i dont really know where to post this in here or if it should even be in here but im wanting to know about cb's and linears if anyone can help me it would be greatly appreciated thanks in advance

 

Respectfully, I do. The the linear is illegal to use with a CB on 11 meters. I am a lisc. Extra class Amateur Radio operator, so will not assist you with such an equipment setup.

 

Bluegrass.... What is the legalities of using linears? We run linears in our hunting trucks. If we didnt, we wouldnt be able to talk to each other in the woods. What is "11 meters"? Is a regular CB radio 11 meters?

 

The FCC regulates the maximum power output for CB radio to 5 watts maximum. Anything above that is considered illegal. CB radio operates in the 26.965 - 27.405 MHz frequency range and 11 meters is a ham radio band that includes CB radio.

 

So what do we need to do to be legal? If we dont use the "Hot Box" then we would never be able to hear each other...

 

using a good antenna setup is the first and most important step and should give you some decent range - however due to power limitations and the atmosphere you can be limited with CB. I have been involved in some ham radio contests where I could hear people clearly several states away that were transmitting on only a couple watts with a VERY good antenna setup. There are many very good reasons the FCC places these sort of restrictions on frequency use because you may very well be interfereing with other users. (ESPECIALLY using modified equipment if not done properly or legally) If its that big of an issue I'd suggest either getting your ham radio license (I have a tech license - easy to get with no need to know morse code) which will give you access to better equipment, different frequencies and better range) or look into getting an FM radio setup on a commercial channel or something. We used commercial radios on our farm but I can't recall the steps you need to take to operate them, think you might need to apply for some sort of permit or something but you can look into it. There are many more options than CB but proper radio etiquette and compliance with proper fequencies and regs etc is very important! We do enjoy a lot of fredoms with radio usage in many areas and if the red tape gets you down - its important to know that in order to protect the priveledges we have on the airwaves and avoid MORE redtape is to play by the rules! Good luck and happy travels!

 

Thanks.... I only use the truck/cb about two months out of the year. Seems like alot of hassle to be legal. But I understand your point as well. I had everything in my truck (cb/linear/ equipment ect...) done at a local cb shop. So I assume everything is good to go as far as "set up right". We run "Low" channels, so will it still interfere with others?

 

Most every road driver in the trucking industry has a kicker(I am stretching the truth a little here).. If the FCC was all that worried about it they could write tickets and confiscate equipment all day today, tommorow, and for the next 5 years straight... That being said, if you want a 300 watt kicker. Just make sure you have somebody familiar with the setup to set the deadkey proper like. After you have your radio and linear setup right, then you need a proper antenna. A 300 dollar radio is only as good as your antenna. If you plan on spending 300 for the whole setup, then I would buy a 100 dollar antenna, 75 on the kicker, and 75 on the radio. The other 50 would be for the peak and tune, setting the deadkey for you @ approx 1.5 watts(depending on the linear), and setting your SWR's. You can get all this done at any CB shop. If you go ask the Ham guys they will give you the above responses.. They speak the truth above, but unless you want to put alot of "fire in the wire" you dont need to worry about it.

 

He didn't ask for help setting them up he just wanted to know about them. I think he got his question answered with out the help from an "extra class" licence holder.