Best Mobile 2025

[slowmover]

For Experimental Scientific & Export use only.

Ranger RCI Longhorn Superior N6
800 Amp Mobile Power Supply
Big Dawg 32 Pill HG Mobile Transmitter
Dual 5/8 Wave 21 foot stainless steel whips

I’ll be making fun of you on-road for lousy ears as the radio design is obsolete, having been superceded a few years back or by Amateur gear outboard additions for a decade or more even farther back. Been doing that for years to the enjoyment of others also on AM-19.

Randy & The Retards is how you’ll be considered.


That’d be with the proposed rig of QT80 & NMO34 (or what I have on hand).

All that matters is Receive. A little extra juice to match RX range is the game. Power does not equal Clarity.

21’ antennas is pretty funny, I’ll grant you that.

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[dylanmitchell]

Someone is out there with 21' antennas on a Prius...

 

[robertwbob]

Someone is out there with 21' antennas on a Prius...

or even a {drumroll} a yugo. seen 1 the other day . or those itty bitty 2 door cars the wheelbase is about same as door length

 

[slowmover]

Re-cap:

It’s sorta difficult to describe the change from 1985 gear and install practices to the gear and improved install practices plus greater depth and range in associated topics which the Internet provides in 2025.

The hang-up is the emotional block: “You ain’t gotta tell me what is Citizen Band, I already know”.

No, sir, ya don’t. Not for mobile, and not what’s possible.

1). It’s maybe easy to understand that increased RX/TX range is beneficial.

2). It’s almost impossible to describe the change rendered by DSP to being able to instantly establish rapport because one can HEAR how things are being said.

— The words being used are not primary. They're clues. Trail markers mistaken for the trail.

A). An antenna which nears 14’ clearance at rest and is preferably 7’ in length (designed to be upright at speed) is now, finally, able to be used to best extent. You won’t run out of radio as before.

B). A radio which is rock-solid stable on SSB and allows one to be able to distinguish near vs far, approaching vs receding, or Skip versus local . . this was an ideal not reached without “adapted” Amateur gear. And it wasn’t all that great at either end.

C). “I know what is CB” guy gets an NRC radio (& Hi-Fi speaker) with 6’ NMO antenna in the proposed radio rig of this thread he learns to eat those words.

D). What happens is that doors open to a larger set of choices. We can do more.

The man (men) who think, “Citizen Band is not for me”, have more to overcome. But who may faster adapt to this new reality.

The permanent install with everything out of the way is the radio rig that’ll get used. The more it gets used the better will the operator become in accomplishing goals of which he’s not yet aware.

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[jcrmadden]

The more it gets used the better will the operator become in accomplishing goals of which he’s not yet aware.

That has definitely been my experience.

The pursuit of certainty (what lies ahead of me on the highway) drove the pursuit of hearing.

The propensity to help (the driver further behind) drove the pursuit of being heard.

The latter pursuit isn't perfectly finished per se, but moving to a permanent mount in the ideal location (plus install quality and noise abatement) was a game changer for RX and TX quality.

The flagship adage of @slowmover, "hearing and being heard clearly," has changed how other drivers react and respond to my radio traffic.

Time spent on the highway has stopped being a passive, mindless affair.

It has become an intentional and engaging action that I am participating in with other drivers (for better or worse).

I know that CB will never be that for everyone, but I know that it could be d@mn close for a lot of people.

I think it starts with understanding what's possible, and appreciating the pursuit.

 

[slowmover]

That has definitely been my experience.

The pursuit of certainty (what lies ahead of me on the highway) drove the pursuit of hearing.

The propensity to help (the driver further behind) drove the pursuit of being heard.

The latter pursuit isn't perfectly finished per se, but moving to a permanent mount in the ideal location (plus install quality and noise abatement) was a game changer for RX and TX quality.

The flagship adage of @slowmover, "hearing and being heard clearly," has changed how other drivers react and respond to my radio traffic.

Time spent on the highway has stopped being a passive, mindless affair.

It has become an intentional and engaging action that I am participating in with other drivers (for better or worse).

I know that CB will never be that for everyone, but I know that it could be d@mn close for a lot of people.

I think it starts with understanding what's possible, and appreciating the pursuit.

Thank you for the clarity and re-statements.

Best Mobile 2025 is an easy-to-use-and-maintain high performance 11M Radio Rig.

No jungle of coax and power cables.
Few weak links.

The closest yet to plug’n play.

Any old CB wasn’t too hard, previously, it just wasn’t worth much in high-speed rural travel.

The proposed system isn't too hard yet is worlds better in opening the door to what’s possible. Close to home or half a continent away.

I made a long errands run into Ft Worth today. Skip made interesting as it was drivers (not the paid bad actors) in both Maryland and Pennsylvania on AM-19 who accompanied my drive. Occasionally respited by local radio traffic negotiating local problems. I could join with either.

But I’m using a 2014 H-P rig. Extra devices and complications in coax & cabling plus having to adjust components to each other. Keep track of stuff working loose, kinking, etc.

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[EAFrizzle]

Right now, I'm pretty near plug-n-play in the car. Don't have time for proper permanent antenna installs during my move, but there WILL be 3 NMO mounts on my car once I get to Dallas. For now, mag-mounts it is, and the Stryker is doing a very nice job so far. My xiegu G90 does just fine most days with its 20 watts. I like it for shortwave listening, so it's usually the one hooked up. If I need a bit more punch, the QT-60Pro stands up quite well. It's not just a matter of more wattage, the audio and TXNRC stand out in the crowd. On ssb, the QT-60Pro can sound nearly as good as using fm locally.

I loved my 2950s and 2970s. They had advanced functions and sophisticated looks compared to the trucker-styled rigs. We thought we were the Mac Daddies of Modulation. Just a few days with the QT-60Pro made me realize just how good the technology in an affordable transceiver is these days.

The nice thing about a truly Modern Modulator is that the audio cuts through noise and pileup without having to be a splatterbox. A friend gave me a Palomar 400 for when the radio needs a dose of Tim Taylor, but I haven't had any need for it yet. The G90s 20 watts does what I need to do for rag-chewing, the QT-60Pro lets me be heard even on 27.385.

Before you even order your radio, get your antenna system ready. It's really the key to getting everything out of whatever rig you're running and maximum enjoyment into your ears. You'll be able to notice the differences between a good rig and a great rig much easier.

I'm looking forward to getting the best possible antennae and mounts, but for right now, quality mag-mounts are doing the job nicely. The Styker does a good job for SWL, even on weak stations far from the antenna's resonance.

And just because you get a permanent mount for your antenna, don't get rid of your CBag mount. As I mentioned in another thread, I've seen a Wilson 1000 mag-mount used for an SDR on HF stuck on a cast-iron skillet inside the room. Seems to work well enough for him (yet he's always amazed at what I can pick up on an SDR dongle. His Wilson does nice for what it is, but it's not going to ever beat any of my wire loops). Just start off with a quality antenna. The guys here will shoot straight and tell you exactly how the cows eat the cabbage on performance, then you can just sit back with an ear-to-ear grin.


Thanks to all the knowledgeable regulars on this forum. Y'all make troubleshooting easier and more enjoyable. Certainly better than the days of getting on the landlines to ask someone what the @&#$^^%! is going wrong? 🤣

 

[slowmover]

there WILL be 3 NMO mounts on my car once I get to Dallas.

Looks like we’ll bracket D/FW on the Interstate 20 East-West line about 100-miles apart if you’re near Terrell (I’m outside Weatherford). Might make for interesting comparisons of mobile someday (per this thread).

Per AM-19 (“Truckers Still Use CB thread) while sitting at the T/A Truckstop (Talty, TX) I could always hear and/or join in quite a lot of conversations from 0500-0900 as drivers were inbound to delivery.

The Petro Truckstop at Weatherford is the equivalent. Both are quite large. The T/A was originally a Rip Griffin. No CB shop, but you’re nearer both Ham Radio Outlet in Plano and for Santa’s Workshop (Larry’s CB) in McKinney. (The Petro has a minor CB shop; good for installs).


These two truckstops mark the E-W “width” of this major metro: 100-miles. With 8-million in-between. And on the edge of civilization.


I usually can pick up well-known CB advocate JesseJamesDallas from the SE quadrant of the MetroHex (both directions on IH-20 from roughly US-175 @ IH-635).

The thread radio rig level of radio performance is what has enabled me to re-route myself with multiple changes across D/FW in response to blockages occurring to be on-time to an appointment despite a major wreck then the subsidiary wrecks occurring on alternates.

When I’ve written high performance I’m really not kidding. No hyperbole. It assumes the competence necessary as navigator & driver, but that’s a separate set of skills. It does assume one isn’t stuck in “radio-passive mode”, but has become skilled in eliciting & sharing road information.

For someone who’s good behind the wheel Best Mobile 2025 is the tool needed to be able to proceed in the face of problems without damning expense for vehicle or operator.

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[EAFrizzle]

I'll be on the opposite end of Kaufman county. Closer to Ennis. Still a respectable distance. I'll definitely be checking out all the different radio shops I can find.

 

[slowmover]

Well, you won’t lack for truck, rail or radial-engine traffic up here. US-75 is the old highway. Follows the 1870s rail line from the coast (container port and Miller Yard north of that).

The Loves isn’t a place I’d frequent, but the QT across the highway is “okay”. Far too many shady types parking big trucks all over the place. SE Dallas County and environs is, know where you are.

The Scale House adjacent to the container port gets plenty of activity.

The major truck stops at IH-20/Bonnie View Rd are off-limits to valuable loads by many companies. Same for the Loves above and the next one west. Carry that over to all other services.

The Petro down south is fine, and the T/A at Hillsboro one of my favorites (now ruined by Buck-F Beaver across road).

No good CB shops. But you’ll sure hear some funny stuff (brass skrewdriver work).

The thread subject radio rig will command respect. Mine always did in that corridor.

IH-45 in that section near Enos and towards Dallas is subject to pileup wrecks beyond the norm (as is IH35E). Houston to Dallas it only flows well from Madisonville to Corsicana (before and after one backs off travel speed).

IH 20 daily has severe backups westbound towards IH35E - South (Midwest loads to/from Laredo).

Getting across D/FW is “open” only from 0900-1100. E-W is easy, normally; N-S, isn’t.

US-287 to IH-820 looks inviting (great that it’s been re-built), but it’s a commuter-land snafu after 1500.

Citizen Band is a great tool, here. But one has to learn to quickly elicit proper information as any of a half-dozen major highways can be heard all at once when closer to the Metro.

BNSF headquartered at FTW. The Tower Five Crossing should be of interest.

The Confederate Air Force was at Lancaster years ago. I used to run down there fairly often. ALWAYS worth your while (and more at both Love Field and Addison Airports; museums, not just fly-ins).

You can run 287 straight to Meacham:

Onboard "FIFI" - GoPro footage from a flight on a B-29 Superfortress

Erik Johnson provides GoPro compilation video from, B-29 "FIFI"

commemorativeairforce.org

And, of course, you’re sitting right on top of auto racing at Texas Motorplex

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[slowmover]

The Truth About the Mysterious Tesla Tower in Texas

The mysterious "tesla tower" in Milford, Texas is bringing the technology of the future to Texas with its electromagnetic wave technology, previously unobserved.

texashillcountry.com

 

[slowmover]

Sideband performance as “the test” for a mobile rig.

Safe to say that what’s on view was difficult to impossible to so easily acquire a short while back.

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[niceguy71]

Sideband performance as “the test” for a mobile rig.

Safe to say that what’s on view was difficult to impossible to so easily acquire a short while back.

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this is what I get on a daily basis on my base station.... I can key the mic and have 20 people from all across the USA and UK come back to me.... most times so many people respond that they talk over each other..... the UK has been really hot lately in the morning.
I hear it on my mobile unit also, contacts are not as easy to make on the mobile but still, if I ask for a contact I normally get one.. sometimes two or three.....
this is why it baffles me that a few guys in here with more power on their mobiles than me.... and with better antenna's, don't get this kind of response like I do??? so I guess I should be very thankful.... must be my location??? my elevation??? I'm 132 feet above sea level... I notice he was on the beach ... and I'm very close to the ocean too... I wonder if that's the secret?

I was sitting at my workbench Friday morning 01/24/2025 9AM to 12PM and heard that same guy, 382 in Florida for over 30 minutes ... he was having a fun day on channel 37.. but I had to switch over to 38, as I was getting tired of listening to the same guy over and over... I should have tried to contact him, it would have been funny to hear me on this!...... but I had a lot of work to do and was mostly listening while working....but he sure sounded good!

as SlowMover said.... life is good right now for CB!!!

 

[slowmover]

I think most folks believe the echo chamber.

Whether it’s the massive lies of TV & Hollywood, or something more specific (more niche) be it about common sense in Radio or with Firearms topics.

There are those who are paid to dissuade.
We now live in an era we must investigate things ourselves. Details matter.


I was rolling into Tarrant County a few days ago and we rapidly came to a halt on IH30 right about where the first signs to warn us about lane closures occurred.

I got on the mic and gave the description. Was surprised at the number of, thank you, I received.

“I knew” that they were all within 2-miles behind me. Clean and clear as a bell. As if they were next to me.

Wearing the mask trained many to be even less likely to speak up. And the insane on-air given even more leash.

That video linked above is what it’s like to have a really great mobile set-up parked in a location to magnify distant signals on SSB.

The Good News is that even as one steps down into difficulties of RX . . high-performance qualities remain.

To the extent of the surprise I felt the other day.
Even after ten years experience in having DSP audio to clean up RX.

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[EAFrizzle]

DX on 27 MHz is great right now, and modern electronics makes it even more fun. I have no base antenna right now, but the Stryker AR-10 is doing a great job for me in the car. It doesn't matter if I'm running the QT-60Pro at 60 or the Xiegu G90 at 20 watts, making contacts is quick and easy with either radio. Last week, I worked the UK, Ireland, and Italy with the G90 set for 19 watts and the compander on for TX. Good signal and audio reports for both radios all around. Now if I could just find the local frequency for night time, I'll be almost all set.

 

[slowmover]

“ . . Now if I could just find the local frequency for night time, I'll be almost all set.”

Being patient while using SCAN.

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[EAFrizzle]

I get distracted on the G90 too easily, hunting broadcasts and utility stations. I should bring the QT-60 inside.

 

[WSAC829]

I get distracted on the G90 too easily

Lol. Same here, except i usually stumble over to 7.200 in the evenings if it's dead locally. People who think the 1111111 guy is bad on 38 LSB, or the Super Bowl is bad, should hop on over there. It's a complete clown show. How the FCC allowed that on HAM bands is beyond me, but it's fun to listen too. At any rate, the G90 is a fun little rig.

 

[jcrmadden]

Sideband performance as “the test” for a mobile rig.

Safe to say that what’s on view was difficult to impossible to so easily acquire a short while back.

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"...down here in the mobile with a two foot chop and a walkie talkie..."

I'm not buying that antenna @slowmover !!!

 

[slowmover]

"...down here in the mobile with a two foot chop and a walkie talkie..."

I'm not buying that antenna @slowmover !!!

You’ll want to pick things up from this post going forward.

Post in thread 'goofy antenna'
goofy antenna

Planar Coil

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