Re: Radio S**t CB stuff

[Jim Griffin <JGriff@pobox.com>]

At 08:16 PM 09/11/96, you wrote:

>>What CB, antenna combo should I buy, & from where?
>
>Stay away from Radio S**t stuff. Poor sensitivity and horrible selectivity 
>and signal to noise ratio. Mine is a vintage GE, works great, who would have 
>guessed?!... They say, Cobra rules...

Well, I gotta throw in $.02 here. My CB and antenna combo came from Radio
Shack, and so far, they work great. I pick up clear signals from 4-5 miles
front and back, and "fringe, fuzzy" signals from even further away, probably
up to 10 miles away in each direction. My antenna is a magnet mount on the
trunk, and after talking to a knowledgeable Radio Shack guy (I know, that's
an oxymoron!!), he said that the position of the antenna is just about the
most important factor. The best spot would be in the center of the roof,
since the area surrounding the antenna is used as well. So, in the middle,
the whole car would be used as an antenna, helping to pick up signals.

Well, I am not going to drill into my roof (besides, it's impossible with
the sunroof), but as he said, if I am getting that kind of reception and
clarity with the trunk mount, it is about the best I'll get (without using a
linear amp, which is illegal, anyway!!).

So, with that, do I really still have inferior equipment? If so, I am
guessing that it is only "marginally" inferior.

Besides, when was the last time that you tried Radio Shack equipment? You
state that yours is a "vintage" GE.... so I am guessing that it has been a
while. Give it a try. IMHO, the stuff ain't all THAT bad!! (Of course, you
could say that I haven't tried something else yet... yes, but as far as I've
been told, no matter what I use, I'm not going to get much better
reception/transmission than what I have now; 4-5 miles is very good.)

>I've also tried a long "fishing rod" on a magnetic base. Worked great but 
>scratched the paint and looked like s**t.

Well, yep, I did scratch my paint a little bit, the first time I put it on
(my own fault!!), and yep, it works great. But IMHO, it doesn't look all
that bad. It has a black mast, which compliments my Titanium Grey and Black
leather (in the car... not what I wear!!). And it coordinates well with my
cell phone antenna (i.e. no flourescent colors, thank you!!). The only
drawback I suppose is that it is not a stealth item. EVERYONE (including the
Smokey Bears) can tell from my antenna that I have a CB.

>At last I ordered a glass mount cellular style CB antenna from (please, no 
>laughs) JC Whitney cat, p/n 71ET1330U @$24.95, and it works like a dream. I 
>have mounted it on the "forhead" of the car, in the center of the top of the 
>windshield, right below the edge. It is approx 35 cm long, has a bulge in 
>the center and if you rake it back it looks very euro-style.

I've been thinking of doing this as an option. Hmmmm.... maybe. But I think
it will look weird with two cell antennas...one up front and one out back.
Slanting them backwards may improve the look, but not the reception.
Oh... decisions, decisions!!

Thanks for "listening".

Jim



                             Jim Griffin
                      JGriff@pobox.com
                        Maryland, USA
"Perception is often stronger than reality!"
                               '92 100S
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~OOOO~~~~~~~~~~~~~~