It the frequency range that'll get ya'. If you have a radio that can digitally produce a range of frequencies over a couple of meters, AND the electronics robust enough to do it without going nuclear, that's what it takes. Back in the day, my radios--crystal & PLL--had limits in its small packages. The Variable Frequency Oscillators that made the broader band scope possible were LARGE/HOT/POWER-HOGS. Not practical for the truck, for sure! Today, digital is king, so wide (band scope) is small... Shop around.

 

Here ya go for the latest in online geekculators!
http://www.csgnetwork.com/freqwavelengthcalc.html

It'll make your head swim...
<table class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto; font-family: Courier New;" height="414" width="516"><caption>North American/CEPT channels frequencies</caption> <tbody><tr> <td>Channel 01 : 26.965 MHz</td> <td>Channel 11 : 27.085 MHz</td> <td>Channel 21 : 27.215 MHz</td> <td>Channel 31 : 27.315 MHz</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Channel 02 : 26.975 MHz</td> <td>Channel 12 : 27.105 MHz</td> <td>Channel 22 : 27.225 MHz</td> <td>Channel 32 : 27.325 MHz</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Channel 03 : 26.985 MHz</td> <td>Channel 13 : 27.115 MHz</td> <td>Channel 23 : 27.255 MHz</td> <td>Channel 33 : 27.335 MHz</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Channel 04 : 27.005 MHz</td> <td>Channel 14 : 27.125 MHz</td> <td>Channel 24 : 27.235 MHz</td> <td>Channel 34 : 27.345 MHz</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Channel 05 : 27.015 MHz</td> <td>Channel 15 : 27.135 MHz</td> <td>Channel 25 : 27.245 MHz</td> <td>Channel 35 : 27.355 MHz</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Channel 06 : 27.025 MHz</td> <td>Channel 16 : 27.155 MHz</td> <td>Channel 26 : 27.265 MHz</td> <td>Channel 36 : 27.365 MHz</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Channel 07 : 27.035 MHz</td> <td>Channel 17 : 27.165 MHz</td> <td>Channel 27 : 27.275 MHz</td> <td>Channel 37 : 27.375 MHz</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Channel 08 : 27.055 MHz</td> <td>Channel 18 : 27.175 MHz</td> <td>Channel 28 : 27.285 MHz</td> <td>Channel 38 : 27.385 MHz</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Channel 09 : 27.065 MHz</td> <td>Channel 19 : 27.185 MHz</td> <td>Channel 29 : 27.295 MHz</td> <td>Channel 39 : 27.395 MHz</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
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Okay, so does anyone know if I can get away with mounting a three or four foot firestick antenna on the driver side or passenger side fender without interfering with the engine control computer chip? Interesting to read all the info you guys are giving but it's way beyond what I was asking for.

 

Yes, you can, on the passenger side. The directional influence of your T/RX behavior will be predominantly off of the right from corner of the truck due to reflectivity of all the steel, iron and the such. A more central location, > 6" away from your PCM is ideal for a omni-plane antenna...

 

Thanks, I take it the Firesticks are omni-plane antennas? Not really electronic savvy, if you couldn't tell. I know how to hook em up but as far as how they work, I'm almost clueless.

 

yes, all general purpose mobile antenna are omni's so the have T/RX in ALL directions, but hey are affected by electron mass, like your 9K# truck

 

check out my gallerie for my ham install, you can use the HF rigs for cb but you need to becareful, if you get caught you could get a nice letter from the FCC. your also talking about an $800 rig. Just looked at my pictures I need to update tem the picture are of my install in my '05. The radios are now in y '06 in a different box.

 

Per FCC rules it is illegal for a ham radio to transmit on CB frequencies (also known as "Freebanding) unless it is an emergency. Also "Export" radios which shift the 11 Meter band into the area between 11 & 10 Meter are illegal in the United states.

So if you want to talk on 11 Meter (a CB) in the United States you must use a CB specific radio, even if you are a licensed Ham operator, and use a seperate Ham radio for all legally licensed Ham transmissions.

Hope this helps

 

THANK YOU! I was going to say something about the legalities of CB operations using Ham equipment. Couldn't have said it better myself

 

FYI the Ranger RCI6900 is an export radio and is not approved for use by the FCC in the United States, so becareful with it, the fines can get ugly.

 

I did not know that...thanks

 

Nice thread guys and very interesting. I threw my last CB out the window over 25 years ago.

 

I've used CB's since the early 70's. I don't care about "bear reports", but I do use my radio to monitor traffic conditions. It's just a shame there is so much garbage on the airwaves.

 

I know a lot of folks who use HAM on CB... Just don't get caught.. IMO it's better.. Considering I will be running two ham radios.. One for rx/tx Skywarn Central and one for rx/tx NWS Fort Worth... Be one less radio to clutter my center area lol

 

And I'm not sure if the FCC really cares (about the little guy) so much anymore. The greatest risk is loss of license and future licensing... That said, IF your local rookie triangulates your BASE STATION position, your going to get a visit. I got a visit once--back in the day--but as a minor, there wasn't much they could do to me. They tried to make it hard on my dad, but old Arkansas boys like him don't take kindly to threats, so he helped the rookie to understand... The issue was "resolved" later over a few beers, and that was that. That was then... This is now! The US GOV/FCC may be a little edgy about these things in our post 9/11 world. I have no idea though.