CB radio basics

gippersdad · #1 (**permalink**) 06-17-2008, 03:52 AM

Hi all! Brand new to the group. In fact, brand new to owning a CB radio. I live in Clemmons, NC and about a month ago...a tornado took out a house just up the street from me and my family. With no power, we sat here with no power, no outside information, and no idea that we were sitting in its path.

So I bought the battery packs, the inverters, the weatherband radios, the portable TV that rins on batteries, the digital converter box (so it will all work after 2009), and lastly...a Police scanner.

Little did I know that here in Forsyth County...all of the police communications are digital. I don't have another 500.00 to blow on a digital scanner...so I bought a CB radio instead. If I can't hear the Police, my second choice is to hear the truckers...they will know what is going on. I like the channel 9 option too...for when one lands in the soup!

In any case, I have a brand new CB radio being shipped to me...and it will be installed in the truck by this weekend. So assume I know nothing when I ask these questions (because I know absolutely nothing).

1) What does "tweak and peak" mean? I have read around the net that this can increase my range from 4 miles to 20 miles. Is that true?

2) If it is true, where do I go in Clemmons to get it done?

3) How much does it cost?

Anyone who has the time and will to help me out here...will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

HKM

pro1driver · #2 (**permalink**) 06-17-2008, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gippersdad

Hi all! Brand new to the group. In fact, brand new to owning a CB radio. I live in Clemmons, NC and about a month ago...a tornado took out a house just up the street from me and my family. With no power, we sat here with no power, no outside information, and no idea that we were sitting in its path.

So I bought the battery packs, the inverters, the weatherband radios, the portable TV that rins on batteries, the digital converter box (so it will all work after 2009), and lastly...a Police scanner.

Little did I know that here in Forsyth County...all of the police communications are digital. I don't have another 500.00 to blow on a digital scanner...so I bought a CB radio instead. If I can't hear the Police, my second choice is to hear the truckers...they will know what is going on. I like the channel 9 option too...for when one lands in the soup!

In any case, I have a brand new CB radio being shipped to me...and it will be installed in the truck by this weekend. So assume I know nothing when I ask these questions (because I know absolutely nothing).

1) What does "tweak and peak" mean? I have read around the net that this can increase my range from 4 miles to 20 miles. Is that true?

2) If it is true, where do I go in Clemmons to get it done?

3) How much does it cost?

Anyone who has the time and will to help me out here...will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

HKM

"tweaked and tuned" basically means the radio shop opens up the radio and starts making adjustments to the rig making for more output. if done incorrectly, the radio will self destruct.

i do not know where to go in your town. this you have to look up in the yellow pages for a cb radio shop.

cost is whatever the guy charges.....there is no minimum, there is no maximum. you have to find this out and ask the guy when you find a shop.

sometimes, when you order a cb radio online, and from a cb radio supplier, they can do this for you at an additional cost. but, its usually ONLY a place that specializes in cb radios.......not the wally-world, or other major discounters selling cb radios online.......

gippersdad · #3 (**permalink**) 06-17-2008, 11:46 AM

Roger that. Thanks buddy!

Now my next question: Do people still talk on these things like they did in Smokey and the Bandit back in the 70s? In other words, do I have to learn all of that code? Or can I just learn the basic etiquette and speak normally?

wishy-washy · #4 (**permalink**) 06-17-2008, 06:37 PM

Just talk on it like you are talking to your friends and don't get cutesy or you'll get laughted of the air

Copy 10-4 good buddy!!!!

gippersdad · #5 (**permalink**) 06-17-2008, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wishy-washy

Just talk on it like you are talking to your friends and don't get cutesy or you'll get laughted of the air

Copy 10-4 good buddy!!!!

Thank you for that! At 38, I was really hoping there was no need to get cutesy. Smokey and the Bandit was cool...but I was 7.

I do remember that I had a buddy who had a CB when I was in High School. Everytime one of us would goof around on it...somebody somewhere would get upset. LOL...and as a teenager, I admit...that was what we were shooting for. We were idiots...but who wasn't at 16? LOL.

As a grown up...I want this thing for serious purposes, and want to make sure I use the proper etiquette when I get on it. In as much, I knew there was a "lingo," and I knew from later experience that it is quite easy to upset people on one. So, If I HAD TO talk in code...I would have respected that and learned it. But I sure was hoping that I did not have to.

The answer is..."just talk." Man I was hoping to hear that!!!

Thanks buddy!

-HKM

gippersdad · #6 (**permalink**) 06-17-2008, 06:53 PM

LOL...worse yet...If I had to use "radiospeak" I probably would have reverted to the only "radiospeak" I know. And unfortunately, that is the "radiospeak" we used in the military (Roger, say again, belay my last, over. Alpha Bravo Charlie Delta, five niner...). I would imagine that would not go over so well either.

So all around, this is good news!

Thanks again!

Last question: Do people still use call signs...or is was that left in 1977 too?