This is my recent journey in the world of in car CB in 2024...
Last summer I bought an old CB Radio set off ebay to go in my Ford Capri. It was more of a prop originally but curiosity got the better of me and I picked up a £4 SWR meter from a Car show and the other week got a big Moonraker mag mount antenna. As the unit was already in the Capri I went down to my garage and fitted the mag mount but with no success. I was getting a bit of static but thats it.
After a bit of SRW meter research on youtube I figured it would be best to tune the radio in in the countryside around less "stuff". I decided to put it in my Ford Escort this time as its a quieter engine (1100cc) and better cig socket.
I instantly got better results here. At first there was a lot of static and it was pretty inaudible but once I put Mag Mount on the roof It was a lot better.
I filmed a bit of this. Mainly a guy talking to his mate and complaining a lot.
Not had much success with it since. I think I need to make a better earth for both unit and antenna as its on a Cig lighter and theres rubber between the antenna and car body. Also, when I "key up" the mic, nobody seems to reply even though the VU meter goes up.. unsure if I'm being ignored or I've got a problem.
This has made me think I should buy a second CB and see if that works... unsure if I should stick with an FM one or buy an AM one but is AM legal these days? I just read Am can stretch further?
Saw this kind of thing the other day which is apparently a CEPT band radio? not sure what that means but I guess its the more modern legal radios.
Getting a second CB and antenna would be good for classic car convoys this summer as well. Also I could have one in each car
Lastly I found that midland make a free CB radio app called 'Talk CB' I've been really enjoying this on long drives, a lot of characters on this. Really enjoying the chatter on here.
You can also buy a Midland bluetooth mic for this app. I was hoping I could find someone who used another bluetooth mic but not seen evidence of that yet. Thought I could then mod an old CB mic.
So come on then, who else is messing with CB in their cars in 2024 (probably just me) and anyone got any advice for me sorting my unit out here. IF I bought a new(old) unit should I go FM or AM? Also anyone up north using CB let me know If so see you on channel 19!
Last summer I bought an old CB Radio set off ebay to go in my Ford Capri. It was more of a prop originally but curiosity got the better of me and I picked up a £4 SWR meter from a Car show and the other week got a big Moonraker mag mount antenna. As the unit was already in the Capri I went down to my garage and fitted the mag mount but with no success. I was getting a bit of static but thats it.
After a bit of SRW meter research on youtube I figured it would be best to tune the radio in in the countryside around less "stuff". I decided to put it in my Ford Escort this time as its a quieter engine (1100cc) and better cig socket.
I instantly got better results here. At first there was a lot of static and it was pretty inaudible but once I put Mag Mount on the roof It was a lot better.
I filmed a bit of this. Mainly a guy talking to his mate and complaining a lot.
Not had much success with it since. I think I need to make a better earth for both unit and antenna as its on a Cig lighter and theres rubber between the antenna and car body. Also, when I "key up" the mic, nobody seems to reply even though the VU meter goes up.. unsure if I'm being ignored or I've got a problem.
This has made me think I should buy a second CB and see if that works... unsure if I should stick with an FM one or buy an AM one but is AM legal these days? I just read Am can stretch further?
Saw this kind of thing the other day which is apparently a CEPT band radio? not sure what that means but I guess its the more modern legal radios.
Getting a second CB and antenna would be good for classic car convoys this summer as well. Also I could have one in each car
Lastly I found that midland make a free CB radio app called 'Talk CB' I've been really enjoying this on long drives, a lot of characters on this. Really enjoying the chatter on here.
You can also buy a Midland bluetooth mic for this app. I was hoping I could find someone who used another bluetooth mic but not seen evidence of that yet. Thought I could then mod an old CB mic.
So come on then, who else is messing with CB in their cars in 2024 (probably just me) and anyone got any advice for me sorting my unit out here. IF I bought a new(old) unit should I go FM or AM? Also anyone up north using CB let me know
If so see you on channel 19! 
