CB Radios (cellphone angst inside)

**nochay** · December 23rd, 2004, 03:06 AM

Well, it is over. <censored> AT&T & Cingular. We pay our bills, they cut our services, and demand $50 reconnection fees. They got up to a record of about $150 - $200 in reconnect fees before we dumped them!

I am not going back, and I am not going with any cell phone company. They all seem to be socially retarded, and have no idea how to treat customers/have a good service.

In comes CB Radio. Reliable, time tested and proven! I have heard of people getting 30+ miles from cb radios. I want to be able to go pretty much anywhere, and be heard. I am going to put a unit into my truck, and put up some gas guzzling antennas. The bigger, the better (for maximum range) Now, I know I can put a ton of antennas up on my truck, and talk to the space station on a clear night if I want to

, but I want to carry a portable cb radio as a "cell phone" (I will also have a home base cb system to call into if need be)

Here is where the problem starts. I work in a room alot of the time that has a high amount of electronic interference (network patch panels, cisco catalyst routers, some servers, and a cisco wireless access point. don't forget workstations/printers.) It would be nice to be able to sit at my desk, and "call home" without having to drag my antenna outside, and "place the call" (I would do it if there was no other option)

Would it be possible, with the interference? The room has no windows, and alot of brick.

Cobra seems to have a good portable cb radio, and a telescoping 27" antenna I could use, provided if it could cut through all the above stuff I mentioned? or would a actual antenna, like one you put on a car/truck be better?

Also, it would be a big plus if it would work all over a college campus (where I work) and we could talk to each other in the room with all the interference I mentioned. We use a nextel walkie talkie system that you must balance on one leg, and do swan dives while saying prayers to the RF gods to get a good signal!

if it thrills my boss enough, maybe we would get some of these radios, and ditch the cell phone crap. I would rather carry a 5 pound cb radio then a worthless cellphone anyday!

Thoughts? opinions?

Dane

**Toadman** · December 23rd, 2004, 03:22 AM

5-watt Citizen's Band won't get you much range, especially with line-of-sight obstructions. Mobile Ham would be better if going RF.

**RedFury** · December 23rd, 2004, 03:41 AM

Yup, Ham would be the way to go. But you have to get lisenced for that.

We had our CB's "altered" slightly and got pretty good range out of them, and even better on sideband. The shop we had it done at called it "peak'n and tweak'n" and charged us 20 bucks a piece. I was happy with the result.

Of course, there were base stations with "black boxes" that supposedly ran the wattage way up on a boost, but I don't know anything about that.

**nochay** · December 23rd, 2004, 03:43 AM

what is involved with mobile ham? classes? license requirements? Anal probes? I want something that will work, and save us a ton of cash in the long run. AT&T, is crap, nextel is junk, verizon is attempting to merge with sprint. Hmm ,not many choices, and they are all evil!

How are people getting long ranges then with a portable unit?

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...&s=electronics

"This is a great unit. I had no trouble understanding a guy that lives in Boonville (30 miles) from me. The NOAA weather info is very helpful for vactions and long travel.When using the magnet mount antenna the reception was very clean."

Dane

**nochay** · December 23rd, 2004, 03:48 AM

Originally Posted by RedFury

Yup, Ham would be the way to go. But you have to get lisenced for that.

We had our CB's "altered" slightly and got pretty good range out of them, and even better on sideband. The shop we had it done at called it "peak'n and tweak'n" and charged us 20 bucks a piece. I was happy with the result.

Of course, there were base stations with "black boxes" that supposedly ran the wattage way up on a boost, but I don't know anything about that.

interesting.... :dartingeyes:

**Chuckiechan** · December 23rd, 2004, 10:47 AM

I think you need to learn Morse Code!

And learn and agree to abide by all Domestic and International laws.

And submit to an anal probe....

**RobRich** · December 23rd, 2004, 10:55 AM

I have long since left the CB community (been about 10 years), but my fixed point base station configuration reached PEP wattage output in the 11-meter band well beyond most of my local AM radio stations back in the day.

I used to enjoy talking on 27.025MHz and 27.265MHz.

what is involved with mobile ham? classes? license requirements?

You need to obtain a technician no-code license. There is testing involved, but if you know basic electronics fundamentals, you can pass the test with no problem. Once you have a license, your best bet is the 2-meter band. It is highly active, range is pretty good, equipment is relative cheap on the used market, and there are plenty of repeaters nearly everywhere in the United States for extended range communications.

**nochay** · December 23rd, 2004, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by RobRich

I have long since left the CB community (been about 10 years), but my fixed point base station configuration reached PEP wattage output in the 11-meter band well beyond most of my local AM radio stations back in the day.

I used to enjoy talking on 27.025MHz and 27.265MHz.

You need to obtain a technician no-code license. There is testing involved, but if you know basic electronics fundamentals, you can pass the test with no problem. Once you have a license, your best bet is the 2-meter band. It is highly active, range is pretty good, equipment is relative cheap on the used market, and there are plenty of repeaters nearly everywhere in the United States for extended range communications.

Hmm, "reached PEP wattage output in the 11-meter band well beyond most of my local AM radio stations back in the day"

You pirate radio operator! Everyone, Rob was a pirate in his younger days. He expects us to follow forum rules? Flame on! Post free ipod links!

define "basic electronics fundmentals" I took a grade of "W" in a electronics test equipment class because the math equations gave me a pounding headache.

Is it just stuff like "this is a resistor" this is a power supply, etc etc?

Dane

**RobRich** · December 23rd, 2004, 12:47 PM

Is it just stuff like "this is a resistor" this is a power supply, etc etc?

Pretty much. There is also some RF theory, but nothing particularly hard to learn (or to just memorize), such as safe distances and wavelengths. Try taking these technician practice test samples:

http://www.qrz.com/testing.html
http://www.eham.net/exams/generateexams