14 replies to this topic

[foxfan]

Hi, does anyone on here know anything about cb radio's. I have bought a couple of 1980's cb's for travelling in convoy to shows and they work ok. My question is though, they vary in price a lot but the maximum output is 4 watts so what is the difference between a £10 cb and a £110 cb ?? I know the modern ones have lcd displays and are more compact and look nicer, but as far as function goes, are they any better ??

[CHUNKY365]

Your right.

The cost is usually just down to the more features.

The actual 'usability' is about the same on all of them.

Some of the more expensive ones have to ability to switch between an FM or AM transmit option.

Some have 'side bands' basically doubling your standard 40 channels to 80.

Some just have more features to improve sound quality.

Your normally better off buying a cheap working CB and getting the best ariel you can. The ariel makes all the difference.

You can get that 4 watts 'boosted' either by internal mods (check the internet) or you may be lucky and find an old electric repair man who remembers what to do lol.

Another way is to get hold of a signal booster.

This plugs in between the radio and the ariel and does what it says ie boosts the signal.

My old CB is a £5 boot sale special, I bought a decent ariel and set it all up.

On a good day I can get signal for about 40 miles.

[foxfan]

Thanks Chunky, I was kind of hoping for that kind of reply. Both my cb's were Ebay bargains and i've connected them to 4ft mag mounts. I can talk to people about 25 miles away at the minute which is waaay above my expectations. Not too sure about this SWR'ing thing though. I've been on some cb websites and by the sound of it i seriously need a SWR meter. Another thing about buying 1980's cb's is that they suit the period look of most mini's. So we're in a win win

Edited by foxfan, 21 August 2010 - 10:23 PM.

[davidv]

Glad you have Posted this Thread.I tried one a long time ago and not much interest on C.B.s. here.
I have spent many years with Radios so would like to help you with advice.Please state the make and model of the ones you have.They are great for chatting on.I also like Ham Radios but sold them to try P.C. internet and get a top set-up.
You must get a S.W.A.R. meter to tune your ariels else the radio will burn out puts dead.They have become hard to find and very expensive.
There are some very nice small brand new ones that do a fair bit on the web you can buy cheap.Can post you the site on friends list no adds here.
I been hoping someone would ask about radios for a long time here,cheers

[Meland4]

Hiya

I really miss my cb used to always have one in the car, hubby is a famer with cbs in the tractors so meant i could always chat to him

Would love a home base i have an ariel but never got round to buying the radio. Any idea how much i could get onefor davidv?

[davidv]

Meland have posted you on friends.Still waiting for info on these older Radios.Make and models?

[foxfan]

Both my CB's were bought off Fleabay for under a tenner each. I got them cheap because they were sold as "working last time I used it, but no power lead to test it now, so sold as spares or repair". I thought for under a tenner it was worth the risk so bought them and after buying power leads they work fine. I have a Harrier CBX and a Realistic TRC 2000. The ariels were more expensive than the radios and I wasn't sure if mag mounts would be as good as mounting an ariel on the gutter or drilling the roof, but they work really well.

[davidv]

They are both quality old radios.If you look inside them you will see a total dif. board set up.The Realistic has the best build if its the Uniden labelled board.The other may be a Cybernet board inside.They are very good best to keep them at 6 watts on a pot tweek max for the good of the radios when swar is low.You found a good buy.

[jay30]

I've just picked up a Midland 98Plus for use in convoying to shows. Just looking for a replacement Mike, gutter mount & mobile twig and I'll be ready to go in time for Uttoxeter

[davidv]

Midland Radios have become a fair Radio in the last few years.They started off full of fauilts in the old days.Broad band mainly.Try Truck King for twig on web search.

[Timty]

It's great having someone on the forum who knows about CB's i was going to write a post about it as i'm new to it but CB topics don't come up? not sure why as loads of mini clubs use them? anyway i have bought a CB radiomobile CB201 on ebay for twelve quid is it any good? it works fine as i tried it out the other day! i bought a mini springer for it (more for the looks if i'm honest) are these aerials any good and do i need an swr?? meter if so have you got a link davidv and what do these do?? Many thanks Tim.

[davidv]

Yes above you must have a SWAR meter for all Radios and set ups.Try Web Truck King Radios for things.They sell some good stuff.I spent so many years with Radios and having a rest using my new P.C. for chats.If you have a plug you can make a basic Ariel with fat copper wire that works well at home called a V.That is 2 9ft ish wires in the V shape and joined to a long single wire to rig Plug using Coax cable only.You put the one side the v to braid the other to Core on joins.Tape well.With a meter you tie nots in the V to match it.A cheap Ariel build. They work well on 27 Megs FM.

[minispaniard]

bump... and yes, I know this is almost a one year old post!!

I'm awaiting to receive my new set up and install it, can't wait! I never had one myself but remember my dad having one back in the 80's and it was great fun.

it's good for convoys and Mini runs. who else have one?

[harryh733]

I love my CB! got it for £2 at the car boot, its an old 1980s Rotel 230, apparently I have the clearest voice in our club and everyone else has new radios that cost a fortune. I use a gutter mount and whip antenna, don't get great range even after trying to set the SWR up properly so who knows whats going on. We used the CB's for IMM all the way to Switzerland and they made time fly past with all the jokes and random chat.
Would recommend one to any mini owner, just try and find an old one though as they seem to be as good if not better then the new ones.

[minispaniard]

any pictures of the gutter mount? struggling to decide wether to go for a magnetic or a gutter one. magnetic for easy removal but gutter one for the looks...