I just purchased a Cobra 19 DX III and a 36" base loaded magnet mount
antenna. So far I'm picking up pretty good, and transmitting well
also. I don't think I'm getting out there as far as i can. Most likely
this Friday I will be purchasing a Wilson 1000 Magnet Mount to replace
the antenna I have now. Is that going to get me out there a little
more (the wilson 1000) No modifications have been made to this radio
and have not been able to find any either. I purchased it brand new at
a Pilot Truckstop, and am sure it is only putting out 4 watts (fcc
required). Will the Wilson make me receive further or transmit further
or both, or neither? I'm new and feel it all has to do with how much
your getting out ( 4 watts doesn't seem to good )

Maybe I don't need a new radio, maybe the wilson 1000 will do what I
want it to do. I get so sick of losing communication once I'm not
close to truckers anymore. What do I need to do? I want to make sure i
am getting out as far as possible.

My other dilemma:

I've been looking here http://www.wilsonantennas.com/cobracb.shtml at
some of the radios and the three that have caught my eye a

Cobra 29 LTD Night Watch Classic

Cobra 25 LTD Classic

Cobra 148 GTL Classic

The site also offers two tuning options before shipping. Which one
should I go for? Seems like the Mega Tune. One more question below as
well. The tuning options a

The Mega Tune 29.99

Our Mega Tune is designed to provide you with loud booming audio while
still maintaining a clean and clear signal. If you looking to sound
raspy or bleed over many channels this defiantly isn't the
modification for you. Our techs have worked very hard to perfect this
modification. The mega tune will not void any factory warranties, it
will not damage your radio and it will not make your radio run warmer
than normal. We also do not remove or disable any part of the AMC or
ALC circuit. We do upgrade various parts of the audio circuit with
higher wattage or better quality parts. We also do a few other
modifications that make the radios wave form, when viewed on an
oscilloscope more linear. This means of course you will sound as loud
as possible while still maintaining maximum clarity. If you are
looking for maximum performance from your radio we recommend you have
us perform this modification. We also completely warranty all work
performed by our service department. The mega tune will also increase
your peak power. Dual final radios after being mega tuned typically
put out over 40 watts and single final radios typically put out over
30 watts.

The True Tune 10.00

Our True Tune is like a basic peak and tune. When you receive your
radio that have been True Tuned by Premiere Electronics you can rest
assured that your radio is operating at it's maximum efficiency. We go
through your radio and re-align the transmitter section. The reason
this is necessary is because from the factory most radios just aren't
working at their best. The factories don't have the time to sit down
with every radio and precisely tune it. They generally get it in the
ball park, but if you are interested in performance, you need the true
tune. Every modification we perform is backed up with our unbeatable
warranty! Like always, none of our work will void any factory
warranties.

Last question: The one that bugs me.

I purchased a SWR Meter from Radio shack. It was the cheapest one they
had and I am on a budget here, because some they had were way to
expensive. The one I got was
http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...ct%5Fid=21-534
I took it back because nothing seemed to make much difference, or I
wasn't operating it right, seemed to always fall in the red. The
antenna I have the only way to adjust is to move antenna up and down.
Maybe I wasn't in a good location. I finally got it to 2.3, and just
left it. My question is was I operating it right to finally get a 2.3
or is that just a cheap ass SWR Meter?

I really hope someone has the time to answer and help out a newbie as
I am very interested in Cb's since i finally broke down and got me
one. I just want to be able to transmit and receive as far as possible
without breaking the law to bad. Not ready for a amplifier or anything
like that.

I seem to like the site I am planning on purchasing from unless
someone out here tells me there is no need for another radio because
the Wilson 1000 will do what i want. I guess the reason i also like
them is that they will tune and get everything running just right
before they ship it. I know that wasn't done to the one I have now.

If you want to email me feel free.

On Mon, 04 Oct 2004 08:02:55 -0400, Alex
wrote:

I just purchased a Cobra 19 DX III and a 36" base loaded magnet mount
antenna. So far I'm picking up pretty good, and transmitting well
also. I don't think I'm getting out there as far as i can. Most likely
this Friday I will be purchasing a Wilson 1000 Magnet Mount to replace
the antenna I have now. Is that going to get me out there a little
more (the wilson 1000) No modifications have been made to this radio
and have not been able to find any either. I purchased it brand new at
a Pilot Truckstop, and am sure it is only putting out 4 watts (fcc
required). Will the Wilson make me receive further or transmit further
or both, or neither? I'm new and feel it all has to do with how much
your getting out ( 4 watts doesn't seem to good )

All domestic CB radios are rated at 4 watts. Unless you are running an
amplifier, no one radio will significantly "put out" any better than
another. What you use for an antenna, though, is a different story.
The antenna will make a much bigger difference in signal than the
radio. Generally speaking, the longer the antenna, the better it
performs. The largest CB mobile antenna, is a 9' whip. If mounted in
the center of a the vehicle, there isn't much that can touch it.


Maybe I don't need a new radio, maybe the wilson 1000 will do what I
want it to do. I get so sick of losing communication once I'm not
close to truckers anymore. What do I need to do? I want to make sure i
am getting out as far as possible.


My other dilemma:

I've been looking here http://www.wilsonantennas.com/cobracb.shtml at
some of the radios and the three that have caught my eye a

Cobra 29 LTD Night Watch Classic

Cobra 25 LTD Classic

Cobra 148 GTL Classic

These are fairly nice radios, although there are continual rumors of
diminished quality due to their place of manufacture. A better
alternative would be the Uniden line of radios. My favorite is the
Grant.



The site also offers two tuning options before shipping. Which one
should I go for? Seems like the Mega Tune. One more question below as
well. The tuning options a

The Mega Tune 29.99

Our Mega Tune is designed to provide you with loud booming audio while
still maintaining a clean and clear signal. If you looking to sound
raspy or bleed over many channels this defiantly isn't the
modification for you. Our techs have worked very hard to perfect this
modification. The mega tune will not void any factory warranties, it
will not damage your radio and it will not make your radio run warmer
than normal. We also do not remove or disable any part of the AMC or
ALC circuit. We do upgrade various parts of the audio circuit with
higher wattage or better quality parts. We also do a few other
modifications that make the radios wave form, when viewed on an
oscilloscope more linear. This means of course you will sound as loud
as possible while still maintaining maximum clarity. If you are
looking for maximum performance from your radio we recommend you have
us perform this modification. We also completely warranty all work
performed by our service department. The mega tune will also increase
your peak power. Dual final radios after being mega tuned typically
put out over 40 watts and single final radios typically put out over
30 watts.

The True Tune 10.00

Our True Tune is like a basic peak and tune. When you receive your
radio that have been True Tuned by Premiere Electronics you can rest
assured that your radio is operating at it's maximum efficiency. We go
through your radio and re-align the transmitter section. The reason
this is necessary is because from the factory most radios just aren't
working at their best. The factories don't have the time to sit down
with every radio and precisely tune it. They generally get it in the
ball park, but if you are interested in performance, you need the true
tune. Every modification we perform is backed up with our unbeatable
warranty! Like always, none of our work will void any factory
warranties.

Run, don't walk away from peak jobs. They do nothing more than remove
your hard earned money and put it into someone else's hands. All that
is usually involved is peaking the power output for maximum, and
removing or reducing the affects of the modulation limiter. I won't go
into the math here but in order to see even 1 "S" (signal) unit
increase on another guy's meter, your radio would have to put out 4
times as much power as it did stock. It is VERY difficult to get 16
watts of dead key power from a 4 watt CB. It cannot be done by
alignment alone. By the time someone "redesigns" the transmitter and
replaces the parts necessary to get up to 16 watts, you are left with
a radio that may very well be less reliable, or may have a dirty or
unstable transmitter.

If you truly want to get a boost in output power, you are better off
with an amplifier. Yes, an amplifier is illegal as heck, but so is a
peak job.




Last question: The one that bugs me.

I purchased a SWR Meter from Radio shack. It was the cheapest one they
had and I am on a budget here, because some they had were way to
expensive. The one I got was
http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...ct%5Fid=21-534
I took it back because nothing seemed to make much difference, or I
wasn't operating it right, seemed to always fall in the red. The
antenna I have the only way to adjust is to move antenna up and down.
Maybe I wasn't in a good location. I finally got it to 2.3, and just
left it. My question is was I operating it right to finally get a 2.3
or is that just a cheap ass SWR Meter?

That meter should do the job. How were you using it? To check SWR, you
need to set it to the "CAL" position. Key the mike on your radio and
adjust the calibrate knob on the meter to the red cal line at the
right of the scale. Then switch to SWR and read the reflected power on
the SWR scale. A good performing antenna will have an SWR less than
2:1 (1.5:1 preferable)

Hope that helps...

Dave
"Sandbagger"
http://home.ptd.net/~n3cvj

N3CVJ wrote:
Run, don't walk away from peak jobs.



A most certainly biased opinion. Just because YOU hacked up radios as an
"independant (sic) contractor" and couldn't peak them properly doesn't
mean the rest of the world should discount all the other techs.


They do

nothing more than remove your hard earned

money and put it into someone else's hands.


No wonder you couldn't make it as a tech. There are many reasons to
"peak" radios. In fact, what *you* term "peak" encompasses virtually any
mods or work to a radio, such as removing the cover and aligning or
tuning.




All that is usually involved is peaking the

power output for maximum, and removing or

reducing the affects of the modulation limiter.



Ahhh,,,well, there you have it, mistakenly believing that all techs
"usually" look at peaking a radio in the same incompetent manner as
yourself.


I won't go into the math here but in order to

see even 1 "S" (signal) unit increase on

another guy's meter, your radio would have to

put out 4 times as much power as it did stock.


You would be best served putting your voodoo radio bull**** to rest.
Assuming a peak and tune job is somehow related to increased "S" units
is imbecilic.


It is VERY difficult to get 16 watts of dead key
power from a 4 watt CB.



If one was getting a 16 watt dead key from a cb, it would be just
that,,a 16 watt cb and no longer a 4 watt cb.


It cannot be done by

alignment alone. By the time someone

"redesigns" the transmitter and replaces the

parts necessary to get up to 16 watts, you are

left with a radio that may very well be less

reliable, or may have a dirty or unstable

transmitter.



And you may be left with a radio that works quite well and exhibits none
of the unfavorable qualities (read: glass half empty) of which you
choose to focus.


If you truly want to get a boost in output

power,

you are better off with an amplifier. Yes, an

amplifier is illegal as heck, but so is a peak

job.



A tune isn't necessarily illegal, yet you have maintained "peak" and
"tune" are synonyms by your past posts regarding the opening of radios.

Twistedhed wrote:
You would be best served putting your voodoo radio bull**** to rest.
Assuming a peak and tune job is somehow related to increased "S" units
is imbecilic.

Twist:

Actually, there is a correlation. If two radios are set up in a
"fixed" location, each, and one transmits a carrier, there will be a
reading on the "s" meter of the receiving radio. Assuming the two
radios are far enough apart so that the transmitted signal does not
register above, say, s5 on the receiver, it is possible to get a
relative power reading from the transmitting radio. Now if the
transmitting radio increases power fourfold, say from 4 watts to 16
watts, the receiving radio should now show s6 on its meter.

This of course assumes that the receiving radio's ALC is tuned
properly and that the s-meter is calibrated properly. In a properly
calibrated receiver, a 3db increase in received signal strength should
show about 1/2 of an S unit. Doubling the power output is the
equivalent a 3db increase.

It's a moot point, but output power does indeed have something to do
with "s" units, to the receiving radio. There isn't a direct
correlation, and most CB receivers probably aren't calibrated
properly, but there is a correlation, nonetheless.

To the original poster: as for the antenna advice, a Wilson 1000 is a
decent antenna, and will do fine. You will notice increased receive
and transmit range while still remaining legal.

Hope this helps.

-SSB

From: (sideband)
Twistedhed wrote:
You would be best served putting your voodoo radio bull**** to rest.
Assuming a peak and tune job is somehow related to increased "S" units
is imbecilic.
_
Twist:

Actually, there is a correlation. If two radios

are set up in a "fixed" location, each, and one

transmits a carrier, there will be a reading on

the "s" meter of the receiving radio. Assuming

the two radios are far enough apart so that the
transmitted signal does not register above,

say, s5 on the receiver, it is possible to get a

relative power reading from the transmitting

radio. Now if the transmitting radio increases

power fourfold, say from 4 watts to 16 watts,

the receiving radio should now show s6 on its

meter.

This of course assumes that the receiving

radio's ALC is tuned properly and that the

s-meter is calibrated properly. In a properly

calibrated receiver, a 3db increase in received
signal strength should show about 1/2 of an S

unit. Doubling the power output is the

equivalent a 3db increase.




Whooa...you sure?


It's a moot point, but output power does

indeed have something to do with "s" units, to

the receiving radio. There isn't a direct

correlation, and most CB receivers probably

aren't calibrated properly, but there is a

correlation, nonetheless.




Yes, thanks for the reminder. I am aware output has much to do with the
S units on the receiving end.
What was being discussed was a peak and tune of a four watt radio. No
amount of tuning or peaking is going to render a difference in S units
from 4 watts.




To the original poster: as for the antenna

advice, a Wilson 1000 is a decent antenna,

and will do fine. You will notice increased

receive and transmit range while still

remaining legal.

Hope this helps.

-SSB



SSB,,Im taking another road trip to the Carolinas real soon,,probably
Myrtle Beach. In addition to seeing if Dwight wants to hang out awhile
(I may have to drive to Surfside Beach, for that) you have to send me an
email letting me know your times and freqs of operation. I'll try and
hollah at ya' from the road.

On Mon, 04 Oct 2004 18:34:23 GMT, sideband wrote:



Twistedhed wrote:
You would be best served putting your voodoo radio bull**** to rest.
Assuming a peak and tune job is somehow related to increased "S" units
is imbecilic.

Twist:

Actually, there is a correlation. If two radios are set up in a
"fixed" location, each, and one transmits a carrier, there will be a
reading on the "s" meter of the receiving radio. Assuming the two
radios are far enough apart so that the transmitted signal does not
register above, say, s5 on the receiver, it is possible to get a
relative power reading from the transmitting radio. Now if the
transmitting radio increases power fourfold, say from 4 watts to 16
watts, the receiving radio should now show s6 on its meter.

This of course assumes that the receiving radio's ALC is tuned
properly and that the s-meter is calibrated properly. In a properly
calibrated receiver, a 3db increase in received signal strength should
show about 1/2 of an S unit. Doubling the power output is the
equivalent a 3db increase.

True, and 3 db is just barely noticable at the receive end

Makes peaking a radio to get 1 more watt out of it more detrimental
than beneficial.

Alex wrote in
:

I just purchased a Cobra 19 DX III and a 36" base loaded magnet mount
antenna. So far I'm picking up pretty good, and transmitting well
also. I don't think I'm getting out there as far as i can.

How far are you transmitting? On a clear channel, or busy one?


Most likely
this Friday I will be purchasing a Wilson 1000 Magnet Mount to replace
the antenna I have now. Is that going to get me out there a little
more (the wilson 1000) No modifications have been made to this radio
and have not been able to find any either. I purchased it brand new at
a Pilot Truckstop, and am sure it is only putting out 4 watts (fcc
required). Will the Wilson make me receive further or transmit further
or both, or neither? I'm new and feel it all has to do with how much
your getting out ( 4 watts doesn't seem to good )


4 watts is actually a great deal of power. The first mistake a newcomer
makes is believing power determines range.

The Wilson antenna will increase both your transmit and receive range.


Maybe I don't need a new radio, maybe the wilson 1000 will do what I
want it to do. I get so sick of losing communication once I'm not
close to truckers anymore. What do I need to do? I want to make sure i
am getting out as far as possible.

Is your radio tuned to your antenna? Again a newcomer mistake... not
adjusting the SWR of your system. Just dropping a radio and antenna into
a vehicle and operating is not all that is required. You must make sure
the antenna/radio/vehicle combination are matched up with one another.
You can search on the web for how to adjust SWR.

Also, antenna location is important. Placing the antenna right in the
middle of the roof of your vehicle is the optimum place to mount an
antenna. Especially if it is a car.

To make it simple.... the metal in your vehicle will act as a "guide" for
radio waves. Wherever the most metal is is the direction the radio waves
will be directed. The center of the vehivle will direct your signal
equlally in all directions. Placing an antenna, say on the roof of a
pickup truck will actully direct the signal BEHIND the vehicle, since you
have the whole bed of the vehicle to guide the signal. Mounting your
antenna, say on the driver's side mirror of a car will actually direct
the signal to the left, side and rear of the vehicle, while sending a
diminished signal to the front and left. Hope that makes sense.


My other dilemma:

I've been looking here http://www.wilsonantennas.com/cobracb.shtml at
some of the radios and the three that have caught my eye a

Cobra 29 LTD Night Watch Classic

Cobra 25 LTD Classic

Cobra 148 GTL Classic

To be honest.... any and all radios will perform for the most party, the
same. They differ in "bells and whistles" only. I had one of the first
generation Cobry 19 Plus radios.... best sounding radio I ever had...
perhaps the newer generations are similar.


The site also offers two tuning options before shipping. Which one
should I go for? Seems like the Mega Tune. One more question below as
well. The tuning options a

The Mega Tune 29.99
....

The True Tune 10.00
....

If you want to stay legal, stay away from this stuff. The only legal way
to operate a radio is out of the box. I have yet to see a peak and tune
that doesn't sound awful, or bleed over.

To be honest, most radios ARE undertuned. You CAN get set up to run at
the full legal 4 watts, and not exceed modulation limits. Just go to a
trustworthy shop.


Last question: The one that bugs me.

I purchased a SWR Meter from Radio shack. It was the cheapest one they
had and I am on a budget here, because some they had were way to
expensive. The one I got was
http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...&product%5Fid=
21-534 I took it back because nothing seemed to make much difference,
or I wasn't operating it right, seemed to always fall in the red. The
antenna I have the only way to adjust is to move antenna up and down.
Maybe I wasn't in a good location. I finally got it to 2.3, and just
left it. My question is was I operating it right to finally get a 2.3
or is that just a cheap ass SWR Meter?


In the red is VERY BAD.... A factor in your range for sure. 2.3 is not
too bad... you want an SWR under 3. See my above on antenna location. I
figure you have your antanna tuned as good as it can be. Your SWR meter
was working properly. All it does is tells you the truth. Some
vehicle/antanna combinations don't agree with one another.

I really hope someone has the time to answer and help out a newbie as
I am very interested in Cb's since i finally broke down and got me
one. I just want to be able to transmit and receive as far as possible
without breaking the law to bad. Not ready for a amplifier or anything
like that.

Good deal.... best way to be.


Hope I helped.

On Mon, 04 Oct 2004 18:34:23 GMT, sideband wrote:



Twistedhed wrote:
You would be best served putting your voodoo radio bull**** to rest.
Assuming a peak and tune job is somehow related to increased "S" units
is imbecilic.

Twist:

Actually, there is a correlation.

He knows that. He just likes to insult me. But he's way out of his
element and way too far into mine if he wants to talk about radio
theory.

Dave
"Sandbagger"
http://home.ptd.net/~n3cvj

On Mon, 04 Oct 2004 19:25:28 GMT, Legal Radio
wrote:

To make it simple.... the metal in your vehicle will act as a "guide" for
radio waves. Wherever the most metal is is the direction the radio waves
will be directed. The center of the vehivle will direct your signal
equlally in all directions. Placing an antenna, say on the roof of a
pickup truck will actully direct the signal BEHIND the vehicle, since you
have the whole bed of the vehicle to guide the signal. Mounting your
antenna, say on the driver's side mirror of a car will actually direct
the signal to the left, side and rear of the vehicle, while sending a
diminished signal to the front and left. Hope that makes sense.


Too many lefts? :-)

To be honest, most radios ARE undertuned. You CAN get set up to run at
the full legal 4 watts, and not exceed modulation limits. Just go to a
trustworthy shop.

This shouldn't surprise anyone.

The manufacturer has to certify that none of the radios built will exceed
legal limits, so they are all designed to fall safely inside. If you think
that anyone sits and adjusts each radio for max output, for a $40 retail
product, you're dreaming, even if it's made in Pakistan.
On the high end, you MIGHT get this, but I rather doubt it.

Once you adjust anything internally, you've violated the certification.
These days, I'm not sure where the regs fall, but if you can have a radio
repaired legally, then it would seem reasonable that the same shop could
adjust it to as close as possible to the legal limits, legally..

But as others have said, you'll never notice the difference.
It really takes major improvements to make minor differences.
The antenna and feedline is the cheap and (sort of) easy place to make these
differences, and it's completely legal.

--
KC6ETE Dave's Engineering Page, www.dvanhorn.org
Microcontroller Consultant, specializing in Atmel AVR