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CB Radios
Do you need to get it peaked and tuned right out of the box, or do you need to see how it performs first? I have a Cobra 29 Classic (if that even matters).
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I had mine done right after I bought it and do a SWR on it while u're there.
Only thing is watch who you use,some guys claiming to be CB shops can really screw up your radio. |
Originally Posted by scania
I had mine done right after I bought it and do a SWR on it while u're there.
Only thing is watch who you use,some guys claiming to be CB shops can really screw up your radio. |
Originally Posted by Colts Fan
Originally Posted by scania
I had mine done right after I bought it and do a SWR on it while u're there.
Only thing is watch who you use,some guys claiming to be CB shops can really screw up your radio. |
In layman's terms the SWR reading tells you how well your antenna(s) are tuned to your radio.
An ideal reading would be a 1 (1:1), anything under a 2 (2:1) is acceptable. Anything over a 3 (3:1) and you run a serious risk of damaging the radio. The lower the SWR the better the radio will perform. |
And to answer your original question. No you do not need to have the radio peeked and tuned. You do need to check your SWR or have your SWR checked.
The Cobra 29 has a built in SWR meter. Read your instruction book to see how to use it. If you do not understand or are not comfortable doing it yourself then seek someone who is. The built in meters are not super accurate, but they do a good enough job to keep you in an acceptable ratio and will keep you from frying your radio. |
Colts, there is a gentleman who has his own small shop at the Flying J on I-65 at exit #240. It's by the garage bays. His hours are from approx. 4:00 P.M. till 11:00 P.M. weekdays. His name is Howard. He KNOWS what he's doing and he won't steer you wrong. If you need something done he'll tell you so and if you don't need it he'll tell you that also. He's upfront and honest.
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I used to operate on the 10 meter band with two tin cans connected with Stren monofilament fishing line.
Never got it tweaked, and never had any trouble!! |
Originally Posted by scania
I had mine done right after I bought it and do a SWR on it while u're there.
Only thing is watch who you use,some guys claiming to be CB shops can really screw up your radio. No you don't have to get it tuned right out of the box,I also have a Cobra 29 and the SWR meters on these radios are not very accurate on there. Whenever you get your antenna it's best to let a professional do a SWR on it,once you see how it's done you can buy your own meter at Radio Shack or truck stops. Getting your SWR as low as you can is the whole key to having a good system,what kinda antenna do you have? |
Colt,
You can have it tuned if you want, it should work good new. I myself live in WV and would like to talk to my buddies (going the other direction) for more than a min. so I had my 29 worked on. bigger finals, talk back, tubro board, peak and tuned.I had a guy in Montgomery Al. do the work (SNOWMAN) He is great and has great prices!(he talks skip on CH 6 at 14,000 watts thats right boys and girls I said 14,000 watts) Make sure you use a 18' cable and a good antenna. I use the grey or clear cable with gold wire in it and a Francis (now being made by Diesel) antenna, the francis antenna is good right out of the package. Just make sure you have a good ground for both antenna and the radio. BTW. I have a 25 in my pick up with a 102 whip and it talks better than my 29 with the same work done to it. |
Originally Posted by TwoBitt
Colt,
You can have it tuned if you want, it should work good new. I myself live in WV and would like to talk to my buddies (going the other direction) for more than a min. so I had my 29 worked on. bigger finals, talk back, tubro board, peak and tuned.I had a guy in Montgomery Al. do the work (SNOWMAN) He is great and has great prices!(he talks skip on CH 6 at 14,000 watts thats right boys and girls I said 14,000 watts) Make sure you use a 18' cable and a good antenna. I use the grey or clear cable with gold wire in it and a Francis (now being made by Diesel) antenna, the francis antenna is good right out of the package. Just make sure you have a good ground for both antenna and the radio. BTW. I have a 25 in my pick up with a 102 whip and it talks better than my 29 with the same work done to it. kc0iv |
I don't know to much about his system, he has a 4000W linear powering his 14000 W unit and I think he built everything himself.
If your driving past ex 11 on I-85 near Montgomery Al durning the day and take it to CH 1 and snowman is loading trucks at a sand and gravel pit there.Talk to him on CH 6 at night. TwoBitt |
Originally Posted by TwoBitt
I don't know to much about his system, he has a 4000W linear powering his 14000 W unit and I think he built everything himself.
If your driving past ex 11 on I-85 near Montgomery Al durning the day and take it to CH 1 and snowman is loading trucks at a sand and gravel pit there.Talk to him on CH 6 at night. TwoBitt kc0iv |
Originally Posted by scania
Originally Posted by scania
I had mine done right after I bought it and do a SWR on it while u're there.
Only thing is watch who you use,some guys claiming to be CB shops can really screw up your radio. No you don't have to get it tuned right out of the box,I also have a Cobra 29 and the SWR meters on these radios are not very accurate on there. Whenever you get your antenna it's best to let a professional do a SWR on it,once you see how it's done you can buy your own meter at Radio Shack or truck stops. Getting your SWR as low as you can is the whole key to having a good system,what kinda antenna do you have? |
Cobra 29 is a good radio , I have a 1991 29 , 18 foot coax , run it through the passenger window , to a single antena , palamar 300 Lineer , and a talk back speaker . Galaxy parts in the radio , it sounds big enough and real clear. I use a swr meter that you can buy at fly j,s , easy to follow directions . You don,t need all that stuff , but you know you do. hehe
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Originally Posted by driver1989
Cobra 29 is a good radio , I have a 1991 29 , 18 foot coax , run it through the passenger window , to a single antena , palamar 300 Lineer , and a talk back speaker . Galaxy parts in the radio , it sounds big enough and real clear. I use a swr meter that you can buy at fly j,s , easy to follow directions . You don,t need all that stuff , but you know you do. hehe
Yeh you're right I don't need all that but I know I do. |
Originally Posted by kc0iv
Originally Posted by TwoBitt
I don't know to much about his system, he has a 4000W linear powering his 14000 W unit and I think he built everything himself.
If your driving past ex 11 on I-85 near Montgomery Al durning the day and take it to CH 1 and snowman is loading trucks at a sand and gravel pit there.Talk to him on CH 6 at night. TwoBitt kc0iv His setup including the price of the truck and everything in it only cost him about 30,000 to do. And even he is a mudduck compared to a lot of guys out there. Just food for thought. http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7.../13vaburba.jpg http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7.../13vaaltsb.jpg http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7.../13vaaltsa.jpg http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...3va3000a7a.jpg |
Originally Posted by jegzus
14000 watts is really nothing when you are talking about guys who are really into CB as a hobby. A friend of mine in FL has a 35000 watt suburban. He runs it on AC power supplied by 3 AC alternators just for the tube amp, then has 1 DC alternator to power the truck and another DC alternator to power the 2x8 transistor amp that drives the tube amp.
His setup including the price of the truck and everything in it only cost him about 30,000 to do. And even he is a mudduck compared to a lot of guys out there. Just food for thought. Stop and think for a moment. 35000 watts required a AC alternator bigger than most home stand by generators. As an example take the GUARDIAN 13kW http://www.guardiangenerators.com/Pr...RDIAN13kW.aspx I requires a Generac 992cc OHVIŽ industrial engine just to supply 13kW. You are talking about having three of these mounted in an auto. If you have a 454 mounted in the suburban almost 40% of it's power would be required just to supply the AC alternators. Look at: http://www.ssbtractor.com/PTO_generators.html Notice the size of just the AC alternator. Or go down you your local Home Depot and look at the size of of the AC alternator on one of their 8000 watt generators. Then remember you are talking about mounting at least four of these to get around 35000 watts. kc0iv |
Originally Posted by kc0iv
Originally Posted by jegzus
14000 watts is really nothing when you are talking about guys who are really into CB as a hobby. A friend of mine in FL has a 35000 watt suburban. He runs it on AC power supplied by 3 AC alternators just for the tube amp, then has 1 DC alternator to power the truck and another DC alternator to power the 2x8 transistor amp that drives the tube amp.
His setup including the price of the truck and everything in it only cost him about 30,000 to do. And even he is a mudduck compared to a lot of guys out there. Just food for thought. Stop and think for a moment. 35000 watts required a AC alternator bigger than most home stand by generators. As an example take the GUARDIAN 13kW http://www.guardiangenerators.com/Pr...RDIAN13kW.aspx I requires a Generac 992cc OHVIŽ industrial engine just to supply 13kW. You are talking about having three of these mounted in an auto. If you have a 454 mounted in the suburban almost 40% of it's power would be required just to supply the AC alternators. Look at: http://www.ssbtractor.com/PTO_generators.html Notice the size of just the AC alternator. Or go down you your local Home Depot and look at the size of of the AC alternator on one of their 8000 watt generators. Then remember you are talking about mounting at least four of these to get around 35000 watts. kc0iv |
i.m.o. having peaked & tuned is needed ,because by law radios are not allowed to be over a certain watts of power from manufacturer. so having them peaked is why folks go to c.b. shops. for all c. questions.. no one knows nmore than the folks at www.cbradiotalk.com
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Originally Posted by heavyhaulerss
i.m.o. having peaked & tuned is needed ,because by law radios are not allowed to be over a certain watts of power from manufacturer. so having them peaked is why folks go to c.b. shops. for all c. questions.. no one knows nmore than the folks at www.cbradiotalk.com
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Originally Posted by jegzus
Originally Posted by kc0iv
Originally Posted by jegzus
14000 watts is really nothing when you are talking about guys who are really into CB as a hobby. A friend of mine in FL has a 35000 watt suburban. He runs it on AC power supplied by 3 AC alternators just for the tube amp, then has 1 DC alternator to power the truck and another DC alternator to power the 2x8 transistor amp that drives the tube amp.
His setup including the price of the truck and everything in it only cost him about 30,000 to do. And even he is a mudduck compared to a lot of guys out there. Just food for thought. Stop and think for a moment. 35000 watts required a AC alternator bigger than most home stand by generators. As an example take the GUARDIAN 13kW http://www.guardiangenerators.com/Pr...RDIAN13kW.aspx I requires a Generac 992cc OHVIŽ industrial engine just to supply 13kW. You are talking about having three of these mounted in an auto. If you have a 454 mounted in the suburban almost 40% of it's power would be required just to supply the AC alternators. Look at: http://www.ssbtractor.com/PTO_generators.html Notice the size of just the AC alternator. Or go down you your local Home Depot and look at the size of of the AC alternator on one of their 8000 watt generators. Then remember you are talking about mounting at least four of these to get around 35000 watts. kc0iv I also have to wonder why GUARDIAN 13kW generator are so poor performers. And why it takes a 1000 cc engine to run it. Remember that is just one and you will need more than double that to get to 35Kw. kc0iv |
Originally Posted by kc0iv
Originally Posted by jegzus
Originally Posted by kc0iv
Originally Posted by jegzus
14000 watts is really nothing when you are talking about guys who are really into CB as a hobby. A friend of mine in FL has a 35000 watt suburban. He runs it on AC power supplied by 3 AC alternators just for the tube amp, then has 1 DC alternator to power the truck and another DC alternator to power the 2x8 transistor amp that drives the tube amp.
His setup including the price of the truck and everything in it only cost him about 30,000 to do. And even he is a mudduck compared to a lot of guys out there. Just food for thought. Stop and think for a moment. 35000 watts required a AC alternator bigger than most home stand by generators. As an example take the GUARDIAN 13kW http://www.guardiangenerators.com/Pr...RDIAN13kW.aspx I requires a Generac 992cc OHVIŽ industrial engine just to supply 13kW. You are talking about having three of these mounted in an auto. If you have a 454 mounted in the suburban almost 40% of it's power would be required just to supply the AC alternators. Look at: http://www.ssbtractor.com/PTO_generators.html Notice the size of just the AC alternator. Or go down you your local Home Depot and look at the size of of the AC alternator on one of their 8000 watt generators. Then remember you are talking about mounting at least four of these to get around 35000 watts. kc0iv I also have to wonder why GUARDIAN 13kW generator are so poor performers. And why it takes a 1000 cc engine to run it. Remember that is just one and you will need more than double that to get to 35Kw. kc0iv It's actually 3 320 amp AC alternators.... :roll: And do you even know how a tube amplifier works?? The transformers turn the amperage into volts in excess of 15000 votls to power those tubes. It is a little different than a generator producing wattage alone, and requires no DC power to the tube box itself. I'm also guessing you would call me a liar if I told you there are 70-80 thousand watt mobile rigs out there huh? Oh and www.cbradiotalk.com is worthless, all they want over there is your money. And most of posters and moderators are completely clueless about CB radio. Oh and Mike from radioactive radio's is part owner of that site, he is one of the biggest hack jobs out there. |
That kinda wattage seems like an electrical disaster waiting to happen.
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Originally Posted by jegzus
It's actually 3 320 amp AC alternators.... :roll: And do you even know how a tube amplifier works?? The transformers turn the amperage into volts in excess of 15000 votls to power those tubes.
It is a little different than a generator producing wattage alone, and requires no DC power to the tube box itself. I'm also guessing you would call me a liar if I told you there are 70-80 thousand watt mobile rigs out there huh? Oh and www.cbradiotalk.com is worthless, all they want over there is your money. And most of posters and moderators are completely clueless about CB radio. Oh and Mike from radioactive radio's is part owner of that site, he is one of the biggest hack jobs out there. Using your example. From the AC alternators they feeds a circuit called a phase combination network. From this network a step up transformer would increases it to 15000 (using your number). Once this is done the AC voltage is converted to DC. All vacuum tubes REQUIRE DC on the plate element of the vacuum tube. See: http://www.radio-electronics.com/inf...sic_theory.php Notice the picture labeled "Concept of vacuum tube diode with cathode and anode." See the element labeled Anode. It has a postive voltage applied. Would I call you a liar? No. However I would highly doubt it. But knowing the mindset of most CBers I could believe they think such an amplifier exist. Just like you believing the one you having been describing is a 35Kw amplifier. I don't know anything about www.cbradiotalk.com I don't have any need for there service or be a member of their forum. Being I have been a licensed "ham" since 1958 see: http://www.qrz.com/ and enter kc0iv in the callsign look-up box for my current license. The holder of a General class commercial license since 1976. BTW I am a retired design Electrical Engineer. I also hold a patent on a RF controlled device used in the dairy industry. Now would you care to list your electrical knowledge? kc0iv |
Originally Posted by kc0iv
BTW I am a retired design Electrical Engineer.
kc0iv OK, then, you can answer these questions 3 (no, that's 5 sir), and ye shall see the other side... How many electrons can you fit on the head of a pin. Why is there a 'halo' around lightning rods on top of my barn during a thunderstorm? Why does your hair stand up if you get too close to high voltage? Who invented the Tesla coil and what did he propose to do with it? Why does a florescent light bulb light up if you hold it under a high voltage power line? Get all answers correct and you'll win free truckloads of dispatcher brains, cordless extension cords and battery powered DVD rewinders. Be sure to ask for special deal #OU812. :withstupid: |
Originally Posted by ChikinTrucka
Originally Posted by kc0iv
BTW I am a retired design Electrical Engineer.
kc0iv OK, then, you can answer these questions 3 (no, that's 5 sir), and ye shall see the other side... How many electrons can you fit on the head of a pin. Why is there a 'halo' around lightning rods on top of my barn during a thunderstorm? Why does your hair stand up if you get too close to high voltage? Who invented the Tesla coil and what did he propose to do with it? Why does a florescent light bulb light up if you hold it under a high voltage power line? Get all answers correct and you'll win free truckloads of dispatcher brains, cordless extension cords and battery powered DVD rewinders. Be sure to ask for special deal #OU812. :withstupid: |
OK, then, you can answer these questions 3 (no, that's 5 sir), and ye shall see the other side... What... is your favorite color? Blue, no yell.....AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!! I was wondering if anyone would catch the M. Python quote....(even though it was a little bit misconstrued....) What is the airspeed of an unladen swallow? |
Originally Posted by ChikinTrucka
Originally Posted by kc0iv
BTW I am a retired design Electrical Engineer.
kc0iv OK, then, you can answer these questions 3 (no, that's 5 sir), and ye shall see the other side... How many electrons can you fit on the head of a pin. Why is there a 'halo' around lightning rods on top of my barn during a thunderstorm? Why does your hair stand up if you get too close to high voltage? Who invented the Tesla coil and what did he propose to do with it? Why does a florescent light bulb light up if you hold it under a high voltage power line? Get all answers correct and you'll win free truckloads of dispatcher brains, cordless extension cords and battery powered DVD rewinders. Be sure to ask for special deal #OU812. :withstupid: You ask: "Why is there a 'halo' around lightning rods on top of my barn during a thunderstorm? " Improper grounding. A properly grounded system will discharge the high electrical stress before it causes the gas to partially ionize and begin conducting. You ask: "Why does your hair stand up if you get too close to high voltage? " Static electricity. You ask: "Who invented the Tesla coil and what did he propose to do with it?" Nikola Tesla. As a way of transmitting electrical power without wires. You ask: "Why does a florescent light bulb light up if you hold it under a high voltage power line? " First the word is fluorescent. It is cause by the magnetic fields coupling between the power line and the mercury vapor of the fluorescent bulb resulting in a plasma that produces short-wave ultraviolet light. Which in turn causes a phosphor to fluoresce producing visible light. Judging from your questions it would appear your education level is around a fifth or sixth grade level. Quite common for those that attended the public school system. Since you are in a trucking forum it would appear you must be mentally challenged. And as such you would be the perfect candidate for one of those 70-80 thousand watt mobile rigs jegzus claims. Have a great day. kc0iv |
When lightening strikes your car, your not hurt, why? It's because of the rubber wheels.
In a car, you are in essence inside a what? |
Originally Posted by ChikinTrucka
OK, then, you can answer these questions 3 (no, that's 5 sir), and ye shall see the other side... What... is your favorite color? Blue, no yell.....AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!! I was wondering if anyone would catch the M. Python quote....(even though it was a little bit misconstrued....) What is the airspeed of an unladen swallow? A friend of mine for a number of years on the Internet has a theory that there doesn't exist an Internet thread for which there isn't a way to interject a Monty Python quote. In his case, it's easy, since I often reply to him from the architect sketch. |
Originally Posted by SteveBooth
When lightening strikes your car, your not hurt, why? It's because of the rubber wheels.
In a car, you are in essence inside a what? Common misconception. Do you think lightning will go 30,000 feet and when it gets to the car suddenly say; "Oh no, I can't jump the 5 inches across the rubber tires, I'll just stop here."? It's because the electricity flows through the metal, not you. A car is a metal coffin. |
Originally Posted by kc0iv
Judging from your questions it would appear your education level is around a fifth or sixth grade level. Quite common for those that attended the public school system.
kc0iv 'round these parts the skoolin stops at 4th grade, i woodnt git that far ifin my dad wasnt in da same clas. so afta that I hafta learn evrythin on ma own. its prettie hard to get an edgimication when yer out in the sticks. alls i no is truckin. Since you are in a trucking forum it would appear you must be mentally challenged. And as such you would be the perfect candidate for one of those 70-80 thousand watt mobile rigs jegzus claims. Have a nice day. :withstupid: |
Originally Posted by SteveBooth
When lightening strikes your car, your not hurt, why? It's because of the rubber wheels.
In a car, you are in essence inside a what? Here is another example: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1397994/posts quote from: http://georgia911.georgia.gov/00/cha...350751,00.html "Rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide no protection from lightning. However, the steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal. Although you may be injured if lightning strikes your car, you are much safer inside a vehicle than outside." To answer your question. You are in a Faraday shield. Which increases your chance of your body not being charged. kc0iv |
How do you now if your cb is working up to its full strength I have a cobra 29 with a radio shack magnetic base on top of my truck roof i was thinking it was going to be noisier than it is with other people talking i can hear some but not very often Is the cb used very often maybe this is normal? another note on the meter when its on the needle is about 1/4 up the scale does this mean anything or is it normal ,swr acording to the directions on how to adjust is close to 1.
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Originally Posted by rangerroy
How do you now if your cb is working up to its full strength I have a cobra 29 with a radio shack magnetic base on top of my truck roof i was thinking it was going to be noisier than it is with other people talking i can hear some but not very often Is the cb used very often maybe this is normal? another note on the meter when its on the needle is about 1/4 up the scale does this mean anything or is it normal ,swr acording to the directions on how to adjust is close to 1.
While the magnetic base antenna is not the best of antennas it should give a better results than what you describe. kc0iv |
Originally Posted by gmh
Originally Posted by ChikinTrucka
OK, then, you can answer these questions 3 (no, that's 5 sir), and ye shall see the other side... What... is your favorite color? Blue, no yell.....AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!! I was wondering if anyone would catch the M. Python quote....(even though it was a little bit misconstrued....) What is the airspeed of an unladen swallow? A friend of mine for a number of years on the Internet has a theory that there doesn't exist an Internet thread for which there isn't a way to interject a Monty Python quote. In his case, it's easy, since I often reply to him from the architect sketch. |
Originally Posted by kc0iv
To answer your question. You are in a Faraday shield. Which increases your chance of your body not being charged.
kc0iv[/color] |
Since my Cobra is fried, I'm gonna go back to a Uniden PC78XL.
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Originally Posted by Double L
Since my Cobra is fried, I'm gonna go back to a Uniden PC78XL.
I've got a couple of Uniden PC78XL not a bad radio. kc0iv |
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