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Why CB is DEAD
- Thread starter jaymatt1978
- Start date
DeeEx
Member
I have iPhones and have had no problems with Apple OEM or Anker brand products. On CB or amateur HF.
cralt
Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2005
- Messages
- 88
There is a FM version of the Randy now. "Randy II". The little Bill got FM now also. Creatively named "Bill II" lol
President has 3 AM/FM FCC cert radios now. All modern design surface mount.
They put USB charger ports on them too so there is your RFI fix
W8HDU
Member
Has anyone performed an independent review of these radios, and perhaps even provided information on mods, etc? The Randy II would be something a lot of campers, hunters, and survivalists might find interesting since FRS/GMRS UHF is bad in the woods and thick brush. CB and low band is preferred as you can punch through the foliage.
The allure of the CB-27, (and to some extent the CB-58), was the fact they could receive, and transmit from 26.6100 and 30.1050, and there was a mention in a U.K. forum of a mod which got you 12-meters. The caveat was that 12-meters and 10-meters, lost about 1.25 watts output due to the PA being peaked for channel 20 (27.20500). I picked one up for monitoring 29.600 FM.
If you hear of any independent reviews, cralt, please post a link.
The allure of the CB-27, (and to some extent the CB-58), was the fact they could receive, and transmit from 26.6100 and 30.1050, and there was a mention in a U.K. forum of a mod which got you 12-meters. The caveat was that 12-meters and 10-meters, lost about 1.25 watts output due to the PA being peaked for channel 20 (27.20500). I picked one up for monitoring 29.600 FM.
If you hear of any independent reviews, cralt, please post a link.
cralt
Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2005
- Messages
- 88
I haven't seen any mods to their FCC radios. If you look in side there is no pots or jumpers. Its all modern surface mount. I think the target market for these "FCC" radios is people looking for a simple radio to get the job done. IE all you have to know is turn to channel X and press the PTT to talk.
I have a 2 year old AM only Bill in my jeep and its been solid. A friend has the same experience. The auto squelch works surprisingly good.
This video has some clips of the FM mode from the Randy.
I have a Uniden 401HH as a spotter/loaner radio and the biggest issue is it getting knocked off channel and non-radio people struggling with the squelch. I plan on getting a Randy so can put it on the right channel and hit the key LOCK. Then just hand it off and let the auto squelch do its thing .
The only reason I didn't get one sooner is I was waiting for the FM version to come out in case the mode catches on in the future.
I have a 2 year old AM only Bill in my jeep and its been solid. A friend has the same experience. The auto squelch works surprisingly good.
This video has some clips of the FM mode from the Randy.
I have a Uniden 401HH as a spotter/loaner radio and the biggest issue is it getting knocked off channel and non-radio people struggling with the squelch. I plan on getting a Randy so can put it on the right channel and hit the key LOCK. Then just hand it off and let the auto squelch do its thing .
The only reason I didn't get one sooner is I was waiting for the FM version to come out in case the mode catches on in the future.
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slowmover
Active Member
“Traditional” CB styling is easy to use in a truck. I have a Lincoln, but the controls are not easy to use by touch while underway.
The whole market is too small. That’s by design. Wouldn’t be a good thing if Americans owned the means of communication. Demand won’t be there until it matters
As to those of whom you don’t approve buying better quality equipment for their own use? What business is it of yours?
Get something decent and be done with it.
In the meantime a 955-type radio has a great sound and many happy owners. Much of what you own was hauled by men using what you decry.
Hope you have an above-average mobile system. What help or example you make for others in that is where duty lays. Not belly-aching.
.
The whole market is too small. That’s by design. Wouldn’t be a good thing if Americans owned the means of communication. Demand won’t be there until it matters
As to those of whom you don’t approve buying better quality equipment for their own use? What business is it of yours?
Get something decent and be done with it.
In the meantime a 955-type radio has a great sound and many happy owners. Much of what you own was hauled by men using what you decry.
Hope you have an above-average mobile system. What help or example you make for others in that is where duty lays. Not belly-aching.
.
slowmover
Active Member
I’ve written before about the Randy that it’s no different than a Uniden 880 when substituted in the mobile system. That is to say, good. (I see Eric agrees).
Better, as one can be free from electrical mains or vehicles for periods of time of one’s own choosing.
Figure out the antenna system (as with any radio), and have some fun.
It’s not expensive and it’s nice to use.
A shirt pocket CB radio.
From there on up depending on a walk-about antenna. A dipole at the other end of your property. A rental car.
RANDY II FCC- AM-transceivers - CB-Radios - Group President Electronics USA
Scan, NOAA and VOX.
Better, as one can be free from electrical mains or vehicles for periods of time of one’s own choosing.
Figure out the antenna system (as with any radio), and have some fun.
It’s not expensive and it’s nice to use.
A shirt pocket CB radio.
From there on up depending on a walk-about antenna. A dipole at the other end of your property. A rental car.
RANDY II FCC- AM-transceivers - CB-Radios - Group President Electronics USA
Scan, NOAA and VOX.
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slowmover
Active Member
I use these.
https://palomar-engineers.com/ferri...oise-Filter-Bulk-Pack-of-10-Filters-p90491965
I usually don’t have trouble with latest. I nonetheless — as insurance — install these for what I use in the big truck or personal vehicle.
A few days ago wrapped the cords for the chargers of the Uniden BC906W Wireless Mic and for the PRESIDENT Liberty Mic I have here.
Ferrites: Fill a bucket and slowly pour at every junction.
.
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slowmover
Active Member
As they stay on the Channel 6 Toilet Bowl, they aren’t a problem for the rest of us.
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slowmover
Active Member
slowmover
Active Member
W8HDU
Member
Interesting take on the Randy II from "the Wizzard". Doesn't look like it will go to 10-meter FM.
Youtube short video
Youtube short video
W8HDU
Member
Speaking of CB, today is ....
You have to be old to remember this TV show.
You have to be old to remember this TV show.
Most of that and then some can be accomplished with Waze
Have you installed any AM or HF gear in newer vehicles? PWM fuel pumps and all the onboard computers wipe out receivers no matter how much you bond and how many mix 31 toroids you place over harnesses , coax , and power leads.
RadioDXfun
Omni low angle radiator
A view from the UK. I was a CB skip enthusiast and did very well over here. Actual CB is extremely quiet in the UK. Now if you parked up on a nice tall hill you could make a few of the scheduled nets and have a better chance with DX. The noise floor much like ham radio is a big issue. Most cbers are fighting very high noise floors.
The nets are ok but after a while you realize they are boring, you get your ten mins out of 2 hours saying hello and seeing who you can reach. The trouble is people on a net put in different amounts of effort that are not reflected in talk time. So someone with a coile reduced 1/4 wave mag mount on the car roof who cannot be bothered to be there when it is their go gets the same time as someone who is a careful listener putting a full size 5/8 wave antenna at 30 foot on a hill in a tree. The latter clearly benefiting all cbers on the net in terms of distances achieved. Which could be 60, 100 or 180miles.. some evenings with a bit of tropo... 230 miles can be achieved hill to hill, if lucky.
Other than that it is a few die hard locals here and there. As we know the main fun element is shooting skip on the known frequencies.
I loved it, then kind of got tired of it. Now I am a fully licenced ham and am speaking just as far with many more unusual DX entities on 100W with my own DIY antenna systems. Having a break for a while as other life issue take precedence. I'll be back and it will be a lot of fun again no doubt.
Radio is a superb hobby but we all need our little breaks from time to time.
The nets are ok but after a while you realize they are boring, you get your ten mins out of 2 hours saying hello and seeing who you can reach. The trouble is people on a net put in different amounts of effort that are not reflected in talk time. So someone with a coile reduced 1/4 wave mag mount on the car roof who cannot be bothered to be there when it is their go gets the same time as someone who is a careful listener putting a full size 5/8 wave antenna at 30 foot on a hill in a tree. The latter clearly benefiting all cbers on the net in terms of distances achieved. Which could be 60, 100 or 180miles.. some evenings with a bit of tropo... 230 miles can be achieved hill to hill, if lucky.
Other than that it is a few die hard locals here and there. As we know the main fun element is shooting skip on the known frequencies.
I loved it, then kind of got tired of it. Now I am a fully licenced ham and am speaking just as far with many more unusual DX entities on 100W with my own DIY antenna systems. Having a break for a while as other life issue take precedence. I'll be back and it will be a lot of fun again no doubt.
Radio is a superb hobby but we all need our little breaks from time to time.
GadgetGeek
Member
The other day I made a contact from my mobile in New Jersey to 001 Austria. Good times.
Is there a Drummond Island in Ohio, or do you visit the Upper Peninsula of Michigan?
W8HDU
Member
The Drummond Island up in the U.P.
We also use CB when we're in the Munising area or out west in the Porkies.
We also use CB when we're in the Munising area or out west in the Porkies.
How are repeaters immune from power outages? SCADA failures - they are dependent upon the internet to activate LNG generator switch overs for many systems? If the infrastructure goes down, we're all going with it - just at various dates.
CB is dead as far as I'm concerned. I don't see it as viable.
