CB Radio - Video 1

[HAMCBRadio]

In my area in Eastern Canada, CB has really dropped off. Maybe 3 or 4 channels with any activity. My dad was into cb back in the 1960s and early 70s. I got started around 74 / 75 and it was loaded. It was pretty hard to find a clear channel back then. It is picking up in some areas, so maybe (someday) it will get going again. I think a lot of people just listen. Got to key up the mike and give a call. I do and every once in awhile it works. Get a good PS and Have fun with it. :)

[FelixTheHouseFreak]

Hi there!

Nice video to bad about the low traffic on that day. Im in the US and im a CBer here. Theres good traffic here.

You should have tried talking to the truckers. I talk to the truckers and some have become regular contacts and CB friends. Most traffic is from them anyway.

Try also transmitting radio checks. Other people may just be listening for a call so dont be shy! Theres lots of rude people on the CB here too by the way!

Check out some of my CB videos if you want!

[MarkieBhoy17]

and u should talk to the truckers

[MarkieBhoy17]

put it in a car

[paulm19822007]

that's the eventual plan, once I get a car of my own, don't currently have one at this time

[26TM003]

CB is kicking here , Im just outside London, it will never be what it was back in the 70/80's, but since the licence was scrapped, slowly but surely its picking up..

73

Simon

[funguy661]

CB is not out dated as you said. and CB is used a lot in the USA believe it or not. Best used amoung 2 people on short wave, You need to talk because people may just be listening. I make it a point to come on one or 2 CH's But you may need an amp to boost signal.

[MarcosRandolias]

Sorry mate but you're 25 years late to be into CB. In it's hayday every channel was packed solid but I haven't been on there for about 10 years or so and even then it was dead.

[paulm19822007]

actually, since the abolition of the CB license in the UK, use has increased here somewhat

[bradjoe96]

Well, I'm in America and truckers use CB Radios more than anyone. So usually your talking to a truck driver in my country.

[scaleop4]

that pc psu is causing most of the noise

you need a well regulated psu not a pc psu.

[paulm19822007]

yeah, that psu is causing a lot of the noise, I agree, trouble is I don't have anything regulated, though I'll look into purchasing something at some stage

[SMUDGYBUG]

there are some really koooky people on cb if you are in ontario canada go on channel 6 or 5

[paulm19822007]

as I'm in the north of England I won't be able to listen for myself, but it sounds interesting

[SMUDGYBUG]

nice setup any tips on using a cb i just got into it

[dummyspitter]

whens your next cb video

[paulm19822007]

Unsure when this will happen as the rig is currently not set up, will have to dig it out again

[kenworthjoe13]

man why u on 19 try 21

[paulm19822007]

I normally check all channels out, and keep it on some for a while, in this case 19

[K9LLL]

Sir you should really spend your money on something much more fun and practical get your ham radio lisence it would do you well :)there are people all over the world that use the ham bands and it is a much more fun and active. Imagine having a lot more fun than just 40 channels

[paulm19822007]

I may consider that for the future :)

[G0IFI]

That noise floor looks pretty bad, I'm sure you'd be doing much better if you could minimise it. Is that switched-mode PSU the source of some of it? They often are. You'll really see a difference if you get a better antenna, up as high as poss, too. The ground losses with the arrangement you have there must be pretty high.

[paulm19822007]

never thought to really check anything other than SWR to be honest, and yes, as most computer PSUs are switched mode (even the older AT types like that) I can imagine it was generating some noise

[KineticRic]

That antenna you got looks like the Sputnik.

But I bet it sure gets out.

Have you thought about putting it on top of a pole?

[paulm19822007]

I have a base antenna in the garage too, so could put that to use when I get a spare moment, the entire setup is in the garage at the moment. as for how far I got out on that setup, I'm not totally sure, but with the very high position here I suppose it was some way out

[ebyard]

God it's years since I was on the CB. I had a fantastic old Midland, then a nice new Kernow.

They were great days. Do many people still use them? It used to be full of music players and keyers, ruining it for everyone...

[paulm19822007]

people still use them, I have spotted a fair few cars and trucks recently with them fitted, not been on the air myself for a while though, I assume the music players and keyers are still there though not come across them myself...

[1982blazer]

Thats a cool looking radio.

[beebee890]

cool

[control2970]

get a new power supply and a base station antenna like A99 antron99 on cooper electronics

[paulm19822007]

yeah, might benefit from a proper PSU as opposed to that computer one

I do have a Sirio base station antenna in the garage, and some cable connected to it, just need to put it on a temporary mount of sorts to avoid planning issues

[jamesthq]

being a complete mupet I have an empty space under my cd/dvd radio in my car and Im very termpted to buy one of these to put in there. Being a competly stupid question, when I install one, will I hear people chatting to each other driving down the motorway ect.

[paulm19822007]

you should hear people chatting when driving down the motorway, yes, likely to be truckers though

[nelsoncarmo26]

I've been meaning to get me one of those for a long time, but they are still so expencive. Besides they don' come with aerial or power supplies, so that's yet more money I have to spend. It's ancient, but it's funner than the internet.

[FreeRunningSquad]

You seem to have a lot of static , make sure the SWR is between 1.1 and 1.5. DONT KEY UP without the correct SWR . I have a cb , its the famous Maycom EM-27. Thats a nice radio you have there, lovely display. What area are you in ? Maybe ill catch up with you on 19 :D

[paulm19822007]

I had background noise set to max, also some signals were a little on the weak side, rig, as mentioned, is a Moonraker FA5000, I did check the SWR before hand, it was all ok, even with that antenna setup :)

I'm in North Yorkshire, I don't have the rig set up working at the moment, it's been in the garage over winter, I do have a base antenna, I should get that up at some point, and I'll be mobile once I pass my driving test, might even invest in another rig for that :)

[jpg0572]

nice!

[jpg0572]

Why would you keep the SWR between 1.5 and 2? Isn't 1:1 better?

[paulm19822007]

1:1 is pretty hard to attain, I assume the viewer has little technical knowledge on radio transmission, but 1:1 is better yes

[jpg0572]

I suppose 1:1 is difficult to acheive, esp across all 40 channels. Is that a home-made antenna?

[paulm19822007]

no, it's a mobile antenna, the base it is on is a magmount on an old tin, with holes cut in the side, then the 4 metal bars inserted, with foil ends, the table it stood on was covered in foil as well