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Talk Back Sample Accuracy

Jun 6, 2019
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So, is built-in talk back on any given CB Radio a perfect representation of what you sound like over the air, or is it pretty much deceptive? I have used talk back in two different ways. 1. Using headphones with the radio's talk back, and 2. Using headphones with a walkie-talkie that is close by, and the the audio is very different between the two. The talk back audio from the radio is crystal clear, with a wider audio response, and zero distortion, and the audio I get from the walkie-talkie has a more narrow audio response, and has a bit of distortion. What's the reality here?
 
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So, is built-in talk back on any given CB Radio a perfect representation of what you sound like over the air, or is it pretty much deceptive? I have used talk back in two different ways. 1. Using headphones with the radio's talk back, and 2. Using headphones with a walkie-talkie that is close by, and the the audio is very different between the two. The talk back audio from the radio is crystal clear, with a wider audio response, and zero distortion, and the audio I get from the walkie-talkie has a more narrow audio response, and has a bit of distortion. What's the reality here?
Never trust the audio you’re hearing from the radios talkback. Although your walkie headset combo may not be the best representation, it’s still a better indication by far. I prefer to use an old school Palomar 500 watt meter that has a headphone jack. Any ordinary SWR meter can also be used. Most of them can be easily modified with a couple parts including the addition of a headphone jack. To complete the monitor, any quality stereo earmuff style headset wired for mono is used. That way you’re listening directly off the radios RF, bypassing the receiver plus audio amp in the walkie that’s adding its own particular flavor.
 
I use a Cobra 148 GTL with headphones and no antenna as a station monitor. That way I can hear true transmit audio and is very effective in helping me to set the mic gain cleanly. I would not operate my station without it.
Using another radio like your 148 GTL is a great option for testing your audio on SSB. I do the same thing on that mode. For AM, I like my modified SWR meter, especially in the field. I think someone else posted the schematic on that mod earlier. It’s really simple. The meter was shot in the old SWR box I used. You don’t need the meter or the calibration control anyway, just the leftover diodes and pickup bar wires. Jack was installed in place of the calibration control.
 
Here’s two cents worth:

It’s relative. Sensitivity (your ears) matter. Talkback (like an S-meter) is rudimentary. And relative.

We have a set of components to make work as a whole. Assuming each works well by itself; then we have the installation to consider. Problems can crop up all sorts of places.

Next layer is that we change something. An item, or maybe we re-route all the lines (choose your example).

Etc

As a truck driver bouncing up and down the highway; talkback serves me two functions:

1). It’s my initial check that things still sound like last time. “Last time” was with no (more) changes AND that I’d gotten good feedback from one or more other drivers a half-mile or more away that the last adjustment made with their help was as good as it’s going to get. For now.

It’s not perfect, but it’s saved me a few times before trying to communicate.

2). Going down the road, talkback turned on is my reminder of vocal modulation. I may not have spoken to anyone in several days. The window may be open. A rough road. Etc. Talkback tells me how well I’m enunciating. (It’s easy to fail).

It’s experience in having established (over time) I “know” what makes it work best. One literally doesn’t hear one’s self otherwise. So, like musicians working with terrible acoustics, feedback via some amplified speakers gives the necessary information that the operator is at par.

.
 
Except CB, I know of no other mobile radio service that utilizes talkback. It’s great for checking your mic, but like the police and fire, they occasionally use the PA for mic checks. Talkback started out as bench mod. The problem is, many techs were selling the mod with the false impression that you were getting an accurate representation of your voice. Other techs hated the mod because it merely added to the already numerous causes of "squealing." I understand its popularity among those that like to hear themselves. For me it’s a distraction. Except for my accent that doesn’t always coincide with some parts of the world or country, others rarely have a problem with my annunciations. As a long time communicator I have two distinct voices, a casual or normal one for local conversations, and a slow robotic one with emphases (generally spoken under noisy or adverse conditions). The latter was taught in the Army signal corp back in the day. It served me well every since.
 
Never trust the audio you’re hearing from the radios talkback. Although your walkie headset combo may not be the best representation, it’s still a better indication by far. I prefer to use an old school Palomar 500 watt meter that has a headphone jack. Any ordinary SWR meter can also be used. Most of them can be easily modified with a couple parts including the addition of a headphone jack. To complete the monitor, any quality stereo earmuff style headset wired for mono is used. That way you’re listening directly off the radios RF, bypassing the receiver plus audio amp in the walkie that’s adding its own particular flavor.
Nice. I'm going to see if anyone around me is willing to do that mod on my Diamond meter.
 
Except CB, I know of no other mobile radio service that utilizes talkback. It’s great for checking your mic, but like the police and fire, they occasionally use the PA for mic checks. Talkback started out as bench mod. The problem is, many techs were selling the mod with the false impression that you were getting an accurate representation of your voice. Other techs hated the mod because it merely added to the already numerous causes of "squealing." I understand its popularity among those that like to hear themselves. For me it’s a distraction. Except for my accent that doesn’t always coincide with some parts of the world or country, others rarely have a problem with my annunciations. As a long time communicator I have two distinct voices, a casual or normal one for local conversations, and a slow robotic one with emphases (generally spoken under noisy or adverse conditions). The latter was taught in the Army signal corp back in the day. It served me well every since.

You’re doing it in a big truck?

An S-Meter is also derided, but it’s handy for thinking about who is where as we are all moving. (There’s nothing like coming to a junction of two Interstates and hearing reports of road closure. That’s at least four different directions of travel. But . . where, PRECISELY? Exactitude isn’t an issue).

Mobile makes a difference. Gimmick can be a tool.
 
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