Where to buy a CB

[GeoTracker90]

Thanks

I would like to get a tweaked radio. I hear that they can be tuned to put out up to 18 watts.

Just interested in why you would want, or need a CB radio that has been modified to output up to 18 watts? Honest question, I really want to know. I don't understand the rational behind this want, so please if for no other reason than to satisfy my curiosity, please expound.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

I still say it's All about the Antenna!

What ExPo really needs, is a complete Info Sticky for CB Radio Operation. To help our members.



http://home.att.net/~wizardoz/cbmw/rwpropag.html

HOW IMPORTANT IS POWER OUTPUT?
The output power of a mobile transmitter, which might be as low as 1 watt or as high as 1000 watts, has very little to do with the maximum distance that the signal may travel. Although signal strength varies inversely with the distance, a major increase in power output will have little or no effect in establishing communications to a distant point that couldn't hear the ground wave or sky-wave at the original power setting.

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[gary in ohio]

Just interested in why you would want, or need a CB radio that has been modified to output up to 18 watts? ...../QUOTE]

I agree, The difference between 5 and 18watts is almost nothing. You would need to be at least 50watts to see any difference. On top of that even adding 1000watts isnt going to increase the range if the band conditions are not conducive to long range communications. Propagation and antennas play more a role on range of a CB than power does.

 

[soonenough]

I agree, The difference between 5 and 18watts is almost nothing. You would need to be at least 50watts to see any difference. On top of that even adding 1000watts isnt going to increase the range if the band conditions are not conducive to long range communications.

Not to mention that it won't matter how much power you have if the people you're talking to are running normal 4-watt radios, because they won't be able to transmit far enough for you to hear them even though they can hear you. And this is all assuming that the increased power from your radio is actually helping you transmit further, which, as others have said, is a big assumption.

Please realize that I'm not attacking you (mep1811) or CB radio; I have one myself that I went to a lot of trouble to install cleanly in my truck. I'm just agreeing with others here who have expressed the opinion that modding CB radios isn't worth the effort / legal risk.

 

[mep1811]

CB radio

I know all this stuff. I have been working with comms for a long time.

I was out on a trip and a guy had a tweaked radio and his radio sounded much better than the other radios. Here are the mods that Clays makes pn their radios.
Recommended Modification#1
When Performance Counts! This Service Comes With a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee!



The performance tune up increases the radio's output by approximately 50%. The receiver gain is typically 30-40% over stock specs. This modification includes the following changes in order to enhance the radio's performance.

Turning up the Transmitter's wattage
Adjusting the modulation for maximum output without distortion.
Modifying the mike amp circuit for more gain when necessary.
Aligning the receiver for optimum signal to noise ratio.
Adjusting the squelch range
Calibrate the transmit and receive meter settings.
Frequency adjustment to zero tolerance.
Perform a complete check of all functions.
Perform a visual of the circuit board for flaws.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Recommended Modification #2
If You Are Serious About Performance You Will Love This Modification!
This Service Comes With a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee!

This modification increases a radio's output significantly. With gain of approximately 100% more output wattage over the performance tune up. It involves an in depth redesign of the radio's transmitter strip including replacing the transmit final with a larger more powerful transmit final. In addition this modification includes all of the following:

Redesign the transmitter strip.
Replace standard transmit final with higher wattage transmit final.
Adjusting the modulation for maximum output without distortion.
Modifying the mike amp circuit for more gain when necessary.
Aligning the receiver for optimum signal to noise ratio.

Adjusting the squelch range
Calibrate the transmit and receive meter settings.
Frequency adjustment to zero tolerance.
Perform a complete check of all functions.
Perform a visual of the circuit board for flaws.

Radio and modifications purchase section - Purchase Instructions
Check the box to the left of the item or items you want to purchase, then click the add to cart button. If you would like more info on the modification or accessory before purchasing just click on the link below. To purchase the radio only just click the add to cart button. The radio is pre-selected for you. Note: We have a minimum radio service fee of $20. While not mandatory to add services, if service items ordered total less than $20 the service amount will be adjusted to $20.

Cobra 25WXNWST at Only $106.95 Close Out
Performance tune up - $30 - more info or High watt modification - $59.95 - more info
Bulb cover installed over the meter light - Green Blue Yellow - $5.00 - more info
LED installed in place of the meter light - Red Blue Green White - $14.95 - more info
Noise filter installed - $24.95 - more info
Echo installed - $69.95 - more info or Super echo installed - $79.95 - more info
Talkback - $9.50 - more info or Talkback on an existing switch - $17.50 - more info
Noise toy (20 Second) on an existing switch - $44.95 - more info or on added switch - $44.95 - more info
Noise toy (60 Second) on an existing switch - $54.95 - more info or on added switch - $54.95 - more info
Roger beep installed on an existing switch - $34.95 - more info or on added switch - $39.95 - more info
Roger burp installed on an existing switch - $39.95 - more info or on added switch- $44.95 - more info
Special - Add an Astatic mike for only $34.95 or Special - Add an RK56 mike for only $47.95
* Special * Buy this radio and get a high end noise canceling mike of your choice at a reduced

 

[offroadsubie]

want a tweaked radio?, go with CONNEX, the best to have tweaked, I'm running the connex 4300hp pushing 40 watts with a black widow antenna in my

kenworth. the shop who sold it to me cranked up

the power too much(125watts instead of the 80watts suggested.) so I toasted my radio. got it back with 40watts and gonna stay there.

as for why have a tweaked radio, it's like having loud exhausts on a mustang, just plain power trip :victory:, altough I do get better signal. remember, it's the

antenna that do the difference. you can have a big radio but without a good antenna, you're going nowhere.

as for the law thing, there's way too much truckers with big radios for them to catch. they go after the ones with linear (amps) in residences not mobiles usually after neighbors complaints of interferences with tv's and radio's but don't worry if you have

your cb radio up to 15-20 watts.

usually truckstops sell radios cheaper than cb shops but all you'll find are cobras,unidens and sometime galaxy radios. otherwise you'll have to go to a cbshop. from what I saw, sparky has good prices.

oh and remember also that if you buy a 10 meter radio(like the connex) to use as a cb, you'll have to get it modified because of the different bands used by cb and 10 meter. and yes it's illegal also to do that! :smiley_drive: