CB Troubles...

[Ruadhrigh]

So I finally had enough pintos saved up to get a CB system...
But now I can't get it to work!

I bought a Firestick II antenna, and a no name bracket/ stud the shop had on hand. My question is the bottom of the antenna looks like it recieves a center conductor, but the stud provided does not have one.
Do I have the wrong stud? Or... ?

sorry in advance for the photos, the camera has been reluctant to focus lately.

bottom of antenna:

 

[SteveLCetc]

Go to Radio Shack and see what they have. There is a mount between the antenna and the cable. Got more pics?

 

[Ruadhrigh]

Yeah Radio Shack tomorrow. Pics are loading now....

 

[Cruisergreg]

That photo seems a little personal, but anyway...

Might try Mesa CB on Menual. Don't let them sell you anything extra, but they are sometimes helpful with tuning.

 

[Ruadhrigh]

I am going to try to take more tomorrow, maybe figure out what is up with my damn focus.

I guess to clarify my question:
The bottom of the antenna looks like a female coaxial connector, is it?
Is the inlet at the bottom to recieve the center conductor from a male coaxial?

 

[SteveLCetc]

I was not impressed with Mesa CB. Their "master tech" confused high frequency with high power.

I also wouldn't spend a lot on a CB anyway - they are passé. The Manager of the Radio Shack on Montgomery at Juan Tabo seems to know what she's doing.

 

[pappy]

Rory,

That setup in the last pic looks correct. There should been a plastic insulator with the barrel mount. It should isolate the coax from the bumper. I see it in the pic, but can't tell if it's installed correctly.

I am going to try to take more tomorrow, maybe figure out what is up with my damn focus.

I guess to clarify my question:
The bottom of the antenna looks like a female coaxial connector, is it?
Is the inlet at the bottom to recieve the center conductor from a male coaxial?

 

[alia176]

Rory,

Looks good. Make extra sure that you have a good ground path (continuity on a ohm meter)from the metal part of the antenna base to the metal on the body of the vehicle. You probably won't since the tire carrier is sitting on top of paint so run either a long wire or a thin braided shield to the body. The surplus stores on Central have lots of different flat braided wires to choose from.

How far above the roof line the does the antenna stick past? At least two feet would be nice for propagation.

 

[Ruadhrigh]

I measured from the chasis to the antenna and got 10 ohms. The guy at Mesa told me a third of the antenna needs to be above the roof line, so that is how I set it up. The antenna is only 4', do I need to have half of the antenna over the roof?

 

[alia176]

Sounds good. The more you have past the roof line, the better it is IMO.

 

[Ruadhrigh]

 

[kmc22]

OK, When Rory gets his antenna tuned and grounded properly what channel do you guys squawk on? I'm getting tired of transmitting from the car and then quickly (very very quickly) running into the house for the reception. Unfortunately all I get are "immaculate receptions" (ie nothing, maybe I'm not fast enough?) The wife says I'm not talkin' on that thing!

kevin

 

[Ruadhrigh]

Ali is the MAN!!!!!



No problems with the radio...
It was all operator error


I owe you some beer... You can have Jon's Pacifico he left here

 

[Beowulf]

OK, When Rory gets his antenna tuned and grounded properly what channel do you guys squawk on?

Hi Kevin,
For club outings, we generally use CH 40. I don't think anyone uses the CB other than for trail use; I certainly don't. The "chatter" on most CB channels is not family friendly. TLCA events like CM07 will have published CB channels for specific trails.

The trend in off-road communications is heading to the 2M "ham" radio band. It will take some time before people make the switch but many of us believe the switch to 2M is inevitable for many good reasons.

The best news is that the licensing requirements for Amateur Radio have recently changed. Up until this month (Feb 2007) license requirements included knowledge of Morse Code (CW or 'code') for the advanced Amateur Radio licenses. The Morse Code requirement is no longer required and you can get a Technician license by passing a 35-question exam that covers basic operating rules. The cost to take the exam is ~$15 and the license is good for 10 years. The Technician exam is not difficult and can be passed with just a little study and a couple of hours taking the practice exams (available on the internet.)

The Rising Sun Club out of Denver is the host club for Cruise Moab. For the first time this year, they will be using ham radios for communications with the trail leaders. There will be a base communication facility set up at the CM07 headquarters so everyone can come by the shack and see the advantages of ham radio.

-Mike-
KE5KOE

 

[kmc22]

Mike,
Thanks for the info on 2M. So essentially you have just obsoleted my CB75 purchase/intall and Rory's recent install? It seems to me that you may have just gone through that study/test taking period recently. True?

Monique and I took a drive out to Grants Feb 2,3,4 to celebrate our 5th anniversary. I was able to passively monitor Ch19. For the most part it was "G" rated until we came back into ABQ and then it notched up to "R" chatter. The CB was helpful on two different occasions going and coming to klieglight a few smokey's.

Also for those of you not in the "know" Grants is the hotspot for romance. Or so I tell Monique...shssh mum's the word right?

 

[SteveLCetc]

So, where is info on taking the test?

 

[Beowulf]

So, where is info on taking the test?

There is one at 2PM today up in Santa Fe.

11-Feb-2007
Sponsor: LOS ALAMOS ARC
Time: 2:00 PM (Walk-ins allowed)
Contact: CHARLES P ROGERS
(505)662-2360
Email: KJ5KU@ARRL.NET
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: SHERIFF'S POSSE BUILDING/GROUNDS
3213 W RODEO RD
EAST OF FAIR GROUNDS
NORTH SIDE OF ROAD
SANTA FE, NM 87507


You probably should study for it before you take it.

http://www.aa9pw.com/radio/

-Mike-

 

[SteveLCetc]

Depends. It's $15, right? How much does one need to study to save $15?

 

[alia176]

Kevin,

If you decide to part with the WX 75 since you're going to ham, let me know. Wife's vehicle is pre-wired for this radio but the previous owner kept it for his other vehicle.

It'd be cool to convert everyone over to 2M.

Ali
KE5LED

 

[kmc22]

Ali,
No problem. After I cram for this test and the gub'ment allows me to transmit on their airwaves I'll make the 75 available although I really like the form factor. If you are in a hurry for one I bought it ( Cobra 75WXST Weatherband CB Radio [Electronics] $80.00) from an amazon seller (sellit697@hotmail.com).
If you are on 2m what radio(s) are you using?

Steve,
Are you gonna go for it?

kevin