Has anyone used CB's on a boat?

[mattttt25]

Re: Has anyone used CB's on a boat?

My boat has both VHF and CB radios. Many of the charter captains use CB to communicate between each other. They share hot spots without worrying that the entire fleet of personal boats doesn't hear it and come flocking. But to be honest, I don't even turn the CB on. But to answer your question, yes it's another option. But as others suggested, if you're going with one radio, get a good VHF and the highest antenna you can.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Has anyone used CB's on a boat?

Tuning the radio's output to the antenna reduces reflections measured as the Standing Wave Ratio (SWR). No SWR means no reflections, hence maximum signal went to and was radiated from the antenna.

Standing waves are just like waves (water) hitting a bulkhead. You have the initial wave and the reflected wave. As the reflected wave goes back out to sea it interferes with the incoming waves and makes peaks and valleys. I know, if you have ever been around the water you have seen this...the more the power (bigger the waves), the higher the interference.

Conversely, a wave hitting a sloping sandy beach just rides right up and dissipates; no reflections.

Electromagnetic waves are just the same. If you want to transmit max power and receive the weakest signal, you want the sandy beach. Antenna impedance, cable impedance, cable length, connectors and all can change the "match". Tuning (usually trimmer capacitors) will insure your rig is like the beach, not the bulkhead. Usually the radio is equipped with a trimmer adjacent to the antenna jack. Having tuning capability on the antenna just gives you more precise tuning range.

Go to Radio Shack and Get an SWR meter and read the directions. Tune for min SWR.

HTH

Mark

 

[dpslusser]

Re: Has anyone used CB's on a boat?

Tuning the radio's output to the antenna reduces reflections measured as the Standing Wave Ratio (SWR). No SWR means no reflections, hence maximum signal went to and was radiated from the antenna.

Standing waves are just like waves (water) hitting a bulkhead. You have the initial wave and the reflected wave. As the reflected wave goes back out to sea it interferes with the incoming waves and makes peaks and valleys. I know, if you have ever been around the water you have seen this...the more the power (bigger the waves), the higher the interference.

Conversely, a wave hitting a sloping sandy beach just rides right up and dissipates; no reflections.

Electromagnetic waves are just the same. If you want to transmit max power and receive the weakest signal, you want the sandy beach. Antenna impedance, cable impedance, cable length, connectors and all can change the "match". Tuning (usually trimmer capacitors) will insure your rig is like the beach, not the bulkhead. Usually the radio is equipped with a trimmer adjacent to the antenna jack. Having tuning capability on the antenna just gives you more precise tuning range.

Go to Radio Shack and Get an SWR meter and read the directions. Tune for min SWR.

HTH

Mark

Thanks for the info. DO you know of any manufature that makes a combination unit, CB/VHF? I think I found a Cobra unit, but im not sure. I see they sell combination CB/VHF antennas

http://www.ambientweather.com/ebmrf55.html

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Has anyone used CB's on a boat?

Sorry I don't. Been away from it for lotta years. Google search didn't get you any info?

Mark

 

[dpslusser]

Re: Has anyone used CB's on a boat?

Sorry I don't. Been away from it for lotta years. Google search didn't get you any info?

Mark

aaa. not really.