Ontario BS Thread

This

An off tune can try the transceiver.

And something like moving it to the bumper could throw off the tune.

 

It is pretty common for them to break. For instance my mic speaker only lasted a year or so.

 

It lights up and makes noise.

The issue is on ch 1 when you key the mic, it stays keyed and does not cut off.

The most frustrating part is this only happens after you key it 4 or 5 times??? or it gets warm from being on??? At 1st it seems to work. So I drive for 20 minutes to a place I can tune it.

Stops working in the same way each time I try and tune it.

@Joe23 keeps saying it will just fry instantly because I moved it to my bumper. I have no believes in the truth to this. If this has any truth to it then the unit is a bigger POS then I could possible imagine.

I had coiled up a

$35 MPD Digital I RG8X Coax Cable with UHF PL259 Male to UHF PL259 Male Connector I 50 Omh I RF, CB & AIS Mini-8, Jumper I Made in The USA I White, 15 Feet

15FT cable and been using it with my other mount, I simply cut some zipties and uncoiled it a bit to extend it to the front bumper from where I was using it mounted at my stock antenna location. I did not think this would require a re-tune. Or at least I tried it I had no range compared to before, and figured re-tuning it would fix it.

Now the CB is just in fail mode. Wont work correctly at all.

 

Mine turns on when it wants to. I got this. Was a cheaper alternative considering what a cheap cb is.

Cobra AC701 Junction Box for CB Radio https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00006JPET/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Aj1gDbR0MFN9C

 

For $21 that is a pretty cheap try and fix.

 

I try lol

 

Ordered.

I will try as well.

 

I should also say @Joe23 scared me about it just blowing up because I moved it to the bumper.

I was concerned about it not being grounded properly. I spent sometime yesterday running a proper ground cable to ensure it was. Made 0 difference.


Feels better having it though.

 

Just double check with an swr metre of you have one. I tried and got it as close as I could. If the tune is off it can fry but it does take time.

 

Yes I have an SWR meter I am trying to tune it with, this is what has showed me something is wrong.

I cant tune it anymore.

 

The problem is if you didn't already have a good tune it's done damage over time. And then this was just the final nail in the coffin.

Don't think just because you only moved it a few feet won't fuck with the tune or ground plane.

I can take mine off and let it sit for a few months then put it back on and it's off tune.


You keying and it staying keyed could either be the hand held or the transceiver is starting to go.

If you've tuned before you know it doesn't take much change in length to alter the tune. 3/8"of an inch can be the difference of way out of tune and within proper swr range.

And your new point of mounting is slightly lower than the old mount from the slope of the hood. Your ground plane has changed and it could've been this slight change that cooked a part of it which is why it's no longer working.

The Cobra 75 is a decent unit but from what Durham radio told me when I got it, it's a sensitive unit.

I always check mine when I put it back on.
And I've had it be off. And my mount hasn't even moved.

Also consider where you're tuning.
If you have a bunch of shit above your antenna like trees or powerlines you could think you're getting a good tune when you're not.


I originally tuned mine in a go station parking lot by my house and thought I had a great tune.

Eventually found a field by the trailer with nothing near and my tune was right on the limit of damaging...

CB is dated tech man. And with a 3-4ft antenna it's not the best to tune

 

But I didnt change the length of the cable, I simply unraveled it. Its the same 15FT cable. This is why I did'nt think it needed to be re-tuned. I have no idea wtf im doing anyway.

I only used it twice when it was not working correctly. Not very much since it was not working.


I hope its the transceiver, since that is the $23 piece.

 

anyone else good for july 12/13/14 weekend? location doesnt matter to me within reason so maybe someone who knows the Ontario trails can suggest?

 

Huh, wasn't aware of that little tidbit about CB radios, where you need to tune them otherwise they can be damaged.

But since i too had been looking into CB radios for if i do meet up with you guys/ in general to look cool for having one; now i got some questions.

But how does it get damaged? parts inside it get fried or more along the lines of winding up a spring for a pocket watch too tightly which changes the tempo?

how is a car mounted CB different than a Handheld CBs (walkie talkies)?
to my understanding, one is a longer range and is generally mounted/ stationary but functionally they are the same. Granted there is wider channel range, longer range, and i'd guess a little less private since others can match the frequency that the channel is on and listen in)

and is tuning a mounted CB really as simple as cutting some wire on the antenna (granted as you've mentioned; a few mills can throw it off entirely)?
I'd guess you'd need something the equivalent of a tuning fork of some sorts to get it within a proper frequency range as you're tuning?


I'm more confused that i ever have been about radio

 

who needs a radio, just yell!


But yeah, overland crowd is shifting to HAM now, got to stay in trend!

 

i was just gonna shoot a flare gun each time i need to talk to the guy ahead of me

but yeah, yelling works



and if the overland group is moving to HAM. might as well put money into that

 

Hope this helps!

 

It's not cable length that matters it's antenna.

You moving the antenna to a lower point of the vehicle ie the bumper being lower than the fender mount, it now has a different ground plane reference. So the antenna would need to be retuned.

 

Hand held walkie is gmrs completely different frequency. Limited to 5watt I believe before you need licenses.

CB or citizen band as it stands for us free to use for anyone operates on a different frequency range. Can get higher wattage units with no restrictions but they're huge. And need huge antennas.

By tuning I am referring to the antenna. Has to be tuned to work with the transceiver. Inexpensive really, tunable antenna is $40. But the tip generally has an Allen head set screw and the tip can be lengthened or shortened roughly 2".

When tuning you generally move it in 1/4" increments.

The length of your cable only comes into play with wattage. Granted that's it you're running 50ft+ of cable. And coils of it can start to act as an antenna. Not necessarily fucking with your tune but will greatly hinder your ability to broadcast longer distances.

Gmrs UHF VHF and ham are all different frequency ranges require licenses and are way fucking better than CB. A 2ft antenna would broadcast further than a 6ft antenna no problem.
Ham can also work with repeaters to the extent you could communicate across the country if you link into the correct ones.

I really want to get my ham license but it's useless if no one else gets it.
But in the US and West coast it's the way everyone is going.

A few weekends of studying and maybe $80 to a licensed user to give you the exam and you can get your ham license

 

Derp I get it now.