Disappointed With CB Radio Handhelds? - You Shouldn't Be!

Video:YouTube/Ringway Manchester

Lewis takes a look at the recent upsurge in handheld CB radio use and explains why people shouldn't expect too much.

Is it time to give 26MHz a go?

 

As the solar cycle heads towards its peak we find 27MHz literally filled with stations, especially on triple 5 which can become an absolute shambles with hundreds shouting over the top of each other. 

There is a solution, why not drop down to 26MHz onto the old 'Super Low' band which was very popular amongst users back in the 80's and 90's, and is much less crowded. 

The calling frequency is 26.285 USB (Channel 19 Super Low) but in recent years some users find they are battling against CODAR interference on that part of the band so an alternative frequency has been proposed by the '26MHZ CB Radio' Facebook page.

Their group frequency is 26.385 USB which is above the frequencies used by CODAR and just happens to be exactly 1MHz down from 27.385 (The North American LSB calling channel).

So pop down and give a shout, the clearer frequencies make it much easier to make good contacts. 

Also take a look at the '26Mhz CB Radio' Facebook Page: CLICK HERE 

Jopix CB-514 With EXPORT/WIDEBAND

 

There appears to be some confusion regarding the Jopix CB-514 CB radio handset.

Reports from some users say that the EXPORT key press (Hold PTT and FUNC when turning on the radio) does not work on the Jopix CB-514, indeed some have been very insistent that the radio simply does not have export capabilities.

Well it turns out that it depends where you bought the radio from:

Some dealers supply the radio without export.

Some dealers supply the radio without export but offer it as a paid option. They likely do this by flashing the firmware to support export mode.

Some dealers simply supply the radio with the export mode available out of the box.  

I've been in touch with Moonraker who appear to be the main dealer in the UK for this particular radio and they have confirmed that they ship the radios with export mode available as standard. 

So you know what to do if you want a Jopix with export mode, get on the phone to Moonraker.

Link to Moonraker site: CLICK HERE 

Price: £84.95

And here's a video showing the export mod in use on the Jopix:

President George II on LSB 08/10/2023

Video:YouTube/M0OGY

Mobile Antenna Shoot Out - Scarlett Warrior v's Sirio 4000

Video:YouTube/Transmission1UK

Over 30 years of mobile operation at this end and I've always used my trusty Valor Half Breed antenna. I've simply not been able to find anything else of a similar length which can beat it.

And that's the simple truth with mobile CB antennas....  They are all a compromise and any two antennas of similar length will perform in a similar fashion. Don't believe all the hype, just go for the longest antenna you are comfortable using on your vehicle!

 

     The Valor Half Breed - My weapon of choice!

CB Radio Anniversary - 42 Years of Legal UK CB - 02/11/23

 

It's that time of year again when stations all across the UK get on the air to celebrate the legalisation of CB radio in the UK!

All the action will take place on channel 27 UKFM (27.86125MHz) on 2nd November 2023 from 18:00 hours (UK Time).

Please remember to QSY if the channel is busy in your area. 

JOPIX CB-514 CB Handheld (Export Mod)

Video:YouTube/Tech Minds

Hidden features and export mod on the Jopix CB-514 (Similar to the Thunderpole T-X) 

Thunderpole T-X - More Bands!

 

Thanks to Con on Facebook who has been in touch to tell us that Thunderpole T-X radios sent to Canada and the US have been updated to provide band settings for CA (Canada) and US (United States).

US band has been added as TABLE 7 and CA band as TABLE 8 in the export menu.

Both bands are identical with 40 channels AM/FM 26.965 - 27.405

So looks like a firmware update or some sort of programming software has been used to make this adjustment to the radios. 

President George II - £339 at Knights (Plus Export Cost Plus Postage)

 

So hold on to your hats as Knights Electrocom in the UK are the first to put an actual price on the new George II...

GEORGE II (STANDARD) - £339.00

GEORGE II (EXPANDED) - £349.00

PLUS POSTAGE - £9.95

So an expanded George II will cost £358.95 to get to your home.

Thoughts anyone?

Bearing in mind that the CRT 3900 (£179), Ares II (£179) and CRT 7900V (£229) all basically use the same board.

President Randy III Hand Held Review (Part 1)

Video:YouTube/M0OGY

Another video from Dave as he takes a look at the President Randy III handset.