CB hints and tips......

[easy rider]

The citizens band radio is still very good ,a very effective radio communication.
For those wishing to learn about radio go buy a cb, follow guides on YouTube on setting one up well and use the thing.but always do some research on what's good and works well.
Theirs plenty of older used kit on ebay too and lots are made in Japan back in the day of Solid quality and many radio repair guys still work on them if you wish a service .
If you don't wish to outlay huge sums look on buy and sell sites ,used sites ask family friends if anyone has one sitting gathering dust.

Many don't want to go to a radio club weekly, many more don't wish to go on to sit a test as simple as it is at present or go on a list along with your detail or follow the etiquette q codes and alike on ham bands.

I still believe cb radio both uk + eu 40 will be a very wise choice and cheap licence free. Yes having a ssb multimode radio is possibly a better choice step up but again it's going to cost more and many of the modern ssb radios are a little more complex to use correctly and may put off those who have never used a radio.

For those that still havnt radio com's my thought is buy a cb, set up and use it . In the west mids theirs still loads of users who are happy to talk all day if you wish .

A good old little cb in the house with a silver rod type antenna ,and a old school handheld whilst out walking or doubling up as a mobile radio for in car coupled to a magmount antenna will give you good usable com for many miles around your base.

Enjoy.

[easy rider]

Ive got it something like now with it about 2.0 on ch1 and 1.5 on ch40..... with a whip but cant get any better

http://www.thunderpole.co.uk/large-cb-a ... bitor.html



yet with this one:

http://www.thunderpole.co.uk/large-cb-a ... yager.html


gives sub 1 readings on both channels (using the same mag mount )

How did you get on with your swr on the Springer type antenna.
Yes it's very unfortunate you cut too much off and were to buy a second. I hope you chose the second type none spring antenna which is a modulator type antenna originally made by les wallen.

Remember you can use a screw block electrical connector to add little piece of steel on top to lengthen the antenna so will work better swr wise saves scrapping it totally.

The springers are a common sold antenna and whilst swr can be a issue on any antenna their are several other options of antenna that will perform far better and not suffer high swr , the second one you linked by example you noted swr rock bottom meaning less power lost ,more transmitted .

In any case how did it all turn out in the end ?.