashion and height. i have metal plate welded to the pipe with a hole drilled in the center for the mount on the antennas. if you have that good of luck with fiberglass, i will look into those. i guess they are preset?? Attached Thumbnails

11-01-2009, 07:37 PM	#50
BernieB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 1,910	Ah, okay, now I see where you have them. I was looking on top, but you put 'em on the sides. Frankly, I think a pair of top loaded, 36" fiberglass antennas would do just fine right there. You have a slightly better signal to the rear than to the front, but if they're top loaded and on springs you shouldn't have trouble clearing the cab. __________________ If the guys who design 'em had to take one home, use it every day for 2 years, and do all the maint and repairs themselves, cars would have a button on the dash to change the oil, filters & plugs.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

10-31-2009, 02:49 PM	#43
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,030	a base station defeats the purpose of having something mobile. i can call anyone using my home phone but when im on the road, i want to use the CB. i cant get out that far whether it is transmitting or receiving. of course, no one around here can get that far either. my purpose to get out is to reach other out in the woods if one were to get stuck. when we go out, we go in packs so that we arent out there without help. cell towers dont work out there. at the moment, i can only get out about half a mile around the house. it gets out further if on the road with clear line of sight. i really want this improved. what do you think of the fiberglass sticks?? my current sticks are about 48 and well more than half clear the top of the cab. i do not want them taller as it already stinks me having to get out and remove them any time i need to go under a tree.

11-01-2009, 05:45 AM	#45
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,030	my CB has been tweaked from the normal 4 watt piece that it started out as. that thing has been pushed to the max so i dont think power will be a problem much. i already know terrain is a problem and thats why i am not expecting to reach 20 to 30 miles around here. as for the 36", i am not sure that will be tall enough to keep 60% above the roof of the cabin. those springs are probably about 6in themselves but i will look into that. having to get out at every tree, limb, and drivethrough gets WAY old.

11-01-2009, 07:12 PM	#47
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,030	so what is YOUR opinion of fiberglass antennas and springs?? did you see my setup on the roll bar thread to see where my mounts are??

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
xm radio?	og25	Off-Topic	5	05-08-2009 09:40 AM
Wtb-gmc oem radio	mtebaldi	GMC Truck Forum	1	04-23-2009 02:18 AM
New radio	bigcountry78	Chevy Truck Forum	42	12-02-2008 10:49 PM
radio	2wdramman	Dodge Truck Forum	1	06-05-2007 06:37 AM
Radio help	PickUpGirl787	Chevy Truck Forum	3	01-12-2007 06:25 AM