Introduction
Have you ever wondered if you are getting all out of your station? Is there any real room for improving your present CB station quality? Have you listened to Hams using exotic audio gear and wondered how they got a true broadcast sound out of their radios? Have you ever wondered if it was possible to do the same thing to a Cobra, Connex, Ranger, Magnum, Uniden, or Galaxy?
What is the point? One might safely ask. Well, intelligibility of sound is a controversy even among Hams when talking about a quality broadcast sound vs bandwidth issues. The CB band doesn't have these problem or issues. CB radios have fixed filters that limit bandwidth on any given channel to about ~3kc on SSB and ~6kc on AM; while Ham radios can be adjusted for more or less bandwidth. CB's can be modified to have a wider filter; but even 3kc can sound outstanding on SSB. You don't even need to modify the inside of the radio to get great sound, it can be done externally. Not only will these improvements work on AM with surprising results - they will also work on SSB and FM with remarkable improvement as well.
I like the sound of a Astatic D-104 Silver Eagle myself. Or a Turner+3 for that matter. But can one do better than what has been commercially offered to the CB radio public? Why would I want to consider this? What is the cost? How is done? What kind of quality can I expect? Is it worth it? Is this part of the new growth phase in CB radio due to technology that is more affordable and available now more than ever before? What are the important characteristics of microphones that I should be aware of and consider?
No one says that you have to do it exactly the way I will recommend either; experiment with some thoughts I will provide as a guideline. However, I will give some recommendations if you need it. New tools for the CB operator can be found at pro sound shops online or in your city. Pro audio has now merged with the CB. Who says you can't teach an old dog - new tricks?
Wrong!
Time to experiment
The true nature of Amateur radio is to experiment and bring something new to the hobby. CB hasn't really involved itself with some of the more usable products from the Ham influence. CB doesn't use digital methods, such as SSTV or PSK31 - but it potentially could. CB seems to take what is has always preferred to use and doesn't seem to vary much - such as amps and antenna designs. But because radio principles are generic; what works for the goose will work for the gander. But times do change; and so does innovation and experimentation. Every once in a while I hear someone using morse code on CB. It was laborious and slow. I did laugh - as you might; but I know this is experimentation . . .
What will CB radio look like in ten years from now? Or even 5 years from now? Don't look now; but things have already changed. More CB radio operators are utilizing Ham radios on the CB frequencies. Good and bad. Bad - because it encroaches on present FCC regs that call it illegal. Good because these radios don't lend themselves to 'splatter' modulation that give off harmonics across other bands. In reality, it makes for a better broadcast. Don't get your underwear in a bunch; I'm just making a point with it.
But what can be done that is legal?
One can make a better audio chain in and out of the radio. Legal to do. But for now, I will concentrate on the audio input. It might cost a bit to come up with better audio, but with cheap and available technology it can be easily accomplished. It will involve some gear to acquire. A large capsule condenser mic, a preamp that can power such a mic, making one cable from the output of the preamp to the radio, a standard ~6 ft 'XLR' mic cable, and a remote foot or hand 'push to talk' switch.
Time is about to move on.
Tomorrow, I will go into more detail and even include laying out and explaining the gear and how to use it, what improvements to expect in your transmission, cost of items, and possible substitutions.
Stay tuned here on the WWRF . . .
Part 2: http://www.worldwidedx.com/installa...itizens-band-radio-export-radio-part-2-a.html
Have you ever wondered if you are getting all out of your station? Is there any real room for improving your present CB station quality? Have you listened to Hams using exotic audio gear and wondered how they got a true broadcast sound out of their radios? Have you ever wondered if it was possible to do the same thing to a Cobra, Connex, Ranger, Magnum, Uniden, or Galaxy?
What is the point? One might safely ask. Well, intelligibility of sound is a controversy even among Hams when talking about a quality broadcast sound vs bandwidth issues. The CB band doesn't have these problem or issues. CB radios have fixed filters that limit bandwidth on any given channel to about ~3kc on SSB and ~6kc on AM; while Ham radios can be adjusted for more or less bandwidth. CB's can be modified to have a wider filter; but even 3kc can sound outstanding on SSB. You don't even need to modify the inside of the radio to get great sound, it can be done externally. Not only will these improvements work on AM with surprising results - they will also work on SSB and FM with remarkable improvement as well.
I like the sound of a Astatic D-104 Silver Eagle myself. Or a Turner+3 for that matter. But can one do better than what has been commercially offered to the CB radio public? Why would I want to consider this? What is the cost? How is done? What kind of quality can I expect? Is it worth it? Is this part of the new growth phase in CB radio due to technology that is more affordable and available now more than ever before? What are the important characteristics of microphones that I should be aware of and consider?
No one says that you have to do it exactly the way I will recommend either; experiment with some thoughts I will provide as a guideline. However, I will give some recommendations if you need it. New tools for the CB operator can be found at pro sound shops online or in your city. Pro audio has now merged with the CB. Who says you can't teach an old dog - new tricks?
Wrong!
Time to experiment
The true nature of Amateur radio is to experiment and bring something new to the hobby. CB hasn't really involved itself with some of the more usable products from the Ham influence. CB doesn't use digital methods, such as SSTV or PSK31 - but it potentially could. CB seems to take what is has always preferred to use and doesn't seem to vary much - such as amps and antenna designs. But because radio principles are generic; what works for the goose will work for the gander. But times do change; and so does innovation and experimentation. Every once in a while I hear someone using morse code on CB. It was laborious and slow. I did laugh - as you might; but I know this is experimentation . . .
What will CB radio look like in ten years from now? Or even 5 years from now? Don't look now; but things have already changed. More CB radio operators are utilizing Ham radios on the CB frequencies. Good and bad. Bad - because it encroaches on present FCC regs that call it illegal. Good because these radios don't lend themselves to 'splatter' modulation that give off harmonics across other bands. In reality, it makes for a better broadcast. Don't get your underwear in a bunch; I'm just making a point with it.
But what can be done that is legal?
One can make a better audio chain in and out of the radio. Legal to do. But for now, I will concentrate on the audio input. It might cost a bit to come up with better audio, but with cheap and available technology it can be easily accomplished. It will involve some gear to acquire. A large capsule condenser mic, a preamp that can power such a mic, making one cable from the output of the preamp to the radio, a standard ~6 ft 'XLR' mic cable, and a remote foot or hand 'push to talk' switch.
Time is about to move on.
Tomorrow, I will go into more detail and even include laying out and explaining the gear and how to use it, what improvements to expect in your transmission, cost of items, and possible substitutions.
Stay tuned here on the WWRF . . .
Part 2: http://www.worldwidedx.com/installa...itizens-band-radio-export-radio-part-2-a.html