Anyone in Ilkeston area can help?

Just bought a 27/81 rig second hand and want some help and advice fitting to my car. Not been on CB since 80’s and I had a hankering to have a go again in my old age. I don’t even know if the rig works so any help or advice is appreciated.

I guess not then! Perhaps I won’t bother.

Sorry ilson, just saw your post. I'm new and learning both radio and the forum but happy to help if I can.
And I'm sure experienced members will jump in
What problems do you have ?

I went the easy route with a magmount and coax fed through the back hatch as there's a larger shut line gap to save pinching the coax, also looks tidier running back along centre of roof.

I was going to tap into the fusebox but decided to fit a cigarette socket plug into the centre console.

And just screwed the rig in the passenger side

Hope this helps and don't forget an SWR meter and patch lead ,

The O.P. may have had a better response if it wasn't so specific to a QTH or location.
We do get many such unannounced calls for help and often such postings are easily missed.

Here's hoping they 'can be bothered' when they next log on.
(Maybe introduce themselves or even give a name?)


Thank you Nige (Sharpshooter) for your response to this posting.  

Victor wrote:

The O.P. may have had a better response if it wasn't so specific to a QTH or location.
We do get many such unannounced calls for help and often such postings are easily missed.

Here's hoping they 'can be bothered' when they next log on.
(Maybe introduce themselves or even give a name?)


Thank you Nige (Sharpshooter) for your response to this posting.  

No worries Victor. I've just edited my post as was trying to remember how to upload pictures

Patience is a virtue

Pictures always speak a thousand words there Nige and I've upgraded my 'Like' for your posting to a vote of 'Thanks'. Great stuff mate.

Thank you for the advice, good call about the SWR and patch lead forgot about those magic devices! I’m Mark by the way - I guess I was looking for someone local who might give me a radio check and introduce me to others nearby. 

I’m going to go full drill through roof mount I think. Thunder pole do a pre-swr antenna, mount and cable for £25 which looks reasonable - best to just bite the bullet and get on with it even though the wife thinks I’m bonkers.

Thank you sharpshooter and victor.

Hi Mark,

A warm welcome from Charlie Tango to you.


I'm glad that one of our members was able to assist you, we are usually a pretty helpful bunch.

It's just a shame that there wasn't an active member on the forum from your area so hence the lack of response. We might have worldwide membership but not all are active on the forum. (As a voluntary admin I usually look out for unanswered posts but obviously missed yours.)

I don't know what the CB activity is like up your neck of the woods but hope you manage some contacts as it can be a bit hit or miss around the UK. At least one advantage of setting up a mobile station is that you can always move to higher ground or other locations.

A lot of CB activity nowadays uses Sideband (SSB) due to the fact that the signals can travel further distances but if you are in a busy area with FM activity then obviously an FM radio can suit you well. (I don't know what equipment you have.)

I wish you well with it all and don't worry.....my Missus thinks I'm bonkers too regarding my radio interests.


All the best to you,
Victor

Good luck with it
I bought a sideband rig a few weeks ago but have had most contacts on CB.

Up high in North Wales does well.
I went mobile for the first time today and dropping down into town I noticed how much interference there can be in built up areas (around a 5 signal ) but still heard people.
There were some chatting on 19 and a DJ playing music

So don't be put off easily . It's not like the old days but then it can be rewarding finding someone

I never did AM and SSB  - I was too young so just got a legal set for my 14th birthday. Thought I’d start with the old 27/81 FM and see how I get on. I travel around a bit so Peak District will be worth a visit. Cheers again and if any Derbyshire members on here, give me a shout.

Ilson Brewer wrote:

I never did AM and SSB  - I was too young so just got a legal set for my 14th birthday. Thought I’d start with the old 27/81 FM and see how I get on. I travel around a bit so Peak District will be worth a visit. Cheers again and if any Derbyshire members on here, give me a shout.

Funny enough I have a friend in South Normanton that asked me what CB was like as he still has a rig and was thinking of setting it up.

My advice was to try it, but keep at it if it's quiet.

There's an ex ham in work that's ordered a Baofeng handheld after chatting to me, and I don't think it will be long until he buys a sideband rig

Also a cousin of mine has bought a Baofeng after our chat and he's thinking of digging out his old cobra sidebander.

My point is it's easy to try it and dismiss it at the first hurdle. But with perseverance and chatting to others coupled with a bit of patience it could become more popular or weedle out other local radio users.

I've read about people buying starter cb kits and the supplied antenna is pants, can't get a signal and give up.
That's a shame as if everyone who starts out gives it a bit of time it could help it grow .

I may be talking absolute rubbish of course but just my opinion

I think you make a lot of sense. I remember the problem of just earwigging on channels - you don’t know how many others are doing the same unless you give a shout out. And of course, none of us know what time of day other users will have their radios on, so you are right, perseverance would be important.