CB tuning

[tour4fun]

Anyone know how to tune a CB ????? :confused1

[bulldog]

Anyone know how to tune a CB ????? :confused1
Nope, but I use mine untuned as it is only a temp solution. You will need a SWR meter to properly tune the CB, so it might be best to just contact a shop that does installations and have them do it. Basicaly they will plug in the meter between the CB and the antenna and adjust the antenna length as required.

[ErikJeanna]

What about a handheld CB... this is my first. I'm a CB virgin! :confused:

I bought that Cobra one I takle dabout earlier. It's pretty cool... I just don't know how to use it. I even read the manual, but I have no one with a CB to test it on. Hopefully someone will show me how to use that damn thing when I get to AB. Any takers?

One week left folks!! I'm excited! :bounce:

[expat]

Anyone know how to tune a CB ????? :confused1

Yes I know how to SWR an aerial but I haven't a meter. Usually its $10-15 at a local specialist store and takes about 10-15minutes if they know what they are doing.

The easiest aerials (antenna) to SWR are the adjustable top - just adjust up or down.

Handhelds will already be SWR'd. Just need to turn unit on and pick a channel. Probably won't hear much (if at all) in the city. CB's are not used much these days except for trail runs etc. Be aware you will likely have a Squelch button that cuts out background noise. If its too high you might cut out all signals. Best to turn unit on, turn squelch off (may have lots of background noise) then slowly turn squelch up until background noise disappears. You should then be pretty good to recieve signals.

Ahhhhhhhhhh...gotta get back to work.......

[chiefiji]

What about a handheld CB... this is my first. I'm a CB virgin! :confused:

I bought that Cobra one I takle dabout earlier. It's pretty cool... I just don't know how to use it. I even read the manual, but I have no one with a CB to test it on. Hopefully someone will show me how to use that damn thing when I get to AB. Any takers?

One week left folks!! I'm excited! :bounce:

turn it on while youre on the highway. i'll get trucker traffic sometimes but it's never clear since i have a dinky antenna but at least i know it's recieving. i forgot what channels trucker talk on, but just flip around till you get some traffic.

[bulldog]

I think truckers use channel 19.

Here is a good article on tuning CB antennas (setting the SWR).
http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/Setting_SWR.htm

[expat]

Call signs (not used in the US much from what I have experienced but used widely in Australia)

10-1 = Receiving poorly
10-2 = Receiving well
10-3 = Stop transmitting
10-4 = Message received
10-5 = Relay message to _____
10-6 = Busy, please stand by
10-7 = Out of service, leaving the air
10-8 = In service, subject to call
10-9 = Repeat message
10-10 = Transmission completed, standing by
10-11 = Talking too rapidly
10-12 = Visitors present
10-13 = Advise Weather/Road conditions
10-16 = Make pick up at _____
10-17 = Urgent business
10-18 = Anything for us?
10-19 = Nothing for you, return to base
10-20 = My location is _____
10-21 = Call by telephone
10-22 = Report in person to
10-23 = Stand by
10-24 = Completed last assignment
10-25 = Can you contact _____
10-26 = Disregard last information
10-27 = I am moving to channel _____
10-28 = Identify your station
10-29 = Time is up for contact
10-30 = Does not conform to FCC rules
10-32 = I will give you a radio check
10-33 = Emergency Traffic
10-34 = Trouble at this station
10-35 = Confidential information
10-36 = Correct time is
10-37 = Wrecker needed at
10-38 = Ambulance needed at
10-39 = Your message delivered
10-41 = Please turn to channel
10-42 = Traffic accident at
10-43 = Traffic tie up at
10-44 = I have a message for you
10-45 = All units within range please report
10-50 = Break channel
10-60 = What is next message number?
10-62 = Unable to copy, use phone
10-63 = Net directed to
10-64 = Net clear
10-65 = Awaiting your next message/assignment
10-67 = All units comply
10-70 = Fire at _____
10-71 = Proceed with transmission in sequence
10-77 = Negative contact
10-81 = Reserve hotel room for ______
10-82 = Reserve room for _____
10-84 = My telephone number is ______
10-85 = My address is _____
10-91 = Talk closer to the microphone
10-93 = Check my frequency on this channel
10-94 = Please give me a long count (1-10)
10-99 = Mission completed, all units secure
10-200 = Police needed at _____

[expat]

Emergency Channel .....9

Stay off this channel unless you require assistance or intend on monitoring.

[bulldog]

Call signs (not used in the US much from what I have experienced but used widely in Australia)

10-1 = Receiving poorly
.... 10-200 = Police needed at _____

Mark you are in California now, so CB conversations will sound something like: "Yo dude, 10 what??? She/he on the beach was only a 7" :moon: :rotflmao:

Especially on my high tech CB
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38338000/jpg/_38338105_bigphone150.jpg

On a serious note that is some good info. Should probably print it and leave in the 4R.

[Rando]

On a serious note that is some good info. Should probably print it and leave in the 4R.


Sheesh you crazy old skool CB guys. Makes you wonder why anyone would use anything but those FRS/GPRS combo units. No cryptic codes to worry about -- just strait up crazy talking. BTW, they worked well for us during our last AB visit.

While we're on the subject of CBs, someone mentioned they could be had for cheap. The cheapest handhelds I've found (on-line) were in the $80-$90 range. Am I missing something? :spank:

[bulldog]

You should be able to get hadnheld CBs for $40 or so. If it is possible always try to get one that can also take an external antenna. Then you can buy a cheap magnetic mount antenna to put on the roof from Radioshack or Fry's, etc. That seems to work pretty well. At the moment I use a cheapie that plugs into the lighter socket for power adn have a magnetic mount antenna on the roof with the wire just running through the back.

Check Yahoo shopping and search for handheld CB.

[Rando]

You should be able to get hadnheld CBs for $40 or so. If it is possible always try to get one that can also take an external antenna. Then you can buy a cheap magnetic mount antenna to put on the roof from Radioshack or Fry's, etc. That seems to work pretty well. At the moment I use a cheapie that plugs into the lighter socket for power adn have a magnetic mount antenna on the roof with the wire just running through the back.

Check Yahoo shopping and search for handheld CB.

This looks like the cheapest handheld + external antenna I can find. I see several of the bulky CB sets in the $40 range but nothing handheld.

[bulldog]

I found this one in a minute, but I'm sure there are more deals to be had.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=200317525&R=200317525&storeId=6970&langId=%2D1&cm_ven=Performics&cm_cat=Performics&cm_pla=Performics&cm_ite=Performics

Probably keep digging for one that can take an external antenna though.

[Rando]

I found this one in a minute, but I'm sure there are more deals to be had.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=200317525&R=200317525&storeId=6970&langId=%2D1&cm_ven=Performics&cm_cat=Performics&cm_pla=Performics&cm_ite=Performics

Probably keep digging for one that can take an external antenna though.

hmm, apparently my normally mad google skillz failed me. Sorry about that. :(

[bulldog]

hmm, apparently my normally mad google skillz failed me. Sorry about that. :(
No prob, I sometimes have days like that too :P

CBs are much better than FRS, especially when you use an external antenna. WIth an external antenna the range is far better than FRS and you can also tone down noise a lot better.

We might be old school, but it works for us :moon: