CB Channel, is there a "Best" channel for strong reception?
#31
08-30-2014, 12:56 PM
Really. Didn't realize that bump I see spiraling up isn't a wire under that covering. Yup, I probably have a different antenna. It isn't the factory whip but it came with the used bike. So I guess when I've trimmed it down to 6 inches and the SWR meter still reads the same, it's pretty much a bet I should have left it alone. Which it what I've done. But just how many others are out there snipping away?
#32
08-30-2014, 01:12 PM
oh i have gone through this with my street glide. I am a road captain in my hog group and we use radios a lot. I won't even get into the challenges of putting a radio on a street glide but it was done.
To answer your question. In general.... There is no channel that is better than another. It is entirely different for everyone. After much discussion and research we have found that even the cb modules themselves vary greatly in quality. Sure, they all have the same model # stamped on them, but are some are just stronger than others.
Antennas! Yes, the harley antenna can be tuned, it is done buy removing the cap on the end of the antenna and cutting it down very gradually (by someone that knows what they are doing) until the optimum results are achieved.
Thinking of buying a swr meter? Ok. But do your research before you start nipping your antenna down, once it's cut, it can't be un-done. For proper swr readings you need to be away from everything as every building, power line and even where you are standing has a result on the swr meter. If you are planning on tuning your radio in the garage... You are just going to botch it up.
What worked for me was antenna experimentaion. I originally had the mid-length harley fiber glass antennas that... Well they sucked. I even had them professionally tuned and they still sucked. Now again, there are many variables in play. I ride with someone who has the very exact antenna and works wonderfully well for them. Just for me, it did not.
I then went to j&m antennas, better but still had room for improvement.
I think there may have been a few more antennas that i tried, but what worked for me... Again me.... Was the older style whip antenna that harley made... The one that everyone bitches about hitting them in the eye or getting stuck in the crevices of the garage door as it opens or closes... Yup, thats the one that has worked the best for me.
To answer your question. In general.... There is no channel that is better than another. It is entirely different for everyone. After much discussion and research we have found that even the cb modules themselves vary greatly in quality. Sure, they all have the same model # stamped on them, but are some are just stronger than others.
Antennas! Yes, the harley antenna can be tuned, it is done buy removing the cap on the end of the antenna and cutting it down very gradually (by someone that knows what they are doing) until the optimum results are achieved.
Thinking of buying a swr meter? Ok. But do your research before you start nipping your antenna down, once it's cut, it can't be un-done. For proper swr readings you need to be away from everything as every building, power line and even where you are standing has a result on the swr meter. If you are planning on tuning your radio in the garage... You are just going to botch it up.
What worked for me was antenna experimentaion. I originally had the mid-length harley fiber glass antennas that... Well they sucked. I even had them professionally tuned and they still sucked. Now again, there are many variables in play. I ride with someone who has the very exact antenna and works wonderfully well for them. Just for me, it did not.
I then went to j&m antennas, better but still had room for improvement.
I think there may have been a few more antennas that i tried, but what worked for me... Again me.... Was the older style whip antenna that harley made... The one that everyone bitches about hitting them in the eye or getting stuck in the crevices of the garage door as it opens or closes... Yup, thats the one that has worked the best for me.
#33
08-30-2014, 02:45 PM
Really. Didn't realize that bump I see spiraling up isn't a wire under that covering. Yup, I probably have a different antenna. It isn't the factory whip but it came with the used bike. So I guess when I've trimmed it down to 6 inches and the SWR meter still reads the same, it's pretty much a bet I should have left it alone. Which it what I've done. But just how many others are out there snipping away?
#34
08-30-2014, 04:22 PM
Settle down bucko. I'm pointing out to others that you simply can't grab an antenna and start sniping. In your case maybe so but others read and don't catch the "14" only. Do you want to help? Then help. People read this and say look, I can improve things if I snip a little at a time. Not realizing not every antenna is built the same. Now go pout somewhere else.
#35
08-30-2014, 04:29 PM
someone posted: "Many riders won't use channel 19 because that is ( or at least was ) used by truck drivers, and anywhere near an Interstate or busy truck route would flood the radio with BS they don't want to hear. and the asswipes that illegally run linears ( amplifiers that boost the power ) often hang around channel 19 to show off their power, and often bleed into the surrounding channels. So going down to channel 3 or 5 would put the riders far enough ( hopefully ) from those people that they would not be distracted and the radio would actually be usable."
But if the middle channels are the most 'in tune', and 19 is full of BS....then 18 or 20 would be next logical. I have ridden from Florida to Tennessee last year, and I can tell you that channel 19 was pretty much dead, and I rode the interstates. Most talk I heard was when I was on a county road in Geogia following a WIDE load...they had a lead truck, a truck carrying a mobile home and a chase truck. I was just lolly gagging behind them listening to their lives.
NASCAR teams, fishing in the area...brother-in-laws and stuff. Finally, I made a move to pass and I hear on the CB...
"Watch out....crotch rocket coming by." So I reply, "I ain't no crotch rocket." and passed them doing about 2 MPH faster than they were so they could get a look. Got a couple "Woo-hoos" from them.
Channel 19 ain't so scary. One tip though...if you are with a few people with CBs, and you want to change channels because of BS...let the people know before hand a code I use. If I say 'drop down two channels.' I actually mean go UP two channels. That will sometimes keep STALKERS from a channel you want to be on.
See you on the flip flop.
But if the middle channels are the most 'in tune', and 19 is full of BS....then 18 or 20 would be next logical. I have ridden from Florida to Tennessee last year, and I can tell you that channel 19 was pretty much dead, and I rode the interstates. Most talk I heard was when I was on a county road in Geogia following a WIDE load...they had a lead truck, a truck carrying a mobile home and a chase truck. I was just lolly gagging behind them listening to their lives.
NASCAR teams, fishing in the area...brother-in-laws and stuff. Finally, I made a move to pass and I hear on the CB...
"Watch out....crotch rocket coming by." So I reply, "I ain't no crotch rocket." and passed them doing about 2 MPH faster than they were so they could get a look. Got a couple "Woo-hoos" from them.
Channel 19 ain't so scary. One tip though...if you are with a few people with CBs, and you want to change channels because of BS...let the people know before hand a code I use. If I say 'drop down two channels.' I actually mean go UP two channels. That will sometimes keep STALKERS from a channel you want to be on.
See you on the flip flop.
#36
08-30-2014, 04:35 PM
Settle down bucko. I'm pointing out to others that you simply can't grab an antenna and start sniping. In your case maybe so but others read and don't catch the "14" only. Do you want to help? Then help. People read this and say look, I can improve things if I snip a little at a time. Not realizing not every antenna is built the same. Now go pout somewhere else.
If that was your intent, maybe you should have just said that instead of suggesting my advice was going to cause everyone problems. Want to be a wise guy, expect responses like mine. Now go sit on your saddlehorn!
#37
08-30-2014, 04:43 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Some good info here.
Thought that was common knowledge, but everyone seems to be ignoring it.
Another key point.
If you could get the SWR as low as possible on the channel you want to use. Then leave the meter in the circuit it would work better, when you remove the meter the true SWR Changes. If anything changes it will effect the SWR. Even the bow the wind puts on the rod will effect it, that is why you see trucks with the antennas bent in to the wind.
There is nothing typical about RF propagation. Just because SafetyMan is convinced his radio works best there has no bearing on your radio.
If the SWR is the same on every channel, and your radio has the same output all around the band, the only difference would be in band noise and number of radiators (signal emitters) that already exist on your chosen channel.. basically.
If your bike emits a birdie on one channel, but not on another, steer away from the birdie....
other than that, its all a crap shoot.. best performance is achieved when your antenna is resonant at your chosen frequency of operation.
If the SWR is the same on every channel, and your radio has the same output all around the band, the only difference would be in band noise and number of radiators (signal emitters) that already exist on your chosen channel.. basically.
If your bike emits a birdie on one channel, but not on another, steer away from the birdie....
other than that, its all a crap shoot.. best performance is achieved when your antenna is resonant at your chosen frequency of operation.
#38
08-30-2014, 06:30 PM
Road Master
not all antennaes are the same -- a lot have the wire inside the mast and you just snip it off about 1/8 to 1/4 inch at a time -- remember you can't put it back on -- some have a tuning screw
I have made very good sending antennas using a 100 watt light bulb and coat hanger on 1500 meter band -- your just fooling the transmitter into thinking the right length antennae is there --
I have made very good sending antennas using a 100 watt light bulb and coat hanger on 1500 meter band -- your just fooling the transmitter into thinking the right length antennae is there --
#39
08-30-2014, 09:34 PM
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not all antennaes are the same -- a lot have the wire inside the mast and you just snip it off about 1/8 to 1/4 inch at a time -- remember you can't put it back on -- some have a tuning screw
I have made very good sending antennas using a 100 watt light bulb and coat hanger on 1500 meter band -- your just fooling the transmitter into thinking the right length antennae is there --
I have made very good sending antennas using a 100 watt light bulb and coat hanger on 1500 meter band -- your just fooling the transmitter into thinking the right length antennae is there --
Antennas are a cool science, fun to play with.
#40
08-30-2014, 09:35 PM
