Four wheeler/escort vehicle CB questions.

http://www.sparkyscbshack.com/catalog/item/6231095/8265373.htm look mat price difference .add a wilson 100 mag mount and a good mic you will be good to go

 

Rob. it is very much possible to be able to communicate beyond a mile as you mentioned. The big thing is to run a good antenna that is tuned properly. The antenna is the heart and soul of any radio and will make or break the radio.

You didn't say what Wilson antenna you're running. The small base loaded Lil Wils are ok but base loaded antennas aren't the best plus the whip is too short. Even if tuned to a low SWR, you're looking at getting out a few miles.

Most of the antennas used by truck drivers are really too short for CB. They can be made to work but again they're just too short. Plus when you co-phase them it makes them harder to tune.

The best antenna i have ever ran across is a 108 inch whip from MFJ. Yes it's no kidding a 9 ft tall whip. Most people think "it's too tall" but not IMO, plus that's how tall a CB antenna really is supposed to be to be the most effective.

Now, if you put that 9 ft whip on your truck and tune it to be less than 1.5:1 on all channels, I guarantee you that you will be able to talk past a mile, and that's without heat, and that's also not during skip. I know. I've done it before. I personally talked to a truck driver at 9 miles while I was sitting in a truck stop and the other time I was at 14 miles and was barely able to talk to another truck driver. I had the 108 mounted dead center of the bulkhead in my pickup. And both times I was running an old Taiwan Cobra 148 that was only putting out 4 watts and no i wasn't running heat either.

And here's something else to keep in mind....the other party has to have good equipment too. If you have a good antenna tuned right and they have a little tiny antenna or an improperly tuned antenna, they may or may not be able to hear you.

There are other dictating factors such as if there's any type of electrical noise, what type of terrain you are in, if skip is rolling, etc.

Having the right antenna will determine how well your radio can hear. Having the right antenna plus having it tuned right will determine how far out you can talk. If you've ever wondered why base stations can talk a ways, this is why.

HTH

 

Why don't you get yourselves some VHF radios that will give you up to 50+ miles of range?? You can still have a CB for traffic approaching your OD load.

http://www.kenwood.ca/Communications/Land_Mobile_Radio/NEXEDGE™/NX-700-800

They can also be used to communicate with Utilities companies that for instants might be lifting power lines to allow the load to get thru etc.

 

sorry i ment to say wilson 1000

 

because here in the states you have to be licensed to use those. VHF radios

 

If i ran an escort service i would do just that get a business band license put mobiles in all my cars and have HT's for my clients and problems solved. With the mobile repeaters in the cars you would have a huge range and no interference.

 

What do you mean you can't go thru the drive thrus???

I had a 108 and I went thru drive thrus all the time. Yes the antenna will hit the canopy but rest assured it won't cause any damage.

You don't need the 5000 unless you plan on running more than 3000 watts of power. The 1000 is all you need. But remember the 108 is the best antenna hands down.