CB Radios
Citizens band radios, better known as CB radios, provide reliable means of radio communication. They provide truckers, small businesses, and radio enthusiasts with with a system for company, information, and interaction on the road, at home, or at work.
How do you choose a CB radio?Choosing a CB radio involves determining your needs and desires for your radio. For example, if youre a trucker, youll probably want all an Automatic Noise Limiter, a backlight, automatic access to the trucker channel, and RF Gain control. These features increase the clarity of the radio signal and increase your safety on the road. But, if youre a hobbyist, you may not need all of these features.
How do you determine the range of your CB?Range depends on the CBs output power. This radius varies according to weather, antennae position, grounding, the location of any neighboring radios communicating with you, congestion, and output power. Consult local laws for the maximum legal ranges.
How do you tune your CB antenna?The simplest technique entails changing the items length. Different lengths may improve your antennas use of its metallic ground plane. In stationary setups, the metallic ground plane is a metal surface needed below your CB radio antenna. For vehicle setups, the actual surface of your vehicle is the metallic ground plane.
Antennae utilize the metallic ground plane to transmit signals, so length in relation to the metallic ground plane is crucial. If adjusting the length doesnt tune it, consider switching the location on your vehicle or switching the location of your metallic ground plane in your home setup.
Is a handheld CB radio just as powerful?Their short antennas limit the range of communication, so theyre well suited to two-way communication in outdoor rec, retail security and sales installations, or between parties at the mall. Generally, expect 1 to 2 miles of range per foot of antenna.
How do you put a CB radio in your car?Non-invasive CB radio antenna mount types eliminate the need to drill holes to mount the radio though youre free to use the kind that requires drilling if you want a more permanent and secure radio. Examples of non-invasive CB radio antennas include the following:
- Mirror bar mounts attach to the rear-view mirrors on front door of the car.
- Trunk lip mounts hook under the lid of your trunk or hood.
- Magnet mounts attach magnetically to the body of your car.