neighborhoods, there was a wave of enormous CB antennas
with HUGE open-wire loading coils at the base, ones that
appeared to be made of 3/8" copper tubing or something

I don't see many of them anymore, but they're most fun to see
on top of a subcompact.

I still see them occasionally, often on the top of big
old Suburbans for some reason. Not exactly a practical
thing--I imagine they're constantly raking trees and
overhangs and such. But I often get a grin when I see
the things. :-)

I got into mobile HF about a half-dozen years ago; I had
just bought a white 2000 Chevy Impala, mounted a 706 in
the glove compartment--or, as my wife pointed out with
real pain in her voice, where the glove compartment used
to be. :-) I had a trunk-lip-mounted Hamstick for 20 or
15, an MFJ mag-mount 6-meter quarter-wave, and a little
2meter mag mount on that car.

For a while I was puzzled at how many people in front of
me would abruptly slow down when I got behind them. Then
I realized some of the local police departments had
bought white Impalas, and seeing one festooned with
antennas (more and bigger antennas than actual police
cars) apparently made people think I might have been
"The Law." I left the 706 in that car for several
years--it was easier than un-shoehorning it out of the
dash--but took the antennas off as soon as I quit using
HF from the car, to quit scaring people. :-)


_______________________________________________
Ken Kuzenski AC4RD ken . kuzenski at duke .edu
_______________________________________________
All disclaimers apply, see? www.duke.edu/~kuzen001

wrote:

I still see them occasionally, often on the top of big
old Suburbans for some reason. Not exactly a practical
thing--I imagine they're constantly raking trees and
overhangs and such. But I often get a grin when I see
the things. :-)

I ran into one of those guys last summer, not just one but two antenna's
as described. I chatted with him a bit and found out he was running a
10KW CB rig. I was incredulous until he popped open the hood to show me
the 5 alternators running off the engine to power it. The engine was
also modified to kick up the idle when the rig was one so it wouldn't
stall when keyed up.

I've pretty much come to the conclusion that the FCC has completely
given up enforcement on the CB bands.

Kenneth P. Stox wrote:

I ran into one of those guys last summer, not just one but two antenna's
as described. I chatted with him a bit and found out he was running a
10KW CB rig. I was incredulous until he popped open the hood to show me
the 5 alternators running off the engine to power it. The engine was

Dear sweet heavens. astonished whistle Wonder what sort
of gas mileage he got. :-)

I've pretty much come to the conclusion that the FCC has completely
given up enforcement on the CB bands.

I think that happened many years ago. :-(


_______________________________________________
Ken Kuzenski AC4RD ken . kuzenski at duke .edu
_______________________________________________
All disclaimers apply, see? www.duke.edu/~kuzen001

In message ,
writes
Kenneth P. Stox wrote:

I ran into one of those guys last summer, not just one but two antenna's
as described. I chatted with him a bit and found out he was running a
10KW CB rig. I was incredulous until he popped open the hood to show me
the 5 alternators running off the engine to power it. The engine was

Dear sweet heavens. astonished whistle Wonder what sort
of gas mileage he got. :-)


Well, 10kW = 13hp.
Allow 50% efficiency for the TX, so there's 26hp.
I don't know about the alternator - 70%?
That makes it 37hp before the vehicle moves.
Ian.
--

On Mon, 19 Feb 2007 13:43:34 +0000, Ian Jackson
wrote:

In message ,
writes
Kenneth P. Stox wrote:

I ran into one of those guys last summer, not just one but two antenna's
as described. I chatted with him a bit and found out he was running a
10KW CB rig. I was incredulous until he popped open the hood to show me
the 5 alternators running off the engine to power it. The engine was

Dear sweet heavens. astonished whistle Wonder what sort
of gas mileage he got. :-)


Well, 10kW = 13hp.
Allow 50% efficiency for the TX, so there's 26hp.
I don't know about the alternator - 70%?
That makes it 37hp before the vehicle moves.
Ian.

We run multiple belts to propellers from engines running that much
power. :-))

When I get my plane done...Glasair III (fiberglass with carbon fiber
horizontal stab) I plan on having up to 500 watts on HF and I'd really
like to make it 160 watts on 2-meters. 30 to 50 is plenty on 440.
However I have a longggg way to go.

In the Beech I just run the HT clipped to the inside of the door which
leaves the antenna sticking up in the window. With that set up I
typically get 50 to 75 miles with 5W FM and the rubber duck antenna.
The problem with the antenna in the window is it tends to be pretty
directive...without any gain. I've worked 150 miles with 5 watts
from 22,000 feet, but that wasn't in my plane which has a service
ceiling of only 19,500.
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

On Sun, 18 Feb 2007 16:29:36 GMT, "Kenneth P. Stox"
wrote:

wrote:

I still see them occasionally, often on the top of big
old Suburbans for some reason. Not exactly a practical
thing--I imagine they're constantly raking trees and
overhangs and such. But I often get a grin when I see
the things. :-)

I ran into one of those guys last summer, not just one but two antenna's
as described. I chatted with him a bit and found out he was running a
10KW CB rig. I was incredulous until he popped open the hood to show me
the 5 alternators running off the engine to power it. The engine was
also modified to kick up the idle when the rig was one so it wouldn't
stall when keyed up.

If the tires don't skid when you key the mike you're running QRP!
:-))


I've pretty much come to the conclusion that the FCC has completely
given up enforcement on the CB bands.

They do nail a few of them that manage to creep up into 10 meters now
and then.
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com