The K.I.S.S. Principle and Transceivers – Part 3, by Tunnel Rabbit

9 Comments

1. Good info and resources!

2. I remember back in the day with my first set of tires running up and down the West Coast on a major freeway quite often. I got smart and added a cheap $40 CB to my truck and wired it into the truck speakers – cuz as a kid, in their first wheels, your truck speakers have to be amazing (or that was just me). Anywho, that CB saved me time and frustration so often I can’t count.

   I’d come ripping down the freeway to a traffic jam, flip on the radio, figure out where the jam was and take side roads around it. I always felt sorry for the poor saps stuck on the freeway with no idea how far ahead the jam was, or how to get around it. Also, always have a good map to figure out alternative routes.

   This was my lesson that radios aren’t just for when the world blows up. They are for when your personal world blows up. Having that small ability to communicate makes a massive difference.

   Just a side note – at the time of my first rust bucket I still had a cheap cell phone. No way that would have helped me figure out the jamb – unless people start waiving their cellphone #’s out the window. Even with modern apps like Waze I have found those aren’t always accurate as well. CB gives you real time information as you work the line ahead of you. Tip: know your location so when Rubber Duck and PigPen announce that mile marker 85 is where the pile up is you know how far back you are and where to get around. Remember to flip the favor backwards when you clear past the issue – that’s why we call them COMMS!

   Radio is a tool that has a very useful purpose. But just like modern phones, they don’t fix every problem (sorry kids). Thank TR for teaching us how to use this tool!

   1. That is good story to tell as it reminds us why truckers still use CB and other radios. Although the range is usually limited, it is enough to be essential for truckers. It could do the same for a community. A limited range can also be a good thing in that it keeps the conversation local. FRS/GMRS hand held could serve in the same way. I would have a CB even if I would only listen. If someone has a problem, or needs some information, they can crowd source by putting out there on the air to see if any one knows how to fix a problem, or has a spare cup of sugar. An inexpensive CB can bring people together to help each other. I have two boxes of old CBs, and FRS/GMRS radio to hand out just for this purpose. I also have extra Boafengs for trusted persons who could be another set of eyes and ears. Every radio out there could be used to alert the community. This why a scanner is so important. I’ll listening not to emergency services for traffic that indicates unrest.

      Although the FCC has not for decades enforce laws on the books pertaining to CB’s and freebanding, given that the FCC has stated recently, that it is a against the law to use *any* radio service to communicate for the purposes of subverting the government. Currently the FCC does not have the resources to enforce as it once did, however they might be funded, and weaponized in the future, and used to target certain groups. In recent years even law abiding and patriotic Ham’s have already been reported by their fellows, targeted and shut down. The First Amendment is dead, and soon they leave us with no other options. Using low power radio limits the audience as does off the beaten path radio frequencies, and uncommon SSB, and other modes such as FM or AM, and DMR. Directional antennas can greatly reduce the audience size for longer and short distances. It is all about reducing who hears us, yet always assume that somebody will be listening. MURS does not restrict some one from using codes, or to wit, even digital modes, and the same might be true about CB. CB can also be used to ‘hide in plain sight’.

      We are entering a new era in radio that makes radio as essential as our firearms. Hams and others should hide some of their gear. Having a license as well as a record of credit card purchases, in effect registrars our capability and equipment. If we cannot communicate, as in shoot, move and communicate, then we cannot coordinate a defense. I am a cash and carry kind of guy myself, and I never have it all in one basket. Eventually as I see it, they will suspend or revoke Amateur license, as Commies usually do when that take over. Even during WW2, Amateur radio was suspended. If we are forced to go off the beaten path, have options.

      1. If anyone would remind us of FCC regulations, yes, please do, yet keep in mind that they intend to move their censorship into all avenues of communication, and will use spies everywhere to find any communication that could be associated with activity they suspect might subvert their tyranny. Evidence to support their claims could be flimsy at first, and then become outright lies. The mere suspicion could land us in jail. This is where I and others see this going.

         And if they can’t get the guns, as a prelude to war, they might go for the radios, or repeaters, especially Amateur repeaters. The first thing a military force does before it attacks is to cutoff the command and control (communications). They can also do this with jamming. By having a broad access to the radio spectrum, it makes jamming less effective. In some situations, at least hypothetically speaking, we can also use high powered radios and directional antennas to block the jamming signal, and to over come the jamming. Military jamming equipment can be propositioned, and operated remotely.

         Of course, living in a remote area in Red state, could mitigate this risk for awhile. Eventually they will declare war against states, or regions of the U.S. that will not turn in their guns, or otherwise comply.
         https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/1364591708206432256

         Glenn Greenwald:
         It took only two years to go from disappearing Milo and Alex Jones to banning content said to “amplify narratives that undermine faith in NATO.”
         Imagine where the line will be two years from now.
         Censorship is an intoxicating power that endlessly expands until it’s smashed.

         https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/1364591708206432256

3. Good advice about CB radios. Sometimes the inexpensive radios show up at Yard or Estate Sales. A person should be able to ‘hear’ if the radios still works.

   The CB radio is a ‘stand alone’ type of radio, that could be powered off of a car battery. People might be able to talk to relatives during an emergency. [Texas just had a big power outage]
   Of course with limited channels, the ability to talk during the daytime would be limited. Mostly likely, people could set a time in the middle of the night to talk to relatives. Even just a ‘beep’ code could be used to provided some secrecy if needed.

   People need to develop some alternatives to standard communication systems. There seems to be a concerted effort by many of our government leaders to isolate people from each other. Many influential people also seem to want people to hear only ‘their’ version of the news.

   I use to take a CB Radio along when traveling on the road. I knew, I could contact a Trucker in case of an emergency. … Sometimes I would listen to the conversations. [There is ‘road’ news that was instantly provided. Otherwise, just the talk of lonely truckers, away from home.]

   The way things are going, a CB radio might be a source of ~needed local news. [Speculation]
   But, a CB radio is a ‘stand’ alone radio; powered by the car battery, that can be used in case of emergencies. They’re relatively cheap too, and easy to use. It also seems as though, our Electrical Grid is being designed to periodically fail.

   1. Yes, an inexpensive $40.00 CB on an inexpensive antenna that has just a mile or two of range could make a world of difference as one would be able to listen, if not participate in a neighborhood ‘party line’ of sorts. CB, FRS, GMRS, and MURS should be in our scanners, and I would have at least one of each of these radios to connect with my neighbors. There is safety in numbers, and if you are in the right neighborhood, we can contribute to the safety of the neighborhood, and find neighbors who we might barter with. I will set up and promote a neighborhood network if one does not naturally spring up. They may not even know my name or where I live as I can work through a proxy. Each neighbor can at least act as a sensor for intelligence if they have some one to talk to. I will be listening.

      1. Some of the smaller hand held CB radios permit a ~specified longer antennae to be attached. … Too long of an antennae, and the ‘amp’ draw is too much for the CB radio. when ‘pressing/using’ the send button. (It will burn-up the circuits)

         For my handheld CB radio, I used a 3′ foot magnetic antennae on my truck, while on the road. … I could send and hear. … The Internet says I could expect 3 to 4 miles of range. … I had an 8 foot antennae, at home, for ~just listening. My small radio would ‘burn-up’ internally, if I tried to use the ‘send’ button. … “Dang it, I shouldn’t pushed the send button. It would be a $50 mistake” … I put the 8 foot antenna on top of a basketball hoop, and improved the reception substantially.

         Like any antennae, placing the antennae at a higher elevation would increase the range of reception. The allowable length of the cable was a determining factor. … I could place my magnetic antennae on top of the truck cab, and improve performance. Unfortunately, while traveling, wind résistance would push the magnetic antennae off the cab.
         I ended up, placing the magnetic antennae on a toolbox in the bed of the truck.

         As an example of ‘elevation’ and how it improves television antennas. In the old days, I remember, the cities became a ‘forest’ of very tall television antennas poles. … It improved the reception for free TV.
         … … Plus, even now days up the mountains, there are people, hiring a tree climber to climb 60 or 80 feet up a pine-tree and install a television antenna or ‘satellite’ dish.
         [The elevation gives ‘clearer’ and better reception; especially for the dish antenna. No blockage of the signal.]

         In my trailer-park home now, there are dish antennas placed on the roofs of the trailers. Some places have two old dish antennas. There’s a dish and direct antenna; Plus, sometimes a ‘free’ TV antenna too.

         1. Yes, ”height is might”. See Parts 4 and 5 for more. What also constitutes a ‘good’ antenna for receiving and transmitting, is whether or not it is ‘resonate’. If one buys a CB antenna, it may or may not be tuned as well as it should. It is always best to test an antenna after it is been installed. Having on the tool box of a truck is probably not a good idea because the metal of cab could reflect some of the ‘raydio’ waves back into the antenna and mess up it;s ability to radiate. Somewhere in part 3 or 4 is a link to an $20.00 SWR Meter that could test the antenna.

            1. It seems it would be difficult to find a place on a metal-truck that didn’t have a lot of metal nearby, to attach an antennae with a magnetic base for attaching the antennae to a metal object, that ‘holds’ a magnet,

               Good thing my old Honeybunch wasn’t too ‘hep’ to characteristics of CB Radios. … She might have insisted, I stand in the Truck Bed, and hold the antennae aloft, like the Statue of Liberty holding aloft the Torch of Liberty. … Of course, while NOT knowledgeable about CB Radios, as a woman, Honeybunch was ‘hep’ enough NOT to say anything to the Truckers traveling the road.

               Honeybunch preferred listening to the AM/FM Radio, anywho! Unfortunately, often the bigger-half is too Rude and Crude for everyone in the better-half of the Human Family.

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