UK CB Radio: Single Side Band (Mobile)

Video: YouTube/Steve Stevens

In this video Steve shows us the advantages of using SSB even in flat conditions. Starting a chat with one other station and by the end of the video he has quite a nice little net going with stations in Luton, The South Downs, Peterborough and London.

SSB activity has increased dramatically in many parts of the UK since it was legalised in 2014 with many weekly nets springing up. Steve's video shows that a call on the UK SSB Calling Frequency (27.275 USB) can lead to some great contacts even in poor/flat conditions. 

So why not give it a try? Give out a call on 27 Mid Band (27.275 USB).

New CB Radio - CRT2000

A new radio has appeared on the CRT website - The CRT2000

The radio will be supplied with the AM/FM European Multi Norms but can no doubt be modded for export purposes.

CRT WEBSITE: LINK

The Basics of Switching Mode Power Supplies

Video: YouTube/TRXBench

Another interesting video from TRXBench, this time explaining switch mode power supplies. 

New PMR446 - Midland GB1

The 'world's first mobile in-car PMR446 radio' apparently!

Midland GB1 Features at a glance

• Microprocessor‐controlled frequency
• 8 channels PMR446 FM
• 'Flip' function: the radio can be mounted with the speaker facing up or down; the display can read in either orientation
• Adjustable squelch on 9 levels
• SCAN function
• LCD display
• Integrated magnetic antenna
• TOT (Time out timer)*
• Side tone: noise blanker at end of transmission
• Monitor function
• Busy channel (BCLO‐Busy Channel Lockout)*
• Broad/narrow band selection 25KHz/12.5KHz (only export version)*
• High/low power (only export version)

UK Price Around £169.99

Website link: CLICK HERE

My thoughts - A nice looking radio which certainly makes PMR446 more useful when out mobile. Almost giving users a true UHF CB System, something I've long been asking for. The radio can be modded for extra channels/power if required.

However, this should have come out 15 years ago. Anyone who wanted a UHF CB system is already using 'other equipment' and let's be honest, who in their right mind would spend £169.99 on this radio when for less than £20 they can get a Baofeng UV5R which gives more power, more channels and many more features????

Don't get me wrong, this is a step in the right direction towards UHF CB but way too late and way too expensive in my opinion.