Red Wave Radio

by **Rod Tro** » Wed, 15 Dec 1993 06:10:08

Howdy,

I read through the FAQ for this group but was unable to get any sense of
what constitutes a good CB radio.

I am in the market for a mobile unit. I will be mounting it in my Ford
F150 pickup truck. I am interested in getting some feedback on a brand
that is good quality and that you would recommend. I think I would like a
unit with SSB, but it isn't necessary. How many people use SSB anyway?

Since I will be putting this in a truck I will mount a 1/4 wave antenna.
Any tips/recommendations on doing this? I have seen trucks with antennas
mounted on the bed rail behind the cab. Is this a decent place? I
don't think I would mount a 1/4 wave antenna to the roof of the truck.
Also, an antenna recommendation would be useful also.

Apologies for the newbie-esq questions, but am looking forward to some
company during my upcoming distance travels.

Thank you,
Rod

--
--PGP 2.3 Public Key Available (finger me or ask for it)
If you yell try : Rod Troch | Zeta Beta Tau

Rutgers University - Faculty of Arts and Sciences / History Dept.
- Microcomputer Analyst (Network Admin)

by **jmvas..** » Thu, 16 Dec 1993 00:21:25

> Howdy,

> I read through the FAQ for this group but was unable to get any sense of
> what constitutes a good CB radio.

> I am in the market for a mobile unit. I will be mounting it in my Ford
> F150 pickup truck. I am interested in getting some feedback on a brand
> that is good quality and that you would recommend. I think I would like a
> unit with SSB, but it isn't necessary. How many people use SSB anyway?

> Since I will be putting this in a truck I will mount a 1/4 wave antenna.
> Any tips/recommendations on doing this? I have seen trucks with antennas
> mounted on the bed rail behind the cab. Is this a decent place? I
> don't think I would mount a 1/4 wave antenna to the roof of the truck.
> Also, an antenna recommendation would be useful also.

> Apologies for the newbie-esq questions, but am looking forward to some
> company during my upcoming distance travels.

> Thank you,
> Rod

> --
> --PGP 2.3 Public Key Available (finger me or ask for it)
> If you yell try : Rod Troch | Zeta Beta Tau

> Rutgers University - Faculty of Arts and Sciences / History Dept.
> - Microcomputer Analyst (Network Admin)

by **Gary Coffm** » Thu, 16 Dec 1993 20:47:23

>I am in the market for a mobile unit. I will be mounting it in my Ford
>F150 pickup truck. I am interested in getting some feedback on a brand
>that is good quality and that you would recommend. I think I would like a
>unit with SSB, but it isn't necessary. How many people use SSB anyway?

As you might suspect, the more expensive units are all pretty good.
SSB is becoming much more popular, but if you intend to hang out mostly
on ch 19, an AM rig is fine.

Quote:>Since I will be putting this in a truck I will mount a 1/4 wave antenna.
>Any tips/recommendations on doing this? I have seen trucks with antennas
>mounted on the bed rail behind the cab. Is this a decent place? I
>don't think I would mount a 1/4 wave antenna to the roof of the truck.
>Also, an antenna recommendation would be useful also.

I tried the bed rail mount idea. It doesn't work that well. It's like
mounting the antenna on a pipe, there isn't a good flat groundplane
directly under it and a 1/4 wave really *wants* that groundplane.
There's also the issue of clearance height. I took out a row of
fluorescent lights the first time I drove it. Ideally, you'd mount
on the cab, but that makes the clearance height problem untenable.
The second best mounting is in the center of the bed, on the fifth
wheel hitch if available. Naturally this cuts into the cargo hauling
capacity of the truck. So that leaves us with the traditional bumper
mount. That really works OK, and is the method I'd recomend. You
can get an adaptor that fits the trailer hitch that works super,
or you can mount directly to the bumper off to the left side. I
like the center mount because it gives a better radiation pattern,
but practical concerns often dictate the left side of the bumper
mount. Use a piece of vacuum hose slipped over the antenna to avoid
it's shorting to the body if it whips around. One 1/4 wave steel
whip is pretty much like any other, just make sure the mount ball
will fit on the surface you intend to use for mounting. You don't
need or want a spring. The whip has plenty of give by itself. Use
good coax, not that cheap RG58.

Gary

by **Michelle Murrai** » Mon, 20 Dec 1993 11:42:03

>I read through the FAQ for this group but was unable to get any sense of
>what constitutes a good CB radio.

>I am in the market for a mobile unit. I will be mounting it in my Ford
>F150 pickup truck. I am interested in getting some feedback on a brand
>that is good quality and that you would recommend. I think I would like
a
>unit with SSB, but it isn't necessary. How many people use SSB anyway?

>Since I will be putting this in a truck I will mount a 1/4 wave antenna.
>Any tips/recommendations on doing this? I have seen trucks with
antennas
>mounted on the bed rail behind the cab. Is this a decent place? I
>don't think I would mount a 1/4 wave antenna to the roof of the truck.
>Also, an antenna recommendation would be useful also.

>Apologies for the newbie-esq questions, but am looking forward to some
>company during my upcoming distance travels.

If you're interested in getting a cb for your Ford F150 Pickup, Purchase
either a COBRA 148 or a UNIDEN CB.

I'M A CB Person Myself My CB Handle Is DEATHSTALKER WAVING A HAND TO YOU

by **WG-12 Ralph E. Milbee** » Thu, 16 Dec 1993 05:53:08

: Howdy,

: I read through the FAQ for this group but was unable to get any sense of
: what constitutes a good CB radio.

: I am in the market for a mobile unit. I will be mounting it in my Ford
: F150 pickup truck. I am interested in getting some feedback on a brand
: that is good quality and that you would recommend. I think I would like a
: unit with SSB, but it isn't necessary. How many people use SSB anyway?

: Since I will be putting this in a truck I will mount a 1/4 wave antenna.
: Any tips/recommendations on doing this? I have seen trucks with antennas
: mounted on the bed rail behind the cab. Is this a decent place? I
: don't think I would mount a 1/4 wave antenna to the roof of the truck.
: Also, an antenna recommendation would be useful also.

: Apologies for the newbie-esq questions, but am looking forward to some
: company during my upcoming distance travels.

: Thank you,
: Rod

: --
: --PGP 2.3 Public Key Available (finger me or ask for it)
: If you yell try : Rod Troch | Zeta Beta Tau

: Rutgers University - Faculty of Arts and Sciences / History Dept.
: - Microcomputer Analyst (Network Admin)

Rod,

I hope I can give you some good info.. I've been into CB for 20+ years
so mabe I can steer you right.

If you know of a reputiable dealer in town who provides sales and
service I would say go to him. Cobra is one of the leaders in quality
radios, but if there is no one to service them you have to deal with
the factory...so... Radio Shack is your next best bet. They offer some
good equipment and a place to have it serviced if the need arrises.
Their antennas are also good..
As far as SSB... it is ok for a base station, but very aggravating
in a mobile. Using the clairifier for freq. centering while driving
is the pits. Also unless you have someone in particular to talk to you
won't find too many QSOs on SSB.
The steel 1/4 wave is the best to get. Mounting on the bed rail of
the truck is also good. Be sure to put a tennis ball on it to keep it
from hitting the cab. It requires little or no adjustment for SWR and
is very durable.

Pick the radio you like the features of best, but don't be swayed by
instant chan 9 switches etc. They are useless and only cost more.

Hope I have helped you some. You can E-mail me but I don't have net
access except for posting here.

Later, 73s
Ed

KZG-3515 Bandit

Red Wave Radio

FAQ? : Recommendation wanted on mobil unit to purchase.

FAQ? : Recommendation wanted on mobil unit to purchase.

FAQ? : Recommendation wanted on mobil unit to purchase.

FAQ? : Recommendation wanted on mobil unit to purchase.

FAQ? : Recommendation wanted on mobil unit to purchase.

FAQ? : Recommendation wanted on mobil unit to purchase.