I learn somthing new everyday.

I guess the one GOOD thing with CBs is that they are popular and ALOT of people have them.

 

Well that can be a good thing and bad. But unless you really look into HAM radio, then it's just pure speculation on your part.

For instance......if I was broke down and really in trouble...ie, no cell phone coverage, not in range for other CB folks, it is totally possible that on the HAM bands I could be here in AK., and make contact with somebody in Florida, or London for that matter, and have them get help to me.

The world is wide open for you in HAM Radio.....

 

I recently installed a Midland CB in my Jeep, and have since read about tuning the antenna before use. I don't have, or even know what a SWR meter is, or how to use one if I did. Needless to say, I still have yet to hook up the antenna (4' Firestick). Radio's in. Antenna mount is on. Anybody got an SWR meter in San Antonio, and can school me on using one correctly ?

 

A swr meter shows what they call "standing wave ratio." In layman's terms, it pretty much means how much rf is going out your antenna when you transmit, as opposed to reflected back, because of the antenna system not being tuned properly. Rf going out your antenna, is kinda like water in a hose....if it is unrestricted it will flow properly, if not then it can back up and spill out in other places. Like I've said before tho, it doesn't necessarily mean just the antenna not being tuned to have bad swr, but the whole antenna system....ie, coax, connectors, grounds, etc.

Some CBs have an antenna warning light, as well as a built in swr meter. Don't know if yours does or not. If all looks good in your system, go ahead and and give it a try. Just ask for a "radio check please" and see if anybody comes back to you. Ask them how you sound as well as their "qth" (location). This of course will not tell you your swr, but if the other person that comes back to you is a pretty good distance away, and he says you sound good, then your system may be good enough. But, if you are hearing other people, and you call a few times and still nobody comes back to you, then you may want to wait till you can check your antenna system.

An swr meter is good to have and are not very expensive....I've heard of some folks picking them up for $10-12. Radio Shack used to carry them. If you plan on having, and using, a radio all the time, then it would be worth owning one. This way you can check your system periodically as things do change over time.

Good Luck....

 

I just bought an SWR meter from Radio Shack, it was $39.99, and you have to buy a small coax cable as well. Theirs was $7.99


But all in all, my install was well under $100.

 

I've got a CB in my Jeep. I also have a GMRS radio and a ham radio. The Ham stuff for most Jeepers would be overkill. Most Jeepers just want to be able to have communications for a few miles on the trail. The CB's are cheap and work okay for that, but they are noisey and the antennas are a PITA to deal with.

I have Icom IC-21's programmed for the GMRS channels in simplex mode and they work great for off road use and for driving in a caravan. They are relatively cheap, rugged, and are very noise free.

I don't run a PL tone on them at all (except for on channel 8). That way I can use them with other people that have GMRS radios, even the little bubble pack ones but I can still make them quiet when I just want to talk to the wife on the road.

With the Icoms you can get a "Battery Eliminator" that plugs into the cars cigar lighter and it will fun forever. I have a dashmount that the radio clips to and it is a neat clean easy install. Much less trouble than a CB.

I think the main reason more Jeepers don't use GMRS is because of tradition. CB's have been around a long time and most people just automatically think of them when they think of a two-way radio.

The GMRS radios ARE a form of CB though. They are a newer and better type of CB. I would encourage Jeepers to do a little internet research on GMRS. You might find that it is the way to go for you and your jeeping friends. It's also great for clubs.

B

 

I was able to pick up a SWR meter from Fry's Electronics for $13 and a small coax cable for $2 or $3. Much cheaper than what RadioShack in now selling. Hope that helps you guys.