AM CB is it still of value?

[incisor]

Whats your opinion, is AM CB worth having?

[p38arover]

I must admit I've had a small Uniden 27MHz unit sitting on the shelf for the past 4 years. I took it out of the old RR and have never fitted it to the new one. I was going to fit it to the County but I sold the County.

I think they still have value in some areas. A lot of people don't realise that they operate in the HF band (3-30 MHz) so can sometimes make long distance communications. If I was doing some trips a bit further from civilisation, I'd fit it even though it's not a HF set in the generally accepted sense. I suppose the usual foul-mouthed individuals are still on the 27MHz band.


Ron

[George130]

Truckies still use them to talk to each other. I plan to fit one to my rig. I still need to get a vehicle mounted UHf as well.

[rangieman]

I have a ssb/am as well as the uhf , i only just fitted a antenna base for the ssb/am today all i need is a antenna , and yes they are good for long distance with the right conditions

ill be keeping mine in the car:p

[sschmez]

I've got 27mhz AM and UHF in the disco.

27mhz is alot quieter these days, since all the morons have moved to UHF.

I tend to use either, depending on who I'm travelling with
- sometimes one will have an advantage over the other: further, clearer

I'll stick to having the choice

Stevo

[seqfisho]

I suppose the usual foul-mouthed individuals are still on the 27MHz band.


Ron

Nah, they seem to have found the UHF band and the language has got worse, so much that I wont turn it on with the kids in the car:o:mad:

[VladTepes]

There are some people in our club with older trucks that can;t justify buying a new UHF because it would just about double the (fiscal) value of the vehicle ! An AM radio would be handy for communicating with these on club trips. Therefore, if you are getting rid of it, throw it my way mate !

If I didn't have one (and I don't), I wouldn't buy one (or at least I wouldn't pay much for one).

If it's a choice between UHF or 27MHz - then definitely the UHF set !


And yes there are penisheads aplenty (wonder if the auto censor will pick that up) around town but the d---head factor drops off once you get out of town, and its generally safe (ish) to turn it on around the kids then.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Theres not a lot of room to bolt two in,,
and I dont think you'd use it much.

[Omaroo]

I have a Mundara SY-201 hand-held 27mhz unit. It's still VERY useful on the highways. Being hand-held, it's easy to either remove the battery pack and run it off the vehicle's power (and also connect it to a proper external whip aerial from inside) or run it by itself out of the car. The top section separates from the lower battery pack and is about the size of a normal mike handpiece. You slide on a cable connector to the bottom where the battery went and that gives you external power connectivity.

A great unit - I don't think that you can get them any more.

http://www.roity.com/rc/mundara.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2006/06/145.jpg

The specs (from an eBay item currently going):

Mundara SY-201 AM/SSB Handheld. This is the Australian version of the very popular US Cherokee AH100.
Features Include:


Complete 40 Channel AM/USB/LSB operation.
Only 6.5 inches tall. A true revolution in design!
Digital LCD "Information Center" provides complete operation information, including both channel and frequency readout.
Five preset memory locations.
Slide-Out battery Ni-Cad batteries pack included.
Battery life enhancement circuitry dramatically extends talk time between charges.
Auto channel scan.
"Dual Watch" for monitoring two channels at the same time.
Clarifier control for fine tuning incoming SSB signals.
Mic-Gain and RF Gain for maximum signal processing.
Squelch control for eliminating background noise.
Key lock prevents unauthorized use.
One touch access to Emergency Channels 9 and 19.
Selectable High/Low power output.
Wrist strap and belt clip.
Plug-in jack for external speaker/microphone. Detailed Specifications

GENERAL

Channels:

40
Frequency Range:

26.965 to 27.405 MHz
Frequency Control:

Phase Locked Loop (PLL) synthesizer
Frequency Stability:

+\- 0.001%
Operating Temp:

-5 F to +110 F
Power Source:

DC 7.2V to 13.8V
Impedence:

50 Ohm
Dimensions:

7.5"H x 2.75"W x 1.5"D
Weight:

9 oz. (w/o batteries)
Antenna Connection:

BNC




TRANSMITTER



*Power Output:



AM @ 12.0V:
SSB @ 12.0V:
-

High: 4.0W Low: 1.0W
High: 6.0 W - 10.0W W PEP
Low: 2W PEP
Modulation:

Amplitude Modulation
Current Drain:

Less than 1200 mA
Frequency Tolerance:

+/- 400 Hz max




RECEIVER



Sensitivity:



AM @ 12.0V:
SSB @ 12.0V:

1.0 V for 10 dB S/N
0.8 V for 10 dB S/N
Image Rejection:

Greater than 70 dB
Audio Output Power:

500 mw
Freq. Response:

300 - 3000hz
Standby Current:

50 mA w/o battery save mode


Radio has been modified for wide band RX from 25.165 to 29.645 (10 banks of 40 channels).

Reconditioned battery pack (10x 1100ma Ni-mh). Near new speaker mic. Slip on 12vdc adaptor (for mobile or base use). BNC to SO-239 adaptor to use for external antenna. Power output is 4 watts AM and 10watts SSB with adjustable mic gain. Manual in electronic format will be supplied on CD. After market desk top stand and drop in charge holder (ready to connect to an appropriate Ni-mh charger).

[dobbo]

I think they do have value at least as a back up. I have one in the garage sitting gathering dust and do intend on installing it into one of the landies. Thinking a cigarette lighter adaptor to power up and have external aerials on both

[rick130]

I have an old 23 channel Kraco SSB set (with the output tweaked a bit) with a Leeson power mike sitting in the shed. Hands up anyone who goes back that far. :D
Never thought it would be worth fitting, everyone here in my part of the bush uses UHF.

Anyway, the HF set has to go in first or someone that lurks on here might take it back....:p

[fernockulated]

I have an old 23 channel Kraco SSB set (with the output tweaked a bit) with a Leeson power mike sitting in the shed. Hands up anyone who goes back that far. :D
:p

can remember those days well,also have a number of different am sets and one ssb with extras floating around here somewhere,have a little cheepy am jobby that may find its way into thumper for "one of these days for ya never know when ya gunna need it" times:cool: :rolleyes: :lol: :lol:

[DEFENDERZOOK]

I have an old 23 channel Kraco SSB set (with the output tweaked a bit) with a Leeson power mike sitting in the shed. Hands up anyone who goes back that far. :D
Never thought it would be worth fitting, everyone here in my part of the bush uses UHF.

Anyway, the HF set has to go in first or someone that lurks on here might take it back....:p



ive got my hand up.......
my uncle had one of these....23 chanels was the big one back then.....but the 40 chanel units
were starting to become more popular........
cb back then was the equivalent of todays internet......ive made quite a few friends on cb.....
some of which im still in contact with.......i even married one of them.....:eek:

[p38arover]

I've got an old Sanyo 18 ch set in the garage - from the days when Australia had different frequencies for the 27MHz AM CB.

Ron

[Redback]

I have an old 23 channel Kraco SSB set (with the output tweaked a bit) with a Leeson power mike sitting in the shed. Hands up anyone who goes back that far. :D
Never thought it would be worth fitting, everyone here in my part of the bush uses UHF.

Anyway, the HF set has to go in first or someone that lurks on here might take it back....:p

Yep got mine hand up too, mines a Ferris 5000 Canadian 22 channel 27meg unit, converted with a 200 channel digi scanner running extra power and converted switches for dropping in between channels;)
My previous set was a HMV Roadhound 23 channel that i used as a base station with a 3 element beam in the roof of the flats i lived in at Bondi;) :lol:

Baz.

[timberwolf_302]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2006/06/9.jpg

This is my setup, with a Uniden PRO 510e AM and a Uniden UH-100 UHF. I havn't as yet used the AM, probably because no one I know has one yet. I have a couple of spare sets (another 510e and an older Electrophone) that i may give to my 4WDing mates, so we can communicate on trips etc. These Uniden 510s are quite cheap though...$128 at Dick Smiths. I got mine off eBay for $50, for both.

I also got a 1500mm fibreglass aerial for $19 (brand new Dick Smith brand)....and similar aerials from GME cost about $70 minimum.

Does anyone know if Uniden still makes the UH-100? They do make the UH-88, which is the same unit without the scrambler function and a couple of other features. I havnt seen the UH-100 in shops for a long time.

Has anyone seen the new UHF/AM set Uniden has avaiable. If i buy another set, that will be the one. Very conveniant.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

The AM CB may be in the HF band but at 27MHz and 5W, not all that good for reliable long distance communication even if you do have the Single Side Band models - it may get out but where to and will there be someone reliable listening. Note that the VKS737 is operating in the 4-15MHz band with sets pushing 100W.

If you have the set and have a space mount it by all means, but not in pride of place. For those who have friends/club members who have 27Mhz sets and you want to talk to them, Uniden do make a dual band set so you can have the one set and both bands. The 27MHz is only AM without the SSB.

Lotz-A-Landies
1950 80"
1951 ex-RACQ 80"
1967 SIIB 110" Forward Control
1985 Range Rover Hiline 4.6 L
spare 1985 Range Rover Hi-Line 3.5L
VKS737 - Romeo2540

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Yep got mine hand up too, mines a Ferris 5000 Canadian 22 channel 27meg unit, converted with a 200 channel digi scanner running extra power and converted switches for dropping in between channels;)
My previous set was a HMV Roadhound 23 channel that i used as a base station with a 3 element beam in the roof of the flats i lived in at Bondi;) :lol:

Baz.
Did anyone think to mention the Sharp Blue Dial - much older than Rick130's Kraco - they were illegal at the time so pre-dates the Aus 23 channels. I'm sure it's still down on the farm if I looked.

Lotz-A-Landies
1950 80"
1951 ex-RACQ 80"
1967 SIIB 110" Forward Control
1985 Range Rover Hiline 4.6 L
spare 1985 Range Rover Hi-Line 3.5L
VKS737 - Romeo2540

[George130]

timberwolf_302 My brother has one. He bought it as some of his friends have am and other have UHF. He decided this way there is one unit and he can talk to both. Its a nice small neat unit.

[slipedisk]

I remember at 12yrs joining the 5 Lake City CB Radio club (5LC 016) with an American Electronics SSB (200ch+ KC slid and boosted power) with a 5/8 Plane Start burst antenna on a 50ft mast still have the QSL cards pity the kids now days couldn't see what we did back then, at least you were safe to be out on the streets till 1000 +.