countrywide
Member Since: 16 Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 6019
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I feel the need for a new gadget after Salisbury and am thinking of fitting a CB radio for next time. I don't know much about them but there seem to be a lot of Midlands around with 40 UK and 40 EU channels. I have a couple of questions.
Where is the best place to fit one in the car without drilling any holes and where's the best place to get the power. I don't have a roof rack so are the glass mount aerials any good or are there any other mounts which won't involve drilling bodywork and what's the best way to route the aerial cable.
Do you need a SWR meter to set it up properly ?.
Thanks
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5th Mar 2008 9:38 pm |
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Maverick
Member Since: 25 Jul 2007
Location: Lost on the misty mountain hop!
Posts: 2580
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Don't know about any of the mounting stuff but, you can get Pre SWR'ed aerials. Got one on the Defender and its not needed adjusting! Ben
1996 Defender 90 300 TDi
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5th Mar 2008 9:43 pm |
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craig
Member Since: 08 Aug 2006
Location: Home of LR.
Posts: 2545
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I have a Midland 40, that i install quickly in the car, when i do events.
It slips in quite nicely between the drivers seat and the centre console. Power is obtained by a fused cigarette type charger socket from the 12v socket at the rear of the centre console. Doesn't move as it's wedged in quite tight and as an added bonus, i use the external speaker socket off the CB and hear the chatter through the car speakers.
I run the cable through the rear of the car and out through the tailgate, where the aerial mounts onto the roof using a magnetic mount - so no drilling
As for SWR meters - i brought mine complete i.e. no SWR but someone had done all that for me.
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5th Mar 2008 9:45 pm |
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DG
Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50978
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I have a Midland Alan 42 Multi which is an excellent portable. Have a neat piece of heavy duty velcro just to the right of the radio binnacle (near to my left knee) and on the back of the CB ...I just stick it on as and when required ....very sturdy and convenient. Aerial runs through to the back of the motor and up through the tailgate and onto the rack ...all without any holes 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
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5th Mar 2008 9:49 pm |
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Slimer
Site Moderator
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Last Exit to Nowhere
Posts: 16295
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Maverick wrote:...its not needed adjusting! Have you actually checked it? I'm yet to come across a so call pre-set one that couldn't be improved The End
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5th Mar 2008 9:50 pm |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26775
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I have a Midland Alan 42. Its a handheld, with a car kit. The aerial is a magmount on the rear of the roof, wire in through the tailgate seal. I use a small peice of stick velcro on the blank radio button to the right of the head unit to attach the CB. I have a speaker-mike which makes using it much easier. The power is through the cigarette lighter socket.
The whole lot removes/fits in minutes. I have a Series 2a which has another car kit fitted, and a permanent aerial. I used the setup in Morocco very sucessfully. The advantage of the Alan 42 is that it is very compact, has got a portable aerial that will attach in seconds and a rechargeable battery pack so you can use it as a true portable if required. Although I never used it as a portable as I have a PMR for that.
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5th Mar 2008 9:52 pm |
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DG
Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50978
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Snap 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
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5th Mar 2008 9:56 pm |
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Maverick
Member Since: 25 Jul 2007
Location: Lost on the misty mountain hop!
Posts: 2580
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Slimer wrote:Maverick wrote:...its not needed adjusting! Have you actually checked it? I'm yet to come across a so call pre-set one that couldn't be improved
Don't know where our SWR meter is, we are using a system for the 70's/80's, or whenever they where really popular! Ben
1996 Defender 90 300 TDi
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5th Mar 2008 9:59 pm |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26775
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It was your setup that convinced me
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5th Mar 2008 9:59 pm |
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Harlequin
Member Since: 29 Mar 2007
Location: Hornsea, East Yorkshire
Posts: 231
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Another thought re fitting without drilling - I have a President Harry (excellent). It's mounted on a plywood base-board that sits inside the upper glove tray - angled towards the driver's side so that I can see it / change channels etc. Microphone clip is again fixed to a small ply plate which I stick to the dash with that extra sticky blu-tack stuff (never falls off). Power take off from one of the sockets in the centre console.Removed and installed in a jiffy I was taught to be cautious.
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6th Mar 2008 4:54 am |
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countrywide
Member Since: 16 Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 6019
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Thanks for the replies, for some reason I thought portables were lower powered as in boat radio's but they are both 4W. I think the portable option with a magnetic mount is the way to go.
I will look for one now.
Last edited by countrywide on 6th Mar 2008 2:34 pm. Edited 1 time in total
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6th Mar 2008 9:46 am |
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BarryG
Member Since: 30 Apr 2006
Location: Eire
Posts: 1333
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Just got in the post this morning my new rig
I got a Harry 11 (very tidy rig , cant beleive how small it is ) , Im going to have a go on saturday
and see if `i can get it to fit where the ash tray is ,
I went for a Sirio Mythos 9000 antenna and a Sirio Mag 145 Mount , The Quality of the
Sirio gear looks great and looks very smart up on the roof.
I also got a SWR meter and patch
I'll pop up some pics once I have her in.
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6th Mar 2008 11:08 am |
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craig
Member Since: 08 Aug 2006
Location: Home of LR.
Posts: 2545
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Midland 80 is a good unit. You will be able to get cheaper 2nd hand off ebay, if your prepared to wait, but £80 aint too bad i guess....
(ESP is noise reduction technnology.)
Speakers are built into the unit, so you don't need to worry about a remote speaker unit
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6th Mar 2008 4:57 pm |
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wiggs
Member Since: 03 Sep 2006
Location: Manchester
Posts: 14372
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You guys in the know ...what would be my best choice for Disco 3 events ..a CB or a PMR radio,
I have some chepo radios ..but they dont do the sub channnels.
Quite like the CB idea as i used to have one back in teens ...illegal of course .. G4 Gone ...but not forgotten
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6th Mar 2008 5:54 pm |
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