604 lines
28 KiB
Plaintext
604 lines
28 KiB
Plaintext
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Rec.radio.cb Frequently Asked Questions (Part 1: Getting Started)
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[Last modified 12/18/91]
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This is a regular posting of frequently-asked questions (FAQ) on rec.radio.cb.
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It is intended to summarize the more common questions on this newsgroup and to
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help beginners get started. This saves network bandwidth and tries to maintain
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a good signal-to-noise ratio in the discussions.
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To keep the size of each article down, the FAQ has been split into 3 parts:
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Part 1: Getting Started
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Part 2: Communication
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Part 3: Technical Trivia
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If you are a new reader on rec.radio.cb, we suggest that you print and review
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the FAQ articles. If you are new to NetNews, please also see the news.newusers
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newsgroup.
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Questions discussed in this article: (dates indicate last modification)
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* Do I need a license to operate a CB radio? (7/91)
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* What are the CB Frequencies? (12/91)
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* What are the common brands of CB radios? (7/91)
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* What should I consider when choosing a location for my antenna? (12/91)
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* Once I hook up my CB and antenna, is the radio ready to use? (11/91)
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* What are good antenna characteristics and what are some good antennas? (7/91)
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Note about adding questions & answers to this list:
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We accept suggestions from the rec.radio.cb community. Please consider
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the following criteria because we will also use them to determine which
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questions to include.
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- is it a commonly asked question?
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- will its inclusion help reduce usage of net bandwidth?
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- how useful is it to CB users in general?
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Note that we can't necessarily include every question because we don't want
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this FAQ itself to become a net bandwidth hog. Also, if you suggest a
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question for this list, please include the answer.
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If you feel that your suggestion passes these criteria, send it to one of the
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following people:
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Michael Larish KD6CTZ nomad@ecst.csuchico.edu (Chico, CA, USA)
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Ian Kluft ikluft@uts.amdahl.com (Sunnyvale, CA, USA)
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International readers:
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It's probably obvious that this article originates from the United States.
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When you see something specific to the U.S. but the info on your country
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(particularly Canada, the UK and Australia) is missing, please e-mail the
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details to us if you have them.
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Acknowledgements
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----------------
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The following people are recognized for their contributions (by e-mail or news)
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that were included in this article:
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Paul Schleck KD3FU (ACM005@zeus.unomaha.edu, Omaha, NE, USA)
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- [a lot of] input during initial review
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- original material on antennas and amplifiers
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Paul Zander AA6PZ (paulz@hpspdla.spd.hp.com, Palo Alto, CA, USA)
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- comments and input on the SWR discussion
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Bob Myers KC0EW (myers@fc.hp.com, Fort Collins, CO, USA)
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- news article on antenna grounding in mobile installations
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Neil Robertson (conjgr@lut.ac.uk, Leicestershire, UK)
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- CB frequencies in the UK
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Rob (topfm@darwin.ntu.edu.AU, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia)
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- CB frequencies in Australia
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--Rec.radio.cb Frequently-asked Questions-----------------------------Part 1--
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* Do I need a license to operate a CB radio?
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--------------------------------------------
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You are no longer required to have a license to operate a CB radio in the
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United States. (Other countries however, may have different rules regarding
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CBs). The FCC (U.S. Federal Communications Commission) did at one time require
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a Class "D" license for for Citizen's Band which required nothing more than
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filling out a form and sending it in to the FCC with the license fee. The FCC
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then sent you a call sign which might look like "KPS 2720" or something simi-
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lar. During the CB craze in the mid-70's, the FCC decided that the paperwork
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burden outweighed the benefits and put CB under blanket authorization.
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The FCC permits the use of the following to identify yourself:
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a. Your old Class D callsign, if you have one.
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b. K, your first and last initials, and your zip code (i.e. KPS 68123)
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c. your name (i.e. "Paul")
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d. some unique nickname or Handle (i.e. "Cobra", "Rubber Duck", etc.)
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There are FCC rules and regulations that must be complied with while using
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CB. If you don't have a list of those rules (which most likely were included
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with your CB), you may find them at a local radio store.
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* What are the CB Frequencies?
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------------------------------
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The answer to this question depends on the country you reside in. At this
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time, we only have information on the USA, UK, and Australia.
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--- CB in the USA
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Legal CB transmitters use the operator's choice of AM (amplitude modulation)
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or single sideband on the following frequencies.
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1..........26.965 21.........27.215
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2..........26.975 22.........27.225
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3..........26.985 23.........27.255 *
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4..........27.005 24.........27.235 *
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5..........27.015 25.........27.245 *
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6..........27.025 26.........27.265
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7..........27.035 27.........27.275
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8..........27.055 28.........27.285
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9..........27.065 ** 29.........27.295
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10.........27.075 30.........27.305
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11.........27.085 31.........27.315
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12.........27.105 32.........27.325
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13.........27.115 33.........27.335
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14.........27.125 34.........27.345
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15.........27.135 35.........27.355
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16.........27.155 36.........27.365
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17.........27.165 37.........27.375
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18.........27.175 38.........27.385
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19.........27.185 39.........27.395
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20.........27.205 40.........27.405
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* Channels 23-25 are not in ascending order due to historical reasons. CB
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started with only 23 channels. Later, 24 and 25 filled a gap between 22
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and 23 and 26-40 were added in ascending order.
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** Channel 9 is the official Emergency channel. It is restricted for emerg-
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ency use only. (This applies in most countries.) In the U.S., Channel 9
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is often monitored around urban areas by REACT which is a voluntary public
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service corps of CB operators who report traffic problems, emergencies,
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etc. If you are interested in joining the REACT group in your area, they
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are often run through the local Sheriff's office.
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Other channels that are of significance are as follows:
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17 - unofficial "trucker's" channel (California & western U.S.)
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19 - official "trucker's" channel for traffic and speed trap advisories
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30-40 - Often are used for "Single Sideband" (SSB) activity
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--- CB in the UK
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The UK has 2 bands for CB as follows:
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Legal CB transmitters use FM (frequency modulation) in either of 2 bands:
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frequencies (MHz) modulation description
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26.965 - 27.405 FM 40 channels, same frequencies as USA
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27.6 - 27.99 FM 40 channels, 0.01 MHz (10 kHz) spacing
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AM and FM are not compatible so a US-legal CB cannot communicate with a
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UK-legal CB even though they may use the same frequencies. And each is illegal
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on the others' soil so this only prevents use of atmospheric skip between them.
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--- CB in Australia
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Australia has 2 bands for CB. The use of AM or FM depends on the band.
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frequencies (MHz) modulation description
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26.965 - 27.405 AM & SSB 40 channels, same frequencies as USA
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max power: 4W AM, 12W SSB (same as USA)
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476.500 - 477.475 FM 40 channels, .025 MHz (25 kHz) spacing
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As the first of the two bands above shows, made-for-the-US CB radios are legal
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in Australia.
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The following AM/SSB band frequencies have special uses either by regulation
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or by common usage:
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Channel 8 Road channel (truckers)
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Channel 9 Emergency (same as USA)
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Channel 11 AM calling
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Channel 16/LSB SSB calling, also used for DX (distance)
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Channel 35/LSB unofficial additional SSB calling, also for DX
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* What are the common brands of CB radios?
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------------------------------------------
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Some of the more common brands that you will find out on the market are as
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follows:
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Uniden Cobra
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Midland Realistic (Radio Shack)
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Archer (Radio Shack) and others...
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* What should I consider when choosing a location for my antenna?
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-----------------------------------------------------------------
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The answer to this question differs greatly between base and mobile installa-
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tions. Each will be answered separately.
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In mobile installations, things to consider are whether you're willing to
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drill holes, use a magnet mount, or use a bumper mount. If you say "no" to
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all of those (which would probably mean you have a very nice car) your list of
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options is pretty short - use a handheld with a rubber duck antenna.
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Otherwise, you can start making choices with the following things in mind:
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1) the closer your antenna is to the top & center of the vehicle, the better.
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So the roof is better than the trunk and both of those are far better than
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the bumper. But they'll all work.
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2) a drilled/permanent mount is better than a magnet mount in the same loca-
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tion. (This is so that the antenna gets a better "ground plane".) If you use
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a magnet mount, run your coax feed line through the door or hatch that gets
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the least use and then leave it alone. Don't use any path where the coax
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would get pinched.
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For base installations (i.e. at home) the best places are "as high as you can"
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within legal limits. The roof is normally fine. If you're in an apartment
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complex, you may be limited to a balcony but ask the manager - they may just
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want you to keep it "invisible."
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Base station antennas should have a good ground in case of lightning. (In the
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rare event of a lightning strike, this can mean the difference between burning
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down the building or just the radio.) Most water pipes that go into the
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ground will work. The best choice for a ground would be an 8-foot (2.4m)
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copper rod stuck in the ground near the antenna.
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* Once I hook up my CB and antenna, is the radio ready to use?
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--------------------------------------------------------------
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No. When you get a new CB and/or new antenna, the CB and the antenna must be
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tuned or "matched." To do this, you need an SWR meter which is a device that
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measures the impedance between the radio and the antenna. SWR stands for
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"Standing Wave Ratio." The lower your SWR, the better your match. First
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timers are recommended to get help from a knowledgeable person but some notes
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about the process are included here.
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You do NOT want your SWR reading to be over 3:1 ratio on any channel. It can
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damage your radio. A "perfect" match is 1.0:1 which gives you the best
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efficiency for your radio's output. However, "perfect" isn't possible so 1.1:1
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is the best you can hope for. Even 1.5:1 is acceptable, but it isn't as good.
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You will only be able to achieve your best match on one or a small group of
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channels. The SWR will increase on each channel as you get further from that
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point. So 2:1 may even be unavoidable on the extremes, like Channels 1 and/or
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40. If you know you're going to use one channel most of the time, try to
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put your best match there. Otherwise, just center it at Channel 20 so you
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can use all 40 channels optimally.
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You may find SWR meters at places like Radio Shack or amateur radio dealers.
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Further information about Standing Wave Ratio can be obtained from the ARRL
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Handbook.
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Most stores that sell CB radios will have an SWR meter and someone who knows
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how to use it. But they will charge for their services.
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* What are good antenna characteristics and what are some good antennas?
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------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Antennas have to be designed to transmit and receive on the band that you
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are using. CB is located in the 11 meter band. (They call it that because
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the wavelength is about 11 meters.) CB antennas range in height from a little
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under 2 feet (24 inches) up to 108 inches.
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The 1/4 wave whip (108") will offer better reception and transmission
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capability over a shorter, coiled or "loaded" antenna.
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VERY short antennas, or multiple antennas that aren't "phased" properly
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will result in a very poor signal. Remember, for cophasing antennas,
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they must be 1/4 wave length apart which, for the 11 meter band, is around
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9 feet. Most cars aren't wide enough to allow antennas to be placed 9 feet
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apart. The other characteristic of cophasing is that it much more directional
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than a single antenna. It will transmit and receive MUCH better along the
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axis of the car than sideways off the car so if you want a omnidirectional
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antenna, you don't want cophasing (so you only want one antenna.)
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Good brands include (but are not necessarily limited to) Hustler, Wilson,
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FireStick and K-40.
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Rec.radio.cb Frequently Asked Questions (Part 3: Technical Trivia)
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------------------------------------------------------------------
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Questions discussed in this article: (dates indicate last modification)
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* What is single sideband? (new 1/92)
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* Do I really get 120 channels on a radio with single sideband? (12/91)
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* What are "linear amplifiers" and can I use them with a CB? (7/91)
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* Who is "Skip" and why can I hear him all the way across the continent? (new
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12/91)
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--Rec.radio.cb Frequently-asked Questions-----------------------------Part 3--
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* What is single sideband?
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--------------------------
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To understand single-sideband (SSB), one must first have a picture of what's
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going on in a normal AM transmission. For example, on Channel 21 (in the U.S.
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and Australia), a "carrier" is transmitted at 27.215 MHz. Your voice (or
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whatever you're transmitting) is used to change (modulate) the height (amp-
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litude) of the signal so that it can be reconstructed as your voice on the
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receiving end.
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A side effect of this modulation process is present on some of the closest
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frequencies adjacent to the carrier, above and below it. These are called
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sidebands. Normal AM transmissions include the modulated carrier and the
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upper and lower sidebands.
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However, there is enough information in either sideband to reconstruct the
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original signal. Therefore, radios which can use single sideband are able
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to filter out the carrier and the opposite sideband, leaving either the upper
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sideband (USB) or lower sideband (LSB), as selected by the CB operator.
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Obviously, for a conversation to take place, both the transmitting and receiv-
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ing radios have to be on the same channel and sideband setting (i.e. Channel 25
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LSB.) Some additional tuning will be necessary with a "clarifier" control.
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Assuming proper filtering within the radios, it should be possible for sep-
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arate conversations to occur on the upper and lower sidebands of a given
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channel without interfering with each other.
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* Do I really get 120 channels on a radio with single sideband?
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---------------------------------------------------------------
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[This applies to the U.S. and Australia.]
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Yes and no. SSB does give you 120 different communications paths (40 AM, 40
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USB, and 40 LSB) but they are not free of interference from each other. The
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upper and lower sidebands will interfere with the AM channel and vice versa.
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With some radios, even the opposite sidebands can interfere with each other.
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For example, (and this works for any channel - just fill in a different
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number from 1 to 40) Channel 17 has an AM channel that every radio can use.
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Radios with SSB will also be able to use the upper and lower sidebands.
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However, within a few miles of each other, you can't effectively use the
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AM channel if people are talking on either sideband. Though not as strong,
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users of sideband will know if someone is using the AM channel but the higher
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legal power settings on sideband give them an advantage.
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* What are "linear amplifiers" and can I use them with a CB?
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------------------------------------------------------------
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It is ILLEGAL (in the U.S.) to use a linear amplifier on Citizen's Band radio.
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The maximum amount of power that is rated for CB is 4 watts on AM and 12 watts
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PEP (peak envelope power) on sideband.
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Linear amplifiers allow a person to transmit using much greater power than
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is legal. They may range from 30 watts to above 500 watts.
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Please do NOT discuss the use of or purchase of linear amplifiers on this
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newsgroup. You will probably find yourselves severely flamed... (If you need
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to inquire about their legality in another country, you may want to limit the
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distribution of the article to your country or continent.)
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Besides, most black-market linears are low quality and will distort your
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signal and interfere with consumer electronics. It is far better to
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run a clean radio with a clean signal into a high-quality coaxial feedline
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and antenna tuned for low SWR.
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Most radios are deliberately undertuned from the factory (to make sure that
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they are well within type acceptance limits). Take it down to a 2-way [radio]
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shop and get it a "full-legal maxout" to 4 Watts AM, 12 Watts SSB at 100%
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modulation.
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* Who is "Skip" and why can I hear him all the way across the continent?
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------------------------------------------------------------------------
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If you've heard the term "skip" before, it refers to a condition where a radio
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signal bounces (actually, refracts, but that's getting technical) off the Iono-
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sphere, a higher layer in the Earth's atmosphere. For all practical purposes,
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this only happens during daytime hours because it's the Sun's radiation that
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charges up the Ionoshpere and allows the signals to be bounced back to the
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surface.
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It's called "skip" because, in terms of where a given signal can be heard, it
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skips over a long distance before reaching the surface again. The distances
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vary but they can easily be over 1000 miles (1600km). For example, in Califor-
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nia, under skip conditions it's possible to hear signals from Alabama or other
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East Coast states.
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However, skip is not a reliable means of communication. Besides, it may also
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be illegal to intentionally use skip for communications. For example, in the
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U.S. you may not use CB for communications beyond 150 miles. (150mi = 240km)
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Skip signals are normally weak, though enough of them from different places
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can add up to a lot of noise. If you hear a strong signal, the person is prob-
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ably using a linear amplifier which, as discussed above, is illegal in the
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U.S. and frowned upon almost everywhere.
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Most CB users' experiences with skip is to turn their squelch higher to cut out
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the heavy background noise during the daytime. This means that anyone you
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talk to (locally) will have to be close by to send a strong enough signal to
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overcome the background noise and your squelch setting. There's really no way
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around this so get used to it.
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Rec.radio.cb Frequently Asked Questions (Part 2: Communication)
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---------------------------------------------------------------
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[Last modified 12/18/91]
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This is the second part of the rec.radio.cb FAQ regular posting.
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Questions discussed in this article: (dates indicate last modification)
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* Which 10-codes are most commonly used? (7/91)
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* What are the CB 10-codes? (7/91)
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* What are some of the more common Q-codes? (12/91)
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* What are some tips for communicating with others on the CB? (12/91)
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--Rec.radio.cb Frequently-asked Questions-----------------------------Part 2--
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* Which 10-codes are most commonly used?
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----------------------------------------
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When getting started, remember at least the following 10-codes:
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10-1 Receiving Poorly
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10-4 Ok, Message Received
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10-7 Out of Service, Leaving Air (you're going off the air)
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10-8 In Service, subject to call (you're back on the air)
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10-9 Repeat Message
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10-10 Transmission Completed, Standing By (you'll be listening)
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10-20 "What's your location?" or "My location is..."
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Commonly asked as "What's your 20?"
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and maybe also this one...
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10-100 Need to go to Bathroom
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Also, remember that 10-4 only means "message received". If you want to say
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"yes", use "affirmative". For "no", use "negative".
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* What are the CB 10-codes?
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---------------------------
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10-1 Receiving Poorly
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10-2 Receiving Well
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10-3 Stop Transmitting
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10-4 Ok, Message Received
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10-5 Relay Message
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10-6 Busy, Stand By
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10-7 Out of Service, Leaving Air
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10-8 In Service, subject to call
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10-9 Repeat Message
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10-10 Transmission Completed, Standing By
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10-11 Talking too Rapidly
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10-12 Visitors Present
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10-13 Advise weather/road conditions
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10-16 Make Pickup at...
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10-17 Urgent Business
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10-18 Anything for us?
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10-19 Nothing for you, return to base
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10-20 My Location is ......... or What's your Location?
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10-21 Call by Telephone
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10-22 Report in Person too ......
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10-23 Stand by
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10-24 Completed last assignment
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10-25 Can you Contact .......
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10-26 Disregard Last Information/Cancel Last Message/Ignore
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10-27 I am moving to Channel ......
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10-28 Identify your station
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10-29 Time is up for contact
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10-30 Does not conform to FCC Rules
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|
10-32 I will give you a radio check
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|
10-33 Emergency Traffic at this station
|
|
10-34 Trouble at this station, help needed
|
|
10-35 Confidential Information
|
|
10-36 Correct Time is .........
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|
10-38 Ambulance needed at .........
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|
10-39 Your message delivered
|
|
10-41 Please tune to channel ........
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|
10-42 Traffic Accident at ..........
|
|
10-43 Traffic tieup at .........
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|
10-44 I have a message for you (or .........)
|
|
10-45 All units within range please report
|
|
10-50 Break Channel
|
|
10-62 Unable to copy, use phone
|
|
10-62sl unable to copy on AM, use Sideband - Lower (not an official code)
|
|
10-62su unable to copy on AM, use Sideband - Upper (not an official code)
|
|
10-65 Awaiting your next message/assignment
|
|
10-67 All units comply
|
|
10-70 Fire at .......
|
|
10-73 Speed Trap at ............
|
|
10-75 You are causing interference
|
|
10-77 Negative Contact
|
|
10-84 My telephone number is .........
|
|
10-85 My address is ...........
|
|
10-91 Talk closer to the Mike
|
|
10-92 Your transmitter is out of adjustment
|
|
10-93 Check my frequency on this channel
|
|
10-94 Please give me a long count
|
|
10-95 Transmit dead carrier for 5 sec.
|
|
10-99 Mission completed, all units secure
|
|
10-100 Need to go to Bathroom
|
|
10-200 Police needed at ..........
|
|
|
|
|
|
* What are some of the more common Q-codes?
|
|
-------------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Q-codes are used in many kinds of radio communications, including CB sideband
|
|
but not typically on CB AM. (If your radio doesn't have sideband, don't
|
|
worry about Q-codes.) Q-codes originated with amateur radio but their use in
|
|
CB, even more so than 10-codes, can vary slightly depending on who published
|
|
the list.
|
|
|
|
The following is an abbreviated list of Q-codes borrowed from amateur radio:
|
|
QRM man made noise, adjacent channel interference
|
|
QRN static noise
|
|
QRO increase power
|
|
QRP reduce power
|
|
QRT shut down, clear
|
|
QSL confirmation, often refers to confirmation cards exchanged by hams
|
|
QSO conversation
|
|
QSX standing by on the side
|
|
QSY move to another frequency
|
|
QTH address, location
|
|
|
|
The following is from a list of Q-codes used by the X-Ray Club (a sideband-
|
|
users club headquartered in Paradise, CA):
|
|
QRL Busy, Stand By
|
|
QRM Man Made Interference
|
|
QRT Stop Transmit or Shutting Down (same as 10-7 on AM)
|
|
QRX Stop Transmit or Standing By
|
|
QRZ Who is Calling?
|
|
QS Receiving Well
|
|
QSB Receiving Poorly
|
|
QSK I have something to Say or Station breaking
|
|
QSM Repeat Message
|
|
QSO Radio Contact
|
|
QSP Relay Message
|
|
QSX Standing By (same as 10-10 on AM)
|
|
QSY Changing Frequency
|
|
QTH My Location is... or What's your location?
|
|
QTR Correct Time
|
|
|
|
Q-codes may be used to ask questions (QTH?) or to answer them (QTH is 5th &
|
|
Ivy Streets.)
|
|
|
|
The ARRL Handbook and the ARRL operating guides have more complete listings
|
|
of those used for amateur radio. (ARRL is an amateur radio organization.)
|
|
Historically, the Q signals were instituted at the 'World Administrative Radio
|
|
Conference' (WARC) in 1912.
|
|
|
|
|
|
* What are some tips for communicating with others on the CB?
|
|
-------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
The following is a list that is generally considered proper procedure or
|
|
polite when using a CB radio. It can also be considered a beginner's survival
|
|
guide. This list was compiled from common problems that have plagued beginners
|
|
since CBs first became popular.
|
|
|
|
- When two people are talking, essentially they temporarily "own" the channel.
|
|
U.S. regulations say that they have to give other people opportunities to use
|
|
the channel if they're going to use it more than several minutes. But it is
|
|
not up to an outsider to "take" the channel from them.
|
|
|
|
- Take care not to "step on" other units (i.e. transmitting at the same time
|
|
as they are, thereby making both your transmissions unreadable.) This usually
|
|
means that you should adjust your break squelch level so that you can hear the
|
|
other unit and then only begin to transmit when you can't hear anyone else.
|
|
|
|
- NEVER deliberately key over someone else. Nobody likes that.
|
|
|
|
- If you hear one unit break for another unit, give some time for the unit
|
|
to respond before you say anything yourself. (Keep in mind that they may have
|
|
to fumble for a microphone in a moving car or dodge furniture enroute to a
|
|
base station.) Remember, the calling unit has the channel.
|
|
|
|
- If you want to talk on a channel that is in use, it is very likely that your
|
|
initial transmissions will accidentally "walk over" someone elses. So you must
|
|
keep them short. The word "break" is generally accepted. Try to time it in
|
|
a pause in the conversation.
|
|
|
|
- Even when your "break" has been recognized, keep your next transmission
|
|
short. For example, "Break one-seven for Godzilla" if you're on Channel 17 and
|
|
looking for someone whose handle is Godzilla. If Godzilla doesn't answer in
|
|
a reasonably short amount of time, it doesn't hurt to say "thanks for the break"--MORE--(82%)
|
|
to the units that stopped their conversation for you.
|
|
|
|
- If you break on an open (unused) channel, you don't have to be as brief. For
|
|
example, "Break 17 for Godzilla. Are you out there Godzilla?". However, the
|
|
short form is perfectly acceptable, too. Use what fits your style.
|
|
|
|
- If someone speaking to you gets "walked over" so that you can't understand the
|
|
message, you basically have two options. You can tell the person you were
|
|
listening to, "10-9, you were stepped on", or you can find out what the breaker
|
|
wants, "Go ahead break", before returning to your original conversation. You
|
|
should eventually recognize the breaker and find out what they want.
|
|
|
|
- If two people are talking and you would like to interject a response, you
|
|
will probably just walk over someone. Use the procedure above to properly
|
|
break into the conversation.
|
|
|
|
- If someone doesn't answer your breaks after two or three attempts. Stop and
|
|
wait for several minutes or, in mobile units, for several highway miles or
|
|
city blocks. Others may have their radios on and don't want to listen to the
|
|
same break more than three times in succession.
|
|
|
|
- In other circumstances, improvise. Take into account other people's points
|
|
of view. Give people proper access to the channel and try not to do anything
|
|
to annoy other units.
|
|
|
|
- If you make a mistake in any of the procedures above, don't waste air time on
|
|
a busy channel by apologizing. (If the channel isn't busy, it's your choice.)
|
|
Just try to do it right in the future. Everyone takes a little time to learn.
|
|
|
|
OK, now you know how to conduct yourself on the radio. However, there are and
|
|
will probably always be units that don't. Be patient. You don't have auth-
|
|
ority to enforce any rules so don't break any by trying.
|