How far can you get on SSB?

Hi all I am new to Radio had a bit of a play when younger on CBs (might still have them in the garage somewhere) and have a couple of UV5rs on PMR but nothing for a long time.
Have seen a few videos on YouTube of Fred in the shed and really fancy a modern SSB CB.
What kind of range can you regularly get on SSB?
I live in mid Brittany France should I be able to get into the south west UK?
Have seen a vid of people in the UK talking to the south of France so it must be possible if conditions are good, but do you think I could manage it regularly.

Am looking to get a CRT SS9900

I should think you should reach the Dorset, Devon and Cornwall South coast as there is nothing in the way.
Of course, conditions can get you further if there are any, eg tropo (high pressure weather systems) Aurora, Sporadic E, I think I have heard aircraft scatter,

Hello Rich, It's very variable depending on conditions and Propagation. Have a little look here. There's a section on the 10 meter amateur band which has very similar characteristics to the 11 meter C.B. band. https://rsgb.org/main/technical/propagation/hf-propagation/

73's Gary.

Hi thanks for the reply if it looks likely will give it a go. I am in the UK next week hopefully I will get time to find/buy some equipment.
I would like to be able to use it in the car when traveling but I guess I will need a larger outdoor aerial when in France to get to the UK any recommendations would be appreciated.

richfr wrote:

Hi thanks for the reply if it looks likely will give it a go. I am in the UK next week hopefully I will get time to find/buy some equipment.
I would like to be able to use it in the car when traveling but I guess I will need a larger outdoor aerial when in France to get to the UK any recommendations would be appreciated.

Hi Rich, there are loads of home base type antennas available. Have a look at half wave and 5/8th wave silver rod & fiberglass types.

Nevada in Portsmouth are a decent supplier and on the south coast for you. Check out this link for their C.B. antennas. https://www.nevadaradio.co.uk/cb/cb-antennas/cb-base-antennas/

73's Gary.

GaryWilson wrote:

richfr wrote:

Hi thanks for the reply if it looks likely will give it a go. I am in the UK next week hopefully I will get time to find/buy some equipment.
I would like to be able to use it in the car when traveling but I guess I will need a larger outdoor aerial when in France to get to the UK any recommendations would be appreciated.

Hi Rich, there are loads of home base type antennas available. Have a look at half wave and 5/8th wave silver rod & fiberglass types.

Nevada in Portsmouth are a decent supplier and on the south coast for you. Check out this link for their C.B. antennas.   https://www.nevadaradio.co.uk/cb/cb-antennas/cb-base-antennas/

73's Gary.

Thanks for that will check them out. I am traveling from Poole to the north east then Cumbria and back but can always ship equipment.

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Thanks for that will check them out. I am traveling from Poole to the north east then Cumbria and back but can always ship equipment.[/quote]

Hi Rich,

Get on it buddy the more the merrier, a lot of people here in the UK use Knights for CB & Ham radio supplies, very reasonable prices and always helpful. There are a lot of 80 channel CB's that do both the UK and EU frequencies like the Alan 48plus, so you can use it here in the UK and in France, or something like the SS6900N . Link Below is for Knights CB.

http://www.kcb.co.uk/


73's

Mick

Thanks for the help guys

How's it going with the equipment?

richfr wrote:

What kind of range can you regularly get on SSB?
I live in mid Brittany France should I be able to get into the south west UK?
Have seen a vid of people in the UK talking to the south of France so it must be possible if conditions are good, but do you think I could manage it regularly.

If you can get up on to high ground mobile, or are lucky with your home QTH, it should be possible in flat conditions. I often operate portable from a hill on the Isle of Wight and regularly talk to people in Normandy and Pas de Calais. Brittany is a bit further, but I've worked a station at Brest in flat conditions.

When the skip is up you will probably find the signal bounces over southern England and you are hearing people further north.

When conditios are right i work all over france from north east england

So many variables what aerials used any power used height above see level etc