First Mini SSB-capable CB

[Bootyhunter]

the third brake light bars /CB antenna mounts don't work.... lot of guys try them... they are too far above the cab and not enough contact with the cab to get a ground plane... they do great to put a magnetic light on them.... but a CB antenna doesn't work with them.

just curious you do know that a handheld like your Randy will not work inside of a vehicle? being inside of a vehicle is like being inside a Faraday cage.... no signals get in or out of the metal box around you... I have had friends hang out the window with their handhelds trying to contact me on road trips... even then it's only good for 100 feet.

not a lot of CB out there ... not like the old days..... but I talk to people daily.... but I have a powerful CB and a big antenna......a really good install ( wired directly to the battery and grounded to the cab ) will cut out a lot of noise and give enough clean power to work, as long as you have a really great antenna... you really need a 5 foot tall antenna in the center of the roof... with the Aluminum Ford, best you can do is a permanent mount drilling a hole in the roof..... but if you're not really into the hobby a hole is a big deal for most people..... just an idea.... the Stryker SR-A10 magnetic mount antenna works very good.... when you buy the Stryker it comes with a huge steel washer for people that have aluminum roofs... you glue the steel washer under the aluminum roof and then stick the magnetic antenna on the roof above the washer... they say it holds pretty good... A magnetic CB antenna utilizes capacitive coupling from the magnet and that will work with the aluminum body of the Ford and make a great ground plane as long as it has the steel washer under the roof.

hope everything works out for you

1st, yes I am aware the handheld wont do great vs an external antenna, but it will pick up strobg signals, those tards on 6 and 11 come in fine. Just not alot of local stuff anymore around. Guess I will find out about the light bar mount, should do ok for my purpose which is listening mostly.

 

[niceguy71]

1st, yes I am aware the handheld wont do great vs an external antenna, but it will pick up strobg signals, those tards on 6 and 11 come in fine. Just not alot of local stuff anymore around. Guess I will find out about the light bar mount, should do ok for my purpose which is listening mostly.

certainly not like the old days on CB, thats for sure
most of the guys with smaller CB antennas say CB is dead... but with today's high tech equipment it's a different story than a cheap CB and small antenna.
I have found every town seems to have a channel for the locals.... finding it can be difficult
I listened to my CB for months when I first got it.. never heard many local guys... then someone here told me that my area uses Channel 27 ??? I was like sure... so one night I was driving home and took it off of channel 19 where it always sits and put it on channel 27 ...again nothing... after a few nights I asked is anyone out there in frustration????
several guys came back !!! seems there are 6 towns around my town that all use 27..... most just listen.. but as soon as someone starts talking, they all start! sometimes it's so busy we have three channels going.... and I thought CB was dead... seems the guys get on from 6 PM to 11 PM
on the highway I have friends that bought small antenna's that could only get out about 3.5 to maybe 4 miles ( LiL WiL ) ( K-30 ) they tried asking for a radio check hundreds of times... they tell me they never got one... anytime my friends are in my pick-up I look at them and smile and say so you never get a radio check huh? I pick up my mic and ask for a radio check.. many times I get more than one person coming back.... so I've gotten my friends to get rid of the little antenna's and buy a refurbished Magnetic Stryker SR-A10 Stryker for $79.99 right from Stryker with full warranty... the only reason they are refurbished is the box is falling apart... I have bought a couple myself and asked the sales people about why is the antenna refurbished ... again they said it was just the box.. it's so heavy that the cardboard falls apart and many stores send them back to Stryker and they make sure all the parts are there and sell them as refurbished... best deal out there!!!!!
I also have a powerful CB ( Radioddity QT-60 ) I run mine at 10 watts as it does the job...I have talked my friends into the newer radios that can be modified to do 6 to 10 watts and have NRC without the NRC the radios are very noisy and filled with static making it difficult to hear anyone... but with the NRC you will hear people much further away.
.... I have put a few Radioddity CS-47 cbs in... the CB body goes behind the seat or under the seat....and then I buy a RJ-45 Cat 6 extension cable and run that under the rug and just mount the mic on the dash... big beautiful display and it puts out 6.90 watts on AM and 15 watts on FM .... on AM with a good Stryker antenna it can do 7 to 9 mile radius and that's a LONG ways away...... ( big circle ) lot harder to find people in a 3 or 4 mile radius

so for $80 I would try the 66 inch Stryker ( you get a great antenna and a way to install it on your aluminum truck for $79.99 ) I would glue the washer under the aluminum roof ( I have used 100% silicone caulking for years once it dries you will never get it off! ) I would take a little sharpie and make 4 dots around the antenna on the roof so every time you take it off to go through the car wash or in a parking garage you can easily put it back in the same spot.... as with that huge thick steel washer under the roof you want to get it in just the right spot.

with my 5 foot antenna I am able to talk skip on Channel 38 and Channel 37 almost daily... all across America ...some times while I'm doing 75 MPH
just a suggestion maybe the little antenna on a light bar mount ( never heard of it working yet ) with a Randy or the Luiton ( the Luiton is 7 to 9 watts and has a NRC noise reduction Circuit ) will do the trick for you. ( the Randy is about 3.50 watts )
best of luck in whatever you do

I tried doing DX with a small antenna.. it was extremely difficult, I had a few... but only a few in a few months....
the 5 foot tall antenna makes DX look easy this is me showing a friend what my 5 foot antenna can do.... we tried his K-30 before this and got no contacts. but with the 5 foot antenna we had 10 contacts in 10 minutes

again good luck, I just wanted to make you aware of what actually works.

 

[WSAC829]

Radioddity version of the AnyTone AT-5000 coming soon. Bonus, theirs comes with a programming cable and warranty for the same price.

*NEW* Radioddity CB-5000 Multimode $189

Coming Soon and with thanks to Perrin for kindly sending me this. Guess all the usual people who’ll says it’s amazing as it’s free will see it soon so expect the videos shortly. Interesting as it’s…

simonthewizard.com

 

[WSAC829]

Well… That didn’t take long. It’s available now. Another bonus, it also comes with a microphone adapter.

Radioddity CB-5000 | Ham Radio Gear

Radioddity CB-5000 | Ham Radio Gear from Radioddity. Practical gear for ham operators, emergency prep and reliable communications.

www.radioddity.com

 

[MackinNC]

Read this whole thread. That took a while but lots of great info. sorry been out of Cb for a few mos. I fish like crazy here in NC from Feb to now. Now it is too hot to fish. Over 100 today and heat index is over 110. time for cb stuff!

Raddioditty is sending me the CB 5000 so I will have a review on it in the next few weeks. look very promising from what I see.

and Steve I got that HH50 today for 40$ never used and not a scratch!

 

[slowmover]

.

 

[slowmover]

Overview of a quality radio rig install as in post above is a pleasure to see. The versatility, etc, makes it stand out.

As to Speaker:

Headrest external speaker mount

You can attach any communications speaker to this mount as long as the mount has a mounting bracket. In most cases the holes with this mount will line up with the holes in the mounting bracket that is attached to your speaker, but they may not. If that is the case you would need to drill holes...

www.lidoradio.com

Where speaker location is made correct (depicted) then this is an easy mount choice. Up above left shoulder has distinct science to back it.

A). Playing the QSO game — formulaic speech — it’s not as important to undergird what’s needed at speed on AM-19. (Vocal Audio Detail). Nothing is on the line.

B). Same handicap true for this radio choice.
Toy, not Tool as primary use.


As a radio demo:

Clarity of both the visual & auditory with the outline of the install made for an excellent short video. Unlike many he seems to have hit the jackpot with this SUV for personal/family transport and that it’s amenable to low S/NR with a not insignificant systems installation.

Best practice yields best results . . that’s a fine chariot to show off any 10/12M radio.


.

 

[KR4NIV]

I just reached out to Radioddity for a unit to test.

 

[slowmover]

Not ready.

 

[slowmover]

TYT MINI CB
View attachment 204385

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[WSAC829]

Not ready.

Why? Because he prefers the RX sound of analog radios, hates DSP/NRC and doesn't like the super easy to use multifunction knob? Pfft.

Watch Kates videos of real world use instead of some YT influencer who obviously hates modern technology.

 

[EAFrizzle]

Based on that video, most people would think that radio sounds like a springtime pasture smells. It probably sounds decent when you're not running compressed audio into another compressor. Smartphone mics aren't suitable for preserving audio quality, and a desk mic isn't in the right place. I'd love for one of these radio YTers to spend a weekend mixing sound for a band. They'd learn to appreciate room mics and DI.

 

[slowmover]

Controls.

Priority of channel over VOL.
(Separate them as on the non-SSB TYT Mini-CB as noted).



Won’t ever be a good choice for an automobile/big truck radio concerned with road conditions.

But it can certainly be better.



External speaker fidelity plus speaker location rate higher than the audio differences between radio brand/model.

Vehicle work conditions is the third control. “Windows open, at speed” is one of those (as cited).

S-Meter, yet another.


No, he doesn’t do many road miles. So far as I can tell no one here does either.

The prototypical American man is commuting back & forth to work in/near a major US metro. With whatever trips outside that range which constitute family duty or pleasure. Where he might benefit given CB.

5-6/hours use/week? 10-12? (Before the upper range numbers reached other distractions will be in use; telephone, music, etc.)

A typical truck driver approach of this sort (obsolete gear, poor install and audio below physical optimization) is, “monitoring”: listening for key words/phrases. Over-reliance on specific content. Zero participation. Herd member.

“Useful Tool”, isn’t showing up.
“Small Toy”, is . . and Control features confine it to that space.

Audio corrected for the specifics of fidelity via physical space & conditions almost never tested.

Where does this radio fit? Manpack, a good suggestion. What else?

As a mobile it requires a KL203 to be viable. $220. At which point packaging/install advantage is gone and radios near that price total of real ability already exist to drive a $75 DRX-901.



Given also an NMO quality antenna (as model of performance & longevity) this isn’t a radio choice for the family vehicle where realistic alternatives already exist.

 

[slowmover]

40-45/MPH Speed Variance cited. Dry road, clear sight lines, daytime; 4-lane divided. (Double fatality).

The rest of the pack of tailgaters got clear last moment (inability to judge closing speed)?
That’d be my guess. Seen it regularly.

I passed one of these yesterday: Big truck crippled for unknown reason proceeding at maybe 15-MPH on a 65-MPH 3-digit 5-lane. About a half-mile from an exit (in that lane). Extreme Heat WARNING in effect with Air Quality Index attached (brutal N TX summer day).

Possible DEF Limp Mode.

In the opposite direction was 1/2 of a large mobile office parked on the shoulder just out of sight over the crest of an overpass.

Probable trailer tire loss.

This image below will be the warning shot over the bow as the maroons lane-skip to avoid emergency braking by others cutting over to clear obstacles to their childish ideas of Right-of-Way . . . this is a chain reaction extending back 1/2-mile or farther from a crippled/stranded vehicle.



Poor radio controls discourage participation to “know” (mental map) of what’s out ahead.

The sequence of what happens (can & will happen) is wholly predictable.

Once it gets underway (and playing on SSB instead of being on AM-19) immediate concerns can foreclose radio service use especially when given those poor controls.

Takes once

These are typical commuter situations throughout the country. From metro fringe to being at one of the main arteries.

Contempt is, “I know what I’m doing”, when reality is that the panic exhibited by others makes that conceit, moot.

Having a suicidal fool cut right in front of you is usually part of a larger pattern underway. A sign not to be ignored (back to 19 immediately).

You have to go thru a sequence of button pushing & knob turning to do that? I want a CB, not a multi-stage combination lock.

I don’t know where this mini-SSB fits, but there’s not much point to it at this stage where on-road Mobile is being considered.

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[niceguy71]

First looking at that Luiton I was in love with it and really wanted one.
Thought it would be perfect for the jeep.

After first looking at my Luiton LT 310 SDR and trying to get the settings just right I wasn't too happy with it.... And the knob was messed up and I had to work with Luiton to resolve the problem.... After an hour I went from love to hate

Day two I got the settings set good .... Luiton told me how to fix the knob
The NR on it is the best I've ever seen ... Dead quiet other than people talking.... I really love how simple it is to change channel, volume and Squelch... One knob for all means never having to take my eyes off the road..... Just find that one knob.. I was back in love

I put it in the Jeep.... Adjusting the squelch I had to look to see if it said squelch or volume so I took my eyes off the road.
The knob is so tiny it felt awkward to use..., switching to SSB I had to pull over and get my glasses on to see if it was on AM FM or LSB or USB

The NR is awesome.... But people doesn't sound normal or right... I can hear every word clearly.... But it's like listening to a computer generated voice

I got 20 ssb contacts in 20 minutes on my base ... This thing WORKS!!!!

Owners will get used to the controls and it works great..... And I still love it.... I'm not giving it to my Jeep friend I want to keep it.

but after a few days.,... It's a toy.... A toy I won't part with and a toy that can easily do it's job .... But it's just too tiny for daily use

For the guy that wants a CB in a small vehicle to use seldom.... This is hard to beat!!!!

Toy yes
This is hands down the most fun I've EVER HAD with any CB ...

 

[WSAC829]

Owners will get used to the controls

Exactly. It doesn't take long to master. Here's a few tips for using it mobile without looking at it.
1) Turn the key beep volume up so it's semi loud. This lets you know how many times you pressed the CH/Vol/Sq knob/, mode button, etc.
2) The MF knob by default is Channel, 1 press = Volume, 2nd press = Squelch, 3rd press = back to Channel selector.
3) The MODE button is easy. Hit it a few times until you hear nothing. That's PA. Then each press after PA goes in this order: AM, FM, USB, LSB.
Memorize these steps with the loud key beep to verify each press and you'll never have to take your eyes off the road, except for maybe switching channels. Also make use of the auto squelch feature and enable/disable it via the mic. I don't use squelch on SSB, so i don't use that feature much, but when i switch to ch19 AM i just press the ASQ button on the mic. Easy peasy.

 

[slowmover]

Memorization isn’t any answer to the lack of the three key controls on knobs.

Believing this to be a question of ability is a flaw in thinking especially when the proper alternative is readily available.

Takes three to five years to expect a man to actually be truly good in the use of a manual transmission in a big truck. Something in which he daily engages many times. On the short end that’s more miles than most of you will cover in twenty-five years.

The number of hazardous situations in which surprise is a factor is high. Contempt is in believing that hazard — and the range to which it extends as in my last post — will always be recognized immediately.

The variety of conditions comprising a situation in which he has to act rapidly to minimize threat is almost without number. Getting the right steps in the right order isn’t the first line of analysis as complexity always figures in.

In big truck or automobile placing the convenience of packaging above having gotten the proper tool for the job is error.

The mini-SSB radios, thus far, are outside the category of proper tool for mobile use. Same (but worse) as a mag mount.

Drill the hole.
Cut the fascia.

Proper radio mount is the correct question the same as with permanent mount antenna, only more consequential.

An antenna laying in the back seat . . or a radio with controls “needing memorization”? Neither available when most needed, but once?

Kids squalling in the back seat, being a recent divorcee, heading home to a dying parent . . life ain’t fair, boys. Most “accidents” can also have to do with being emotionally preoccupied (stunted awareness). Being one’s self ill or injured, weak, or tired . . . ?

Having to think through a sequence while under pressure is a failure by design.


Carry pistol with an empty chamber, is the analogous argument being made.


.

 

[niceguy71]

Memorization isn’t any answer to the lack of the three key controls on knobs.

Believing this to be a question of ability is a flaw in thinking especially when the proper alternative is readily available.

Takes three to five years to expect a man to actually be truly good in the use of a manual transmission in a big truck. Something in which he daily engages many times. On the short end that’s more miles than most of you will cover in twenty-five years.

The number of hazardous situations in which surprise is a factor is high. Contempt is in believing that hazard — and the range to which it extends as in my last post — will always be recognized immediately.

The variety of conditions comprising a situation in which he has to act rapidly to minimize threat is almost without number. Getting the right steps in the right order isn’t the first line of analysis as complexity always figures in.

In big truck or automobile placing the convenience of packaging above having gotten the proper tool for the job is error.

The mini-SSB radios, thus far, are outside the category of proper tool for mobile use. Same (but worse) as a mag mount.

Drill the hole.
Cut the fascia.

Proper radio mount is the correct question the same as with permanent mount antenna, only more consequential.

An antenna laying in the back seat . . or a radio with controls “needing memorization”? Neither available when most needed, but once?

Kids squalling in the back seat, being a recent divorcee, heading home to a dying parent . . life ain’t fair, boys. Most “accidents” can also have to do with being emotionally preoccupied (stunted awareness). Being one’s self ill or injured, weak, or tired . . . ?

Having to think through a sequence while under pressure is a failure by design.


Carry pistol with an empty chamber, is the analogous argument being made.


.

that was a well thought out response....

but don't knock it until you try it!

I was using the radio right out of the box and never gave the multifunction knob a thought.... they did an awesome job with its layout ... super simple and easy.... I really like just reaching for one knob... it's in my hand and I can at that point do three things...
SlowMover you're looking for a problem that's not there.....

YES I take my eyes off the road to make sure the radio say's SQ or VOL ... it's a quick glance
I have to do that with my QT-60 when trying to find the SSB button and then having to watch all the stuff on the display until I come to AM or LSB... it's also a pain.... I thought I would get used to the LSB to AM.... or AM to LSB ... on the QT-60... trying to memorize it... but I haven't .... and will not knock the QT-60 for it.

I felt the Luiton was a cheap piece of junk for a day.... I'll admit it... but I don't feel that way now... I just needed to open my eyes to something different... you have to really give Luiton credit for this design and for the worlds smallest SSB radio.... they truly knocked this out of the park!!!!

the broken knob had me really pissed and when I was doing the settings it was in a very weird evening for conditions.....zero conditions... just buzzing on all my radios? no people... no static.... just buzzing
never saw an evening like that, so no matter what I did with the settings it just couldn't be adjusted... later I turned on the AI-NR and that actually worked amazingly
DAY TWO when the conditions were normal and Luiton told me how to fix the knob... I was extremely impressed with this radio....

the knob for people wondering..... it would turn easy for 300 degrees and then get so hard to turn I thought I would brake the shaft!! if it got hard to turn while it was on ( say 19 ) .. and I pushed the knob in to adjust the volume... the knob stuck in ( as it was bound up and couldn't spring back out ) and when it is stuck in it shuts the radio off!!!! ( I was livid ) Lution told me it's quite common.. and to put some cellophane in the knob hole so it doesn't go too far down on the shaft and use an Emery board to sand the knob where it rubs the body ( this did not make me feel over good about the build quality of the radio )
after reading Luiton's quick fix....I pulled the knob back on the shaft a little and it was perfect ( I still need to put something in the hole )

( yes it's still a cheap radio and may not last 6 months of use... only time will tell ) but I can't knock it until it fails.

again if you re-read my post I really think the multifunction knob makes this easier to use than some of the top radios!!!!!

WSAC829​

may have the solution with the beep turned on.... in my review video I said I absolutely hate beeping knobs and showed how to turn it off.. I made a fuss over not even imagining having to listen to that foolish beep when changing channels... ( even though it beeps differently for going up and beeps differently for going down... very, VERY COOL )

as for a daily driver... I will always make a full size radio fit.. I don't care if I have to cut out my air bags.. I'll find a spot and make it work where I can easily reach all the controls..... but for people that don't use a CB daily....this little radio is very cool and it works... and probably could work daily... but it would not be as nice as a full sized radio... we can't compare the two!
the Luiton does an amazing job with a radio that can fit anyplace.... it was not made to compete with full sized SSB radios

for my friends that only use CB when were going off roading or to go shooting or fishing ( I'm lying we mostly go to breakfast )... it takes up no room.. once adjusted it's super simple to do the three main functions....

I can't drive with my glasses on and I can't see the difference between AM and FM ... even with my glasses I have to study the AM and FM to make sure I'm on the one I want... and finding LSB while driving.... not something I would feel comfortable doing at least for now....
I have a hard time switching the QT-60 from AM to LSB while driving too.. but at least the QT-60 has a big display ( no Glasses needed ) and the QT-60 is a big radio so I set it up where I can see it as a main focal point.... the Luiton LT310 SDR is one of those radios for in the console or under the dash or between the seat and the console... it's not going to be a radio you put in the perfect spot like in an 18 wheeler.

so don't knock it until you try it... it's a very cool useful radio ... ( admittingly I wouldn't consider it for daily use )

​

 

[WSAC829]

lack of the three key controls on knobs

There isn't a lack. They share the same knob. Dead simple to use for people who aren't anal retentive.

Takes three to five years to expect a man to actually be truly good in the use of a manual transmission in a big truck

Those people should never be allowed a CDL if it takes that long to be "good" at shifting. I hopped in to a 13 speed 30 years ago, got my CDL 3 weeks later and drove it like i stole it. It ain't hard.

Memorization isn’t any answer

Maybe some people should then mount their radio in better easier to see places. Not in a box on the passenger seat, not face up sideways on the center console, etc. This isn't rocket science.

 

[WSAC829]

SlowMover you're looking for a problem that's not there.....

This ^^^^^