Anyone use CB's? Forums

jiffyman

Sorry if the technology side of things seem to be taking a step backwards here but does anyone use CB radios?

We use them within our Mini Club but was just wondering how you could set one up in a GRP Motorhome body. I know that the 'ground' of aerial normally uses the body of a metal vehicle but what about the GRP? how would you go about it?
Any ideas??

gaspode · Moderator

Hi Jiffyman

From what I remember of my radio days, you do indeed need a reasonable ground plane for good TX performance. You could mount the antenna on a metal plate affixed to the roof (about 60cm square should suffice). Alternatively if you connect the screening from your antenna lead to the vehicle chassis then this should provide a good ground plane also.

Does anyone still use CB, I thought it was old hat these days? Basically a good idea ruined by idiots.

Gaspode

jiffyman

Konw what you mean about the idiots.
We use them mainly in convoy on Mini runs across the country. Keeps everyone in touch with each other.

Was thinking about the chassis as a good ground point, but as we are ripping out the interior of the van soon, i was wondering whether adhering some copper strip around the roof of the 'van and attaching this as a ground plane would do?

gaspode · Moderator

Hi Jiffyman

Don't know how a copper strip would work, but if you're stripping out the van, why not glue a sheet of very thin aluminiun on the underside of the roof then bolt your antenna through it?

Gaspode

Chanstar

As I recall you can buy a door mounting anntenna, your ground is then tthe chassis.

Ian

Road_Runner_644

Hi Jiffyman

Your idea is sound, your aerial will still work mounted on a grp section of the van, but will work better if you give it some grounding to work against, or a ground plane by putting some metal underneath it. For a ground plane either copper strip or tin foil under the base of the aerial. To ground it more efficiently the shortest run possible of thickish wire from the base of the aerial running back to the chassis of the vehicle.

Cheers

Dave

peedee

I mount mine on the wing mirror of the metal cab which gives it a good ground.
CB is not much used these days. The mobile phone has largely made it obsolete.
I switched mine on last weekend for the first time in ages and all I got was amateur radio enthusiasts on long distance comms and nobody responded to my requests for a traffic report. 5 years ago I would have had an instant response.

They are still very good for travelling in "convoy" with another motorhomer especially on the continent although strictly speaking a UK set is illegal in many countries. The typical range is up to 6 miles and it saves on expensive phone calls via a UK mobile just to consult with a buddy on where to stop etc..

peedee

jiffyman

Cheers for your replies,
Couldn't mount it on the door or cab as the cab is GRP too!!!!

Could get some ally sheet, then again, its not far to the chassis either.

Cheers for your help anyway, much appreciated

Knauser

Thunderpole do an on-glass mount.

Pros- no wire to get into the motorhome.

Cons - only about 1/2 mile range, but OK if you only want to use in convoy

Knauser

bigfoot

I use a gutter mount and a three prong ground plane whish screw inbetween the antenna base and the mounting socket. I bought them from a truck shop. I would expect somewhere like Roadpro or Maplins would do the same. Or drop in at a BP truckstop, they usually do goodies for truckers.
BTW the idiots are now either Radio hams or computer hackers!