130 replies to this topic

[Silicon Skum]

CEPT band

sorry whats this mean ?

cheers for the info

It's also known as the "EU" or "CEPT/EU" channels, it's a set of frequencies just below the standard UK "CB" band:

EU/CEPT band:
26.965 MHz - 27.405 MHz (10Khz channel spacing)


UK band:
27.60125 MHz - 27.99125 MHz

CEPT : the European regulatory body where technical provisions for spectrum use are considered by 47 member states.

EU : The European Union’s (EU) RSC has the power to make Decisions on spectrum use that are binding on its 25 member states.

In the UK the regulatory body is Ofcom, which can either follow or ignore the above two....depending on how much money is involved / to be made....

Have a read of some of the Ofcom website and online PDF documents, explains it all in detail (sadly, just not very clearly...).

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/

SS

[fatmini]

cheers for clearing that up

[paulrockliffe]

I have a CB in my mini, but I've never heard anyone else on any channel. I don't know if it's a set uproblem or because there's no one else within range - I'm in SOuth Manchester. Is there anyway to test, short of buying a hand-held unit?

[Silicon Skum]

I have a CB in my mini, but I've never heard anyone else on any channel. I don't know if it's a set uproblem or because there's no one else within range - I'm in SOuth Manchester. Is there anyway to test, short of buying a hand-held unit?

Ask a friendly taxi driver?

You could have a look for a local HAM radio user group, most of them will be willing to help test your rig, and can probably help you get it set up for optimum performance. Have a search on some of the HAM radio forums, and ask for someone local to help you out, or for pointers in the right direction.

Manchester, like most areas now, is a bit quiet on the CB front. There will still be a few on the channels though. You are more likely to get someone on the air at night (less interference). Try to get to the highest, most open location you can, should help you get anything thats out there. Also, you might want to keep an eye on the "space weather" forecast, when the sun is active and there is high sunspot activity / CMEs, you might just be able to reach other parts of the UK - or even other countries!

SS

[tabs42]

Strangely enough I was looking at CB's the other day... Its gotta be done! Love the idea, it should be the must have mini accessorie for 2007! Lol.

T x

Edited by tabs42, 11 April 2007 - 01:27 PM.

[pud]

i was looking at the starter pack that someone posted. and the antenna is .84 m which would looke really weird on a car!!

so is the basic concept lke, people are on wavelegnths and channels and if ur on that channel wiould you be able to hear and speak to them?

cheers, pud

any one got any pictures of their cb's mounted on their minis, like the antenna n the actual radio mounting

Edited by pud, 11 April 2007 - 03:41 PM.

[Silicon Skum]

so is the basic concept lke, people are on wavelegnths and channels and if ur on that channel wiould you be able to hear and speak to them?

Yup!, got it in one.

I dunno about the 84cm antenna looking odd on a mini, I had a 6ft Firestick antenna on mine when I was mobile. Now THAT looks odd on a mini! Worked well though.

I'm going to get around to sorting out my old rig soon and install it back into the Mini, though I think I might try a different type of antenna, something that will be low profile on the car (thinking of hiding it in the roof gutter channel), but I'll have to think about the design carefully or it will affect the signal propagation really badly. also Thinking of a long-wire antenna mounted on the gutter with insulated stand-offs, should give a fairly omnidirectional signal propagation. Need to work a few details out first though.

SS

[unseen]

Hi All,

Just wanted to give this topic a nudge, as I'm stuck... I dusted off my old rig tonite, plugged into the psu.. (on long lead) then went out to the mini and fired it up... BUGGER! Smoke pouring out of the little thing ok hadn't been used for 6yrs but then as this week is already going I should have expected it! ho hum....

Can anyone recommend a rig? The one that just went up in smoke was an unknown I had knocking around from years back.. Only snaglet I've got is I can't spend megabucks or well.. I'd be sleeping with the dog till riv run!

Ta Rob

[Silicon Skum]

Hi All,

Just wanted to give this topic a nudge, as I'm stuck... I dusted off my old rig tonite, plugged into the psu.. (on long lead) then went out to the mini and fired it up... BUGGER! Smoke pouring out of the little thing ok hadn't been used for 6yrs but then as this week is already going I should have expected it! ho hum....

Can anyone recommend a rig? The one that just went up in smoke was an unknown I had knocking around from years back.. Only snaglet I've got is I can't spend megabucks or well.. I'd be sleeping with the dog till riv run!

Ta Rob

How much cash do you have to spend?

Here are a few links to give you an idea of prices.


Maplin have a basic 40 channel rig for £50 :

http://www.maplin.co...e...O&U=strat15

But you would be better off going for an 80 channel rig (offcom are looking to sell the UK CB band channels in the next few years), and this is the only NEW CB that is 40 channel only, all the rest are 80.


Another Moonraker rig, £100 (actually considering this one myself) :

--URL::1825bbcbb4a1120e35c490c2e608277b-- http://www.maplin.co...e...O&U=strat15

This one is slightly cheaper at £75, Midland 80 channel :

http://www.maplin.co...e...887&doy=1m5


That is all the mobile rigs (other than hand-held) that Maplins do, and they are not really the cheapest, but they aren't too bad.
Or you could use this website, seems to be good on prices and fairly large selection :

--URL::f0bcb55c68ffe8360728fdcfb010a4f0-- http://www.4x4cb.com...Browse=Products

SS

[Touche Away]

I have a tiny Midland 77-099. It's small enough to fit between the steering column and the fog light switch panel, so is ideal for a Mini.

I'll try to get a quick photo later

Gav

Edited by Touche Away, 01 May 2007 - 06:08 AM.

[mic]

i got mine set up now but also cant find anyone to talk to so unsure if it actually works or if anyone else uses em in the area

[Silicon Skum]

i got mine set up now but also cant find anyone to talk to so unsure if it actually works or if anyone else uses em in the area

Have you SWR the antenna? regardless of the claims of "pre SWRed" some antennas have, they ALL need to be setup correctly. reception and transmission range can be horrible if the antenna is not set!

Anyway, what you need to do is drive to the nearest hill or higher ground, the higher the better. This should allow you to get a range of about 10 - 15 miles. When you are at street level in the town or city, the radio waves are mostly blocked by all the buildings, brick and metal frames etc, usually a max of about 3 - 4 miles. The further you can physically SEE the further the radio waves can go too.

Also you could try asking on some of the ham radio (amature radio) websites, in the 11 meter / CB section (if they have one) and ask if someone would be able / willing to give you a rig check.

SS

[mic]

hmmm pre SWRed..... i got power to the cb.... i stuck mag mount (gave in an bought one) on roof and screwed in back of cb. turned it on. lots of static. turned lots of knobs, still get static.

will drive up a big hill and do it all again

cheers

[koss]

I live pretty high up on a hill not far from the tv mast and with a decent homebase Ariel, I hear very little activity on 27mhz.
I am surrounded by three major city's and the only thing I hear often is two rather camp sounding chaps. Usually late at night.
I just think no one bothers with CB these days.

[mic]

im not far from you Koss, i'll come sit outside your house for a chat on the cb one day to make up the users