41 Years Of Legal UK CB Radio 02/11/2022

Got up high on a Welsh mountain at around 963 feet. 18:30 hours.
Spent around two hours there.
Plenty of voices heard around the channels. Scousers mainly. Got a few copies.

Shouted on 27 and a bloke at pym chair peak District came back. Along with Wigan and somewhere else, i forget.

Had a flick around, spoke to 3 blokes in stoke. Got side tracked with other copies etc, including a fairly newish breaker about 13 miles away, and another scouser on the side that apparently literally got back on air days ago after many years.

Went back on 27 but I wasn't heard, although there was activity in the back of the box.

Quite impressed, I might look at Rightmove or zoopla for a house in the village there


Used a CRT 9900 with sirio 4000 on a sirio magmount.
Blowing a gale with heavy rain at one point.
Had a McDonald's, I'll take a flask and sandwiches next time

Hi Nige,

Really good hearing of your activity and report for this event.  

(I had grandchildren visiting at the time so didn't even get to earwig and although I love my radio....I love my grandkids more.  )


Did anyone else reading have a go at this event? If so why not share your experiences here on this post.


Well done again Nige, awesome stuff mate.

Yeah, I tried from two locations, but despite hearing a good few folks chatting no one could hear me. I went home feeling pretty cheesed off.

I suspect it's because I using a stock CB and most people are talking about using amatuer radio kit blasting out loads of Watts.
So the bloke calling CT4617 was me.

Hi Al,

Real shame to hear that you didn't have much in the way of contacts on the night.

If any were running Amateur gear then they should be able to hear as well as they get out but then again it's all too easy to become an 'alligator' station. (All mouth and no ears. )

Pumping more Watts out might alleviate a poor setup or antenna system on the way out but not for signals coming in. Then again it's not unknown for two contacts to turn up their squelch or turn down their RF gain to alleviate the background noise thereby missing any QSK stations. (Not good form for such an event though?)

I often have the odd day where I don't seem to be getting out then start checking my setup/station completely 'just in case'. Others days you're truly batting it out of the park seemingly gaining contacts at every call.

Part of the 'fun' and sometimes 'disappointment' of the radio interest is having to take each day as it comes. Just annoying when it's a special event though!


I wish you well in the future, may be worth double checking your setup and never be disappointed by others 'equipment'. The most important aspect of any radio contact is the person pressing the key and the knowledge they have.  

With my 'Ham' equipment I've had Amateur contacts across the world from America to Japan with 10 Watts or less and I've had Continental Europe CB contacts in the past on straight 4 Watt rigs.

It's not all about "More Watts Igor!"


All the best,
Victor

Thanks Victor.  I know I need more patients, but had got myself all excited at the prospect of this event.
I had used the CB successfully at the beginning of the half term holidays so felt confident it was working.
I'll keep trying!

Al
26CT4617

Al21 wrote:

Yeah, I tried from two locations, but despite hearing a good few folks chatting no one could hear me.  I went home feeling pretty cheesed off.

I suspect it's because I using a stock CB and most people are talking about using amatuer radio kit blasting out loads of Watts.
So the bloke calling CT4617 was me.

Hi Al, your details state a president McKinley radio used.
Is it expanded ?  

Taken from Knights website.

In expanded mode the power also increases to approx 12W AM, 25W FM and 25W SSB.  The power is variable through the menus, and on test I found you could adjust the output down to a minimum 4W on AM, 6W on FM and 2W on SSB.


When you say "Amateur radio kits"
And "stock CB radio" , 
The McKinley isn't a stock CB radio, are you sure others aren't using these and other SSB radios ?


I think mine supposed to put out 50W full power FM. I was running full all the time last night, but usually turn it down as far as I can without loss when I'm chatting.
I've tested it on a power meter and it hardly drops until the knob gets about halfway down :rolling_eyes:


One of the blokes from Stoke I spoke to, (45 miles as the crow flies) whom I think was in a dip, Was much quieter than the other two, crackly on a signal 4 and fading. I think he was pushing 20W or less. Maybe 10, can't remember.
He upped the power and the signal rose to 7-8 i think, but much clearer radio 5.
What antenna are you using?
If you are using a McKinley, check your power and if it's expanded.
Or get a little burner :grin::thumbsup_tone2:

Aargh!  I was writing a lengthy reply Sharpshooter and the forum deleted it just as I was going to post it.  I'm off out again, but will try again later.

Al
26CT4617

Hi Sharpshooter, let's try this again.

Please understand that I am new to the world of radios, so my understanding of what is a standard CB is based on looking at online UK shops and seeing radios advertised as UK legal CBs.
Yes I am using a President McKinley with a Sirio Megawatt 4000 on a mag mount on the roof of my car. I bought this having seen it was UK legal CB radio having AM, FM and SSB. I say stock as I'm using it as it came out of the box. I have no idea about expanding it other than watching reviews where thd first thing the reviewer does is take the cover off and start cutting wires and otherwise messing with internals. Not for me that. I just want to get started.
I'll keep plugging away at this and I'm sure I'll make contact. I know it works as I spoken to a guy I know who dabbles with radio, but a way from being an expert.
I was just feeling grumpy this morning as I'd built my hopes up watching 'Fred in the Shed' videos of last years anniversary and thinking it would be a good chance to make contacts.

I'll get there.

Best wishes

Al
26CT4617

Al21 wrote:

Hi Sharpshooter, let's try this again.

Please understand that I am new to the world of radios, so my understanding of what is a standard CB is based on looking at online UK shops and seeing radios advertised as UK legal CBs.
Yes I am using a President McKinley with a Sirio Megawatt 4000 on a mag mount on the roof of my car.  I bought this having seen it was UK legal CB radio having AM, FM and SSB.  I say stock as I'm using it as it came out of the box.  I have no idea about expanding it other than watching reviews where thd first thing the reviewer does is take the cover off and start cutting wires and otherwise messing with internals.  Not for me that.  I just want to get started.
I'll keep plugging away at this and I'm sure I'll make contact.  I know it works as I spoken to a guy I know who dabbles with radio, but a way from being an expert.
I was just feeling grumpy this morning as I'd built my hopes up watching 'Fred in the Shed' videos of last years anniversary and thinking it would be a good chance to make contacts.

I'll get there.

Best wishes

Al
26CT4617

No worries Al.
I'm pretty new too. 
Just got back on air around May/June time.
I wasn't sure of what experience etc you had, so as a returnee like myself wondered if you considered "stock" as lets say "old 40 FM 27/81 , for instance.

My experience was not expecting much when I came back but my thoughts were 'he who dares wins". Lol. 
I first went on 30 miles away from home where I stay down the coast. 
I was lucky to contact someone straight away and learn that a few came on at certain times.
Those few told me how I should get many more contacts at my home QTH.
But I was just happy to chat with them whilst away and circumstances limited me chatting at home. 
So yes, keep it up mate and find out who's on in your area and when.
It only takes 2 or 3 of you to regularly chat and it can grow from there.

It's not the same as back in the day but can be quite a buzz getting long distance contacts.
And don't be afraid to snip that wire

Hi all - I was wondering, will there be one for this year 2023 (42 years)?  Will it be Nov 2nd again?  Thanks in advance.

hawk657 wrote:

Hi all - I was wondering, will there be one for this year 2023 (42 years)?  Will it be Nov 2nd again?  Thanks in advance.

yes and yes!

I shall be out trying to take part in this, hopefully with better success than last year.

ill be on in sunny/wet norfolk if anyone around ..........
still trying the usb calling channel every week (wed night 7pm- late). one day i will get someone, god loves a tryer, he must love me then lol.........was some on cept the other night but my German not very good, well non goer to be honest

peewee norfolk wrote:

ill be on in sunny/wet norfolk if anyone around ..........
still trying the usb calling channel every week (wed night 7pm- late). one day i will get someone, god loves a tryer, he must love me then lol.........was some on cept the other night but my German not very good, well non goer to be honest

It's a shame that I just don't get though to folks in your direction from my spot on the Wolds.  If I'm very lucky I can get out to Rod on Caister Top near Grimsby, but that seems very dependant on conditions.  Still, we can but try.

When I'm up your way, I've had good results from both Staxton Hill car park or a layby between Wharram Le Street and the roundabout on the B1248/B1251

Razz229 wrote:

When I'm up your way, I've had good results from both Staxton Hill car park or a layby between Wharram Le Street and the roundabout on the B1248/B1251

I looked at the car park/picnic area at Staxton, but it's pretty close to RAF Staxton Wold and across the valley from GCHQ on Race Course Hill, so I'm a bit cautious about a visit from the boys with big boots and guns.
I must look for the layby on the road from Wharram le Street though, that sounds useful.
I was on the North York Moors last night, a layby off the Blakey road.  Had some good radio reports from Durham and the NorthEast.  Though not as good for other folks I normally get to in the west.  My choice of location will improve dramatically when I get my drive on plate completed and am no longer restricited to somewhere I can bungie a telescopic pole to.

I'll be on from my homebase unless I get a thunderpole tx for my birthday.

Al21 wrote:

 My choice of location will improve dramatically when I get my drive on plate completed and am no longer restricited to somewhere I can bungie a telescopic pole to.

Hi Al

I’d be interested in seeing your "drive on plate” when you get it completed, I’m sure it would be of interest to other members too.

Thanks
Derek

DerekF wrote:

Al21 wrote:

 My choice of location will improve dramatically when I get my drive on plate completed and am no longer restricited to somewhere I can bungie a telescopic pole to.

Hi Al

I’d be interested in seeing your "drive on plate” when you get it completed, I’m sure it would be of interest to other members too.

Thanks
Derek

No problem Derek, will do.  I've become side tracked with trying to set up a kite aerial rig at the moment.  I was talking to my youngest yesterday about the possibility of starting to make videos, so both the plate and kite will be shown hopefully.

Cheers

Al

Hi Al

Thanks for the prompt reply, look forward to seeing both of your videos.

73
Derek

Gutted, I'm working nights this year