Anyone use their CB anymore?

Topic: Anyone use their CB anymore? (Read 1372 times) previous topic - next topic

Anyone use their CB anymore?

August 28, 2017, 03:10:08 pm

I have never been happy with the performance (or lack thereof) of the standard CB radio in my coach. I realize it is not the same animal that we truckers use, but always thought it should do a little more than it did.

In preparation for an upcoming trip to Custer State Park and the annual buffalo roundup, I mounted my spare radio from my semi in the coach, hooked up a SWR meter, and discovered I had SWR out the gazoo. Upon checking the coax connections I discover that on the antenna end, Foretravel has ran a wire from ground (framework in the overhead area) to the shield of the coax cable...a definite no-no for a "no ground plane" set-up, as NGP set-up's use only the center conductor.

I am now wondering if this was standard practice or if some tech was unfamiliar with NGP antenna/coax set-up's and perhaps mine is only one of a few that ended up this way? Anyone else's like this? You can see the connection (in my coach anyway) from the cabinet over the drivers seat..you might find a mirror and small flashlight helpful.

Ralph
96 U270

Re: Anyone use their CB anymore?

Reply #1 – August 28, 2017, 03:32:32 pm

I am probably in the minority, but I pulled the CB out of our coach right after we bought it. It was a total waste of space, in my opinion. I would not listen to all the garbage, profanity, and continuous B.S flowing over the CB channels for any amount of money. I know, I know - there are some situations where it might be useful, but I can (apparently) live/drive quite happily without it. So far, has not been something I have missed.

Re: Anyone use their CB anymore?

Reply #2 – August 28, 2017, 03:36:58 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – August 28, 2017, 03:32:32 pm

I am probably in the minority, but I pulled the CB out of our coach right after we bought it. It was a total waste of space, in my opinion. I would not listen to all the garbage, profanity, and continuous B.S flowing over the CB channels for any amount of money. I know, I know - there are some situations where it might be useful, but I can (apparently) live quite happily without it. So far, has not been anything I have missed.

Agree, pulled mine out and installed a more modern 8 track player!

Re: Anyone use their CB anymore?

Reply #3 – August 28, 2017, 04:07:50 pm

On my project list.. replace the radio with a Galaxy 959.
I do not want to blind and dumb on what's (traffic/weather) ahead of me.
KWZ4835

Re: Anyone use their CB anymore?

Reply #4 – August 28, 2017, 04:11:06 pm

We have ours on when traveling ever since we avoided a huge accident by yelling at the 18 wheeler trying to pass us on a two lane hill!

Re: Anyone use their CB anymore?

Reply #5 – August 28, 2017, 05:12:07 pm

I would like to listen to mine more, but because of the foul language and the fact that my family is always present, I have to turn it off or change to CH9.

Mine is mounted on the side of the coach and not on the roof as shown in your photo, but it is grounded in the same way.

Re: Anyone use their CB anymore?

Reply #6 – August 28, 2017, 05:23:53 pm

We use ours when we run into highway traffic.

Re: Anyone use their CB anymore?

Reply #7 – August 28, 2017, 05:30:08 pm

Yep

Re: Anyone use their CB anymore?

Reply #8 – August 28, 2017, 05:59:21 pm

I just looked at mine, and it looks similar to your pictures. There is a jumper, 8-9 inches long, coming off of the coax going to a screw. Doesn't look like it would be very difficult to just take out the screw.

Re: Anyone use their CB anymore?

Reply #9 – August 28, 2017, 06:46:39 pm

On my 96 U320, the CB antenna was a NGP type mounted over the driver, beside the AM/FM and cell antennae.
Mine was also grounded to the roof aluminum rafters. I did not check the SWR because I replaced the radio and antenna. I installed a Larsen on the passenger side with a customized load loop and grounded it to the roof rafters. I did wonder about why Foretravel would install a NGP coax when the aluminum roof rafters provide an excellent ground plane according to a radio shop here in Victoria. My SWR is close to one. I used the CB lots ten years ago, but do not use it as much today.

Re: Anyone use their CB anymore?

Reply #10 – August 28, 2017, 07:00:09 pm

So what is the correct way to setup the antenna?
John M.

Re: Anyone use their CB anymore?

Reply #11 – August 28, 2017, 07:18:35 pm

I just returned from the Alaska Motorcade, where a CB was essential. We used ours every day and countless times. It's the OEM one and worked well with a range of about 2 miles. Some of the coaches had very poor performing CB's.

Re: Anyone use their CB anymore?

Reply #12 – August 28, 2017, 07:44:18 pm

Wyatt,
What antenna and mount did you use? Where purchased?
John M

Re: Anyone use their CB anymore?

Reply #13 – August 28, 2017, 08:16:54 pm

I upgraded mine to a newer Uniden with plans for a new antenna somewhere down the line. Sounds much better than the little handheld, and saved me many times, once it saved me from getting stuck in a 6+ hour backup that later I saw on the news. a little 50 mile detour thru some country roads (described by the trucker on CB and verified on GPS) put me back on the highway 35 miles west of the crash and really worked well.

the swearing and general BS doesnt bother me, its pretty entertaining most of the time. Sometimes we listen, sometimes we join in and feed the fire. In traffic jams, I found it entertaining to mention "dont you wish they had a road just for trucks?" "oh, they do, its called the railroad" always gets the conversation flowing.

Re: Anyone use their CB anymore?

Reply #14 – August 29, 2017, 06:09:21 pm

I suspect that there are several people on this forum who are qualified to figure out what's what with our antennas. Perhaps one of the Extra's here could chime in and tell us what to do in plain English. I'm just a no-code Tech and don't know much about antenna theory. I really need to get started on upgrading my license.

Re: Anyone use their CB anymore?

Reply #15 – August 29, 2017, 06:14:17 pm

Ours is a "Cobra" with weather band, new in 08. I don't know it the antenna was replaced. Works perfect!

Re: Anyone use their CB anymore?

Reply #16 – August 29, 2017, 06:23:06 pm

I don't use ours much but one trip was indispensable. We were stuck in Hondo, NM waiting for them to reopen road after major ice. It was the only way to get information. Truck at front of the line was talking directly to Highway Patrol and relaying info to the rest. Spent more than 4 hours on the side of the road. They were talking about having crackers and beef jerky for dinner. I didn't have the heart to tell them I was cooking steaks.

Re: Anyone use their CB anymore?

Reply #17 – August 30, 2017, 11:04:27 am

Threw mine in the dumpster. Still have the one in the Jeep for emergencies, and our jeep club runs. Use it all the time.

Re: Anyone use their CB anymore?

Reply #18 – August 30, 2017, 11:25:54 am

I keep our Cobra on "Channel 9", as do most motor mouth (nice guys) 18-wheelers. After a near miss, would never be without it. CB is handy with a "Distress Data" feature, like 911, but "Clip" can enable others to transfer a call for help.

Re: Anyone use their CB anymore?

Reply #19 – August 30, 2017, 11:45:06 am

Ages 8-14....................must be the censored version.

Re: Anyone use their CB anymore?

Reply #20 – August 30, 2017, 11:51:52 am

Our handheld CB is wired to speakers on the overhead so sound is excellent. But we don't use it much. The radio/DVD player doesn't get much use either. The DW & I do enjoy each other's company, conversation and there are a lot of: "Look at that!" during our travels. We enjoy seeing and commenting on what we see.

Re: Anyone use their CB anymore?

Reply #21 – August 30, 2017, 01:28:46 pm

Sorry for the delay in responding.

The correct way to set up a CB antenna is to mount it at least 8 feet away from other antennae, and to connect the outer shield (electrically) to a ground plane. Contrary to popular belief, the ground plane does not have to be magnetic (i.e. steel), but it must conduct electricity and be horizontal. Steel is better than aluminum and larger is better than smaller, so because the aluminum rafters in our Foretravels are all welded together in a 40 foot by 8 foot grid (large), and aluminum conducts electricity, our roof rafters make a better ground plane than a car roof and/or hood. It is important to have good electrical contact between the coax shield and the rafters and that aluminum oxide is a non conductor and must be sanded off before connecting ground wire.

CB Antenna tuning is mostly for transmitting, and the ground plane pulls the signal down making the horizontal radiation stronger than the vertical radiation. Without a ground plane, the radiating signal travels in all directions away from the antenna with the vertical component going to the moon (who needs that?).

My CB antenna is a Larsen with an NMO27 mount and a stainless steel whip. The antenna will work better if it is above the ground plane, so mounting a CB antenna to a wall will reduce the effectiveness of the antenna. I prefer a stainless whip over a Firestick because my antenna contacts overhead trees or overpasses at times, which will break a Firestick. The tip of my antenna is at 14.4 feet above the pavement (max in BC is 14.5 feet). Tuning a Firestick is easier because if the adjustment screw at the top, while a stainless whip must be cut (or lengthened).

You can purchase a Larsen or a K40 (also stainless whip) at radio shops or FlyingJs in any city or on eBay.

The NGP antenna will never perform as well as using a ground plane antenna. They are generally used in boats where there is nothing that conducts electricity so you have no choice.

Ralph, I would recommend that you replace your NGP antenna with a Larsen or K40 and use the rafters as the ground plane.

Motorhomes with weak CB transmitting will mostly have poor electrical connections, between the ground plane and the coax, or between the whip and the loading coil. I remove the ground screw, clean and reinstall, as well as the whip every couple years. When I was involved in hard core 4 wheeling, I helped many folk get their CB working and poor electrical connection to the ground plane was the most common issue - with spectacular improvements. Folks believe that a CB radio can be ignored like the AMFM radio in most cars - but this is not true.

Re: Anyone use their CB anymore?

Reply #22 – August 30, 2017, 05:24:54 pm

Think I may see a problem with my coax

I removed my OE coax today and discovered a couple of problem spots...if the coax is in the way when you are doing the overhead woodwork, don't fret, just go ahead and build over it!! The picture doesn't do justice to the section on top because of the shadow, but it is mashed flat from being "pinched" while installing the section of plywood that the speakers are mounted on.

The bottom section in the picture appears to have had a kink in it when it was fished from the dash to overhead...but again, never fear, just give her a good yank, she'll come! One would not expect this kind of craftsmanship from the factory, but oh well, maybe it was a Monday.

Wyatt, I agree with your way of thinking with the new antenna, but out of curiosity I'm going to run a new cable here and see what difference it makes. I do like the K-40's though, and may end up with one....I"ve had them on my last 2 trucks.

Ralph
96 U270

Affiliate Notice