What does an amp do to a cb, and how do you tune and peak one?

Question

I have a midland mini weather max cb, and i have a 250 amp. i was just wandering how to hook it up with a magnetic antenna., and i don't think it's in tune with it.

Answer 1

As the first answer notes, it is illegal. As to tune and peak, I've repaired two radios that had been "tuned and peaked". The result in both cases was a return to proper operation *and* a considerable *increase* in power output.

Some (certainly not all) so-called "techs" are irresponsible and simply wish to line their pockets.

You have to ask yourself what you intend to use the radio for. If it is local communications, you shouldn't have any problems for 5 miles or so. Figure up to 20 miles if the location is in the country and you don't have a lot of other local cbers.

Sporadic E propogation can cause headaches for legitimate users of CB as this will bring in distant stations even when normal F layer propogation does not exist. By this, I mean the band will be "open" for long-distance when it really should be "closed". In this case, folks running amps will cause interference for others far outside their local area (this may include you).

There are other options, depending upon what you wish to do. There is GMRS, which is a UHF allocation with no test, but, I believe, a $75.00 fee for the license. It allows mobile to mobile communications as well as base to mobile, but forbids base to base communications. However, it is very reliable and is largely interference-free. Depending upon antenna height, expect several miles between mobiles over flat terrain and 15 miles or so base to mobile (depending upon antenna height). If you are so lucky as to be located on a high hill ..... that might be extended to 30 miles or more.

The other option, if you are simply looking for a hobby and wish to talk to distant stations, is to look into obtaining an amateur radio license. Morse code was eliminated for all classes of license some time back. If you might be interested in this, I've included a link to a Yahoo group with over 3000 members whose purpose is to assist folks in obtaining their first license or upgrading their existing license. There are many links as well as give-aways for members (free books are often given away and there were some on-line teaching/practice exams from a commercial site - that normall costs money - that were given away).

My background includes former 1st class radiotelephone operators license with radar (currently GROL as they dropped the many former classes of phone license), former 2nd class radiotelegraph license, and current amateur extra class license. All first obtained in 1966. My novice ticket was in 1962. Also used cb back in the early '70s :)


Best regards,
Jim

Answer 2

In the past hooking an amp to a cb was illegal, don't know if that is still the case but probably is. You need a SWR (standing wave ratio) meter to tune your antenna.

Answer 3

Obviously you are wanting to increase your transmitting range -- right?

But truly I must add that with what you have you are wasting your time.

An amp like connected to that puny antenna will give you less range than if you left off the amp and just used a good antenna.

Those magnetic mounted antennas are rubbish and have low efficiency.

Do yourself a favor , sell the amp off to a buddy (let him get fined by the FCC instead) and buy a real antenna.
A stainless steel full sized quarter wave whip is big , but the performance is in another world compared to reduced size (helical) antennas. -- and its legal.

http://www.swdxer.co.nr/