Uniden Pro 810e + Archer Crossbow

[TheRATT]

I've always run mobile radios but this weekend I found a local selling a Uniden Pro 810e with a Crossbow for $40.

I have read the Crossbow (1/2-wave vertical) is just so-so as an antenna. I haven't heard much on the 810 but I really enjoy it.

I live in the bottom floor of an apartment in Seattle - so I need some tips on an a good antenna or how to get it higher in the air.

I'll also take thoughts on on the 810e, cool little radio!

Thanks!

 

[Robb]

An apartment and a gangly 1/2 wave antenna w/ground planes? Could be more visually obtrusive than your lanlord might go along with. There are other options . . .

 

[Handy Andy]

Greetings!

[Bruno - keep the Cannoli - leave their radio set to Channel 6]

Keep the radio, but use a different antenna - Crossbows are fiberglass sheathed - hollow, sign - board wrapped in plastic - sheathing, housing an aluminum Shower Curtain Rod material using a torodial core balun that is similar is size to those found in switching power supplies.

It's not waterproof, and you may see a tiny drain hole in the bottom by the coax SO-239

You can do better with a 18' piece of Coax and a dummy load soldered onto the end of it.

The 810e is great little radio - and even if they only told you Buy This Radio for $40 and well give you an antenna for free...

The above sounds better - and DONT USE THE CROSSBOW on a good little radio like that, else the Uniden Gremlins will rise up out the earth and pummel you with it...

On a lighter note ... DON"T USE THE CROSSBOW on that radio - get rid of that antenna - that Cobbled-copied JB1 - Big Stik wannab'e - it is not worth the hassle, heartbreak and frustration you'll get by trying to install, use or otherwise operate the system using that A99 throwaway look-alike...

(Handy Andy - settle down ok? - ed.)

Ok, just use a good antenna - just not the Crossbow - you'll see that I mean when you experience a long night of rain or a foggy night with a high dewpoint - you'll be waiting for DAYS for the antenna to drain out and dry out the electronics so you can talk to your friends without destroying the finals due to the high SWR from the water that pooled - filled that moisture-attracting, water-affinity-based, fiberglass-sheathed, 2-piece, Closet-Rod of an antenna the thing really is.

It comes from personal experience - and no, you can't run power thru it - see above - it uses a Balun and it's power dissipation is minimal and will scorch the antennas' outer fiberglass sheath from it's heat.

I used to sell those crossbows - and handled a lot of returns - much of them due to the blown baluns and cracked bases from the toroid disintegrating inside due to the heating effects from the power of an amp roasting them...<50W power rating...

Due to R-Shacks return policy at that time I was employed thru them - we ate the cost of a lot of those until the boss said enough and we simply said we're outta' them - they went elsewhere - but we never truly recovered from that mess...

Use the Crossbow for what it is, a 2-piece Closet rod - or remove the upper flexible whip section and it's backwards threaded coupling and convert the lower section into a bird-house holder for your backyard...

Don't try to use that antenna as a means to save lives, or prevent disasters - because it already is one...unable to save itself from itself...

All the best!
Hope the 810e works out well for you!
Regards!
:+> Andy <+:

 

[Handy Andy]

Greetings

I put all my misgivings over the (antenna not mentioned) and wanted to congratulate you on the purchase of a good little radio.

The 810e is a nice little SSB CB Base radio.

Much like the PC-122, TRC-453, TRC-465 and Cobra 146GTL - basic 4-popper with 40 channels (On/Volume Squelch, RF Gain and Clarifier - The Basic 4)

Hi cut if you need to tone down some of the SSB noise - it's a single conversion for SSB if you needed to know.

ANL/NB works well and RF gain control helps to tame and sharpen up to help with the noise level.

The oblong front firing speaker lends a good tone for listening - more like the alto upper bass range - again hi-cut helps with this effect in SSB QSO's.

Lots of other radios have a lot more knobs, bells, whistles, gizmos and what-nots - but you'll find for just easy - turn on and use - goto radio for CB - 810e fits that well and with the styling of that front panel - looks more like a stereo component system accessory or a nice tabletop conversation piece that talks back to you...

Regards!
:+> Andy <+:

 

[Big Kahuna]

I really liked the 810e and 640e radios. Good receive. The LED's in the channel display are prone to burning out. The SSB audio on those radios I never found very punchy but always very clear.

 

[TheRATT]

Hello, everyone!

Thank you for the comments. The 810e is really great. I get great comments on the audio (I use a D104 mobile Astatic). I have to crank the power up on the D104 but the reports are very good.

Now, signal strength wise, not so good. So, I'm shopping either a Sirio or IMAX 2000.

I also have a little helper in a box.. I've never used it and it sounds like it won't get used unless I upgrade the antenna. So, Sirio Performer or IMAX 2000?

BTW, I'm 213 up here in Seattle and we run 40LSB at 7PM on Saturdays for the 11m Puget Sound SSB Net!

 

[TheRATT]

I really liked the 810e and 640e radios. Good receive. The LED's in the channel display are prone to burning out. The SSB audio on those radios I never found very punchy but always very clear.

The LEDs look ok - at least the meter is a real one as that would bug me more than the channel. In my city I can tell channels by what is on them so I can feel my way around if that LED kicks the bucket!

 

[Onelasttime]

You need a bazooka antenna that you can use indoors and outdoors that you can string up and take down. If your not up to making one of those just buy an 11m dipole off ebay.

 

[TheRATT]

You need a bazooka antenna that you can use indoors and outdoors that you can string up and take down. If your not up to making one of those just buy an 11m dipole off ebay.

I'll look up bazooka. How much power can a dipole handle?

I am new to base stations - always had a K40 on the trunk and get good reports!

 

[Robb]

An amp shouldn't even be considered since you live in an apartment complex. Otherwise, the other tenants may start a committee to lynch you if you use an amp. If you run a clean radio (no mods) and it gets a clean bill of health from a qualified tech, you may have the best chance to use it in harmony with out any problems with your neighbors. But that as yet remains to be seen.

After having lived in an apartment and ran a stock CB station several decades ago, I can tell you that didn't work out at all. I hope that you have better luck than I did. Had to remain a mobile operator until I found a more suitable place to run a station. YMMV.

Running a dipole inside of a building is fraught with dilemma. It will de-tune the dipole due to the proximity to metal pipes inside the walls as well as the house wiring. Bad juju all the way around. An external antenna, such as a Sirio Gain Master might work out. Again, so long as the radio has a clean output and it is done with approval. But that too - remains to be seen.

My intention is not to rain on your parade. Just thought a reality check might be in your best interest before you commit to spending your hard earned money - is all.

 

[TheRATT]

I don't feel like you're raining on my parade!

I've been into radio since 1990 or so, I'm actually fairly skilled. I just haven ever had a base unit so I'm dipping my toes in.

I think I'll be ordering a Sirio next week. The ol' Crossbow has to work for this weekends net here in Seattle, though.

 

[Handy Andy]

I concur with Robb.

I had my share of "WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!" on walls from upset tenants - no fun.

But I do admire your spirit - keep the limiter in the 810e stock for now and D104 down low to keep you out of their stuff.

Crossbow and Seattle? YIKES. Remember I did warn you about the Water affinity that antenna has...will affect SWR and you'll need to keep a SWR meter in-line on that antenna until you can dedicate a better radiator or relocate to a better more breatheable location to use that system.

To show you - you're not alone...PC-122 in a Pretty Powered Box...PC-122 mobile too had this since the mid-90s'...


The 810e gives you the best shot as far as keeping out of other peoples stuff. Not too much can go wrong with a basic setup - which is why I liked that and still have one today...as a monitor radio - and when the opportunity comes it'll get front seat table space again once family issues are cleared up...

Regards!
:+> Andy <+:
... You Could Be A CB'er when...
... You own all the radios' from the movie - TWISTER...

 

[TheRATT]

Hey, Andy!

Believe it or not, this thing is really clean (the crappy antenna). I'll be trying it out tonight and tomorrow night - it may see a little rain.. but it only has to last through this weekend. I'll be ordering a Sirio next week... not sure on the model yet but I hear they are the best on the market right now.

I also need to figure out how to use this... I've used an SWR meter before but none with this many dials. the 0-100 dials in particular scare me! haha

 

[sonoma]

those 2 knobs are just to calibrate the swr and the mod meters. don't worry about the 0-100 they put on the meter. just some thing they put on the switch for some reason. maybe just to show you where the knob is adjusted.

 

[Handy Andy]

Greetings!

PDC 600 meter? Wow, hey that is a keeper - you getting a good start - off on the right foot (insert favorite Metaphor here) having fun in da' sun....

SIGH...

Anyhoo, it may look intimidating - but just relax, play with it a little - I find that once SWR CAL is set, you can leave it alone - set the control to REF and then whenever you key up in AM - you'll know right away if there's a antenna problem - the Power side will also show a difference too - like absorption and losses - so it may look nice and doesn't do too much - like drying paint...that's a good sign...you're gonna' have some days when you're gonna' be using it quite a bit when you're testing and trying out different designs and stuff...

Good luck, Relax and Most OF All...Have Fun
:+> Andy <+: