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Topic: CB / Single Side Band SSB Radio Recommendations (Read 1765 times) previous topic - next topic

CB / Single Side Band SSB Radio Recommendations

Our FT paperwork included with coach had brochures for both a Cobra 75WX ST Compact Remote Mount CB Radio and a Cobra 25 LTD Classic.  A PO removed either/both and I'd like to have a CB in the rig so this thread is not about the merits of having a radio aboard.  Not sure which of the two units was the better and not sure what technology has done since 2000.

So, I'm curious what other CB units uses might be using that they like better.

Also curious if there are user of something like this

Amazon.com: Uniden BEARCAT CB Radio With Sideband And WeatherBand (980SSB):...
 Uniden BEARCAT CB Radio With Sideband And WeatherBand

I seem to think the originally spec'd unit may already be "prewired" and have a "compatible antenna" but I'm open to all suggestions.

Thanks

Randy

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Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: CB Radio Recommendations

Reply #1 –
Randy,

CB's are pretty much dead.  Truckers are on their cell phones or texting just like everyone else.

Have had CB's in motorhomes for the last two decades.  Almost useless the last few years.

Now, the good news: because there is little demand, prices on CB's are down.

If you have any app with live traffic, CB's are a nuisance, not an asset.

Yes, some have weather radio.  Being a sailor, that was a good feature.  But, internet weather is an excellent alternative. 

Sorry (actually not) to be a contrarian.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: CB Radio Recommendations

Reply #2 –

I personally have always used a Galaxy single side band radio in my rig and all the buses we have had on the road. The unit in my coach is now over twenty years old and still running and looking new. Naturally, it pays to have a CB service tune up the radio so you get max watts out. I also use a Wilson 3 foot Firestick Antenna with a very low SWR reading. I have found that this unit will put out clearly over five miles and enough to get an advance notifications of traffic problems. Yes, truckers do broadcast traffic hangups. Here is a site for a Galaxy you might want to buy: https://www.amazon.com/Galaxy-DX-949-Channel-SSB-Mobile-Galaxy-DX-949 40 Channel AM/SSB Mobile CB Radio.

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Bob & Kathy
2007 Nimbus
Full Timers
Retired Charter Bus Owner/Operator

Re: CB Radio Recommendations

Reply #3 –
I just put on a cobra 29 I had as,a backup radio for my big truck. It was peaked and tuned by the CB shop. Using a,Wilson antenna also. I keep mine on all the time traveling in my semi also. Brett is right most are on cell phones now. BUT a few of us still use the radios and it has let me know about traffic backups more than once, where I jumped off a exit rode around the delay and was on my way. The other guys don't turn their radio on until they are in the backup and just passed the last exit to get off on to go around it.
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: CB Radio Recommendations

Reply #4 –
My Uniden CB is the best sounding stock radio I have ever used. CB may be dead, but I use it extensively on road trips when caravanning with friends. Ive alao had some wonderful conversations in the backwoods of Maine, Michigan, and other places far from the highway. I love mine.
95 U300SE

Re: CB Radio Recommendations

Reply #5 –
Agree they are dead but they are great for those traffic jams,you can tell that trucker ahead of you to pull to the right a little and
block the yeah-who flying up the shoulder.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: CB Radio Recommendations

Reply #6 –
Ya, Dianne walked in an mention that on our Mexico caravan (1998) CB what how we communicated.

I have no idea how caravans today communicate, but  if CB is the method, get one.  And if buying one, make sure it has WX (weather radio).
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: CB Radio Recommendations

Reply #7 –
Part of what leads me to this discussion is a latent interest, unfulfilled, in radio communications generally.  I still remember listening to baseball games on a crystal radio when I was supposed to be asleep in bed.  As a kid a neighbor had a Ham radio setup that intrigued me.  While Ham may be something I get into later the Single Side Band (SSB) of this radio intrigues me since it also had the CB bands and Weather Radio.

Anyone have this radio?
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: CB Radio Recommendations

Reply #8 –
I still have the original handheld remote unit, still works, even tho I know there are much better/stronger units available today, I don't see the need to upgrade until it quits on me. I don't turn it on and leave it on while traveling the interstate highways because of the foul language often heard on CH19. I will sometimes leave it on monitoring CH9 but usually its off if all is going well.

I will always have a working CB in the rig if for no other reason than when traveling in remote areas, with no cell service, a CB and hopefully a passing trucker (like Stump) will enable me to get a call out for help or assistance in the event of a breakdown.

It is sometimes nice to chat with other campers in the campground at night, have had a few of those occasions.
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: CB Radio Recommendations

Reply #9 –
Connex 4300HP in the coach....Stryker SR-447HPC2 in the truck, always on, use it daily

Ralph
96 U270
Ralph
96 U270

Re: CB / Singel Side Band SSB Radio Recommendations

Reply #10 –

I have a Cobra in my coach, but I think it needs a better antenna.
John M.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: CB / Singel Side Band SSB Radio Recommendations

Reply #11 –
The Uniden 980SSB is the one I have and I love it. Slightly hard to read in direct sunlight but I rarely mess with it.
95 U300SE

Re: CB / Singel Side Band SSB Radio Recommendations

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Ralph –
Connex 4300HP in the coach....Stryker SR-447HPC2 in the truck, The on, use it daily

Ralph
96 U270
I run a Connex 3300HP in my big truck.
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: CB / Single Side Band SSB Radio Recommendations

Reply #13 –
Aren't the SSB mostly marine application? 

I usually monitor our CB while under way.  In our 36 I installed a compact cobra and had it Modulated for peak output.  Have the hand held now in the 42.  Not the same radio but it works.  There are a number of ham guys on this forum I am sure that they could help to scratch your itch.

Sound like you are having  great time in your adventure.  It only gets better with age.  ;D
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: CB / Single Side Band SSB Radio Recommendations

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Carol & Scott –
Aren't the SSB mostly marine application? 


Yes, SSB are primarily for marine applications with extreme long range ability (for example, we have contacted people in a sailboat off Chile from central Texas).

 HAM radios are more for "on land", also long range ability.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: CB / Single Side Band SSB Radio Recommendations

Reply #15 –
I believe a single side band radio can only communicate with another single side band radio because of the modulation they use...
2001 U320 40ft
Build #5867
2003 Tracker
VE7DOD
 

Re: CB / Single Side Band SSB Radio Recommendations

Reply #16 –
Dave is correct. Citizens Band radios are AM radios, which uses both upper and lower portions of the carrier. Single Side Band uses only one of the two portions. Without getting technical about it, by using upper side band, lower side band, and AM you in effect get three channels on one frequency. If you are on Channel 23, upper side band, and I'm on Channel 23, lower side band we wouldn't be able to talk to each other, but we wouldn't interfere with each other, either. The big advantage of SSB is that the full five watts of the CB is put into only half the bandwidth, which gets better range.

A different problem is that some CB outlets are selling what they call high-powered CB radios. Those are not CB radios at all, but ham radios. What's the difference? A CB doesn't require a license. A ham radio does. Using ham terms, CB is 11 meters. Hams can operate on 10 and 12 meters (either side of the CB band) but they require at least a General Class license to do so. Okay, a small bit of 10 meters is open to Technician Class.