New member testing the water (Issued)

Hi all,

Coming back to CB after quite a few years. Not brought a rig yet as want to know if there’s many people on in my area?

I live in Quarry Bank in the West Midlands DY5 (UK)

Thanks in advance!

Andy

Hi Andy,

Welcome to Charlie Tango.


From the looks of it there are a fair few members in your neck of the woods but I don't know if they're active or not.
(Many members get their call sign and unfortunately are never seen again on the forum.)

There's a KiwiSDR online receiver your way in Stourbridge. Link as follows :-

http://81.174.134.21:8073/

I had a quick listen but doesn't seem like much in the way of CB traffic, (I would have thought there'd be a lot more so might just be wrong time of day).


The latest 'CB revival' does seem a bit strange in that some areas are booming and others like my own are a virtual desert for activity. I enjoyed some summer skip action last year but then decided to take my ticket and jump on the Ham bands where there's always radio activity.

Hopefully a member in your area can better enlighten you.

There was a bit of activity PMR wise your way with the 8@8, (Sundays 8pm, Channel 8 ), a while back but not sure if that's still going.(?)


Anyway, I hope you do find some activity your way and enjoy a revisit to the old CB.  

All the best,
Victor

Hello Andy, welcome to the forum.

As Victor has alluded to, some areas can be very busy others not at all. You could have a look in the call sign directory to see how many are near you some may be active some not and look at the nets and skeds section to see what is going on in your region. Best of luck!!

73's Gary.

Hi Andy, welcome.

You could try taking a glance through the Nets and Skeds reports section to see if any operator locations have been reported near you. The Southern Area SSB net is often reported on well and, although not really Southern, there are one or two Birmingham stations I see logged that have joined in that net so there may be others logged from other neighbouring areas to you.

Ok, so I’ve done it! I’ve ordered a Thunderpole T800 which should be here in the next couple of days and a decent (ish) mid sized antenna.  Also a mag mount for the car. Not dropping too much money just yet.

How do I apply for a CT call sign?

Hi Andy, 

I understand that you don't want to drop too much cash initially however it's worth mentioning that many of the skeds and nets are held using SSB mode rather than FM or AM. You might find the T800 a little limiting in that respect.

I issue the call signs for the group so I'll do yours tomorrow evening when I'm back on.

73's Gary.

C.T. Admin.

Hi Gary, great info there thank you. I have been debating a CRT Superstar SS-6900-N, but have read mixed reviews that they aren’t always CB enabled and need programming and also can’t find what power supply would be most suitable. (I’ve been given a psu which puts out 3-5A). Any advice would be appreciated

Hello and welcome, Andy.

73s John.

Hi Andy, welcome to the CTDX group
73s
Steve.

Welcome Andy,
I am a recent member here too and like you trying to see what it is like in my area before spend money.

I hope you get a lot of contacts.

MM.   26-CT04242.

Andy2278 wrote:

Hi Gary, great info there thank you. I have been debating a CRT Superstar SS-6900-N, but have read mixed reviews that they aren’t always CB enabled and need programming and also can’t find what power supply would be most suitable. (I’ve been given a psu which puts out 3-5A). Any advice would be appreciated

Hello Andy,

The power supply you have will not be enough for the CRT6900n. I can't remember the current supply required for that particular radio but I use a 30 Amp PSU for my radios. A quick check on the manual says it's fitted with 10 Amp fuses so you'll be best with at least a 20 Amp PSU.

73's Gary.

Hello Andy.

I am delighted to allocate you 26-CT-4246 may you have good luck with it.

73's Gary.

C.T. Admin.