New poster and newbie to cbs with a few questions

[Caveman]

Hello to everyone,



I've been using a Uniden 510 for a few years, mostly to listen out for the police when travelling. I rarely talked on it. I've been thinking about getting something a little better and perhaps with a little more power just for the fun of it. 1 to 2 miles just doesn't make it worth it.



I've been reading as much as I can find, which isn't a lot, and I have a few questions. Actually, a lot of questions.



It seems that people are using 10 meter radios as cb's. I know that some of these radios have am and ssb modes, but are people using them because they have more power, or are they using the fm mode without a license?



What does it mean when a radio is "converted"?



Will amps for 10meter radios work "as is" for cb's? It would be nice to have the extra range is case of an emergency.



Is the Galaxy dx959 a good radio cosidering its features, or is there a better radio that also has ssb? Any favorites?



About ssb, does every channel 1-40 have ssb as well? Will ssb work with expanded channels below and above the normal 40?



What is "freeband"?



Where is the best place to buy a radio that will "tune" it at time of sale or install extras?



I know that is a lot of questions. Thanks for any help you can give me. Caveman.




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[Jeff aka Lucky]

Hey Caveman,

To answer your question about 10 meters radios(Big Radios). I think most people use them for their power and extra channels. That's why I have a few.

The "converted" question is that the radios are sold as 10 meters. That way they can be sold in the states, but they are also built to be converted to 11 meter (CB) pretty easily. They know who buys these things.

A 10 meter amp will work on 11 meter(CB) too.

As far as the 959 being a good radio, I feel it is the best CB radio out there. You can add just about anything you want to that radio. Any radio you get, you will also want to get it Peaked


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[Jeff aka Lucky]

Dam half my post is not there, I'll try is finish later


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[fasteddy]

Caveman,

First of all welcome to the greatest radio forum on the web.I will do my best to answer your questions, and I'm sure others here will chime in and help me out.

OK as far as 10 meter radios on the CB channels go, most peoplr use them because you can get a lot of features on these radios that most CB's don't have. Like being able to drop down 5 Kc's to get between the channels to find a quieter place for a QSO. Variable power is another feature found on 10 meter radios too. Now a 10 meter radio must be converted to transmit an recieve on the CB (11 meter) channels. So when you hear that a radio has been converted that is what that means. As far a 10 meter radios and more power, some do but not much. In order to make much of a dlfference in how far you get out you really need to increase the power a whole bunch. That brings us to another of your questions, Amplifiers, some amps will work on 11 meters without anything done to them and some need to be converted just like some radios do.

Freebands are the channels above and below the 40 CB channels. Anything above 10 meter ham and below 12 meter ham, except for the CB channels is considered freebands.

SSB is not another channel, it is merely another mode of transmit and recieve using the same channels. Just like AM and FM are diffferent modes of transmit. SSB doesn't have a carrier like AM, so all you are transmiiting is your modulation. Think of ot this way FM is all carrier, AM is carrier and signal, SSB is all signal. SSB is also a narrower band than AM, so having a radio that is very stable on frequency is important.

As far as where to buy, there are a lot of good internet retailers that will do what you asked. You might try Bills2way.com, I hear they are great to deal with.

Hope this helps

fasteddy CDX-765


Midland 79-290 export (2)
Imax 99 on the hilltop
President Grant (in the dump truck)

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[Hook948]

I would also like to add that ANY converted radio,FM,Talking between channels,Amps and Freeband freq.s are all illegal.Thousands of people including my self take that chance<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=""> it's your choice. You might also check with Old # 7 on the forum,He may be able to get or have the radio you are looking for and he can DEFINITELY do any kind of mods you might want done<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT="">

<img src=http://www.chargerscastle.com/cbclub/hook948.gif>

Hot Rod Lincoln -Dancing around the World ! ...... 948 Central Texas, PE948 - Hook948@hotmail.com</p>

 

[Caveman]

Thanks everyone. That helped out a bunch. Now all I need to do is figure out what the advantage to some of this stuff is to see if I want to mess with it or just stick with regular 40 channel. What is DX'ing? Do many people talk on the channels above and below the reg 40? How much power is needed to really have fun with a cb?


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[Hook948]

Some people like SSB some don't.I never liked it untill a couple years ago and now I'm on SSB 95% of the time.If you can find a radio with SSB,It's much easier to not use it than to have just a AM radio and want SSB. DX'ing on 11 meters is "skip Talking"-Talking to other States -or- Countries.Hams consider DX'ing to be other Countries only."Do many people talk on the channels above and below the reg 40?"..Thousands! "How much power is needed to really have fun with a cb?" It -mainly- depends on the "conditions" You can talk all over the world with just stock power and a good antenna if the freq. is clear and the "skips rolling" just right. The -power thing- is pretty much a matter of choice. You can be heard farther but might not be able to hear everyone thats hearing you.Thats whats called a "Alligator Station"(Big mouth and little ears)Sometimes stock power will talk farther than you can hear and sometimes 1000 watts wont make the trip to who you are trying to contact,Thats just the way it is.I would suggest getting the -best- antenna you can (LOTS of opinions on that one) Have the SWR's set and go from there.<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT="">

<img src=http://www.chargerscastle.com/cbclub/hook948.gif>

Hot Rod Lincoln -Dancing around the World ! ...... 948 Central Texas, PE948 - Hook948@hotmail.com</p>

 

[b4byblue74]

i now this will cause a few laughts, but here in the uk their are alot of mobil set up indoors,well the point is about power try a normal cb if you get hooked get a big rig. a couple of years ago my set up included a silver rod(antener) going from my bed room floor going throw the roof and about 6ft sticking out.well yes funny set up but i manage to have a good talk with a breacker in spain.so just enjoy what ever you do.happy choosing.

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[cm4102]

It's all relative realy.But I will let you in on a little secret if you promise not to tell ANYONE.CB realy stands for "constantly broke" LMFAO!

Welcome to the greatest assembly of rebels,rouges,renegades and all arround good guy's (and the lovely b4byblue)This is my family and you are welcome here.

I got started on a simple set up that I still have all the pieces to layin' arround (can't bear to let it all go)

Cobra 148gtl with clarifier unlocked and Defpom's modulation Mod and funny chanell Mod - Texas star 250 hdv - and a 102" Rat Shack whip.This is a great overall setup that will let you talk all over the country on sideband and have a respectable AM rig arround town (just ignore the big boys,untill later...) and I think I spent about 275.00 putting it together.

I love this hobby and have never regretted getting into the game,I will never forget the first time I yalked to a station in Ontario Canada,man, was I hooked.

Good luck and Happy DX!

CDX711 S. Nevada

IS THIS THING GETTIN' OUT?


Galaxy99 W/SP1A* Magum4500 * Thunder 8 XB
(4WD:148gtl w/sp1a *T-Star667 * Tri Quad Mobile Array
Kenworth:Connex 3300hp * Dual Solarcon 5/8 wave power stick's
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[blackmore]

Hi all



Im not new to CB but am new to this forum so thought i would past and say hi





Dave


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