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How active is the freeband?
- Thread starter T23
- Start date
The 'freeband' is - generally speaking - the frequencies above CB channel 40 (27.405mhz) and below the 10m Ham band (~28.000mhz). Then, it also exists below CB channel 1 (27.965mhz) and extends downward twards - but not including - the 12m Ham band. Upper and lower side band is the mode most commonly used in these frequencies; but occasionally FM and AM can also be heard.
How busy is it? 27.555mhz/USB is the international call frequency, and can get very busy during skip conditions. Many foreign countries use the freeband, as they don't share the same freq agreements that the US has. So long as your antenna has resonance in any of these frequencies, talking on these frequencies can be done at your own risk. Uncle Charlie ("FCC") always listens . . .
How busy is it? 27.555mhz/USB is the international call frequency, and can get very busy during skip conditions. Many foreign countries use the freeband, as they don't share the same freq agreements that the US has. So long as your antenna has resonance in any of these frequencies, talking on these frequencies can be done at your own risk. Uncle Charlie ("FCC") always listens . . .
Well the best antenna I got is the Wilson "Lil Wil" , I have two of the 5/8 fiberglass whip antennas aswell , I was thinking about getting a commercial grade dipole because I don't have much to mount things on around. Is there anything I can mount lower to the ground that'll work?
T23
T23
Height is might; but mounting an antenna even at 36 ft at the coax feedpoint - works very well and is enough.
Any 5/8 vertical antenna will have xlnt performance and is recommended. Either the Maco V58 or the IMAX 2000 will be less than/about $100/new. The IMAX will have a much wider/usable 'bandwidth' and won't need to have the SWR adjusted - they come from the factory pre-tuned. The Maco V58 will require some tuning and patience, and doesn't have a wide bandwidth. If you are going to get your Amateur/Tech license; I would go with the IMAX. It will work on 10m and 11m right out of the box.
A dipole is cheap and can be made at home. Takes some patience and some antenna knowledge to get right. Don't let that stop you; many people on the forum will guide you thru that and give you some great suggestions to do it correct and easy. Patience, the right materials, and asking the right questions - wins . . .
With that antenna tuned for cb channel 20 you will have maybe 30-35 channels up or down you can use before your SWR will get above 2.0 . Freebanding is fun, on the channels below cb 1 you hear alot of AM traffic. Go above cb 40 and SSB kicks in strong. Just jump through the channels and check it out, stay off the ham channels.
I am aware that I dont have my ticket yet... so staying out of ten meters goes without saying, I am getting an HTX-100 with the frequency mod (26.0000Mhz - 29.9999Mhz), so there are no channels, just frequency selection to deal with and there is a frequency display so I know where I am at, this particular radio has USB/CW so I am more interested in the SSB traffic on the upper free-band.
I am assuming international DX happens on these frequencies due to the band plans being different?
T23
I am assuming international DX happens on these frequencies due to the band plans being different?
T23
Really? There is a mod to put it on LSB instead of USB but I'd rather keep it like it is. I do know there is some frequencies that USB is most commonly used on the upper freeband Woody's Guide To the "Freeband" Have a look at the link...
T23
T23
A lot of the local guys around here used to run these radios as they were cheaper and more available than HR2510s.. we used to all use them on 28.400
Here is a quick overview of that particular radio that T is getting:
YouTube - Patriot Electronics HTX-100 Overview
ODD?
It's NOT "ODD" since it is a TRUE 10 meter radio & CW & USB are the ONLY modes used on the 10 meter band by the U.S. BAND PLAN!
SIX-SHOOTER
It's NOT "ODD" since it is a TRUE 10 meter radio & CW & USB are the ONLY modes used on the 10 meter band by the U.S. BAND PLAN!
SIX-SHOOTER
You will get a lot of use on USB on the freeband.
There is a lot of LSB used but the good long distance DX, not talking about across North America, talking about South Africa, New Zealand, Europe etc etc you will get on 27.555 USB as previously mentioned.
That rig will do you justice and you will have alot of fun.
You definately need to improve your antenna system, some good reccomendations have all ready been posted.
How high should you install the antenna? "Take it to the moon", but at least 36 feet to the feed point. Height is might on HF and your antenna is the most important part of your station.
You will be suprised what a good antenna and 12 watts on SSB will do.
There is a lot of LSB used but the good long distance DX, not talking about across North America, talking about South Africa, New Zealand, Europe etc etc you will get on 27.555 USB as previously mentioned.
That rig will do you justice and you will have alot of fun.
You definately need to improve your antenna system, some good reccomendations have all ready been posted.
How high should you install the antenna? "Take it to the moon", but at least 36 feet to the feed point. Height is might on HF and your antenna is the most important part of your station.
You will be suprised what a good antenna and 12 watts on SSB will do.
I know, I am thinking of building a horizontal halo antenna, or maby buying an imax2000, I also found a schematic of the imax2000 it looks right simple if I knew the cap. values and loading coil turns in the schematic I might attempt to build a similar antenna. not sure yet, but first I would like to find a nice power supply for base use, I was receiving a station in puerto rico the first time I had plugged my htx-100 up ,good audio...
T2
T2