Handheld CB

[slowmover]

Not worth installing a cb in a vehicle these days. Best to put a hand held in the vehicle for backup coms. Sucks the president Randy didn't come with SSB. IDIOTS should have known to include SSB. Will see what there next radio becomes with the FCC approving FM. Won't spend a dime unless it has both.

Two of the last three days on-road I’ve had to deal with, One, a distant HAZMAT spill (closed Interstate; a few thousand trucks affected), and, Two, last night a fatal accident which also closed the Interstate (hundreds more trucks).

These aren’t just inconvenient.

— A HazMat tanker overturns what’s in it can kill you. Same for some rail & road collisions (derailments).

— A fatality has a way of spawning yet more wrecks from the ignorant and benighted being shuttled off to lesser roads.

— Winter weather can see you plodding safely along the Interstate, but unawares to you two cars have collided just barely over the top of the next rise. Your 25-mph will be fatally too fast.

A man wants one or doesn’t. His choice. But the above and many other instances WILL NOT be accidental should he & his be harmed or harm others.

One owns the means to communicate with those around him, or cedes his manhood to distant others.

There are GREAT radio systems to put together today if wanted, and while the Internet remains available, the opportunity to read expert opinion and maybe even query same is unmatched by any previous era.

A portable adds just that much more flexibility in comms. Lack of SSB doesn’t effect how most will EVER use a CB.

I don’t know what backpack-portable solar panel array would be a good match to a Randy, but that seems the final link to break from 120V mains & 12V vehicle power.

That backpack can carry the antenna selection for 11-Meter and other portable radios. All need more than one type.
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[spikestabber]

Leaving the Randy plugged in to 12V in my Kenworth it picked up some noise. But not enough to countet

Wrap the power cord with an M31 or M61 ferrite of a good size (or several small ones).

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Yeah I too can confirm the noise is on 12V but it's sourced from the car itself with all the canbus stuff. Choke the 12V off works like a treat for that when the noise is from it, far easier than filtering common mode on a coax.

For backpacking the radio doesn't seem affected at all on a 12V battery by itself, so if a solar setup doesn't use a switching regulator for 12V it should be perfect.

 

[bearcatrp]

I put mine in my cup holder on the back rest that folds down on the front seat of my 1 ton. Antenna sticks up enough to show through the windshield. Had no problems picking up cb transmissions in certain areas.

 

[spikestabber]

Yep I think it entirely depends how noisy your vehicle is more than anything, less about the radio.

 

[slowmover]

Yep I think it entirely depends how noisy your vehicle is more than anything, less about the radio.

Get the right antenna and “noise” becomes more clearly defined.

Radio power should be isolated from all other.

 

[trentbob]

Sorry for coming in late to this long time conversation and I'll take a look at previous post now... you're absolutely correct about the right antenna and I think the ground is most important, I know many people don't drill holes now in their cars but centering the antenna in the center of the roof or if need be... The trunk of a four wheeler it's going to make a difference I'm going to go back and look over the thread and react to a few of the most recent posts.