• To anyone looking to acquire commercial radio programming software:

    Please do not make requests for copies of radio programming software which is sold (or was sold) by the manufacturer for any monetary value. All requests will be deleted and a forum infraction issued. Making a request such as this is attempting to engage in software piracy and this forum cannot be involved or associated with this activity. The same goes for any private transaction via Private Message. Even if you attempt to engage in this activity in PM's we will still enforce the forum rules. Your PM's are not private and the administration has the right to read them if there's a hint to criminal activity.

    If you are having trouble legally obtaining software please state so. We do not want any hurt feelings when your vague post is mistaken for a free request. It is YOUR responsibility to properly word your request.

    To obtain Motorola software see the Sticky in the Motorola forum.

    The various other vendors often permit their dealers to sell the software online (i.e., Kenwood). Please use Google or some other search engine to find a dealer that sells the software. Typically each series or individual radio requires its own software package. Often the Kenwood software is less than $100 so don't be a cheapskate; just purchase it.

    For M/A Com/Harris/GE, etc: there are two software packages that program all current and past radios. One package is for conventional programming and the other for trunked programming. The trunked package is in upwards of $2,500. The conventional package is more reasonable though is still several hundred dollars. The benefit is you do not need multiple versions for each radio (unlike Motorola).

    This is a large and very visible forum. We cannot jeopardize the ability to provide the RadioReference services by allowing this activity to occur. Please respect this.

I found @Slowmovers rig.

slowmover

Active Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2020
Messages
3,901
Reaction score
3,891
Location
Fort Worth
Well, I don’t live in Australia for one. Couldn’t afford that Barrett antenna unless maybe I lived there.

And I’ve avoided any lingering temptation to run what here would be OVERSIZE as to that kind of weight. Specialization is how to make a better living in most fields and it’s also best to get into something like that early in life. I was nearly forty when I started.

As to being on the road: been off a good while getting home & pickup into better shape. Fall weather now arriving means plenty to get done.

.
 

slowmover

Active Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2020
Messages
3,901
Reaction score
3,891
Location
Fort Worth
This was that circa 2023: In a lowly plastic FTL EVO pulling a reefer.

SIRIO 5000 3/8 on 44” shafts (8’ or so).
PALOMAR CMNF coax feedpoint chokes. DRX mounts.

IMG_4038.jpeg

Some of the RF Bonding.

IMG_4039.jpeg

The passenger seat radio station seen before final condensation (MFJ-945e retired and case reduced to fit only radio & KL7505 to keep about 90W per antenna). Case velcroed to an Apache 3800 case for height, and all of it belted in place on air-ride seat.

IMG_4186.jpeg

Orange thingy around armrest to secure FJ45 mic plug cable from movement while BC45 mic hung from GEARKEEPER hooked to overhead panel. With a snapover to weight it and also to make it easier to grab. Slightly better sound quality and got rid of up/down buttons.

IMG_3994.jpeg

DRX-901 above left shoulder. This was a 20’ audio cable run. Several snapovers on that.

IMG_3286.jpeg

This radio rig marked a decade of hearing and conversing at a distance with men whom those around me in traffic couldn’t hear. (“Hey, hand, who the hell you talking to?”)

— Many tractors and various trailer types with rig upgrades in gear along the way.


The pickup truck rig is on the list to get done, finally.

.
 
Last edited:

slowmover

Active Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2020
Messages
3,901
Reaction score
3,891
Location
Fort Worth
The difficulties of those installations

IMG_1401.jpeg

are what inspired wanting for others:


The radio system always ready to use is the one that gets used.

The mind/machine interface needs be Intuitive regarding fast & accurate information exchange to stay out of harms way.

IMG_3639.jpeg

Better to have a little fun with other high performance system operators in getting off the Interstate and running the side roads when the above is still occurring

IMG_1207.jpeg


A 1989 system will drive you right up to the scene, too late to make the exit which leads to the route diversion. Waze & GMaps are too late to warn and then create gridlock in diverting traffic.

And 1989 systems miss — from experience— as much as 40-60% of what’s going on otherwise.

Hear, and Get Heard.

.
 
Last edited:

slowmover

Active Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2020
Messages
3,901
Reaction score
3,891
Location
Fort Worth
IMG_8658.jpeg

Guess who’s gonna tell you, “CB ain’t that great”. Sittin’ in a bad jam-up several miles short of a terrible wreck . . with no way out.

While watching a few of them dumb truck drivers gettin’ gears across the narrow rural overpass for which had to exit three miles back and are now headed north out of the increasingly bad smoke.

You don’t want to be there when the herd starts to panic.

Experience is thus, leave it not to chance.
Once is all it takes.

From experience I wanted no compromise re antenna with a 62’ combination (big truck is 72’).

(7’ PRESIDENT Texas 1800 on a BREEDLOVE #601)

IMG_8158.jpeg

IMG_2345.jpeg

Stationary, this clears the TT roof by 3.5’

The rest of the install as I get to it.

.
 
Last edited:

slowmover

Active Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2020
Messages
3,901
Reaction score
3,891
Location
Fort Worth
Antenna Choice

I knew I wanted 7’ as the 9’ quarter-wave both too tall and whips around at speed.


Breedlove #601
IMG_2177.jpeg



I purchased it with optional larger backing plate (plus foldover).

IMG_2200.jpeg

IMG_2198.jpeg

.
 

slowmover

Active Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2020
Messages
3,901
Reaction score
3,891
Location
Fort Worth
Antenna Mount Install

IMG_2248.jpeg

After pilot holes used a GREENLEE Radio Chassis Punch (5/8; #730).

IMG_2294.jpeg

Had a neighbor hold a wrench over roof as I tightened from underneath.

Even with my long arms this was quite a reach to prep and install.

It replaced the WORKMAN Starpad Launcher triple mag I’ve had almost thirty years. Have rebuilt it several times. Have had many antennas on it.

IMG_2148.jpeg


It’ll be around indefinitely. I’ll use @prcguy capacitance increase method. Have supplies, just haven’t yet soldered woven braid to copper sheet/refrigerator magnet sheet combo.

IMG_4199.jpeg

I “know” that roof center is the desirable location for an antenna.

.
 

slowmover

Active Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2020
Messages
3,901
Reaction score
3,891
Location
Fort Worth
Stationary Antenna

IMG_7989.jpeg




Road Trip Antenna

Predator 10k-1-27

IMG_6639.jpeg

Only a little taller. But with center coil the whip flex isn’t to as great a degree as the 1800 seen mounted. Amazingly lightweight construction.

A quarter wave is the standard antenna to reference. But the 7’ 10K is the true highway performance reference. Stays upright and doesn’t exceed 14’ clearance needed on Interstate (except New England).

Built in Fort Worth


.
 
Last edited:

niceguy71

Active Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2023
Messages
1,101
Reaction score
1,462
Location
Massachusetts
View attachment 189646

Guess who’s gonna tell you, “CB ain’t that great”. Sittin’ in a bad jam-up several miles short of a terrible wreck . . with no way out.

While watching a few of them dumb truck drivers gettin’ gears across the narrow rural overpass for which had to exit three miles back and are now headed north out of the increasingly bad smoke.

You don’t want to be there when the herd starts to panic.

Experience is thus, leave it not to chance.
Once is all it takes.

From experience I wanted no compromise re antenna with a 62’ combination (big truck is 72’).

(7’ PRESIDENT Texas 1800 on a BREEDLOVE #601)

View attachment 189648

View attachment 189647

Stationary, this clears the TT roof by 3.5’

The rest of the install as I get to it.

.
love that red pick-up install....
sadly ..in my area that is 99% of the installs... people just won't do anything the right way... and why I recommend the magnetic mount Stryker SR-A10, the Tram 3500, the Wilson 1000... it's just easy to set it in the middle of a metal roof and have a good working CB....

once someone gets fed up with trying to get that foolish 3 foot firestick and bed-rail mount to work, and they find out how easy it is to get a good antenna to work by just buying a $100 dollar Stryker
after that, they seem to get it...

they buy a better radio.... they listen to everyone screaming not to plug it into the cigarette lighter plug... they put the ground wire near the radio into the metal of the cab..... they buy a Palomar coax common mode noise filter... they buy a Kenwood KLF-2 in line electronic noise filter ( the workman Bandit ones are useless)... slowly they spend a little more and make a better system..... and eventually they drill the hole, get a ham license... and enjoy the hobby.

I have been looking at every 18 wheeler I see lately... 80% have an CB antenna... but they are all just junk...... 50% have one, 3 foot fiberglass antenna on the door rearview mirror and the other 50% have some 3 foot metal antenna on the same mirror ( I don't know what that little 3 foot antenna is but they are very common on all the trucks) seems all the trucks are lucky to get 3 or 4 miles with that set up.... but I guess once 18 wheelers became all fiberglass bodies, truck drivers just gave up trying to install a decent CB system..... but how sad... all these trucks on the roads and instead of 6 to 9 miles of good range that could warn people.... they all seem to be ok with maybe 3 miles range.
I agree with SlowMover... minimum range..... ( 3 miles or so).... just isn't enough range to help people with traffic, directions, warnings. and help
 

slowmover

Active Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2020
Messages
3,901
Reaction score
3,891
Location
Fort Worth
love that red pick-up install....
sadly ..in my area that is 99% of the installs... people just won't do anything the right way... and why I recommend the magnetic mount Stryker SR-A10, the Tram 3500, the Wilson 1000... it's just easy to set it in the middle of a metal roof and have a good working CB....

once someone gets fed up with trying to get that foolish 3 foot firestick and bed-rail mount to work, and they find out how easy it is to get a good antenna to work by just buying a $100 dollar Stryker
after that, they seem to get it...

they buy a better radio.... they listen to everyone screaming not to plug it into the cigarette lighter plug... they put the ground wire near the radio into the metal of the cab..... they buy a Palomar coax common mode noise filter... they buy a Kenwood KLF-2 in line electronic noise filter ( the workman Bandit ones are useless)... slowly they spend a little more and make a better system..... and eventually they drill the hole, get a ham license... and enjoy the hobby.

I have been looking at every 18 wheeler I see lately... 80% have an CB antenna... but they are all just junk...... 50% have one, 3 foot fiberglass antenna on the door rearview mirror and the other 50% have some 3 foot metal antenna on the same mirror ( I don't know what that little 3 foot antenna is but they are very common on all the trucks) seems all the trucks are lucky to get 3 or 4 miles with that set up.... but I guess once 18 wheelers became all fiberglass bodies, truck drivers just gave up trying to install a decent CB system..... but how sad... all these trucks on the roads and instead of 6 to 9 miles of good range that could warn people.... they all seem to be ok with maybe 3 miles range.
I agree with SlowMover... minimum range..... ( 3 miles or so).... just isn't enough range to help people with traffic, directions, warnings. and help

The expectation is that phone GPS will navigate for them. WAZE will tell them about “traffic”. Auto-magic will control the truck.

Get real antsy if Big Brother leaves the room.

.
 

slowmover

Active Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2020
Messages
3,901
Reaction score
3,891
Location
Fort Worth
Coax

Will be an extra-short run.
Currently RG316

As both big truck and the pickup need feedpoint choke (the previous solution either hard-to-mount or too bulky):


That project stalled at present.

The coax will likely get changed around several times (several pieces).

This’ll get used in pickup on cab side of headliner; for now.

IMG_0677.jpeg

Decided to crack apart the big truck rig to use this in the pickup.


IMG_2680.jpeg
.
 
Last edited:

slowmover

Active Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2020
Messages
3,901
Reaction score
3,891
Location
Fort Worth
13.8V DC Power

Big truck is heavier gauge cable and longer run to source & ground.

But S/NR problems plague everyone.



Whatever I learned in big truck is “answer” (gear & supply) for the pickup truck install.

.
 

slowmover

Active Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2020
Messages
3,901
Reaction score
3,891
Location
Fort Worth
AM/FM SSB Transceiver

IMG_0087.jpeg




DSP (NRC) outboard on this revised version circa 2012 transceiver:


PRESIDENT Digi-Mic (TX)

IMG_3100.jpeg

Post in thread '2023 Best Mobile CB'
2023 Best Mobile CB


WEST MOUNTAIN RADIO CLEARSPEECH (RX)

IMG_0466.jpeg


.
 
Last edited:

slowmover

Active Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2020
Messages
3,901
Reaction score
3,891
Location
Fort Worth
The Continual Test


This is the test during cycle peaks.

How well can I hear what’s local to me?

This is the, solve for.

This makes (10) links where context is what’s always missing for the commuter or occasional traveler and misconceptions or outright falsehoods get passed around.

It’s second volume to this one:

(11)

How can I correlate where I should be hearing the largest group of CB users against far distant operators.

Weekday
Hour of Day
Geographical Location
What do they sound like?

I may wish to have what I consider a more up-to-date radio rig, but that’ll have to wait.

I know that the rig being installed will do the job required.

.
 
Last edited:

billdean

KF8EVR
Joined
Jul 21, 2025
Messages
178
Reaction score
268
Location
Michigan
AM/FM SSB Transceiver

View attachment 189864




DSP (NRC) outboard on this revised version circa 2012 transceiver:


PRESIDENT Digi-Mic (TX)

View attachment 189865

Post in thread '2023 Best Mobile CB'
2023 Best Mobile CB


WEST MOUNTAIN RADIO CLEARSPEECH (RX)

View attachment 189866


.
Nice write up on the President Lincoln radio. I really enjoy my Washington on 10 and 11 meters. I believe it has better ears than my Yaesu FT-710. I have made as many 10 meter contacts with my President Washington in my mobile as I have made with the FT-710 on my base. Though I am still working on a good antenna for the FT-710. My home base is plagued with RF from the transformer and power lines about 50 yards away.

This is the Mic I am using on the Washington. Nothing but good reports! When are they going to come out with a President Trump radio?
 
Top