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VW Lounge => General Forum => Topic started by: Baha (Shawn) on March 22, 2009, 06:48:42 PM

Title: Cruise Communications
Post by: Baha (Shawn) on March 22, 2009, 06:48:42 PM
Since the Cover 'em up cruise I have been thinking about a means of communications for use during the cruises. The little FM walkietalkies are OK for hiking or stationary use, but the metal shell of the car & very low power of the radios will be problematic.

I have been aquiring CB radios (most for $20 or less) from Ebay for a couple of months, cleaning em up and making sure they work. Their 5 watts of power will allow for us to get a little distance between us and still be able to talk. The downside is they require an antenna, but small magnetic mounted antennas are cheap. You can put felt on the bottom and not worry about scratching the paint.

What do you think?
Title: Re: Cruis Communications
Post by: dawelder on March 22, 2009, 07:26:06 PM
I think I would have to save up for a new pocket protector and some white tape for my broken horned rimmed glasses first........ LAUGH@
Title: Re: Cruis Communications
Post by: Beetleboi -Greg- on March 22, 2009, 07:31:03 PM
I'm in, CB's rock. Candy Cane.... OH CANDY CANE.
Title: Re: Cruis Communications
Post by: njgt-1 on March 22, 2009, 07:51:35 PM
QuoteI have been aquiring CB radios (most for $20 or less) from Ebay for a couple of months, cleaning em up and making sure they work.

BREAKER 1-9 !! GOOD BUDDY DARS A SMOKEY UP AHEAD LIGHTEN UP ON THE GO PEDAL!!

Ok I admit to being a geek, I got a portable CB off of E-bay that plugs into the cigarette lighter and has a magnetic antenna. not a bad idea at all. Just as long as we don't have to talk like Jerry Reed in "Smokey and the Bandit'.
Title: Re: Cruis Communications
Post by: lovebus (jack) on March 22, 2009, 08:38:16 PM
It's great to have one in the front and rear of a caravan in case someone brakes down. Yucel brings his walkietalkies on caravans and its great, but like you said they leave some to be desired.

I'm all for it, now where is that antena I have ??? OH, I'll take one. :icon_tongue:
Title: Re: Cruis Communications
Post by: perdecas on March 22, 2009, 08:45:43 PM
oh brother,
                  now you guys are really losing it. cb's are for trucks, 4wheelers and hunters in the woods, i am neither. you will never see my ride with one of those things on it, ever! good luck with that.  weldface screwey)) screwey))
Title: Re: Cruis Communications
Post by: lovebus (jack) on March 22, 2009, 08:49:28 PM
Quote from: perdecas on March 22, 2009, 08:45:43 PM
oh brother,
                  now you guys are really losing it. cb's are for trucks, 4wheelers and hunters in the woods, i am neither. you will never see my ride with one of those things on it, ever! good luck with that.  weldface screwey)) screwey))

I1t No chit, you have a vert.  LAUGH@ LAUGH@ LAUGH@
Title: Re: Cruis Communications
Post by: Baha (Shawn) on March 22, 2009, 09:00:48 PM
Quote from: perdecas on March 22, 2009, 08:45:43 PM
you will never see my ride with one of those things on it, ever!

We never see your car at all! (At least since before the Cover 'em up Cruise anyway)
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: VWPANZER1 on March 22, 2009, 09:02:17 PM
  I like the idea.   (love

  You can hear all the chit-chat between good buddies, 10-20 and all that manure.

  I'v got an old CB somewhere. I'll have to try and dig it out. But first I'll have to install a cigerett lighter
in Old Blue.  weldface


jt
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: perdecas on March 22, 2009, 09:07:46 PM
if its buried thats where it should stay! do not disturb the dead! LAUGH@
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: perdecas on March 22, 2009, 09:13:32 PM
 i bought some goodies for my car,
                new accelerator cable, new shocks, new rear stabilizer bar. i installed everything yesterday except the rear sway bar. shawn i have one problem since i installed a new batterry i  can now hear the motor noise through the speakers, why now ? i did not do this before.
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: scarecrow on March 22, 2009, 09:14:03 PM
Works for me sounds like a cool idea $61$
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: 66-Ghia on March 22, 2009, 10:00:28 PM
Bob, let me jog your memory. I have 2 sets (4) of the Midland FRS Transceivers 14 Channel. We had no problems when we used them on our first trip to Clayton from Deptford. You had one up  front in the Bradley and I had the other in the rear in the ghia and they worked out just fine.
I   have a hand held CB and home unit. I also have a 800mz scanner (which I am licensed to use) As a lifetime member of our fire company and the founder of the South
Jersey fire photographers association.

Only my 2CENTS  CB's aren't worth "chit" On a trip to and from Florida all you hear is garbage,  rdone     you will find a lot of truckers are now using cell phones.
But whatever floats your boat.
0111.

Bud
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: Baha (Shawn) on March 22, 2009, 10:26:02 PM
CB's on CH19 on the highway aint worth the powder to blow 'em to hell. However on any channel other than 19, 1 or 35-40 they're great for traveling in a group. You can turn the squelch up and only hear our people.

Buds FRS's worked between 2 cars, one of which was fiberglass which is invisible to radio waves. 15-20 cars can span a lot of highway on a cruise & the nature of FM (FRS Radios are FM) if 2 people transmit at the same time you hear nothing, but CB's are AM if 2 people talk at the same time you hear it anyway.

For those who are concerned with appearance, but want to play, an adapter is available to hook it up to your AM/FM antenna

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300263231361 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300263231361)

Lots of CB walkie talkies are available on ebay. The "emergency CB kits" are all in one units with a very small mag mount antenna.

If you need any help let me know.
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: 66-Ghia on March 22, 2009, 10:53:50 PM
Shawn, If you look in the old picture file we had a line of cars that day, not one or two.

But as I said "whatever floats your boat"  just not for me.


We have had CB's, Walkie talkies, transceivers, scanners etc.etc. in and on our house
and cars since before we moved here in 1970.

So it is just a case of oranges or apples.
Bud
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: njgt-1 on March 23, 2009, 05:54:30 AM
QuoteLots of CB walkie talkies are available on ebay. The "emergency CB kits" are all in one units with a very small mag mount antenna.

thats what I got, its a Midland and can plug into the cigarette lighter, and has a battery clip that holds something like 6 AA cells. You can screw the antenna to the top, clip the battery's on and use it as a hand held. Got it on e-bay for around $25.00
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: Daverted on March 23, 2009, 01:07:30 PM
Shawn, I have a Realistic 40Ch I think it works :rolleyes:, also have an antenna works ;D Also  Have a 74 Vert,  Don't work gl6..  Will soon  :icon_confused:
   Think you could check the radio for me ???  Thanks
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: Daverted on March 23, 2009, 01:08:11 PM
I'll just have to buy a bumper mount antenna
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: Baha (Shawn) on March 23, 2009, 03:38:32 PM
Quote from: Daverted74SUN on March 23, 2009, 01:07:30 PM
Have a 74 Vert,  Don't work  Stick it on the bumper
   Think you could check the radio for me ??? No problem

Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: scarecrow on March 23, 2009, 08:00:32 PM
OK, I looked on Ebay, tons of 40 channel CB?s most have 4 or 5 watts of power & sell for under $50. I think it's a cool idea an while $50 is not a lot of money I don't want to show up for a run & be the only geek with a CB. So with that being said we need to know how many  are down for this. Is there some way to vote or poll or something
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: Baha (Shawn) on March 23, 2009, 08:11:04 PM
As I already have one in my car, there's no way you can be the only one, and $50 is way too much.
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: Beetleboi -Greg- on March 23, 2009, 08:27:55 PM
Put me down, but I'm broke till payday. I just bought a taxi meter.  ::)
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: 66-Ghia on March 23, 2009, 10:27:44 PM
To whom it may concern~ I don't want to rain on ANY BODY'S parade
Today I got my catalog from Sportsmans Guide and they have a SET of  (2 ) Midland 26 mile range pro grade two way radios.
GMRS with a dual charger for $22.47 plus S/H This is a special this week.

In their catalog they have listed a 14 mile range  GMRS radio and charger for $29.97 +
S/H. that is also for the set. Cat. # DX9X-156297

I talked to Matt Dorgan he said they carry CB radios also, but agreered  that you can use them from car to car, But with the GMRS you can use them hiking, camping, walking fairgrounds etc PLUS from car to car.
They have either model in stock. As I said before this is only my  2CENTS

When my battery's get here from UPS for my motorized wheelchair I hope to be able to
use it at Englishtown and I already have 2 sets (4)of Midland GMRS I will use one to keep in touch with whoever. If you want to wait till then to see how they work, that will be fine with me. Mine are about 5 years old and they still work very good
Lets be honest when they say 26 or 14 miles, I think you would have to be on top of two hills  LAUGH@
You can call Sportsman Guide at 1-800-888-3006

P.S. If you have seen my new workshop you might have seen the magnetic CB antenna
on it. Now it is just there for show  ;D

P.P.S Mark I think you know my answer, even at 77 I'm not going back in time.  f+t

Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: bugs2much on March 24, 2009, 12:57:13 PM
If the cb units are pushing 4 or 5 watts that should be sufficient. Cell phones transmit on only a fraction of a watt and to a tower in line of site, about 2 or 3 miles.
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: Beetleboi -Greg- on March 24, 2009, 02:44:57 PM
Dad, how do you know this?!
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: 66-Ghia on March 24, 2009, 03:02:33 PM
Jim, if that is the case~ I better stop calling Denver CO. and Melbourne FL on my cell
phone  LAUGH@
And to think we have free calling plans.
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: bugs2much on March 24, 2009, 03:42:49 PM
Quote from: Beetleboi on March 24, 2009, 02:44:57 PM
Dad, how do you know this?!
Got that from a meeting with people who install cell phone towers. :icon_wink:

LoL Bud

Gotta get back to work, :whip: its 82 degrees in my garage tent. Definitely a tee shirt day,  ^^^

Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: Baha (Shawn) on March 24, 2009, 03:46:23 PM
Quote from: Beetleboi on March 24, 2009, 02:44:57 PM
Dad, how do you know this?!

Dude... Dad's know everything, ask my daughter.

Read: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone.htm (http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone.htm)


BTW You're exactly right Jim
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: matt on March 24, 2009, 08:37:07 PM

Is more than 2 needed per caravan?  -

  If one vehicle leads, has one, and one vehicle at the end, behind the 36hp'rs has one will be good for breakdowns- & such...(anything working off of 12v will not work in a 36hp'r = 6V).

Unless everyone wants to "Good Buddy" each other all the way to the show.  :icon_thumright:


By the way, I'm assuming proper etiquette is if a vw breaks down, all of the cars following it pull over behind it? correct?



M
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: dawelder on March 24, 2009, 08:41:07 PM
Why put the 36 horsers in the back? Put em up front with the ghias where they belong and the type 3's in the back. :icon_cheers:
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: matt on March 24, 2009, 08:59:52 PM

  yer right!   @7@

                               LoL                      LoL                  LoL



Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: Baha (Shawn) on March 24, 2009, 10:03:13 PM
It's nice to see the stigma of 70's CB radio hasn't worn off... Nobody "Good Buddies" anymore. Actually that phrase has a whole new meaning because of the CB craze wearing it out... Remember when gay meant happy? Same kinda thing.

However, that was the general idea. It's great for breakdowns but that last cruise was 60 miles with nobody to talk to. I don't know about you guys but if I'm driving alone I'm focused on my car and the road. When I'm in a caravan of 20 VW's I want a shoutbox. I want to hear Jack call Jay 50 times to tell him to slow the f!$@ down. I don't want to find out about the Thing with the for sale sign by the old barn 35 miles after we passed it. It adds another dimension to the trip.

Anyway I'll have one in my car and if anybody else wants to please do, and if you need help putting it in or obtaining one...call me.

I did have a neat idea for temporary mounting. The VW's unique a steel under dash area allow a magnetic mount. If you bolt 2 of these to the mounting bracket you can hang the radio under the dash without drilling holes
(http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos//96600-96699/96651-t.gif)

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96651 (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96651)
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: scarecrow on March 24, 2009, 10:44:46 PM
Eloquently put. I'm in total agreement.  2CENTS. Just hook me up with one of your CB's & aerial.  I'm "Old School" & I think that the CB will be added compliment to my Righteous Rat... Englishtown here I come  BO** with the added security of contact with fellow memebers of the caravan on the trek  flamebug**
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: Beetleboi -Greg- on April 04, 2009, 08:56:05 PM
CB  Codes

Check this out YO! (http://home.att.net/~wizardoz/cbmw/10codes.html)

Check this out YO Part 2 (http://home.att.net/~wizardoz/cbmw/cbphpatch.html)


Shawn I totally agree with you, it would be great to hear the 36ers crying as they climb a hill, or hear about Danny's new Ferrari.  Why is it that it's illegal to talk on the phone and drive... but you are allowed to use a CB and drive.

Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: Beetleboi -Greg- on April 04, 2009, 09:42:31 PM
I just won a 1970's Surveyor 2300

It only has 23 channels... but it'll look sweet under the dash.

They had one new for 150.00

I bought it for 15.50 =-)

I <3 Ebay

Check it out...

(http://sjvwc.net/Gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1272&g2_serialNumber=1)

I don't see power cords behind it... so I'm praying that they are like curled up, or there are like screw terminals or something!


Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: Baha (Shawn) on April 08, 2009, 10:18:22 PM
Beet...That's perfect for your theme! Very cool looking. Cant wait to see it. Did you find the antenna adapter?
Title: Re: Cruise Communications
Post by: Beetleboi -Greg- on April 08, 2009, 11:36:07 PM
Shawn the one I found it's just so you can unscrew the old antennae and put the CB antennae in it's place. It's like that kinda adapter. Another thing I found is like a box with two 3 wipers one from the car ant. to the box and one to the radio and the cb...but from what I've read it isn't very good. So I'm going with the magnetic one. They seem to be all in the 20-25 dollar range *for the cheap ones*