What do I need to set up my mobile CB in my house?

Howdy everyone. I've enjoyed perusing this forum and finally decided tonight to register to ask some questions I have. I recently picked up a pristine older mobile CB and would like to set it up as a base station in my home. My questions involve antennas and power supplies. First, do I need to buy a regulated power supply - and if so could you guys list some recommendations? Also I need to get an antenna, I live in an apt so something that can sit inside would be good. Lastly surprise surprise, I'd like to do this as inexpensively as possible.

Thanks in advance for everyone's suggestions.

 

For a power supply I would recommend one made by Megawatt. They are a good price, quiet and are adjustable up to 15 volts.

Antennas you could go with a BA balcony antenna which is $109 and works well. If stealth is the name of the game, a dipole antenna would also work. Google dipoles inside an apt or house for more info. They are quite cheap to make.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'll do some research on both of those this afternoon. I bought the cb because I felt like it might be something good to have at our place besides just cell phones.

 

Antenna is the tough part. WHERE it should go AND price.

Online are some DIY “dipole antenna” designs for attic. Kinda cheap and promises fun to make. So not just pre-made.

“Stealthy Homebrew Vertical Dipole Antenna” by Wolfington.

Antenna is EVERYTHING

Past this and shogun pick are many antennas aimed at apartment dwellers. Comes down to where can mount.

How do you know that antique radio works? Checked from car? Needs fused power leads. Any truckstop.

A mag base LITTLE WIL. Is a cheap good car antenna.

You’ll also want an SWR meter.

I know you said cheap, but I’d want radio secured. A mount bracket screwed into some wood. Base or box. Then that on something non-skid. And power plus coax that won’t trip over or the cat pull down.

 

A wire dipole and some coaxial cable and the power supply is all you need.
Probably scrounge everything less than a hundred bucks

 

Thanks for the reply. I don't know for sure the CB works but, the seller I bought it from on eBay said it did. Also I hooked it up to a battery for a few mins and it lit up and everything looked normal. I didn't try to transmit on it since no antenna was hooked up and I didn't want to damage it. Oh and the unit is pristine, looks brand new despite it's many decades old age. But even if it doesn't work, I'll simply buy another. I realize KRAKO wasn't known for their ultra-high-end electronics btw, lol. But I do like the unit, and it didn't cost much.

Thanks, I appreciate the advice. I will likely be giving this a try as well.

 

Look for a Siro base antenna and get good coax the thick stuff and use that.

The radio isn't bad.

Any 12 volt power supply that you can find that provides 5 amps will work.

 

I stopped in at LARRYS CB of McKinney, TX and bought a pristine ROBYN from circa 1976.

It was owned from new by a late customer of his. On display at the shop. Bought from widow. Needed a crystal and a tiny bit of TLC.

Sounds great. It’s now “The Campground Radio” for my travel trailer.

That the radio functions properly is a step out of the way.

One Thing At A Time.

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Yeah I love designs of some of these early radios, and I'm pretty sure built to last.

 

I’ve been looking around at manufactured antennas. My travel trailer and at my sons apartment (balcony).

SIRIO BOOMERANG

This is just a little ol’ ‘tenna.

I bring it up as antenna dimensions can get enormous in a hurry. 18’ ain’t nothin’

So don’t equate “CB Antenna” and 4-5’ long as “typical”.

A dipole strung out in the trees, or the really space-constricted attic dipole.

The one in the trees is where I’d start. Just to get something up.

The attic antenna might be “cheap”, but I’d like to do it nicely. Make it a keeper.

Ck dimensions!!

And CB shop websites cater to truckers. So the

Maco Balcony Antenna

Shown on the Bells website is likely a good bet.

A base antenna shown by

BELLS CB

BOBS CB

CLAYS CB

Is (with dimensions in mind) a good place to consider against DIY.

None of them — made or built — is exactly plug in & go. It MAY NOT be less work DIY.

If you find one where price & dimensions seem good, search for reviews. There you’ll names of other brands OR design. Which is more search.

I’ve barely dug into it, but I’m intrigued by both HEX design and MOXON. for my trailer (a mount that will raise).

At SurvivalMonkey, read Cheap & Dirty CB Radio Base Station Antenna

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