Beginner check list for base station setup.

[doodelysquatgpa]

What do I need to start researching? I'm generally basics before brand names. Any help would be appreciated.

[Bozo]

You can begin researching now...

[295 antenna]

Look at some base station radios then also look at some mobiles. With a power supply you can use a mobile radio also. I like old cobra 29 ltd classics. The audio is good and the radio has proven its self. Mobile radios are cheaper and with a inexpensive power supply they will work very well

[doodelysquatgpa]

Thanks

[doodelysquatgpa]

I took your advice and last night I was able to purchase a mint 29 ltd classic. Didn't know what I should have paid but I got it for $38.99 with mic and manual.

[Bozo]

I took your advice and last night I was able to purchase a mint 29 ltd classic. Didn't know what I should have paid but I got it for $38.99 with mic and manual.

Good deal if it's mint condition

[MDYoungblood]

A few things to check first is there a HOA where your house is. This limits you on an antenna. If none, look at antennas then coax, don't go cheap here, after getting it up and set you don't want to be taking it down to fix it. Last is radios and they are your preference.

3's

Greg

[doodelysquatgpa]

Thanks, no hoa

[443 Arizona]

having no HOA is a blessing ,
so now ask yourself, how far? what range do you want?
just locally on a 5 to 8 mile area or 30 to 40 miles?
in other words, $30 or $300 or more? ( much more),
this is like some kind of addiction,
$700 is more realistic for some basic big boy setup.
but again, it can be a little more, then a little more,
until your investing in an array covering acres and government agencies tell you to stop.
we're here for ya

[doodelysquatgpa]

It's 6.7 miles between our homes. Lots of small hills and valleys and a lot of high trees. It's important that we can communicate but I don't need to talk to the space station. I do a lot of diy and I know enough to get myself into big trouble with electronics. If I had a couple of old prc77's I'd try them but they're too heavy. Is the swr built into the cobra 29ltd classic efficient or should I get a stand alone unit?

[MDYoungblood]

7 miles should be no problem between stations unless you are in the bottom of the mentioned valleys. Getting the antennas up as high as possible would help in that situation.

3's

Greg

[295 antenna]

It's 6.7 miles between our homes. Lots of small hills and valleys and a lot of high trees. It's important that we can communicate but I don't need to talk to the space station. I do a lot of diy and I know enough to get myself into big trouble with electronics. If I had a couple of old prc77's I'd try them but they're too heavy. Is the swr built into the cobra 29ltd classic efficient or should I get a stand alone unit?

The swr feature on the radio should work well enough as long as its just the radio. If you add an amp the a stand alone unit is better.

[doodelysquatgpa]

So when you talk about an amp is that the swr? And should I get him the same radio and amp? I have a pretty tall 2 story home and his house is on a rise with tall walnut trees. Is there a formula to to use like ohms law to calculate the correct height for the antennas? Thanks again for the help. I'm a member of various forums some good some jerks. This is a nice place.

[295 antenna]

Its like MD said you should not have any problem unless your in a valley trying to go over the hill. Once you start wanting or needing more power then its a whole new ball game lol Read this stuff for fun [Please login or register to view this link] and there are more expensive radios out there. But the radio you just got can do 10 watts peak with no problems if you need it .I always go with the 29 when someone is wanting just the basic inexpensive radio because the audio is great

[doodelysquatgpa]

Ok, great thanks again.

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We have merged posts.


Added in 15 hours 55 minutes 49 seconds:
Went through my local thrift store and found 2 cb radios. A Cobra 18 ultra weather band and a radio shack tc-497. So far I have not found owners manuals yet.

[295 antenna]

You probably can find info on cbtricks.com

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We have merged posts.


Added in 5 minutes 1 second:
[Please login or register to view this link]
cant find the other ?

[doodelysquatgpa]

It seems to be easier to find service manuals than users manuals.

[MDYoungblood]

For the beginner, a good antenna, good coax, a decent SWR/WATT meter (external) are the 3 basic things to look at. SWR is a different thing from an "Amp", that should come later after you graduate from "Beginner to Novice".

3's

Greg

[doodelysquatgpa]

Thanks again. Incase I can't find both users manuals does anyone have an opinion good or bad on the above mentioned models?

[MDYoungblood]

Ok, great thanks again.

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We have merged posts.


Added in 15 hours 55 minutes 49 seconds:
Went through my local thrift store and found 2 cb radios. A Cobra 18 ultra weather band and a radio shack tc-497. So far I have not found owners manuals yet.

I can't find either radio on the web, maybe you got the model numbers mixed up. The only model 18 Cobra with weather is the 18WXST II,
[Please login or register to view this link]
and I can't find a Realistic TRC-497 at all
Really the manuals just tell you the basics of the radio like hook up, etc. and the usual safety stuff.

3's

Greg

[doodelysquatgpa]

Thanks for looking, I believe the cobra may be an early model because the 18wxst ii has the sound tracking system, I don't have that switch. And the radio shack could either be under realistic or radio shack. Beats me.

[443 Arizona]

they will be fine to get you started, cant complain on the price , concentrate on the antenna systems, that is what will make it all work. an ARRL book will tell you more than you can absorb, got tips, tricks, hints, all about radio. check your library for one.
also, do you know anyone else near you with a cb? if not, get yours set up and start making contacts,

[doodelysquatgpa]

Hello everyone. I have been doing my research, which I hope is going in the right direction, lol. I believe I have decided on the 1/4 wave ground plane antenna. My closest repeater is about 15 miles from me at frequency 147.3300. I'm going to use 12 ga. solid copper wire (because I have that) and after watching a video of a gentleman using 10 ga. solid wire and twist 4 of them together to make a very solid vertical element. The radials of mine will be made of 3 twisted wires. I'm not sure yet if that assists the VF or not. So another question, by using a 1/4 wave online calculator (I'm lazy and hate math). They ask for the frequency and that's where I'm stuck. Is the entry of the frequency about the repeater, the channel I want to use or the lowest channel 1 frequency, the middle channel 20 frequency or the highest channel 40 frequency. I'm also trying to figure out the material for the mast but I'll decide that later. Lastly, if it's a ground plane antenna and this probably will be viewed as obvious to members here but is a seperate or additional ground wire attached to the radio itself? I know that's quite a list and I have all the material except the mast, I appreciate any replies. Thank you if you have or take the time to read this. Hope everyone is as good as you can be and Happy Thanksgiving!

[MDYoungblood]

You have me puzzled, 147.330 repeater frequency is in the amateur VHF band (ham license required), not close to the CB band at all. CB frequencies go from 26.965mhz to 27.405mhz (center frequency is 27.195mhz) with a few skipped in between, the 1/4 wave length is around 8' 6" for both the radiator and radials.

3's

Greg

[doodelysquatgpa]

Thanks I thought it was a very high frequency. Learned more for today. And the higher the better.