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Re: CB handhelds, why so expensive.
Posted: 31 Jan 2025, 22:04
by scanhermit
I've listened to the scanner on the drive to work (takes me past quite a bit of town and city in west and south Yorkshire) but I never hear any CB. A couple of nights ago I was up on a hill that has clear sight to Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and possibly Worksop. I heard only one CB conversation and this is in an area where you once could chuck a dart blindfolded and hit a CBer.
If I get the TX I'd have to accept it would be a very occasional pleasure.
Re: CB handhelds, why so expensive.
Posted: 01 Feb 2025, 17:11
by dc260
scanhermit wrote: 31 Jan 2025, 22:04
I've listened to the scanner on the drive to work (takes me past quite a bit of town and city in west and south Yorkshire) but I never hear any CB. A couple of nights ago I was up on a hill that has clear sight to Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and possibly Worksop. I heard only one CB conversation and this is in an area where you once could chuck a dart blindfolded and hit a CBer.
If I get the TX I'd have to accept it would be a very occasional pleasure.
Lots of activity on SSB mode on EU 40.
Re: CB handhelds, why so expensive.
Posted: 01 Feb 2025, 17:17
by NMPEL
scanhermit wrote: 31 Jan 2025, 22:04
I've listened to the scanner on the drive to work (takes me past quite a bit of town and city in west and south Yorkshire) but I never hear any CB. A couple of nights ago I was up on a hill that has clear sight to Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and possibly Worksop. I heard only one CB conversation and this is in an area where you once could chuck a dart blindfolded and hit a CBer.
If I get the TX I'd have to accept it would be a very occasional pleasure.
There are PMR446 nets that are getting over 100 people. Get on there and see whats going on in your area.
Re: CB handhelds, why so expensive.
Posted: 01 Feb 2025, 17:35
by scanhermit
NMPEL wrote: 01 Feb 2025, 17:17
scanhermit wrote: 31 Jan 2025, 22:04
I've listened to the scanner on the drive to work (takes me past quite a bit of town and city in west and south Yorkshire) but I never hear any CB. A couple of nights ago I was up on a hill that has clear sight to Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and possibly Worksop. I heard only one CB conversation and this is in an area where you once could chuck a dart blindfolded and hit a CBer.
If I get the TX I'd have to accept it would be a very occasional pleasure.
There are PMR446 nets that are getting over 100 people. Get on there and see whats going on in your area.
There's little of that near me and I have to drive out to nearby high ground to catch anything. I've had a little success there with my Retivis handie.
Re: CB handhelds, why so expensive.
Posted: 01 Feb 2025, 17:37
by scanhermit
dc260 wrote: 01 Feb 2025, 17:11
scanhermit wrote: 31 Jan 2025, 22:04
I've listened to the scanner on the drive to work (takes me past quite a bit of town and city in west and south Yorkshire) but I never hear any CB. A couple of nights ago I was up on a hill that has clear sight to Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and possibly Worksop. I heard only one CB conversation and this is in an area where you once could chuck a dart blindfolded and hit a CBer.
If I get the TX I'd have to accept it would be a very occasional pleasure.
Lots of activity on SSB mode on EU 40.
I might have to give in and get a base/mobile set
Re: CB handhelds, why so expensive.
Posted: 02 Feb 2025, 14:17
by scanhermit
Well the Yanks are loud and clear on my Tecsun from the top of the Wolds. They sound quite mad.
Re: CB handhelds, why so expensive.
Posted: 02 Feb 2025, 15:40
by Mudslinger
I went out with mine today up to Birdlip hill. A lot of stations were heard loud and clear, but I didn't manage to get back to them.
Re: CB handhelds, why so expensive.
Posted: 02 Feb 2025, 17:03
by scanhermit
Did you use the stock antenna or try something longer?
I could hear Italians and Scots as well as the yanks. A friendly soul on PMR446 told me there are CB users in York. If I want to talk to those I will need a decent ywig.
Re: CB handhelds, why so expensive.
Posted: 02 Feb 2025, 18:07
by Mudslinger
I was using the stock antenna, having said that I also tried the mag mount and modulator and coudn't hear much so I think that has gone faulty.
Re: CB handhelds, why so expensive.
Posted: 02 Feb 2025, 18:16
by scanhermit
A faulty Modulator is indeed a sad thing
A moment of silence is due.
<Folds hands, bows head>
Re: CB handhelds, why so expensive.
Posted: 02 Feb 2025, 19:46
by Mudslinger
I think it is the magmount. It has been kicking around in the back of the car for ages where as the modulator is kept in the house.
Re: CB handhelds, why so expensive.
Posted: 03 Feb 2025, 03:35
by scanhermit
Hooray!
Re: CB handhelds, why so expensive.
Posted: 26 Feb 2025, 22:52
by scanhermit
Well I've just gone and ordered the TX. It will be interesting to see how well it does from my favourite PMR446 spots.
Re: CB handhelds, why so expensive.
Posted: 01 Mar 2025, 09:18
by scanhermit
I had it delivered to work. The plan was to charge it up there and drive up on the wolds after work but the post office delivered it just as I left work. So I charged it in the car and at home and took it to more local spots.
I thought it seemed quite deaf and one quite near station was choppy as hell. But I realise it was on autosqulech so I probably need to put it on monitor to hear borderline and sub-squelch stations.
I'll try it again!
Re: CB handhelds, why so expensive.
Posted: 01 Mar 2025, 10:25
by Mudslinger
I find with mine that you hear a lot but getting back to them is the problem. I guess that is a function of the short antenna which isn't efficient at 27mhz.
I will be buying on of the telescopic ones from thunderpole when they are back in stock. I don't want to take a risk on one of the many cheaper 27mhz telescopics which are all over ebay.