Knob Creek
NES Member
Someone just gave me a NIB 40 Channel CB Radio. I'd like to set it up at home what would be a good antenna that won't break the bank? Would it work on my 10 Meter DiPole?
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They're not that expensive maybe a hundred bucks or so maybe less if your build your own.... tuners only start to get pricey when you start running power (over 100-200W) or you want something that's automatic...If I'm not mistaken they have SWR converters that will take mismatched antennas and radios and it has the capability to correct the SWR back to 1:1 which is ideal. But those are really expensive. I know they make 12 volt versions because some people who have mobile ham radios in their cars also use antenna tuners to compensate for the frequencies they are working on.
They're not that expensive maybe a hundred bucks or so maybe less if your build your own.... tuners only start to get pricey when you start running power (over 100-200W) or you want something that's automatic...
Break one nine radio checkkkkkkThese 2 below, are some decent rated antennas (and you should also be able to get these same ones as magnetic base antennas):
Amazon product ASIN B0036QYUQAView: https://smile.amazon.com/WILSON-305-495-3500-Watt-Trucker-Antenna/dp/B0036QYUQA/ref=sr_1_6?crid=19GA4XBCX4FWE&dchild=1&keywords=wilson+2000+magnetic+mount+cb+antenna&qid=1613755723&sprefix=wilson+2000+%2Cinstant-video%2C138&sr=8-6
Amazon product ASIN B001JSYA5SView: https://www.amazon.com/K40-TR-40BK-Center-Trucker-Antenna/dp/B001JSYA5S/ref=pd_sbs_4?pd_rd_w=2OifO&pf_rd_p=3ec6a47e-bf65-49f8-80f7-0d7c7c7ce2ca&pf_rd_r=YX6W2DEZ9QRKN9FG5VFX&pd_rd_r=e779d8e5-6a33-4177-9e95-d46cb5e3d270&pd_rd_wg=4BQBV&pd_rd_i=B001JSYA5S&psc=1
Also consider installing a spring base part (if your antenna hits an overhanging tree branch, drive-thru, or other obstruction, the antenna will give-way instead of snapping the antenna off):
Amazon product ASIN B01HIZ56WQView: https://smile.amazon.com/Pro-Trucker-Medium-Stainless-Antenna/dp/B01HIZ56WQ/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=antenna+spring+base&qid=1613755747&s=instant-video&sr=1-5
Amazon product ASIN B07KRTCZBCView: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07KRTCZBC/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07KRTCZBC&pd_rd_w=pzHuq&pf_rd_p=4269e1a0-a218-4fbd-9748-1cd337d2f2a5&pd_rd_wg=AvB0I&pf_rd_r=8GBGMV
Some of the above may also be available at Ham-Radio-Outlet, Ham-city, and Other Ham Radio Online Stores.
I have a CB radio in my work truck because scale houses (that weigh trucks & dump trailers, dump trucks, etc. and also gravel yards) = communicate on CB channel # 1 (and the front end loaders that drive around those sites do also):
My set-up:
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Breakahh-Breakahh ...... any smokees out they-ah?
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Educate yourselves you non-CB heathens: List of CB slang - Wikipedia
I'm normally a Ham operator but my daughter bought a President and my two Grandson express interest so I bought them each a Uniden Pro 520 XL with Wilson K 40 antenna. Not that I needed it but I bought the Uniden 980 SSB and connected to my 10 meter vertical using an older LDG Z 11 pro 2. It's really pretty good on reception compared to my ICOM 7410.I'm also getting back into it! May have to put a handle list together
Nice! My dad, uncle, brother, and neighbor all had them in 2000-2001. It's fun. What's your handle? I'll try to reach you sometime from Peabody with my K40 vehicle setup.I'm normally a Ham operator but my daughter bought a President and my two Grandson express interest so I bought them each a Uniden Pro 520 XL with Wilson K 40 antenna. Not that I needed it but I bought the Uniden 980 SSB and connected to my 10 meter vertical using an older LDG Z 11 pro 2. It's really pretty good on reception compared to my ICOM 7410.
Seeing CB only put out 4 watts except SSB (12 watts) get the SWR as far down as you can.I just bought one of these for the house.
I haven't installed it yet so, no real world report.
I've heard folks say to stick with metal antennas rather than fiberglass. I'm hoping it at least compares to the homemade vertical dipole I had before - which worked great. It was just two 108" SS whips mounted opposite each other on a 90deg Simpson tie.
You could also try a groundplane kit a a standard mobile whip.
Those mobile gpks are a waste of money. Snake oilI just bought one of these for the house.
I haven't installed it yet so, no real world report.
I've heard folks say to stick with metal antennas rather than fiberglass. I'm hoping it at least compares to the homemade vertical dipole I had before - which worked great. It was just two 108" SS whips mounted opposite each other on a 90deg Simpson tie.
You could also try a groundplane kit a a standard mobile whip.
Wasn't sure - never used one.Those mobile gpks are a waste of money. Snake oil
The biggest problem you're going to have using your dipole is cross polarization. Almost everyone on CB is vertical so you can count on losing up to 20 db there. I haven't purchased a CB antenna in decades so I have no idea what they sell for now. I do know if you want it to perform well like everything else you get what you pay for.Someone just gave me a NIB 40 Channel CB Radio. I'd like to set it up at home what would be a good antenna that won't break the bank? Would it work on my 10 Meter DiPole?
(Which is a hair over 3dB for those who need a translation).... you can count on losing up to 20 db there.
I've wondered if there was any CB action still. The FCC recently approved FM on CB, so either that's an attempt to revive it or just good lobbying by someone who wants to own the market. GMRS seems better all around. They should have given them new channels too, because now you're going to have FM, AM, SSB all on the same channels.Just for grins, I set my Uniden SDS200 scanner for CB radio channels and let it run on my little Desktop Discone that sits inside by a 2nd floor window. Damned if I’m not picking up some CB chatter! I didn’t really believe the 25-2000 MHz spec on this antenna or think there was any CB chatter still on the airwaves!
WMM-860 - Desktop Radio Scanner Antenna - Multi Band w/ Discone
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I've wondered if there was any CB action still. The FCC recently approved FM on CB, so either that's an attempt to revive it or just good lobbying by someone who wants to own the market.
GMRS seems better all around. They should have given them new channels too, because now you're going to have FM, AM, SSB all on the same channels.
I think CB (11m) is somewhat popular in Europe. Could make for fun QRP opportunities.
I was hearing a dude from Scotland this morning on 38lsb. Heard him well but, couldn't get a contact after turning the house a bunch of different ways.I think CB (11m) is somewhat popular in Europe. Could make for fun QRP opportunities.
I was hearing a dude from Scotland this morning on 38lsb. Heard him well but, couldn't get a contact after turning the house a bunch of different ways.
I ended up hiding my vertical centerfed as a horizontal in the attic so, I'll blame that. But, I tend to hear overseas better with it horizontal.
I may have powered up my rig three times in the past couple years.
Discones have no gain to speak of, but they are extremely wide band. That means they will show very low SWR over a very wide swath of frequencies. That's why they make good scanner antennas. They will work from 144 mhz up to a gig.I've wondered if there was any CB action still. The FCC recently approved FM on CB, so either that's an attempt to revive it or just good lobbying by someone who wants to own the market. GMRS seems better all around. They should have given them new channels too, because now you're going to have FM, AM, SSB all on the same channels.
I think CB (11m) is somewhat popular in Europe. Could make for fun QRP opportunities.