slowmover
Active Member
A Harrison plus a hidden KL-203 complicates wiring, but may make in-dash type of radio install okay.
But giving up SSB is past the thread premise.
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But giving up SSB is past the thread premise.
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Best Mobile 2025
- Thread starter slowmover
- Start date
niceguy71
Active Member
not to disagree with you SlowMover
... I'd always want SSB in a radio in my vehicles too.. .... if a SHTF type thing happened and I needed to drive 20 to 30 miles away from my base station and needed to keep in touch with my family back at the base..... SSB is a great tool......
but so far I've never used it other than to "play with skip" across the country...
everyone is on regular CB other than skip chasers.... regular AM CB lets me talk to all my friends .... find out the local gossip and traffic conditions.
if I'm out driving someplace my CB is always on channel 19 with the squelch turned up very high..... unless I'm going shooting or fishing with a group of friends then we find a different channel... and at night my local channel is 27 and there is always a 5 or 6 guys on it with some hilarious conversations
I've yet to see how I couldn't live without SSB? all the people that just have AM seem quite happy??? basic communications that can talk to all the other people on the road.
so why is the SSB so important? I know this is your livelihood so tell me, when do you use SSB and for what?... not trying to challenge you.. I'm just curious
While I still enjoy my QT-60Pro, it's been replaced with another Xiegu G90. The head fits nicely into a tray in the console. Audio is fed to the car system. The deck is under the driver's seat going to a Palomar 400 under the passenger side.
The remote head gives you a lot of options for installs. Next thing is to modify the mount to hold the DB-50 head with it.
Is it the best CB in 2025? Probably not for most folks. It's a perfect fit for what I want to do. All modes, good TX audio, 500 kHz to 30 MHz coverage. More expensive than some CBs, less than some others. It's worth it to me to have two, for general listening and emergency comms.
The remote head gives you a lot of options for installs. Next thing is to modify the mount to hold the DB-50 head with it.
Is it the best CB in 2025? Probably not for most folks. It's a perfect fit for what I want to do. All modes, good TX audio, 500 kHz to 30 MHz coverage. More expensive than some CBs, less than some others. It's worth it to me to have two, for general listening and emergency comms.
slowmover
Active Member
Nice points. I’d enjoy a ride along to experience it in action. But not simple to mount and to route cable for power & coax for the new guy.
The opening lines of the original post was the idea of how to get friends & family straight over the start-small hump and into a “final radio rig” as tech advance plus low price make it E-Z compared to just a few years ago.
1). Radio on LIDO seat bolt mount (plus DC radio & chassis ground). DC Pos across an HVAC grommet to BATT with fuse.
2). DX-901 speaker on LIDO headrest mount with. cable under carpet up seatback.
3). NMO34 rig thru dome light and coax down starboard B-pillar.
4). Optional Magnetic Mic on dash.
There’s also “space” (manner of speaking) to work in toroid coax filters at both ends. Ferrite for DC noise if needed. H-Freight Apache transport case to store when not in use. 431cb Bandpass Filter for the hardcore, etc.
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Lack of space is getting worse inside vehicles; I'm surprised the CB manufacturers aren't doing more with remote head radios.
slowmover
Active Member
At over a mile a minute going past one another SSB is an easy way to get to a possibly quieter channel and finish what was started. Alternate route, places to pull over, where to get dinner, how to deal with receiver, etc.
Which gate at Cape Cod Seashore closed. What roads thru Muscle Shoals closed by tornado. Etc.
The big boys with real radios can tag along.
Listen & Learn
If it’s one of your friends it’s to get off 19 with conversation not road-related.
From a base station it’s a real extension in capture radius for family vehicles and what that may entail. What your wife can tell you that you can then tell others.
How to tell a teenager to use a bumper winch.
SSB use is your test of high performance.
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slowmover
Active Member
And I have no dang idea what all these people are talking about adjusting the clarifier while mobile. If the other station is so far off frequency that you need to tune them while driving, just ask them to get on frequency. The only radios you'll hear off frequency are older ones. Most SSB operators running older rigs want to know how their rig is performing, so they won't mind making adjustments.
The main reason to use SSB isn't for skip, it's for maximum range and clarity locally. FM is great in a small radius, but just won't beat SSB watt for watt at distance.
SSB is also better for the radio, if the operator tends to be long-winded.
The main reason to use SSB isn't for skip, it's for maximum range and clarity locally. FM is great in a small radius, but just won't beat SSB watt for watt at distance.
SSB is also better for the radio, if the operator tends to be long-winded.
slowmover
Active Member
That’s ’cause you didn’t let Bluto max out your 4W radio so it’ll key 6 and swing 18.
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slowmover
Active Member
Meant to quote you above in #106.
I’d be emphasizing FM if things were local-local and we were mobile.
SSB otherwise as @EAFrizzle noted.
Spur to the men with poor spec radio to get with the 2025 program.
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niceguy71
Active Member
saw it, thank you.
so far I've yet to use SSB for local communication.. other than the range test with wx2watch and we only used SSB from my base to his mobile.... mobile to mobile we were still only using AM...... not sure what wx2watch and Merlin were using that night.
most of the truck drivers I know tell me they never use SSB and don't even want it? ...they all seem to have an old Cobra 29LTD Classic with a firestick... they all seem happy with that system????
how many own their own truck? if you owned your own truck, I would think you would want the best radio you could get...... but today people seem to be happy with the cheapest radio they can buy??? that's never been me.
I like having the option of SSB ....but when I do talk to a local mobile to mobile, I know I'm only going to have minutes to chat.... if we were running out of range, I doubt I would have time to find an open SSB channel and get back to him to say hey turn to 35 LSB.
( and 99% of the people would say they don't have SSB)
I'd love to have all my close friends own a side band radio.... and I have gotten 4 of them to buy a regular CB ( Radioddity CS-47 SO damn EASY to mount) and the Stryker SAR-10 antenna.... they all like that foolish blue light??? go figure...
so far those Stryker SAR-10 antenna's have not had to have the SWR set on them... all 4 of them have been perfect out of the box. ( I'm the only one with a SWR meter)
thanks for the info, Slowmover... I always wondered what you used SSB for, and how often
Just keep using AM and FM; eventually, people will start to understand their limitations and become more interested in sideband.
A black sharpie cures the blue-light special.
That is one of the easiest antennas to set up, ever. Just drop the whip to the bottom and you're dead on for 11 meters, and easy to adjust for 12. Best bang for your buck on a mobile antenna, IMO.
slowmover
Active Member
I look at an SSB radio as having a somewhat better receiver, accurate assessment or not.
Don’t leave anything on the table as you walk away.
I wouldn't say I used it often. Not the point as it’s invaluable when it matters. (The need to continually monitor 19 is a whole other level of concern above being in a car; big trucks have far fewer options regarding routing).
Last time I tested SSB was a couple of years ago against another unit (same big truck spec); he was on Rio Grande Valley floor in a warehouse district in ABQ, NM as I climbed the Rocky Mountains pass going east on IH-40 towards Amarillo.
We made it some 24/air miles and after I’d rounded the first (maybe second) canyon turn. Me with QT60 & KL7505, him with a 400W Ranger. Both with an optimized antenna system with 6’ or my 8’ antennas.
My pickup, today, and another with 7’ roof mount might have exceeded that.
The NRC radios make SSB “new” and basically foolproof. Greater clarity IS impressive on SSB (given DX-901 which both of us were using; him with external W-M DSP).
I heard him on AM-19 leaving FTW a week of two back. Doubt he’s changed anything unless he bought his own truck. Too many highways for me to figure out which one he was on, and I wasn’t running an amp.
Had he been able to hear me I’d have requested another SSB test as the westbound roads move somewhat parallel in the initial miles out of Cowtown.
I’m using barefoot Lincoln II+ at present. Has taken me awhile to figure out how to set controls. I now would have known how to isolate and zero in his TX. (It’s not really an 11M radio, much less an AM-19 standard choice despite some added features).
Post in thread 'President Lincoln II+ V.3'
President Lincoln II+ V.3
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slowmover
Active Member
As to truck drivers there’s a large set using received opinion about, What is a CB? The same ones with tattoos, tee-shirts and think a Fairy-Cohenson motorcycle is cool.
These are skulls only a million years of river water to wear the granite down can impress when not on TV or their video games. Backwards ball caps as seen on unshaven maroons the Enemy trots out for their delectation. “Speshul Farces”.
“Thinking” isn’t pleasurable for them unless it involves Bud Light or Bonnie Blue (as rationality isn’t a feature).
Radio is more problem-solving than they’ll invest given no one around to do the heavy lifting for them.
These guys can be okay to work with — some quite good at the job — but limits on computing power make any non peer-pressure agenda item a loser.
When I’ve said that high performance CB is a whole other world I’m not joking or exaggerating.
For them, “CB is dead”. Only turns it on or up once a problem is in view. Hollywood scored again, like this one:
54% of all Americans read at or below the 6th Grade level. Elevate the stupid and expect stupid societal results.
The Man Card is only from the local library.
Theater costume & Attitude ain’t a substitute.
Best Mobile 2025 is to jump family and friends past the received opinion hampers Meal Team Six.
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These are skulls only a million years of river water to wear the granite down can impress when not on TV or their video games. Backwards ball caps as seen on unshaven maroons the Enemy trots out for their delectation. “Speshul Farces”.
“Thinking” isn’t pleasurable for them unless it involves Bud Light or Bonnie Blue (as rationality isn’t a feature).
Radio is more problem-solving than they’ll invest given no one around to do the heavy lifting for them.
These guys can be okay to work with — some quite good at the job — but limits on computing power make any non peer-pressure agenda item a loser.
When I’ve said that high performance CB is a whole other world I’m not joking or exaggerating.
For them, “CB is dead”. Only turns it on or up once a problem is in view. Hollywood scored again, like this one:
54% of all Americans read at or below the 6th Grade level. Elevate the stupid and expect stupid societal results.
The Man Card is only from the local library.
Theater costume & Attitude ain’t a substitute.
Best Mobile 2025 is to jump family and friends past the received opinion hampers Meal Team Six.
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slowmover
Active Member
Naked man accused of crashing SUV in Destrehan parking lot
The video shows the man banging on the driver-side window, before opening the door and climbing inside. Shortly after, the SUV takes off in the parking lot driving in a circle.
www.wafb.com
Jack up my truck as Center-of-Gravity isn’t worth learning about, much less respecting.
This is not an accident. Failure to stay aware of threat coupled to potentially fatal truck modifications. Open a catalog for the originality of a pre-made do-rag or stupid truck mods.
Not a husband and, happily, never a father.
(If only).
Willful Ignorance is a bone-deep sin given that honor demands that duty be found.
Radio can fit right in re Duty.
— You’ll (likely) be the only man the other guy will ever meet has a proven interest in HP 11M. Can also demonstrate.
IMO, it is not a coincidence then the topic might be broached.
Want to live a long life?
Above all avoid being gunshot or in a serious car wreck.
Radio can potentially help in that avoidance as but one of its attributes.
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robertwbob
KE0WRU
I had a little bitty radio ,cant remember brand bought new off ebay that was decent little rado.about 3/4"tall x4" wide x5" deep.
Somebody hit me up needing a cb..think i gave 49 bucks for it.let him have it for 25.
robertwbob
KE0WRU
whats bad its storming in my area last day n maybe today .darn off work n no radioing in free lectric storms
niceguy71
Active Member
WOW!!! I just had to Youtube that Xiegu G90... I didn't know anything about it... that thing is AMAZING!!! I really need to get my ham license and get me one of those!
but for a mobile install I love that removable head and so many awesome features, it even has 20 watts ( more than enough for me)
I sure would miss having the 40 CB channels numbers show up.. but I'm sure I could learn to get used to using frequencies. instead of channel numbers.
it's a ton of money.. but sometimes there is no easy way to install a good SSB CB into a vehicle with a small interior without spending a bundle cutting dashes and consoles .. so in the end... this could fit in many applications and give a ton of features....
thanks for telling me about it EZFrizzle
nice way to mount it.
The G90 has plenty of memory channels to program CB channels. The dual VFO is nice when skip is running good on 12 meters. I keep one on the fives and one on the zeros, e.g., 27.385 one one VFO and one on 27.380. Makes it easier working Europe and the Caribbean.
slowmover
Active Member
G90 is impressive radio features. Too bad his truck antenna system isn’t its’ equal.
Having to add an amp plus a powered speaker gets away from the simplicity being advocated in this thread. More failure points and more need of maintenance.
Our family & friend BEST MOBILE idea is to get them over the hump and straight into high performance. The entire system for about what he paid for the G90 radio. Nothing not needed. One run of power, and one single piece of coax plus one run of audio cable to speaker.
LIDO seat-bolt radio mount plus headrest mount for speaker is E-Z.
Metro or Rural, it’s a complete rig not outclassed by population density or distances. An antenna system which is both low-key and high performance able to perform well in both areas. Whether just monitoring for key words or suddenly in the middle of high speed vocal data exchanges. (These last two must addressed at beginning).
G90 is for the guy really taken by the fascination of radio in itself. The extra expense isn’t just difference in radio price it’s also in needing to distribute 12V, route that, etc.
Most road trips wiill cross into and out of areas of greater density. Where road problems happen at outskirts with alacrity.
The antenna system is what matters most.
The radio advocated as example is smallest footprint meeting HP spec.
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Having to add an amp plus a powered speaker gets away from the simplicity being advocated in this thread. More failure points and more need of maintenance.
Our family & friend BEST MOBILE idea is to get them over the hump and straight into high performance. The entire system for about what he paid for the G90 radio. Nothing not needed. One run of power, and one single piece of coax plus one run of audio cable to speaker.
LIDO seat-bolt radio mount plus headrest mount for speaker is E-Z.
Metro or Rural, it’s a complete rig not outclassed by population density or distances. An antenna system which is both low-key and high performance able to perform well in both areas. Whether just monitoring for key words or suddenly in the middle of high speed vocal data exchanges. (These last two must addressed at beginning).
G90 is for the guy really taken by the fascination of radio in itself. The extra expense isn’t just difference in radio price it’s also in needing to distribute 12V, route that, etc.
Most road trips wiill cross into and out of areas of greater density. Where road problems happen at outskirts with alacrity.
The antenna system is what matters most.
The radio advocated as example is smallest footprint meeting HP spec.
.
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