CB radio

[Technik]

This Maycom looks similar - is it any worse?

[munchh]

The best i can say is that it may be a bit tougher than the Midland, but it is now not being made so not sure what that will do for the second hand price, it doesnt come with quite so many bits and pieces and i think you need to get an adapter to fit a magmount on the top for in the car and the midland you just attatch it to the car kit, i'l post a pic of mine to give yoy a better idea.

[munchh]

The point of the photo is the kit that fits where the battery would be, it allows you to power the radio from the car lighter and it diverts from the top fitted antenna to the PL connector where you fit the magmount to.

You can buy a good replacment BNC antenna which gives you better reception and transmission, but the Maycom i beleive only has a power lead for the car and you need a Tnc to BNC or PL adapter that you would then fit the magmount to, so a bit more fiddly.

I have not used the Maycom mabie someone on here has, but if i had not found two Midlands i would have been happy to buy one as it is still 80 ch which is all you are after.

[Technik]

Thanks for your help mate, appreciate the effort. Will have a think about it.

[munchh]

No worries, i have finally found an outlet for all the stuff i do in one place, my wife will be pleased i havent been totaly wasting my time

So just as a guide, the best i have had on the handheld with the standard antenna is 5.5 miles (measured on google earth), but i was on a hill 100m above sea level and it was to a guy with a base station and a static antenna setup, so you would not get that handie to handi and it is very terrain specific.
Its worth looking at the terrain around you, after some tests while driving around for work a found i could talk 15 miles north of my house, but only 5 if i went south.
I can talk 24 miles west and only 4 to the east.
With a full size (18') antenna 24' in the air thats about it on 4watts fixed station to car setup, go mobile car to car and its significantly less.

All the numbers i have given can only be seen as a guide, on some days it could be alot further, but on others it is less.

If you live near london, last i was close enough the calling ch, ch19, was just rammed, it was pointless, which is why i think having that second 40ch (cept) is very worth it as its not really used in the UK.
Its a good idea to get a simple setup listen for a week (definatly listen to ch19 and 14 in your area, as each day seems to be different) you will here trucks, but you may never here that person again, there is a local community of guys and girls that are always on on a friday night around me, but the rest of the week its the muck trucks driving around, the occasional lorry and thats about it,
check out http://citizensbandradio.org.uk/forum/index.php you will see where people are and if there are any in your area. I've used this forum its pretty safe and very helpful.

last thing, dont forget a SWR meter, if your antenna is not tuned properly, it will effect what you can hear how far you transmit and worse case wreck your radio.

[munchh]

Its also worth looking out for these (Midland porta-pac 77-805 ), they are becoming harder to get hold of, they are 40 UK channel, but can run off AA's or a car socket and has a built in telescopic antenna, but can still run off an external one.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Midland-Cb-77 ... 2a2520f989

I was so glad when i finaly got hold of one.

[Technik]

Thanks munchh - I will take a look at that forum when I have time. I will be also trying to get onto one of those amateur radio courses and then sit the exam so I could use ham but that's probably next year as the end of this year will be hectic for me.