CB Radio?

[Will]

Having a CB radio in the car definitely added to the fun and organisation of the M25 Bandit Run last Sunday. It seemed that most of the vehicles had them.
CB was massive in the early 80's. Maybe some of you remember that? Lol.
The gear is pretty cheap to buy, readily available, easy to fit (without any alterations to your vehicle if you use a mag-mount antenna and the cigar socket) and you no longer need a licence. I think it could be a laugh to have them for our runs and cruises.
Just wondering what the general feeling is? Has anybody had one before or still has one?

 

[saleen 192]

Be a good idea. Winder if they are making a comeback ? Alot of lorry drivers and farmers use them . used to be a cb / ham radio shop along hadting sea front in the old boat shopping area b4 pier. Wonder if we would still use the cb languages

 

[Will]

Be a good idea. Winder if they are making a comeback ? Alot of lorry drivers and farmers use them . used to be a cb / ham radio shop along hadting sea front in the old boat shopping area b4 pier. Wonder if we would still use the cb languages

Not sure, it may be on the increase again. There are a few people on when I listen locally. I didn't know about that shop you mention but the gear is usually available from ham radio shops or online. There is a place in Portsmouth called Nevada Radio. They sell online too.
On that Bandit Run there were a few people using the lingo but mostly it was just normal chat.

 

[AmericanThunder]

PMR radios are more Readily available, have more channels, are generally more portable and are the modern replacement for CB.
They used to Be used by taxis and store security staff but frequencies are quite clear these days and the range is comparable.
All the walkie talkies you see kids playing with are on PMR frequencies, but range and quality increase with the price.
Just like a mobile phone though, if the police catch you using a handheld CB microphone or a handheld PMR they will levy the same fine.

Very familiar with Nevada, I used to be into scanning...

 

[Will]

PMR radios are more Readily available, have more channels, are generally more portable and are the modern replacement for CB.
They used to Be used by taxis and store security staff but frequencies are quite clear these days and the range is comparable.
All the walkie talkies you see kids playing with are on PMR frequencies, but range and quality increase with the price.
Just like a mobile phone though, if the police catch you using a handheld CB microphone or a handheld PMR they will levy the same fine.

Very familiar with Nevada, I used to be into scanning...

Good point, maybe PMR could be an alternative. I was only thinking many of us in the American car scene may already have old CB gear kicking around and 40 channels is probably enough for our needs.

I must admit, I used to think it might be illegal to use a two way radio when driving, but the law is more relaxed than with mobile phones, read this...Is it Legal to Use a Two Way Radio Whilst Driving

Ah, cool. Scanning is great fun. Nevada are still big on scanners and they sell PMR gear too :thumb:
More recently I have mainly used them for Amateur radio Gear though (I am a licensed radio ham).

Has anybody still got any old CB gear?

 

[AmericanThunder]

I sold all my gear years ago. I had to make a decision to concentrate on one hobby due to time constraints and the American car scene won. I had Scanners, CB’s and antenna’s, and have considered getting another.
My dad is still a licensed ham but does very little with it these days.

Wasn’t aware of the frequency specific allowances but most coppers wouldn’t know the difference and would likely claim it was detrimental to you driving anyway.

 

[Will]

I sold all my gear years ago. I had to make a decision to concentrate on one hobby due to time constraints and the American car scene won. I had Scanners, CB’s and antenna’s, and have considered getting another.
My dad is still a licensed ham but does very little with it these days.

Wasn’t aware of the frequency specific allowances but most coppers wouldn’t know the difference and would likely claim it was detrimental to you driving anyway.

I know what you mean re-not enough time for hobbies!! lol

Ahh, OK. I expect many might have done the same and have sold or ditched their CB gear by now, it was a long time ago when it was popular. I'll be honest, I did too, but bought a little rig and a mag mount new a couple of years back. Sure glad I still had it for the Bandit Run.

Good to hear your Dad is a ham :yo::yo:
Same here, I don't have time to get on much.

 

[TransAmDan]

I think Mark Heiford had a CB radio. i know Superb was trying to get a few together over 10 years ago. could be useful for cruises. The 'many listening' type aspect could be good, say if you were in a convoy to a show, guys up front have broken away from the rest, a passenger could announce we have gone left at the big tree. Then everyone listening behind would know. Unlike mobile phones where you would have to dial each person. A CB type thing could be useful.

How big are they these days? fit under a seat or in the glove box?

 

[saleen 192]

Just looked on e.bay ref cb's
2nd hand 10quid upwards or new around 50ish quid and mag mounts 15 to 30 quid depending on type .
not sure if i still got my mag mount ariel cb went years ago now a few of us in upper beeding worthing had them years ago,at least cb's still work when you have no phone signal ,

 

[Will]

I think Mark Heiford had a CB radio. i know Superb was trying to get a few together over 10 years ago. could be useful for cruises. The 'many listening' type aspect could be good, say if you were in a convoy to a show, guys up front have broken away from the rest, a passenger could announce we have gone left at the big tree. Then everyone listening behind would know. Unlike mobile phones where you would have to dial each person. A CB type thing could be useful.

How big are they these days? fit under a seat or in the glove box?

Is that Mark from Fareham who had the Crown Vic Police car (and many other cars before that!)? Yeah, I remember Superb was into it too.
And yeah, that's one of the good things about it, everyone can hear what's going on at the same time. They were using that to good effect on the Bandit Run to let the front of the convoy know to slow down and let everyone catch up.
The radios can be pretty compact. This is my little Cobra in the Grand Prix. It is fitted where the pull out ash tray was. I have also fitted an extension speaker for improved sound, but that's not always necessary depending on the radio and where it's mounted. The antenna is just a magnetic one I stick to the boot lid or roof.

 

[Will]

Just looked on e.bay ref cb's
2nd hand 10quid upwards or new around 50ish quid and mag mounts 15 to 30 quid depending on type .
not sure if i still got my mag mount ariel cb went years ago now a few of us in upper beeding worthing had them years ago,at least cb's still work when you have no phone signal ,

Sounds about right for what you can expect to pay. You have to watch out for any that might have been fiddled with, but buying from an eBay seller with good feedback can help. Other than that, some of the basic new ones are not too pricey really.
Yeah, very true about poor phone signal haha

 

[Will]

I have been having a look at what's about and found this on eBay, a new CB radio with mag mount antenna for £63! Doesn't seem to bad a deal.
CB STARTER KIT MOONRAKER MINOR AM FM 40 CHANNEL UK & EU incl Antenna & Cig Plug | eBa

 

[saleen 192]

Nice find that cb start kit,
used to be a Ham radio shop in portland road worthing just down from boots, they were still teaching morse code well that show's you how long ago properly around 1999 to 2001 shop closed , And from memory the Lamb inn pub salvington road used to have ham radio cb meets ,

 

[Will]

Nice find that cb start kit,
used to be a Ham radio shop in portland road worthing just down from boots, they were still teaching morse code well that show's you how long ago properly around 1999 to 2001 shop closed , And from memory the Lamb inn pub salvington road used to have ham radio cb meets ,

Yeah, there used to be more radio shops about. Unfortunately ham radio is a dying hobby as most of the operators are older guys and not many youngsters are interested, it's all Gaming, tablets and mobile phones now lol
And yeah, morse code. That's a dying thing too sadly.
The CB band is pretty quiet these days which would be good for us if we used it.

 

[TransAmDan]

it's all Gaming, tablets and mobile phones now lol.

And Facetube. Glued to facebook being filled with missinformed crap between even more crap. Seems to be an addiction to gain 'social points'

 

[Will]

And Facetube. Glued to facebook being filled with missinformed crap between even more crap. Seems to be an addiction to gain 'social points'

Unfortunately I think you are right, it really does seem to be an addiction. People can't seem to help themselves. The most important thing for some people is "updating their status". People seem to put their whole lives on social media - not to mention all of the dangers that go with doing that. I'm beginning to think the world was a better place without it, and when, as kids, we mucked about with push bikes, built go karts out of old prams and played hide and seek lol

 

[AmericanThunder]

Unfortunately I think you are right, it really does seem to be an addiction. People can't seem to help themselves. The most important thing for some people is "updating their status". People seem to put their whole lives on social media - not to mention all of the dangers that go with doing that. I'm beginning to think the world was a better place without it, and when, as kids, we mucked about with push bikes, built go karts out of old prams and played hide and seek lol

No argument from me there. Agree completely.

 

[renchero]

i had one back in the day storker 9 if i rember right. 80 channels am/fm and 1/2 channel shift fitted on a slide mount, great bit of kit. left it in the car one night, not there in the morning.

 

[Will]

Ahaa! I did still have an old CB rig, my Son had it. I forgot about that.

It's not from the 80's I don't think but sometime since. If you do have an older one or buy one, make sure it has the CB27/81 logo on. That denotes it's for the UK FM band. Many of the older ones, particularly before CB became legal in the UK in 1981 might be American band rigs and and will be AM. It's now legal to use AM or FM in the UK but those early AM rigs won't match up with CB27/81 rigs. But many of the new ones sold now will have all bands on them and are no longer marked CB27/81.

 

[Will]

i had one back in the day storker 9 if i rember right. 80 channels am/fm and 1/2 channel shift fitted on a slide mount, great bit of kit. left it in the car one night, not there in the morning.

I remember the Stalker 9. A mate of mine had one (It wasn't a nicked one lol). Nice rig. Yeah, I had a CB stolen from a car once. It was a problem back then. Everybody wanted a CB and car security wasn't very good!