Absolutely new here and to 'Radio'

[RockHillWill]

I am 72 years old and built Winston Cup Stock cars for 24 years and that was my only exposure to the CB radio. Of course we used it while transporting the cars, but I am absolutely slack on CB radio and electronics.

My purpose for visiting here is to find out what I need to do to learn to use the CB and what I need to acquire to have a BC radio in my emergency 'cave' for communication.

Thank you for any help in this regard.

[raybiker73]

Well, I'm 40 years old and watched Winston Cup stock cars for about the same length of time.  :D  Welcome to the site! Are you looking to have a base CB setup and a portable/mobile setup, or are you looking to use one radio for both? There are a lot of people here with CB experience, so I'm sure you'll be able to find some assistance.


Ray

[White Tiger]

I am 72 years old and built Winston Cup Stock cars for 24 years and that was my only exposure to the CB radio. Of course we used it while transporting the cars, but I am absolutely slack on CB radio and electronics.

My purpose for visiting here is to find out what I need to do to learn to use the CB and what I need to acquire to have a BC radio in my emergency 'cave' for communication.

Thank you for any help in this regard.

Welcome - not that old, yet - and while I've tried to like Winston Cup stock car racing, I just don't (I do like to drive fast though). They still let me come in and post!

I've learned a lot about HF and VHF from the very open folks here - I think you'll like it!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[gil]

Well, there are no major differences between CB and Ham radios technically speaking. The one thing you will need to learn for sure is how to plug-in a SWR meter between the antenna and your CB and measure the SWR... You might have to adjust your antenna a little if the SWR is too high. If you skip this step and too much power not radiated by the antenna returns to the radio it can fry the final transistors in the transmitter section.

It isn't hard to do mind you, just follow the instructions. I would search for "how to measure SWR" on Google and Youtube...

Gil.

[IT Tech]

I am 72 years old and built Winston Cup Stock cars for 24 years and that was my only exposure to the CB radio. Of course we used it while transporting the cars, but I am absolutely slack on CB radio and electronics.

My purpose for visiting here is to find out what I need to do to learn to use the CB and what I need to acquire to have a BC radio in my emergency 'cave' for communication.

Thank you for any help in this regard.

Hi Will,
The Citizens Band has no license requirements.
In the past, the CB was a virtual wasteland, but today things are starting to look much brighter.
Today, the only people that owns and uses the CB radio are either the deviates - that are too dumb to pass an amateur radio license exam, or does not have the prerequisite to hold an amateur radio license.

OR

Someone that uses the radio for either work or pleasure.

The mentality has not improved much, but the quality of people has improved exponentially.

Setting up a shack for a citizens band transceiver is not difficult other then the fact that there are not many Citizens Band Base Station's being produced or sold today - except some used equipment that can be found for exuberant prices or at Hamfests - a flea market affair - sponsored by an amateur radio club.

Shelby would probably be one of your closest venue's.

My favorite transceivers are the old tube type - Regency Range Gain, Regency Imperial, Tram..

Newer transceivers such as the Cobra 2000, Ranger 2950 Mobile, 2970 mobile are also good choices.

Since the antenna does all of the work, it is the most important part.
If you can find a vintage 1960's / 70's era beam antenna, that would be your best bet.

For simple communications, the Solorcon, Astron 99 type antenna is perfectly acceptable.

Low loss - high quality coax is a must..
Belden 9913 or LMR 400

[White Tiger]

The only problem with CB is it's channelized - and while it's not that big of a deal, now - but think of what might happen if any type of event kick starts a SHTF moment...

Thousands of people would be trying to use 40 channels - I think it would be helpful to have - I wouldn't want to rely on it in times of trouble.

[gil]

Welcome back Tim :)

Indeed, forty channels isn't that much and would be very crowded really fast. Another problem is that it has an 11m wavelength. That means that it will only work for long distances when conditions are very good. For local communications it is a pretty good band, but again can be crowded. Count on 5-10 miles reliably, depending on your antenna. You might get more with some setups and SSB modes.
The reason to have a CB is because it is so popular. I would suggest having a Ham radio though, as a first choice. The exam is too easy not to get.. Old ham radios are two dimes a dozen on Ebay.

Gil.

[Joe]

Welcome aboard RockHillWill !!!

CB basic set up Radio, SWR meter, Antenna, and Coax Cable to run from antenna to radio, you will need a small 1-2' piece of cable to run from radio to SWR meter. I would get a radio with SSB (single side band) this will open up more channels for you.

Power supply mobile radio's are a 12 volt DC, Base station's will usually have 12 volt DC or 110 volt AC some will have both.

Antenna, this is one area you don't want to go cheap on. Think of it like putting a scope on a rifle, if you put a low power scope on a high power rifle. Your rifle with out shoot the scope and you will be limiting your ability because of the scope.

Base Station setup: I am a fan of Galaxy CB radios, But Cobra, Uniden, Ranger are all good radios

Radio:Galaxy DX 2547 Base station, AM and SSB, AC and DC power supply.
http://www.claysradioshop.com/galaxy_2547.htm

Antenna: Firestik, Imax, Antron are all good base station antenna, you will need a antenna, ground plane kit, and coax cable to reach from antenna to radio. Mount antenna as high as possible, and away from power lines and trees.
http://www.claysradioshop.com/citizensband_solarcon-antennas.htm

SWR Meter: http://www.claysradioshop.com/meter-SWR-Watt.htm

Mobile Radio:
Galaxy DX 959
http://www.claysradioshop.com/galaxy_959ssb.htm

Mobile Antenna: I am running a K40 on my truck now, I have used Firestik and Wilson with great results. First thing is figure out where you want to mount the antenna on vehicle, and if you want to drill a hole in you vehicle. Good places to mount are the roof, trunk, and back sides of vehicle. Magnet mounts are a option also.
http://www.claysradioshop.com/antennas-roof_top.html
http://www.claysradioshop.com/antennas-magnetmount.htm

You can use the same SWR meter for Mobile and Base station.

You will also need wire and connectors to run power to your radio, the radios will come with a short pigtail harness. Make sure all connections are good, and the most important is to make sure you have a good ground.

I used Clays radio supply to give you links to the items, I have not ordered from them. You could do a search for your area and find a store to go to and see the items in person.

73
Joe

[gil]

http://radiopreppers.com/index.php/topic,5.msg5.html#msg5

Gil.

[White Tiger]

Hah! Thanks Gil - nice to BE back!