CB Radio's

 
 
 
 
 
 
jacktherev
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CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 15.06.2012  ·  #1
Hi all

I was wondering if any of you have and use a CB Radio on your travels in your motorhome? I met someone the other day from the UK who was looking for directions to the Aire at Broughshane and we got talking and he has one. He said every motorhome user should have one and he found it invaluable.

I was just wondering if any folk in here have them. :-)
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 15.06.2012  ·  #2
Maurice and I were talking about this a couple of weeks ago. I have a 40 channel FM one I am going to put in, need to get an aerial though as the one I have is a magmount (magnetic)

But what would be most popular FM or AM?
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 15.06.2012  ·  #3
Ally,

Maplain's have an FM/AM one for £85 and you can switch from one to the other. Apparently the problem with motorhomes is getting a good earth. I'm not tecknically minded but this guy said to get a thin steel plate to put the mag on and and stick it on the roof and earth it to it. He had crystal clear reception as a guy on the Aire at Broughshane contacted him while I was talking to him to give him directions. By the way, I was in Ballymena at the time but he said that he can get up 15 miles radius with it. . Must say after talking to this guy, I'm very tempted to get one particularly for our forthcoming trip to France in August.
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 15.06.2012  ·  #4
15 miles, must of been AM, don't think those distances are possible with FM and a small'ish aerial.
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 17.06.2012  ·  #5
I didn't realise CB was still available. That takes me back to the 70s. Whiplash radio arial, cb arial, silly handle and all on a rubbish car worth less than the cb! fun dodge'n the ruc tho!
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 17.06.2012  ·  #6
4 vans of us usually travel together.
we have just bought 2 way radios for use when we go to germany in sept.
we been using them here and found them very helpful.
worked out about 40 quid each including a 12 volt cig lighter charger.
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 18.06.2012  ·  #7
Yeah I have those and found them good. I was thinking more of being in contact with the wider world of motorhomers.
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 18.06.2012  ·  #8
For what its worth I have used a cb in my last van (legal 40 ch fm) max output 4watt and they are useless. A small hand held "long range" walkie talkie works better and is easily carried in shopping centers etc etc. No holes needed for aerials either.
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 18.06.2012  ·  #9
Is AM still illegal these days? I thought they had relaxed the laws since Ambulance service etc went digital?
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 19.06.2012  ·  #10
Ally, I've been told tha AM is now legal. All one has to do is register and that's it.
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 20.06.2012  ·  #11
Think I'll source an AM one then :)
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 20.06.2012  ·  #12
We had one in the dub. They were invaluable for getting convoys of vans through cities and large towns. That aside though we had some craic chatting on them while travelling together. Really took the pain out of some of the longer drives.

We used 40 ch FM CB's and I agree, they were shite. Pretty much only any good when in line of sight. Still have the unit and a gutter mounted arial. Must go dig them out.

If enough people are interested I can get us a deal with a company in the UK.
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 21.06.2012  ·  #13
Jacktherev.can you post a link to your info regards the legality of AM cb,s. I've being searching on the net without any success .I have one from the yonder years which could be used again .
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CB Radio

 ·  Posted: 21.06.2012  ·  #14
Some years ago 15 motorhomes left N Ireland and went to Croatia, the CB radios were vital and really proven there worth, however it is difficult to get a CB to work well in motorhome because of the lack of a good ground plane, due to the fiberglass construction this really reduces the distance you will be able to transmit and if the SWR is too high can even destroy your CB. this is why you have to check the SWR when fitting!
There are two suppliers in Ballymena of CB radio gear, Richies on the Ballymoney Road and another in Castle street, cannot remember the name though.
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 21.06.2012  ·  #15
Quote by pogonogo

Jacktherev.can you post a link to your info regards the legality of AM cb,s. I've being searching on the net without any success .I have one from the yonder years which could be used again .


it was the guy from England that I gave directions to in Ballymena that told me that AM was legal on registration. That's all I know but I'll try and find out. :up:
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 21.06.2012  ·  #16
Quote by Swanner



If enough people are interested I can get us a deal with a company in the UK.


Sounds good, I'm going to invest in an AM. I have a 40Ch FM.
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CB Radio

 ·  Posted: 21.06.2012  ·  #17
You can get CB Radios that have AM and FM, that is the type I have and it has been useful to have both at times.
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 22.06.2012  ·  #18
Willie, have you had any problem fitting yours and getting. A good reception?
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 22.06.2012  ·  #19
I was talking to a very helpful guy in Ritchies in Ballymena and not only do they sell them but will fit them as well. Going to get a price on Monday and they sell the Cobra AM FM ones which he claims are ver good.
Ally you should try and arrange a discount for Motothome Crais members from him.
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 22.06.2012  ·  #20
Let me know what price he quotes you :)
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CB reception

 ·  Posted: 24.06.2012  ·  #21
Reception is usually OK it is the transmission that is difficult in motorhomes, the lack of a good ground plane usually means it is difficult to get a good SWR reading, if it is too high it can damage the CB radio, so it is vital that it is as low as possible.
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 24.06.2012  ·  #22
Thanks Willie for the info.
I hope to talk to the guy in Ritchie's on Monday and I'll mention this to him. Thanks for your input.
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 25.06.2012  ·  #23
I talked to Stephen in Ritchie's today (Monday) and he was aware about the discussion here on Motorhome Craic. If we mention Motorhome Craic he will give a good discount. Inwas very impressed with his knowledge and it looks that a top system could be fitted by him at a reasonable price. I hope to take my motorhome over to him when I get back in 2 weeks.
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 03.07.2012  ·  #24
Found my FM CB Radio out, I need an Aerial, thinking of going to Ritchie's for one and mounting on the Safe T Bar which is connected to the chassis.

Would this be a good enough ground?
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 04.07.2012  ·  #25
Ally,
Ask for Stephen in Ritchie's a s he is very knowledgable about fitting CB's to motorhomes and he will be able to tell you. I hope to get him to fit one in my van when I get back. Be sure and let us know how you get on with it.
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 04.07.2012  ·  #26
Cheers Jack.

Curious, when I used CB's years ago I used to have the magmount with a rubber boot on it to protect the paintwork, so it is not grounded then I would assume.

I'll ring Ritchies :)
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 10.07.2012  ·  #27
CB fitted :) - cheers to RITCHIES for the advice.


Discount could of been a lot better though.
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Fantastic

 ·  Posted: 10.07.2012  ·  #28
Ally
Glad you've got it fitted. I would be interested to hear how you find it. Did you get Ritchie's to fit it? I'm out of the country and hope to get them to fit one for me when I get home and before I go to France in August. :up:
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Re: CB Radio's

 ·  Posted: 10.07.2012  ·  #29
I just fitted it myself but bought the aerial connections and cables of them, used the luggage rack on the roof for the ground as they advised.
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