First Setup

Hi there everyone I'm just starting up on CB again its been a wile last time i used one was back in the 90's

I managed to salvage a old school CB RCH B40FM  radio  receiver with original mic but that's all i have so far.

would anyone out there be able let me know what other parts ill be needing to get this ol boy going again


I have been looking at getting a T2LT antenna with a SO239 connector but i wasn't sure if i needed anything else

Thanks in advance for anyone who could help me out!

Hi Redarrow.
Assuming you have your radio, antenna and coax cable from antenna, you'll need a Pl259 connector to fit to the so239 on the back of your radio.
A 3-5 amp power supply or 12v battery.
And a swr meter to check your antenna is tuned in and not reflecting too much power back into your radio.

Sharpshooter wrote:

Hi Redarrow.
Assuming you have your radio, antenna and coax cable from antenna, you'll need a Pl259 connector to fit to the so239 on the back of your radio.
A 3-5 amp power supply or 12v battery.
And a swr meter to check your antenna is tuned in and not reflecting too much power back into your radio.

Hi Sharpshooter thanks for the info its much appreciated!!

Yes i have the radio but as of yet no antenna and coax cable, I'm interested in getting  a T2LT antenna, have been looking online for one but I'm not to sure what I'm looking for to be honest so thought i would reach out to someone with more knowledge than my self as I'm starting from scratch so to say, i do have some experience with CB but i was very young back in the day but such as life i never carried it on. 
Ive been doing some research and learning in my spare time to get back in form just need some advice along the way.

The system i want to run will be a home based set up so i assume ill need a 3-5 amp power supply then is that correct?
The radio i have is one that needs to be plugged into a wall socket.

would you be able to provide me some links to the items you have stated please with a reasonable price range?


I could upload some pictures of what I'm working with if this helps.

Thank you again for your reply bud!!

Hi Redarrow, I'm pretty new too having just returned to radio last year. I'm still sorting out things

If your radio is homebase and can plug into mains 240 then great
Have a look on knights electrocom website for power supplies etc if not.


This is a good forum for help and you will get more as you go along.

Hi RedArrow, (my apologies but no name in your profile or given here),


The B40FM (DNT B40FM) was an unusual radio compared to other home base units having a small mains power supply tacked onto the back of what looked essentially like a typical mobile rig. As you rightly state it simply plugs straight into the mains so you don't need an external power supply unit.

The first thing to ask is if this radio is operational? (Lights up etc. when you plug it in.) The only reason for asking is that you don't want to be forking out for antennas and stuff if it doesn't work, obviously.

The other thing to consider is that this is a straight 4 Watt UK 40 channel radio and unless you know you have contacts in your locality you may well be left disappointed. I know that when I first came back to the airwaves CB activity in my area was lacklustre and I sat for many days (and weeks!) without hearing a peep despite calling out on a regular basis.  In the end I got my Ham licence and have never before been so busy with my radio activities.

Totally up to you though and an antenna such as the T2LT you mention is cheap enough to give it a try. You just never know, you might call out on channel 19 and get an answer straight away from a local breaker and have a good old chinwag.

With CB activity nowadays a lot of the action is on the SSB (Single Side Band) modes giving further range with a suitable homebase antenna or sat with a mobile setup on high ground....and the fun really starts when the propagation conditions or 'skip' comes in!


I wish you well with your ventures and as Nige (Sharpshooter) has already mentioned there are a lot of helpful people here at Charlie Tango only too happy to help out.


All the best,
Victor

Thanks Sharpshooter its good to hear CB is making a come back!!
I mean who knows with everything that is going on in the mad house as of late it might our only means on coms ha ha

Thanks for the link ill be checking that out in a wile, and yes couldn't agree more from first impressions you guys have been more than helpful!
I found this forum through Fred's YouTube channel and now I'm glad i signed up!

Victor wrote:

Hi RedArrow, (my apologies but no name in your profile or given here),


The B40FM (DNT B40FM) was an unusual radio compared to other home base units having a small mains power supply tacked onto the back of what looked essentially like a typical mobile rig. As you rightly state it simply plugs straight into the mains so you don't need an external power supply unit.

The first thing to ask is if this radio is operational? (Lights up etc. when you plug it in.) The only reason for asking is that you don't want to be forking out for antennas and stuff if it doesn't work, obviously.

The other thing to consider is that this is a straight 4 Watt UK 40 channel radio and unless you know you have contacts in your locality you may well be left disappointed. I know that when I first came back to the airwaves CB activity in my area was lacklustre and I sat for many days (and weeks!) without hearing a peep despite calling out on a regular basis.  In the end I got my Ham licence and have never before been so busy with my radio activities.

Totally up to you though and an antenna such as the T2LT you mention is cheap enough to give it a try. You just never know, you might call out on channel 19 and get an answer straight away from a local breaker and have a good old chinwag.

With CB activity nowadays a lot of the action is on the SSB (Single Side Band) modes giving further range with a suitable homebase antenna or sat with a mobile setup on high ground....and the fun really starts when the propagation conditions or 'skip' comes in!


I wish you well with your ventures and as Nige (Sharpshooter) has already mentioned there are a lot of helpful people here at Charlie Tango only too happy to help out.


All the best,
Victor

Hi there Victor no worries Ive yet to fill my profile out fully as of yet, I'm Ant nice to meet you and thanks for your message.

Yes its funny you say that Vic as when i was giving it the once over i thought to my self has someone just wired this up to be a Homebase station, as i thought it might have been a mobile rig.

To confirm your question -  I have plugged it in and powered it up works completely fine lights up mic is keying properly so where all good in that respect.

Yes that i shall take into consideration I'm located in the Fenland area i was a Refuse Loader for 10 years and on my travels i had spotted at few Antenna masts dotted about.
I'm interested in obtaining my HAM license but i figured i better crawl before  i walk as such ha ha.


I assume i still need a SWR meter with this rig as Nige (sharpshooter) mentioned?

When you say SSB is this the same a DXing? sorry if that sounded a stupid question I'm still trying to put together the lingo and that good stuff picking it up fairly quickly, but i think ill certainly be looking into getting a more up to date rig in the future no doubt.

Thanks again for you reply mate
Ant