Uniden bearcat 980 insane swr.

[slowmover]

Lack of Skip where I’ve been the past few days highlights the qualities of a transceiver like this. Favorable reports and easier than I remembered to quiet hiss.

Palomar Transceiver Coax Filter & Antenna Feedpoint Choke/Filter plus a Morgan Bandpass work great with this type of radio.

Daytime silence maybe on par with the 959 when on Great Plains highways when either used with DSP in the audio chain.

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[slowmover]

As an ongoing experiment: subject to changes.

Latest iteration is with an ANYTONE AT5555-N2. See “Best Mobile CB 2023” thread.

— A number of tractors are provided with CB mounts atop the dash or can be procured. This makes for easiest routing of coax & power versus in overhead console. And is easier to operate.

A SIRIO 5000 3/8 Trucker antenna on a 44” shaft has the end near the ideal 14’, and tunes at near 1.5:1 with vertical tilt at dead minimum for a total length of approximately 7’ (rough-in done). This is much less susceptible to wind-whip than the 7’ Skipshooter.

Getting the coil that high reduced cab reflection problems. One might say that RX is now idealized, with yet more to do to optimize TX.

Overall rig performance is now on par with best I’ve previously achieved. By which is meant: Best ears represent best outcomes in CB use.

Trucking continues to become more difficult over a wide range of subjects, CB Radio is thus ever more necessary to maintain efficient (safe) operation despite exigencies.

Better antenna system was/is the cure for thread title woes.

START with an aftermarket mount (International LT shown). ACHIEVE least or no tilt. Get HIGHEST/LONGEST antenna possible.



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[slowmover]

Finally ordered MyAntennas choke to go at transceiver.

And a set of FT240-61 toroids to wrap as antenna feedpoint chokes to replace the P-E boxes (which perform very well, but are difficult to secure without compromising coax bends made; pic below).

RF Bonds going down firewall from antenna mounts to frame studs (both sides) still needs a little cleanup (shortening a few and adding another from lower door hinge to match that from upper hinge). Need to install heat-shrink over terminations on 3/4” woven tinned braid, and use some battery post protector aerosol on run ends.

“Noise floor”, is very good (DC & RF), but still pick up some noise from running engine. While faint, it may be I can reduce it further.

Among last steps will be NEW identical high-quality coax jumpers at radio carrier, and best quality AMPHENOL adapters as needed.

Transport Case to carry all & sundry from this vehicle to another or to storage with minimal breakdown is desirable. Of a size/shape I can carry with me on-road.


RigExpert 55 still to come.

Use of an MFJ-945e Mobile Tuner makes for ease in establishing near-zero reflect, but now it’s time to see what better tools can reveal in experimentation.

The Freightliner Cascadia has worked out to be a pretty good fleet truck basis for a high performance Citizen Band radio system.

For you other drivers concerned that an antenna system like this stands out too much I can tell you that backed in at a truckstop among others it really doesn’t. While not “invisible”, this antenna choice (SIRIO 5000 Trucker 3/8 on 44” shafts) is low-key even compared to Wilson 2000s. Predator 10k is an off-the-charts stand-out, and isn’t an advantage (I’ve tested it).

Other drivers have to be at an angle to me similar to what’s below (pic) before they notice it and ask questions.

A set of Skipshooter 7’ is comparable as low key (clear covers), but bends too much in the Great Plains driving I do. 6’ is a better choice, but one does give up a slight advantage in long-range RX.

Distant Early Warning is Job One, IMO.



A set of XHD antenna mounts in SS will be commissioned at some point. (Fixed degree of tilt for simplicity).

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[slowmover]

The Freightliner Cascadia has worked out to be a pretty good fleet truck basis for a high performance Citizen Band radio system.

Hope the OP has enjoyed upgrades to his radio system via increased understanding of Radio, itself, and worthy experiments in Clarity to continue the traditions of men far from home in getting the job done safely and with the pleasures afforded thereby.

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