CB Question

[algie1100]

How do you know if your CB is actually working? My CB comes on, all the knobs work and it goes through all the channels, but besides a bit of static, I have never heard a peep out of out of it. I have tied though the speakers and headset and have never heard any talking. Unfortunately I don’t know anyone who owns a CB so I don’t have a way to test it.

Thanks,

Al

[BoomerCPO]

Get near an Interstate and put it on Channel 19. The long haul truckers use that Channel.

 

Also....I know CB's require that the SWR be set properly between the antenna and CB radio but I have forgotten how to do that. It requires an SWR Meter which can be purchased at any Radio Shack.

 

I only use my CB on group rides to monitor talk between the Ride Captain and Tailgunner and I never transmit.

 

Also....Make sure your Squelch setting is not cranked up too high as this will prevent you from hearing other folks chatting on the CB.

Edited December 10, 2008 by BoomerCPO
additional info added.

[MAINEAC]

Al it sounds like your squelch is set too high... Lower your squelch until you hear static then go back up one notch... If you don't get any static with the squelch all the way off then you have radio and/or antennae problems..

[Gearhead]

SWR is most important for transmit, methinks.

 

Jeremy

[MiCarl]

SWR is most important for transmit, methinks.

 

Jeremy

 

It'll mess up receive too if it's really bad.

 

Unless you live way out in the boonies you should have more than static on most channels, especially 19. With the squelch turned down you shouldn't hear static, it should be more of a din, like a large auditorium with everyone talking at the same time. There should be occasional whistles and screeches.

 

If you turn the squelch up until the din just goes away, it should occasionally exceed the squelch and pop through.

 

If you're just getting a hiss I'd suspect the antenna isn't connected. Don't transmit as this could damage the radio.

[bongobobny]

They don't have much of a range, maybe a half mile or so. If you do the trucker thing, give a shout to some rig you are behind and see if you get a response...

[Snaggletooth]

I do have a question on the CB's. I've never seen one from a VR and I can't remember what year they quit using the 23 channel ones.

 

In my early days everything was 23 with about 5 or 6 watts and then they dropped the power to about 3 watts when they went to 40 channels.

 

What are the VR CB's? 23? Any idea howmay watts?

[MAINEAC]

All CBs by law can only be 4 watts... They can be tweaked up illegaly to 5 - 25 W depending on the model... I used to have a 400W kicker when I was trucking..

[MiCarl]

I do have a question on the CB's. I've never seen one from a VR and I can't remember what year they quit using the 23 channel ones.

 

In my early days everything was 23 with about 5 or 6 watts and then they dropped the power to about 3 watts when they went to 40 channels.

 

What are the VR CB's? 23? Any idea howmay watts?

 

I got a deal on a 23 channel CB when I had just started driving, and there were only a few weeks remaining that the 23 channels could be sold. Because of the car I put it in I believe it was 1977. Before any Ventures were built all CBs had 40 channels.

 

By law CB output is limited to 4 watts. As a practical matter, since they are being mass produced, the factory sets them low to be safe. Usually 3-3.5 watts I believe.

 

I had that 23 channel CB peaked (power turned up to it's limit - I believe it was about 5 watts), aligned (frequencies fine tuned) and the modulation limiter removed. With an Astatic D-104 power mic it really rocked. I sold it a few years ago at a garage sale for $10.

[algie1100]

Thanks Guys for all the suggestions. I think I'll find a truck stop set it to channel 19 and see if I hear anything.

 

Al

[Gearhead]

It's 40 channel in the VR, and the manual says it's 4W.

 

Jeremy

[BoomerCPO]

Thanks Guys for all the suggestions. I think I'll find a truck stop set it to channel 19 and see if I hear anything.

 

Al

 

Most truck stops have a decent merchandise store on the premises. Makes for a nice shopping trip! You'd be amazed at the leather bargains,sunglasses,etc. that you can find there.

 

Regards........Boomer

[Guest tx2sturgis]

I do have a question on the CB's. I've never seen one from a VR and I can't remember what year they quit using the 23 channel ones.

 

In my early days everything was 23 with about 5 or 6 watts and then they dropped the power to about 3 watts when they went to 40 channels.

 

What are the VR CB's? 23? Any idea howmay watts?

 

 

The FCC has always limited the output to 4 watts AM, and 12 watts SSB. Some radios did come off the line putting out 3 or 3.5 watts, owing to the fact that the FCC required the radios to produce no more than 4W (12W SSB) even if the power supply voltage was increased past the normal 12-14 volts.

 

The CB service was begun in 1958, with 23 legal channels, and in 1976, the FCC alloted 17 more channels, for a total of 40. Still limited to 4 and 12 watts. Think how little power that is. Some nightlights that you plug into the outlet are 7 watts! Of course, thats in heat and light, not RF, but it gives you an idea of the small amount of power involved.

 

Of course, many radios are modifiable to have more than the standard 40 channels, and produce more output, and some radios, the so-called export or freeband radios, sometimes sold as '10 meter' radios, put out much more power. None of those are legal, however.

[BoomerCPO]

I'm wondering if the FCC even monitors CB radio usage. They stopped requiring CB Licenses years ago.

 

I sometimes monitor the truckers channel and the language I hear makes even an old salt like me cringe..........

[Guest tx2sturgis]

I'm wondering if the FCC even monitors CB radio usage. They stopped requiring CB Licenses years ago.

 

I sometimes monitor the truckers channel and the language I hear makes even an old salt like me cringe..........

 

If the FCC monitors, its very sporadic. The do respond to complaints of severe interference, where a CB'er is using a linear and causing TVI to the neighbors, or using illegal channels and interfering in legitimate Amateur or Government communications. Of course, catching them is not always easy, and its usually the REALLY persistent violators who get caught and fined.

 

As far as the FCC monitoring channel 19 for obscene language? Nope. No budget for that, and besides, have you listened on the FRS channels? Families and school kids, and yes, even church busses, staying in contact, are using some really foul language. Oh well. Get your Ham ticket, and you leave most of that nonsense behind.

[BoomerCPO]

Oh well. Get your Ham ticket, and you leave most of that nonsense behind.

 

If Yammi puts a Ham Radio on the 3rd Gen Venture I might well consider doing just that.......

[GeorgeS]

If its working, you will hear stations, just monitor 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, for 15 or 20 min. If you hear nothing, its NOT working. There are truckers withing 10 miles talking. If anywhere near a big city.

 

Open the panel, pull it out, check the Plugs, and Antenna connections. If the AM radio work, then the Antenna is most likley Ok.

 

Check the plug on the bottom of the C/B unit itself, make sure its seated well into the Socket.

 

The wire cable, has a plug about 4 inches from the unit. check all the wires in and out of the plug.

 

On the left side of fairing, open the Radio Panel, and Make sure the Plug cable comeing to the Amplifier from the CB unit is properly installed. Plug might be loose.

[GeorgeS]

Did you check the " MUTE " button on the left hande bar, Remote Control Unit ??