CB Radio Beginners Guide. Part 1. Antenna Choices. Mobile v Homebase

In this first video we look at expectations on coming on to CB radio and choosing an antenna for mobile or home base use.

[ricardomoonbeam]

This is brilliant. I was a breaker in the early 80s as a teenager, and I literally had no idea what I was doing. Now I'm seriously tempted to get back into it, this series of videos for noobs like me is just what I was looking for...thanks so much 👍

[gobstoppa]

IF people are intrested, then bordom doesnt exist, and i am, love it, cheers.

[fridovannoort]

Hi Fred and viewers, I am on CB for 10 years now. I started with a legal 40 channel CB radio with a magnetic car antenna on a metal plate. I just took time to get enthousiastic before investing in more gear. Getting enthousiastic is by talking with local people and maybe by following youtubers or fora.
If you like the hobby you'l invest. If you don't you'l find an other hobby. Do what makes you happy, the rest wil follow! Greetings, Frido from the Netherlands

[anthonybuonsanto]

Good tip on the patio base to connect the antenna to and gradually increasing in size where people will just not even realize it’s happening over a period of time, therefore no complaints will be directed towards the homeowner.

[techstyle]

I remember growing up and there was this lad we knew was cool guy he had loads of computers and consoles but older than us but let us in one time and we went into big back room in house that was first time I seen a CB I remember people had code names and there was a channel where they sold stuff some dude at certain times did sort of pirate radio thing lol with rave tunes he had big massive Ariel outside of window...cool memories

[PeterJavea]

I recommend that a new person listen over the week at first. Go over the channels, switch from AM to FM. I did this and suddenly came across a CB group here in Belgium called Kanal 21 fm Roepronde. The have a fortnightly Friday evening meeting. Just listening is fun. I called in and said hello. Ton of fun !
Plus I noticed times in the day when I could hear more distant stuff.

Lovely video. Thanks
I WILL recommend this to others !

[stalkerfdx]

Cheer Fred. I have been on since 1976. And still learning. Started with a 120 channel am radio. Then went legal in 1981. Still use 27mhz.

[markr]

Love watching Fred in the Shed videos. I’m in the states and just returned to cb radio after 20 years off the air. I wanted to get on SSB so I got a Stryker 955 unlocked and tuned up. I also purchased a Solarcon A-99. Horrible experience, nearly no receive and couldn’t get anyone to reply to me, had the radio checked, and it was working very well, so I decided to get a Sirio 827. Now I receive everything. Seriously, I talk skip all over the states. I grounded the antenna and used LMR-400 coax, about 80’. Antenna mounted 32’ above ground. Hoping to start a cb radio net in my area. Having so much fun and glad I got back on the air.

[hlarks]

I had a Uniden President Grant with an Astatic M575 modulation microphone and 102" stainless steel whip. That setup worked very well. The only downside was the antenna hitting low hanging tree branches.

[Daverocks-zpkh]

As a kid we had a half wave on the side of the garage and a Harrier 40 channel FM CB.Gopd days with plenty of contacts within 5-30 miles.I bought my own handheld with a massive telescope antenna which on the hill behind my house would get a good few miles.I hope to find some nearby using the internet first.Great video Fred it's inspired me

[trickysubject]

Hello Fred, I’m a 80’s breaker back when I was just a kid, I ran a Midland 3001 with a 18 ft diapole.
Just getting back into the scene and you have just answered the question I had been mulling over and I’m going to order myself a silver rod. Many thanks for that.
I’ve just been given a fidelity CB 3000 Homebase unit that needs a bit of attention, but it’s a cool piece of history.
Looking forward to getting on and chatting in Staffordshire if anyone is local to Lichfield.
I’ll sub and look forward to more info on your channel, 10-4 bysee bye for now.
Tricky.

[Industrialsoundfanatic]

Brilliant series of vids Fred.

My last CB was an Amstrad 901, Bremi PSU and a DX27 antenna (very poor ) back in the 80's.
After watching your vids, I bought a President Randy 3 handheld. I could pick up the odd signal here and there.
Then I started hearing Americans on AM - That was it, so I bought and installed a couple of antenna out in the back garden.

Got a President George 2 radio arriving soon with a proper PSU.
These vids got me interested in CB again, but also a lot more interested in Amateur Radio in general.
5/5

Realised there were lots of people around me doing the same thing !

[eddieshanahan]

thank the lord at last just what i have been waiting for i will be watching all of these videos thanks so muuch fred

[paulsmeg]

Great video once again Fred. One tip ive learn the hard way is COAX is as important as an antenna. Personally i now use RG213 after trying many others. Im both cb and M3 ham opp.
Also having a good ground to your antenna will help a lot.
Personally ive found the A99 a very good all rounded. I use one on my President Lincoin and my Ham radios and have worked the world on 1 watt with a manual ATU.
Keep up the good work your a true ambassador to the hobby and helping other. 73...paul..

[classicgrooves]

Throw in a GOOD quality swr meter and patch leads 👍

[ronleblanc]

very interesting can't wait for the other videos

[Agamemnonuk]

Getting back in to CB, will be taking my ham foundation course but mainly looking forward to mobile in a motorhome

[Georgeolddrones]

A pirate radio station takes me back to the 70s 80s love me radio love the air band and HF add a Cobra back in the day wot an excellent radio that was, done. No if you can still get them now you’ll probably be able to answer this, love the video thanks George in Stoke 😂👍

[britpoper]

Thanks for this Fred. I've been away 35 years or more. I thinking of starting again. I was on am to start with but never achieved sideband so I feel like I've got unfinished business 👍

[peterprice]

I was on CB from 1979 with an illegal am 40ch radio “cybernet chassis” so it listened well i then got an audio line 341 twiddled with the output coils and got 12watts i then got a fidelity 2001 and tweaked that to 15watts then a cobra 148 GTLDX “great rig” high highs and low lows with an astatic teardrop Mike and es880 echo unit and triple s speech prosessor finally a had a yaesu 757 GX MK2 converted to transmit on 0-30mhz through an Avanti Sigma 4 5/8 wave base antenna.