Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Restoration. Are CB radios worth having now days.
| [GMCnet] Restoration. Are CB radios worth having now days. [message #293577] |
Sat, 09 January 2016 00:05  |
BobDunahugh
Messages: 2465
Registered: October 2010
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
Karma: 11
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The last few days have been nice outside. In the low, to mid 30s. With drizzle on, and off. So I've been working on the convertible outside. Now we're heading to the teens for highs. So back to the Mouse House 12 volt wiring in the warm shop. Thus leading to the question of the 12 volt power to the CB. This brings me to two question. 1 Are CB radio's worth having now days? 2 If so. Should I use the radio, and antenna that are there now if they still work? Or opt to replace one, or both.Bob Dunahugh78 Royale
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| Re: [GMCnet] Restoration. Are CB radios worth having now days. [message #293585 is a reply to message #293577] |
Sat, 09 January 2016 07:48  |
rcjordan
Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
Karma: 1
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If you have a phone with the app WAZE on it, I wouldn't bother with a CB as Waze users give more real-time input about road conditions, traffic, fuel prices, & more. The exception would be for a trip in extremely remote areas, then a CB might come in handy.
SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
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| Re: [GMCnet] Restoration. Are CB radios worth having now days. [message #293588 is a reply to message #293577] |
Sat, 09 January 2016 08:06 |
Dolph Santorine
Messages: 1236
Registered: April 2011
Location: Wheeling, WV
Karma: -41
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I keep one in the coach.
WAZE is good, but there's nothing like being able to listen to the drawl of the trucker who has eyes on the stupidity that brought traffic to a stop.
Dolph Santorine
DE N8JPC
Wheeling, West Virginia
1977 ex-Palm Beach TZE167V100820
1-ton, Sullybuilt Bags, Reaction Arms, 3.70 LSD, Manny Transmission, EV-6010,
> On Jan 9, 2016, at 1:05 AM, Bob Dunahugh wrote:
>
> The last few days have been nice outside. In the low, to mid 30s. With drizzle on, and off. So I've been working on the convertible outside. Now we're heading to the teens for highs. So back to the Mouse House 12 volt wiring in the warm shop. Thus leading to the question of the 12 volt power to the CB. This brings me to two question. 1 Are CB radio's worth having now days? 2 If so. Should I use the radio, and antenna that are there now if they still work? Or opt to replace one, or both.Bob Dunahugh78 Royale
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| Re: [GMCnet] Restoration. Are CB radios worth having now days. [message #293591 is a reply to message #293577] |
Sat, 09 January 2016 08:34 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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39 scoots for a new one if you don't have a working one. The truckers are pretty good about telling one another about cops, wrecks, and tie-ups. Particularly if you, like me, have a $14.95 WalMart cell phone on which you make and receive telephone calls. If I can port the number it's going to Repugnant Wireless - Paula's costs us $12 a month.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] Restoration. Are CB radios worth having now days. [message #293593 is a reply to message #293591] |
Sat, 09 January 2016 08:37 |
Dolph Santorine
Messages: 1236
Registered: April 2011
Location: Wheeling, WV
Karma: -41
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Wait - you mean you can talk on a cellphone?
I thought they could only be used by thumbs…….
Dolph
DE N8JPC
Wheeling, West Virginia
1977 26’ ex-PalmBeach
1-Ton, Sullybilt Bags, Reaction Arms, 3.70 LSD, Manny Transmission, EV-6010
“The Aluminum and Fiberglass Mistress"
> On Jan 9, 2016, at 9:34 AM, Johnny Bridges wrote:
>
> 39 scoots for a new one if you don't have a working one. The truckers are pretty good about telling one another about cops, wrecks, and tie-ups.
> Particularly if you, like me, have a $14.95 WalMart cell phone on which you make and receive telephone calls. If I can port the number it's going to
> Repugnant Wireless - Paula's costs us $12 a month.
>
> --johnny
>
> --
> '76 23' transmode Norris upfit
> Braselton, Ga.
>
> "Sometimes I wonder what tomorrow's gonna bring when I think about my dirty life and times" --Warren Zevon
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] Restoration. Are CB radios worth having now days. [message #293597 is a reply to message #293577] |
Sat, 09 January 2016 09:44 |
rcjordan
Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
Karma: 1
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>truckers are pretty good about telling one another about cops, wrecks, and tie-ups.
On I-95, both work. Waze has more people doing input and will re-route you via gps quickly. It's even working here in Smalltown USA --rerouted us around a fender-bender, I was shocked that we had enough wazers. In Wyoming, I expect truckers would outnumber wazers. But it's going to take more than Johnny's flip phone to tap into waze.
SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
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| Re: [GMCnet] Restoration. Are CB radios worth having now days. [message #293605 is a reply to message #293577] |
Sat, 09 January 2016 10:52 |
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John Heslinga
Messages: 632
Registered: February 2011
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Karma: 4
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Intetesting:: One of the problems of using any cell phone based solutions is that many Jurisdictions are making the use of it behind the wheel illegal. (Distracted driving). Just saying. I've never heard what the situation is if you are talking into a microphone???
John and Cathie Heslinga
1974 Canyonlands 260
455, Manny tranny and 1 ton, 3:70 LS,
Red Seal Journeyman, DTE, BEd. MEd.
Edmonton, Alberta
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| Re: [GMCnet] Restoration. Are CB radios worth having now days. [message #293607 is a reply to message #293577] |
Sat, 09 January 2016 11:24 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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Well, at 12 a month vs Somewhat More for a smartphone, I paid for the CB in less than two months. And the way Repugnant is set up, >if< you use the data service you can... for a fee. It defaults to WiFi where that's available. Talking on a cell is a gray area in GA, texting is a no-no... though how to tell the difference is left to the cop I suppose.
When cell phones first came out, we were privy to some research done on their distraction factor in cars. They were as I remember the third most distracting things to drivers. Tuning/fiddling with the radio/cassette player was second most, so since we were broadcasters we decided not to make a big splash of the survey. Most distracting was lighting a cigarette.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] Restoration. Are CB radios worth having now days. [message #293608 is a reply to message #293607] |
Sat, 09 January 2016 11:34 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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I rarely turn my CB on because my wife finds the trucker chatter annoying, but it IS handy if you are traveling in groups of two or more. When we go to the dunes, my son has a portable CB that he sets up in the truck and we can discuss pit stops etc as we travel. If you might participate in a rolling rally, it would almost be a must.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] Restoration. Are CB radios worth having now days. [message #293630 is a reply to message #293577] |
Sat, 09 January 2016 15:56 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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I got a Cobra for $39. Works fine. I wouldn't even replace ther antenna and coax unless there was a break in the jacket someplace, or the set was unhappy on transmit.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] Restoration. Are CB radios worth having now days. [message #293691 is a reply to message #293577] |
Sun, 10 January 2016 23:34 |
JohnS
Messages: 126
Registered: December 2014
Location: Vacaville, CA
Karma: -2
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"Back in the Day", friend Matt Winzen(who bought new GMCs in 1973 & 1976) worked for GM and had close ties to the training center in San Leandro, CA. He found that GM actually did tests on CB antenna placement on the coach and determined that the optimum place for the antenna was just forward (about 2 inches) of the front roof vent. That spot gave the best combination of range and area covered. There is a rib there that also works as a doubler so the skin does not fatigue. While caravaning, we could always count on Matt getting through
John Shutzbaugh, Vacaville, CA, ncserv@aol.com;
78 Buskirk stretch, "What were we thinking?"
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| Re: [GMCnet] Restoration. Are CB radios worth having now days. [message #293694 is a reply to message #293690] |
Sun, 10 January 2016 23:40 |
Bullitthead
Messages: 1411
Registered: November 2013
Karma: 5
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You can use a matchbox (adjustable RC circuit) to send and receive CB signals from that short roof antenna, but reception will be less than optimal, and transmission will only be good for distances measured in FEET, with a high standing wave ratio that will eventually be detrimental to the output stage of the CB radio if you talk too long. Sometimes it is just very nice to listen to the chatter about why you are sitting in stopped traffic and maybe pick up a bypass route without even having to key the mic.
Always handy to have as many communication devices as possible when out on the road, so if it works and you can hear others with the antenna it is wired to, I would keep it onboard. If you are serious about communicating with it, get a good antenna setup and leave the roof one for the AM/FM, like GM designed it.
Terry Kelpien
ASE Master Technician
73 Glacier 260
Smithfield, Va.
[Updated on: Sun, 10 January 2016 23:42] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Restoration. Are CB radios worth having now days. [message #293698 is a reply to message #293577] |
Mon, 11 January 2016 00:05 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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CB is always good to have in any traveling vehicle as the previous postings stated.
The best new CB, as far as I can tell, from all the forums and reviews on them, is the Uniden Bearcat 980. Uniden always made the best radios and made many non-unidens. If you have an old Philippine built Uniden Grant XL or Cobra 148 with the side mic jack (on both) you have the best CB radio built. They are also nearly the same radio. I would gladly take one off your hands for the price of shipping. 
Current new radios that look like the older style that perform well are the Galaxy DX-959, and 979 (the 979 is smaller). The Cobras are pretty good still too, but these are all made in China now, and the Chinese made radios are not usually as durable. I have a DX-959, but am considering the bearcat because the Galaxy is too big for my truck dash.
Try to avoid used older radios because many of them are modified to work on freebands, higher power, added noise features, etc, or were "peaked and tuned" by some idiot who didn't know what he was doing.
A good Truckstop CB shop can usually setup a radio for you. Many do sell used radios with a warranty.
Avoid the "export" radios which are not type certified for CB use in the USA. These are radios such as the General Lee, Magnum, Stryker, etc. that can be easily modified to work on 11-Meter (CB) bands. If you're gonna spend $400 on a radio, get a license, buy a good used Yaseu or Icom 10-Meter from a local ham you trust, but you cannot use them legally on 11-meter even though some are capable. I have an Icom 706MkIIG that can hear 11-meter, but not transmit.
Most folks talk on SSB (Single Side Band) now because you are in the 25 Watt range instead of the 5 Watts for AM. Channel 38 lower SSB is busy in some parts of the country.
If you are only interested in radio comms with a convoy, consider GMRS, FRS, or MURS Radios, which are in the 465MHZ neighborhood and are FM. You only need a license for GMRS, but it is a $65 family license for 5 years and you don't need to take a test. MURS radios have more power than FRS, so If you are using FRS, stay tucked in tight, they only have half a watt of power.
And lastly, when TSHTF, the Cell phones will be useless. Radios will still work, unless there is an EMP from a nuke, and then in that case, you'll be dead or won't really care. 
My 2 cents...
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
[Updated on: Mon, 11 January 2016 00:06] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Restoration. Are CB radios worth having now days. [message #293711 is a reply to message #293694] |
Mon, 11 January 2016 10:14 |
k2gkk
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
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Senior Member |
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If the roof mounted antenna is actually made for CB, and it
is functional, it will be just about the best you can do!
If you are also a ham, the center of the metal roof is also
just as good a location for a dual-band 2m/70cm antenna!
The height above the ground/road and the large metal ground
plane provided by the metal roof is simply superb!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ Since 30 November '53 ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ Member GMCMI and Classics ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ~ TZE166V101966 ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
~~ k2gkk + hotmail dot com ~~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
______________
|[ ]~~~[][ ][]\
"--OO--[]---O-"
> Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2016 22:40:57 -0700
> To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
> From: mrbullitt@verizon.net
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Restoration. Are CB radios worth having now days.
>
> You can use a matchbox (adjustable RC circuit) to send and receive CB signals from that roof antenna, but reception will be less than optimal, and
> transmission will only be good for distances measured in FEET, with a high standing wave ratio that will eventually be detrimental to the output stage
> of the CB radio if you talk too long. Sometimes it is just very nice to listen to the chatter about why you are sitting in stopped traffic and maybe
> pick up a bypass route without even having to key the mic.
>
> Always handy to have as many communication devices as possible when out on the road, so if it works and you can hear others with the antenna it is
> wired to, I would keep it onboard. If you are serious about communicating with it, get a good antenna setup and leave the roof one for the AM/FM, like
> GM designed it.
> --
> Terry Kelpien
> ASE Master Technician
> 73 Glacier 260
> Smithfield, Va.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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