Discussion
Do people still use CB radios on the road or has that gone the way of the carrier pigeon?
My commute is used by truckers a lot, yet google isn't very good at warning of slow traffic or accidents and I was wondering if being able to hear truckers talk to each other about issues would be a helpful way to avoid delays.
My commute is used by truckers a lot, yet google isn't very good at warning of slow traffic or accidents and I was wondering if being able to hear truckers talk to each other about issues would be a helpful way to avoid delays.
MYOB said:
Someone has been watching Smokey and the Bandit!
Its use has dwindled to probably a few thousand enthusiasts in the UK and is more of an entry-level HAM radio service thanks to the de-restriction of the use of SSB transmission and a larger frequency spread.
The last person I knew using it as originally intended (a lorry driver) was recently told by his employers that they would no longer permit fitting of rigs to their vehicles.
I would love to see a revival but frankly the technology is too much of a faff by today's standards because of the antenna requirements. PMR handsets are far superior for local comms.
There's money to be made trading in collectable CB radios though because there's still a few near-mint sets lurking in peoples' lofts.
Edited by r11co on Tuesday 11th September 15:27
Ziplobb said:
I use it from time to time but only for long distance stuff - eastern europe and the med. Antenna is still up there and the rig is an old President Lincoln
Gave up on that long ago - what is there to talk about after the initial connection has been made?! 
(Having said that I did buy a mint condition ALAN 9001 a few years ago with the intention of reviving the old hobby, but it stayed in its pristine box and I ended up selling it for a handsome profit instead).
Look up Zello & Network radios. It's an app for your phone/pc or a dedicated "walkie talkie" style phone with a push to talk.
It's all digital / voice over ip with high quality audio. You can create your own channel for free, add friends / family / business to it an all talk in a group (simplex / one at a time though)
It's all digital / voice over ip with high quality audio. You can create your own channel for free, add friends / family / business to it an all talk in a group (simplex / one at a time though)
ciege said:
Oh well the big full whip thingy, I've never been that hardcore!!
9' genuine 1/4 wave - probably the biggest antenna you can run practically mobile. 
Most antennas that claim to be 1/4, 1/2 and 5/8 wave are quoting equivalent electrical length ie. what the transmitter sees. The actual lengths are shorter than your 9' whip because the extra length has been wound round into a loading coil.
r11co said:
9' genuine 1/4 wave - probably the biggest antenna you can run practically mobile.
Most antennas that claim to be 1/4, 1/2 and 5/8 wave are quoting equivalent electrical length ie. what the transmitter sees. The actual lengths are shorter than your 9' whip because the extra length has been wound round into a loading coil.
Ahh that explains the coil, always wondered.Most antennas that claim to be 1/4, 1/2 and 5/8 wave are quoting equivalent electrical length ie. what the transmitter sees. The actual lengths are shorter than your 9' whip because the extra length has been wound round into a loading coil.
So how come the same rig was much better (or so it appeared) on the roof of a megane and less so on the boot of the Rover?
With the engine off to rule out interference etc.
It can't be just the height could it?
Gassing Station | In-Car Electronics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff