New'b question

[tominator]

I'm currently studying for the Tech class license. Is it possible to get one antenna that handles 2M/70M/CB and mobile scanner. Also is there a Ham radio out there that will handle all of these duties including the scanner frequencys that use trunking systems?

[Bob_Garrett]

You bet. It's called a dummy load.

Antennas that are designed to transmit and receive on multiple bands typically do so on frequencies that are harmonically related. For example, the 70cm band is roughly the 3rd multiple of the 2m band. A 2m/70cm antenna will do fine for receiving wx radio and two-way radio in the 450 and 800 MHz bands. It won't do a very good job of receiving at CB frequencies and will not function as a transmit antenna on CB without a tuner of some type.

Since it sounds like you want to run multiple radios (CB, scanner, 2m/70cm HAM), a better solution would be to connect each to a seperate antenna. It would also be cheaper, since only the CB and HAM antennas need to be capable of handling transmit power.

73
Bob N5UOU

[tominator]

Originally Posted by Bob_Garrett

You bet. It's called a dummy load.

Antennas that are designed to transmit and receive on multiple bands typically do so on frequencies that are harmonically related. For example, the 70cm band is roughly the 3rd multiple of the 2m band. A 2m/70cm antenna will do fine for receiving wx radio and two-way radio in the 450 and 800 MHz bands. It won't do a very good job of receiving at CB frequencies and will not function as a transmit antenna on CB without a tuner of some type.

Since it sounds like you want to run multiple radios (CB, scanner, 2m/70cm HAM), a better solution would be to connect each to a seperate antenna. It would also be cheaper, since only the CB and HAM antennas need to be capable of handling transmit power.

73
Bob N5UOU

Thanks Bob, That was an awesome explaination! I've studied music and audio engineering in the past so that make perfect sense now. Never thought about it like that.
I was trying to come up with a way that I could have all mobile radios for when I travel, with just one attenna.

I have a hand-held Cobra CB radio but it doesn't seem to receive or get out worth a darn. I like to monitor the truckers on 19 when I travel to keep up with where the po-po is and any accidents or traffic jams. I probably should go with a mag mount for it...same with the scanner for better transmition and reception I guess.

Do you know much about SSB on the CB radios?? I'm wondering if truckers tend to use those freq's these days.

[Bob_Garrett]

It's been about 20 years since I've had a SSB CB radio, so I'm not sure what usage it currently gets. Back when I was using it, most of the use was by folks with home units doing trying to do long distance communications. Most users identified with call signs rather than handles and used little of the CB jargon. I don't recall much use by truckers.

Most SSB communications are done on Ch 16 (mostly LSB). It's an excellent mode with greater range than AM. Somewhat more difficult to use in aobile as it has a narrower bandwidth and sometimes requres minor tuning to account for slight frequency differences between the two radios.

You can monitor traffic on a conventional CB by tuning to Ch 16. The audio will be garbled if its SSB, but you'll be able to determine if it's being used.

External antennas will help considerably with range for the CB and the scanner. The metal of your vehicle causes significant signal loss, plus most "rubber ducky" antennas are not very good.

[Miescha]

Originally Posted by tominator

Is it possible to get one antenna that handles 2M/70M/CB and mobile scanner. Also is there a Ham radio out there that will handle all of these duties including the scanner frequencys that use trunking systems?

First: Can someone tell me the freqs for each of these?

Second: How about the FT-8900R which claims the following freqs

The FT-8900R provides extended receiver coverage beyond the Amateur bands, so you can keep informed of communication activities in the public safety, commercial, aircraft, and government communications ranges. Included is coverage of 28-29.7 MHz, 50-54 MHz, 108-180 MHz, 300-480 MHz, and 700-985 MHz (cellular frequencies are blocked and non-restorable).