have a cb question

[newcamper]

Hi guys,

have a quick cb question...

I have a GME TX3400 cb radio, and it was great to use.

just wondering, since i have yet to fit into my car (came out of previous car and has been laying in wait to be refitted)
would it be a waste of time and effort in refitting, seeing as though it was purchased back in 2005, and therefore only has the 40channels

how often are trips away, or in everyday communications conducted on ch 41 - 80?

would I "get away" with having an older (yet still in A1 condition) style cb radio?

[campertrailerman]

Hi,

We have a 40 channel UHF & only use it for car to car communication when we are travelling with someone. You can find a list of the channels at http://www.campertrailers.org/uhf.htm

[newcamper]

Thanks for the reply.

In reading your reply and reading the link you put up. The cb unit that I have will more than do its job normally?

Regards
Garry

(It's been far far too long since I've used forums and bulletin boards please bare with me)

[robcaz]

Hi Garry,

There is no reason why you should rush out & buy a new UHF radio, there is nothing on the 80 channel sets you are missing out on really.

[newcamper]

That there is the answer I was hoping for. Thanks Rob.

1 of a few "problems" down onto the next.

Thanks. I found a thread about tune able channels. How do I got about "activating and tuning" the receive only channels on my set?

Regards
Garry.


P.S I'm slowly getting used to this polite forum. I've never seen anything like it. It's great.

The forums that I've been active with when I was younger were performance orientated with "my stuff is faster than your stuff" mentality and massive and at times hilarious flame wars..

Please bare with me.

Thanks for the continual help

[Ern_Reeders]

There's a huge number of 40 ch units installed in vehicles and I don't see many drivers swapping them for the sake of another 40. 80 ch unit transmissions are harder for 40 ch units to pick up, I've found travelling in convoys. At a guess the main initial take-up has been among new buyers who have no choice anyway, and commercial and farm users - the later for telemetry over quiet channels.

[newcamper]

Looking at purchasing a replacement aerial for my cb. There is a lot of options out there.

The one that came with he original installation worked ok, and yes just ok. Line of site but only for a few kilometres.
If I can locate it I may think about re-using it but I haven't seen it since we moved.

Which of the many hundred brands are the better ones? Should I go for something that will do both highway and off road?

I'm not really knowledgeable in this area. I've noticed heaps with gains around 4 - 6db and a few closer to 10db. Other than the obvious (4 - 6db variation) what's the difference and do they operate any differently?

Thanks

[Ern_Reeders]

Choose the gain for the type of terrain. Low for hilly country as the antenna radiates signals in a spherical pattern. High for flat country for an elliptical pattern.
Many users opt for mid gain as a compromise - around 6db.
GME is a reputable brand.

[robcaz]

sorry I missed your query Garry. From my links that might come in handy one day folder - antenna gain explained in pictures http://www.lakecomm.com.au/Antenna-Prop.html

[newcamper]

Thanks for the description ern_readers

No worries and thanks for the link robcaz.

In my search for cheaper antenna/aerials I've come across cdq5000 and it's big brother cdq8000

Have you come across rfi aerials and if known, how are they different to 'normal' UHF aerials?