Old man need advice...

[Litefoot3401]

I've been out the cb hobby since 1977. When license days stopped in 75 just couldn't take all the language with my family in the vehicles . Now I'm an old man and found some of my old equipment stored away. Thinking about installing cb at home now as backup to my backup for storms.
In yard have a flag pole by the gazebo it's only 18 feet tall. I have several old antennas but thinking about a 5' firestick (NGP) on top . About 30' away is my roof line at 26 feet in height. Would that block to much of a signal coming in or out ?

 

[WSAC829]

While not optimal, it should work just fine. I’m surrounded by huge trees and all i’m using are a Little Wil mag mount and a 102” whip on a mag mount tossed on my metal garage roof. Height of roof is roughly 15 feet. My house and the trees are much taller, but i have no issue hearing or talking locally (up to 25 miles) or shooting “skip”.

 

[prcguy]

A 5ft fire stick with no ground plane will not work very well and in my opinion not worth putting on top of a pole.

 

[Litefoot3401]

Thank you both ! Was just looking at friestick... I since the 60's have many old antennas , I'm a pack rat , keeping and repurposing a lot. Being on a pole just thinking about the ground plane , like a car or truck offers for the signal. Also to reach father if I go with NGP system. In an emergency only need to get out 5-6 miles for real help if all else goes down. Power supply is no problem . I have 20% in my home running on 12 volts // tv, ice box , all security lights and more . This is on solar generator with 800 watts panels , 24/7.
Been reading a lot on DIY ground planes , trying not to spend too much at my age. This is only a backup to a backup. Maybe one of my old whip's would do better. If my memory is correct those are 102's. At my age just trying to save on labor . Kept it simple____.
About how far would a whip get on a pole with no ground plane. Or is a ground plane a must to get out even 5-6 miles?
Whats the opinions on handhelds for 5-6 miles , would that be worth it ?

 

[nokones]

Are you running a 23 channel CB? Would you believe that I still have a new never used Realistic TRC-24 CB still in the box.

 

[Litefoot3401]

That maybe worth a few bucks in the box !
Yes have three that still power up... 23 channels would still work for my plans. Maybe get newer side band in time if my idea works.
Still have old early 70's amp // remember using TV tubes. A keep sake / never sell. As in earlier post I'm a packrat. Think I'm telling my age now.

 

[slowmover]

1/4 wave whip for a base station

I am thinking of putting a CB up at home just to tinker with and talk to local people in my area. Can I use a 102" whip on an old satellite TV mounting bracket with good results? Do I need a groundplane/counterpoise? Or is there a better solution for a base antenna? I don't want to put up...

forums.radioreference.com

Easier to start with a good design:

Sirio Antenna GP2745 Ground Plane 27-45 MHz Base Antenna​

https://www.amazon.com/Sirio-Antenna-GP2745-Ground-Plane/dp/B009JKZO58

Let the collectors have your antique radios (eBay) as it’s not just age, but design.

Amazon.com

SSB a nice step up.
No radio of the Carter era is comparable.

See other threads here.

There’s plenty of fun to be had. Don’t limit yourself by $$ to just read around. Learn what’s different than 1977 is the whole point to this post.


One of our contributors can’t find an open channel during latest testing of his 50-year handheld radio quest.

A great number of those heard are not local and are not Skip either.

Great ears and post-2022 spec radio.

.

 

[nokones]

That maybe worth a few bucks in the box !
Yes have three that still power up... 23 channels would still work for my plans. Maybe get newer side band in time if my idea works.
Still have old early 70's amp // remember using TV tubes. A keep sake / never sell. As in earlier post I'm a packrat. Think I'm telling my age now.

Oh yes, I remember the TV tube's. I remember testing the tubes at Thrifty Drug and at the same time getting a double scoop ice cream cone for a nickel a scoop.

 

[slowmover]

The late Marconi, a recent SK:

 

[nokones]

Recently, I just replaced my Cobra 19 DX III with a Cobra 25 LTD Classic AM/FM in my Jeep. Last year I replaced the same Cobra 19 that I originally had in my Pickup before I used it in the Jeep with a Cobra 29 LTD Classic Nightwatch AM/FM. I'm still haven't used the FM yet.

Ever since the CB expanded to 40 Channels, I never have used channels 22-40. I only used 6, 15, 17, 19, and 21 (trucker's channels in California). Now, I monitor 16 when I'm on the trail with my Jeep.

Since, I don't use any of the channels above 21, I thought about using my TRC-24 in the Jeep but I wanted the FM just in case if it ever comes to live in the future.

 

[Litefoot3401]

Good thing I like reading. Technology has changed a lot !
But I dint think have to keep up with the big boys to get my 5-6 miles I need to have fun or have ready in an emergency.

 

[merlin]

I just unearthed a Wilson 5000 with 24" mast I had on my truck. Seems better than the 102" whips. By quite a lot.
(Spring cleaning, I got stuff I forgot I had)

 

[merlin]

As in earlier post I'm a packrat

You got a ways to go to catch up to me.

 

[merlin]

About how far would a whip get on a pole with no ground plane. Or is a ground plane a must to get out even 5-6 miles?

On a steel pole it would do rather well, but I would ditch the fiberglass. You would need about an 8 inch extention for the 102", that will give you a better match with no ground radials. The rest is up to your radio.
On a 108" steel pole, think of it as a vertical dipole.

 

[merlin]

I dint think have to keep up with the big boys to get my 5-6 miles

I could reach the interstate (5 miles) with a 108" piece of wire stuck in the back of the radio. 'Indoors'.
You shouldn't have much problem save for noise.

 

[merlin]

View attachment 165869

1/4 wave whip for a base station

I am thinking of putting a CB up at home just to tinker with and talk to local people in my area. Can I use a 102" whip on an old satellite TV mounting bracket with good results? Do I need a groundplane/counterpoise? Or is there a better solution for a base antenna? I don't want to put up...

forums.radioreference.com

Easier to start with a good design:

Sirio Antenna GP2745 Ground Plane 27-45 MHz Base Antenna​

https://www.amazon.com/Sirio-Antenna-GP2745-Ground-Plane/dp/B009JKZO58

Let the collectors have your antique radios (eBay) as it’s not just age, but design.
View attachment 165870

Amazon.com

SSB a nice step up.
No radio of the Carter era is comparable.

See other threads here.

There’s plenty of fun to be had. Don’t limit yourself by $$ to just read around. Learn what’s different than 1977 is the whole point to this post.


One of our contributors can’t find an open channel during latest testing of his 50-year handheld radio quest.

A great number of those heard are not local and are not Skip either.

Great ears and post-2022 spec radio.

.

Well, you know 108" is a quarter wave and ground radials should be 8% longer.

 

[Litefoot3401]

Merlin , Haha , I'm catching up every day.

Laying out all I have and a few things I got. Going to test mount all my antennas I have under different weather conditions to see which does what I would like. Never know in real life just because whats on specs is bench tested.

 

[merlin]

handhelds for 5-6 miles , would that be worth it

Not many hand helds can punch the 5 watts. You may get the range, but the receive end would have to be awful quiet.

 

[merlin]

While not optimal, it should work just fine. I’m surrounded by huge trees and all i’m using are a Little Wil mag mount and a 102” whip on a mag mount tossed on my metal garage roof. Height of roof is roughly 15 feet. My house and the trees are much taller, but i have no issue hearing or talking locally (up to 25 miles) or shooting “skip”.

Swap those antennas out for a Wilson 1000M mag mount, it far outperforms the littl wil or any whip.

 

[slowmover]

Well, you know 108" is a quarter wave and ground radials should be 8% longer.

Details matter. Thx for that.

.