Portable handheld CB radios

[rich67vw]

So, what are you guys thoughts on these 40 channel portable CB's ?

Basically, buy one for 50 bucks, charge it up, and there ya have it... no wiring, and I can lose it just as easy as my cell phone...

[Evil-Tunes (Glen)]

So, what are you guys thoughts on these 40 channel portable CB's ?

I think thats what I'm going to do for the buggy since it's 6v.  I think that a hand held would be fine for cruises because of the short distance.

cheers
Glen

[rich67vw]

Cool. Thx Glen

[jthw8]

We've tried to use them out on the rally with limited to no success.  Even on the relatively short distances they were terrible, ie. not even line of sight communications.  You can hook an external magnetic mount antenna to them which does help to a small degree.

[rich67vw]

Hmmm, ok, thx Jim...

[Baha (Shawn)]

We've tried to use them out on the rally with limited to no success.  Even on the relatively short distances they were terrible, ie. not even line of sight communications.  You can hook an external magnetic mount antenna to them which does help to a small degree.

That would have been my answer except...

If you get one that accepts an external antenna (or one with a removable BNC antenna) then you can overcome the problem of transmitting inside a tin can.

Glenn is good 'cause he's riding on top of the can :-)

Jay and I used a portable in his car to my mobile rig in Sweet P. (aka Sweet Peas) If you're close...It's fine. As soon as you get a little distance...not so good.

The biggest problem is driving a beetle & dealing with the handheld. You need a speaker mic.

I did some searching & Radio Shack has some nice handhelds

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3601265
accepts external speaker mic and antenna...perfect

This one is more gooder with an external mag mount antenna included AND cool accessories like earbud speaker mic

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2437610

[skibumtgm]

i think the biggest problem is how do you hook a PA up to a portable CB

[jthw8]

That would have been my answer except...

If you get one that accepts an external antenna (or one with a removable BNC antenna) then you can overcome the problem of transmitting inside a tin can.

Glenn is good 'cause he's riding on top of the can :-)

Jay and I used a portable in his car to my mobile rig in Sweet P. (aka Sweet Peas) If you're close...It's fine. As soon as you get a little distance...not so good.

The biggest problem is driving a beetle & dealing with the handheld. You need a speaker mic.

I did some searching & Radio Shack has some nice handhelds

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3601265
accepts external speaker mic and antenna...perfect

This one is more gooder with an external mag mount antenna included AND cool accessories like earbud speaker mic

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2437610

Yes indeed, an external antenna will definitely help, its all about the antenna.  If Glenn is not in a tin top then he may have better success.

The past few years we have run low end midlands with whatever antenna we could find at radio shack and generally had line of sight communications.

We upgraded our 2 primary cars both with Cobra 29 LTDs and Wilson antennas (5000 on my car and 1000 on the other) and the range is spectacular.  If it was my money I'd just stick with a 1000, they are great, the 5000 was a gift and I have no complaints.

[rich67vw]

thanks guys. I'm going to get something thursday/friday if I can

[Baha (Shawn)]

thanks guys. I'm going to get something thursday/friday if I can

White Dot at 206 & 70 is a REAL CB Shop. He has everything you need if you want the wilson thw8T (That's Thwiat-ie lol) spoke of or real CB's for that matter.

Now for a quickie about 1000 vs. 5000. The numbers are the wattage they can handle. Receive quality is equal on both. Since we're using 5 watts, you can save $$$ going for the 1000

[jthw8]

White Dot at 206 & 70 is a REAL CB Shop. He has everything you need if you want the wilson thw8T (That's Thwiat-ie lol) spoke of or real CB's for that matter.

Now for a quickie about 1000 vs. 5000. The numbers are the wattage they can handle. Receive quality is equal on both. Since we're using 5 watts, you can save $$$ going for the 1000

I do agree with you, the 1000 is just as good for our pedestrian uses, on similar radios we noticed very little difference between them and any difference at all was more likely because I had had my 29LTD peaked and tuned by a pro shop.  Like I said if someone hadn't bought me the 5000 as a gift I'd have the 1000. 

Man..White Dot is *still* out there.  That brings back memories.

[skibumtgm]

What would I be looking for if I wanted to bounce a signal off the moon

[jthw8]

What would I be looking for if I wanted to bounce a signal off the moon

An "illegally" peaked and tuned CB that has had the wattage turned up beyond the allowable limit.

[Baha (Shawn)]

An "illegally" peaked and tuned CB that has had the wattage turned up beyond the allowable limit.

I disagree. I've talked to a guy in Texas bouncing a VHF signal off the moon. With the setup in my backyard.



Of course, this was the setup in HIS backyard

[Baha (Shawn)]

No really....That's his back yard