I WANT TO RUN A CB RADIO,I HAVE A 13.8 VOLT PYRAMID POWER SUPPLY PS12KX FROM BRANT SMITH VE3UME.I WANT TO BE ABLE TO RUN A HOME BASE CB RADIO.I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL WORK FOR A CB RADIO FOR SSB...RUNNING A TRAM NO GROUND PLANE CB ANTENNA...REALISTIC TRC 465 OR A UNIDEN GRANT LT AM/SSB FROM EBAY CANADA
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mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Are you asking if the power supply will work?
-Yes, 12 volts, 10 amps, should run a legal CB no issues at all.
-Yes, 12 volts, 10 amps, should run a legal CB no issues at all.
danesgs
Member
Since a CB only outputs 4 watts, you could also use a AC adapter from an older laptop that puts out 12 volts at around 3-4 amps. Another choice is a 12 volt 30 amp supply from Amazon for around 23.00. You need to add a power cord but its all pretty much a no brainer.
Amazon.com: ALITOVE AC 110V/220V to DC 12V 30A 360W Universal Regulated Switching Power Supply Transformer Adapter LED Driver for LED Strip, CCTV Camera System, Radio: Electronics
Amazon.com: ALITOVE AC 110V/220V to DC 12V 30A 360W Universal Regulated Switching Power Supply Transformer Adapter LED Driver for LED Strip, CCTV Camera System, Radio: Electronics
If your Tram antenna is the little black 4ft or so base antenna, you wont be able to run a home base CB with that. It probably won't talk across the street.
On the power supplies: I've not had the best of luck with Pyramid. At least the ones I've had don't measure up in quality to the Astron supplies I've got. The same with "wall warts": they have a reputation for poor filtering and/or regulation.
With antennas: not familiar with the one you've mentioned, but a few "rule of thumb" items:
With antennas: not familiar with the one you've mentioned, but a few "rule of thumb" items:
- old adage, "Height is Might"--get it as far into the clear as you can.
- It's not uncommon for antenna set-ups to be the most expensive part of a radio set-up, because of the antennas; importance in getting a signal out & receiving over a wider area.
- Keep the coax run as short as you can & buy the best quality your budget will allow (same goes for antenna quality).
jhooten
Member
Those tend to be switching power supplies with bare minimal shielding or filtering which spew rf across the hf spectrum. Check it before you depend on it.
In addition to that, I've had power supplies that get really squirrely when they're under load & there's RF in the neighborhood. A few ideas that would work better would be:
- check what supplies are being sold by radio dealers. These probably have the best chance to operate with a radio (reputable dealers aren't going to upset customers by selling trash);
- see what other ops are using in their stations, and have good luck with. (I've had best luck with the brand "Astron".)
slowmover
Active Member
MEGAWATT (eBay) is a “value”.
What’s sold at HAM RADIO OUTLET or DX ENGINEERING is more representative of what the Amateur Radio crowd considers to be “adequate”.
It does not make sense to try and save a buck to run a base station with noisy and/or unreliable power supplies.
The systems of which a radio is just a component take precedence over the gear piece-by-piece. A weak link isn’t acceptable.
Take your time to cover what’s available.
A gift to my son included an ALINCO DM-30T power supply as example of one component of many for both mobile and base station radio set-ups. What radios, antennas, amplifiers, etc., were chosen on the basis that there is a low limit to which to adhere.
The example P-S given isn’t made as a recommendation, per se. In this range of performance & price (plus size & ease of use) was that it was on sale.
What’s sold at HAM RADIO OUTLET or DX ENGINEERING is more representative of what the Amateur Radio crowd considers to be “adequate”.
It does not make sense to try and save a buck to run a base station with noisy and/or unreliable power supplies.
The systems of which a radio is just a component take precedence over the gear piece-by-piece. A weak link isn’t acceptable.
Take your time to cover what’s available.
A gift to my son included an ALINCO DM-30T power supply as example of one component of many for both mobile and base station radio set-ups. What radios, antennas, amplifiers, etc., were chosen on the basis that there is a low limit to which to adhere.
The example P-S given isn’t made as a recommendation, per se. In this range of performance & price (plus size & ease of use) was that it was on sale.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Not sure why people are missing this part of your post. This power supply you already have will work just fine for running a legal power CB radio. Unless you are experiencing some sort of power related issue, there is no need to replace it with a PC power supply or anything else.
slowmover
Active Member
Noise. If no noise, then it’s okay.
NGP Antenna fairly well worthless. A dipole with coax run out to trees or another way to get it up high is the usual starter recommendation. OP should tell us how things are situated.
A new radio — UNIDEN 980 or preferably a PRESIDENT McKinley — would be the best way to go, IMO.
A KENWOOD KES-5 external speaker (used) or Motorola equivalent would also be good.
As to more antenna ideas:
NGP Antenna fairly well worthless. A dipole with coax run out to trees or another way to get it up high is the usual starter recommendation. OP should tell us how things are situated.
A new radio — UNIDEN 980 or preferably a PRESIDENT McKinley — would be the best way to go, IMO.
A KENWOOD KES-5 external speaker (used) or Motorola equivalent would also be good.
As to more antenna ideas:
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