Mobile cb radio used as a base station?

[nepaaircomms]

I was wondering if it is ok to use a cb mobile radio as a base station? I'm not sure about hooking up a base antenna to the mobile radio, if it will overload it or anything. Also, is it better to buy a mobile radio that runs at 150 watts after tune up or just buy a lower watt radio and use an linear? Any help would be appreciated.

[103mass]

i use a mobile radio as a base station. and it works great doesn't take up alot of room on the desk..
it is sometime more easy to have a radio like 2970dx that has a built in amp .. one less thing hooked up..don't
have set radio to amp ...but!!!! if the 2970dx breaks down no amp no radio .. but 9 times out of 10 both way's will work out fine
hope this helps

[Alabama Redneck]

I know quite a few people who run mobiles as base stations. they just get a good base antenna, a power supply and a small amp to put on it, and away they go a talkin. havent heard any of them complain about the rx or tx on it yet, and i know from hearing them they get out pretty decently. just my 2 cents worth

[Grump]

Well I'll really get you going i had a base as a mobile along time ago a pearse simpson pussycat 23 that was both so yeah just get yourself a good power supply that can handle what you want to use and the normal stuff like antenna and coax and you'll be set.

[Goldhawk]

I was wondering if it is ok to use a cb mobile radio as a base station? I'm not sure about hooking up a base antenna to the mobile radio, if it will overload it or anything. Also, is it better to buy a mobile radio that runs at 150 watts after tune up or just buy a lower watt radio and use an linear? Any help would be appreciated.

Lots of people use mobile radios on their base stations. You hook it up the same way you would a base station only you need a power supply to run the mobile radio.

[Turbo-T]

Yep been told a base station is really a mobile with a built in power supply.

[SmallTruckBigRadio]

Wow, Good answers above.

You could even do a small power supply for a small mobile, and then when you get ready to do an amp, get an amp that is set up for AC power. Connect the coax and you'll be ready to go. Just make sure the output of the mobile is in the right wattage range for the input of the amp.

The antenna, coax connections, and airwaves don't care whether they are connected to a mobile (small box), or a base (big box).

Also, having a power supply that you could run a little high on the 12 volt side could give the mobile a little extra punch. Car batteries do 12 volts, with the engine running the alternator kicks it up to 14 volts, and some power supplies can be cranked up to 18 volts or more. That could mean an increase in the mobiles power output. Check with a technician about the radio you are running to see what the safe upper voltage limit should be.

You can also use whichever microphone you want too. Either handheld or a desk mount. You could even get one of those fancy ones on a movable arm. I know one guy that uses the same microphone type that elvis presley used, and he runs an amp that he purchased from an old AM radio station. That is the best sounding CB station I've ever heard in my life.

[madsage]

I was wondering if it is ok to use a cb mobile radio as a base station? I'm not sure about hooking up a base antenna to the mobile radio, if it will overload it or anything. Also, is it better to buy a mobile radio that runs at 150 watts after tune up or just buy a lower watt radio and use an linear? Any help would be appreciated.

Every Base Station i've ever seen has the same chassis as some model of mobil. My Cobra 2000 is a 148GLT for instance with pretty box and power supply.
Same with the Galaxy Base stations they are typicaly some model of an RCI mobile. Using a mobile as a base will save you room on your desk, allow you to place your Power supply where you want, and also run mobil amps off choice, same can be said for the base stations too however. Make sure you have plenty amperage for the radio. I would recomend 20amps for most mobiles. But dont cut yourself short if you want to throw a mobile amp in line too. use a 100amp which allows me to run radio and 6pill.

the 933 RiffRaff
In the stickers

['Doc]

Nothing new in this, just a different way of saying what's already been said.

The primary difference between a mobile radio and a base radio is how the thing get's it's power. That's it. Sure, a base radio can be a bit larger, have some extra features/'doo-dads', etc, but that's true of anything. The recent trend has been for radios that require 12 volts to operate, not quite as many with AC power supplies built in. I think that's because there are so many other things that require some sort of power supply, that not building one in is cheaper for the manufacturer. Certainly not true in every case, but probably is for most of them, sort of. Especially since the current trend is toward miniaturization. Nothing wrong with miniaturization, but after a certain point, it's kind'a dumb, ain't it. "I don't care if it'll fit in a thimble, how do you change the @#$ channel?", sort of thingy. Why not a cell phone on a 'party line'? It slices! It dices! It makes 'curly' fries just like 'Arby's! AW Right, I need one'a them!
- 'Doc


(That last part won't make any sense to you unless you got some age on'ya.)

[Part Time]

I have use nothing but mobile radios as a base radio. It hooks up to a base antenna just the same. Just don't use a mobile antenna and you will do fine. As far as a 150 watt radio, you will need to make sure that you have a big enough DC power supply to run the radio. Or you can just get a smaller radio, smaller DC power supply, and yes run a linear. Most of your heat then will be at the amp. If you go that route, I would end up getting an actual base amplifier then instead of a mobile amp and a power supply. You just kind of have to compare the cost really. If all you want to do is run about a 150 watts, then a sufficient power supply and a Connex 4600 Turbo would be a good combo, maybe not the most cost efficient. You would have to defiantly do some browsing first and check your homework before buying. Good luck!