Decisions ... decisions ...

[Loudmouth]

Hope I am posting this under the correct topic ....

I would like to get back on the airwaves and have been doing A LOT of surfing the web, and A LOT of reading (mostly in this forum). I want a system for my pu truck that will really get out there and sound good, but not require a super elaborate installation and/or mods to the truck. I have pretty much decided on a SWP General Lee from RA, but have a few questions ... hopefully they aren't too stupid .. or too many ..

1) How important is having a Frequency Display?
2) What exactly does the "10KHz switch" do for you?
3) What exactly is "Talk Back", and how does on/off compare to variable?
4) Would I have to run all sorts of grounding straps on my truck like I have been reading about, for a 46-52 watt PEP radio like this?
5) If I want more power, is there any advantage to just getting a higher powered radio verses adding an amp to this radio?

I guess that's enough for now... I also have questions about my choice of antennas, but I'll post them under "Antenna Questions".

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

THANKS!
LM

[Rocky Mountain Oyster]

Welcome Loudmouth. This is the place to ask that question. I am running a SWP general from RA. It has a 636L mic and a wilson 1000 on a mag mount on the roof. It is a great talker. I run the power from the battery direct, + side that is, and the ground to the seat bolt. The only noise filter I use is a power cord one that I got from RA. I talk to my wife on the base regularly at a distance of about 22 miles. She tells me that it sounds like I am in the back yard. I put a freq. meter (digital) on the radio, plugs in, and it helps with knowing where you are. Great radio, greater workmanship from RA, and wilson does the rest. oh yea, it's on the roof of a F-150

[GOTA Go]

I also have SWP General from Mike and I am very pleased with it. I also use it to push an East Coast 3 pill. Just call Mike and tell him what your needs are and what you want to spend. He will fix you right up. Also I have heard a lot of good things about Sparkys as well.

[Phaze91460]

Freq Display: Cool to have but un needed. Better if you are using the radio as a base and talking long distance however the General Lee does not have a external adjustment to change freqs anyway.

10K switch: goes back to the old days. Some channels have an "in between" channel that is "10K" off on the freq. Using it you can talk to someone else who is using it as another channel. Ok if you want to talk on a semi private chan that not many ppl will be using.

Talk Back: A option that allows you to hear yourself talking on the radio speaker. Good to some extent to hear how much echo you are running but not good to have on all the time. Variable is not needed unless you are trying to listen to your self all the time. Turn it on and set the echo and turn it off again. Best thing I have found anyway is to talk to a buddy and have him help you adjust it. Radio allways sound different than the talk back would lead you to believe.

Grounding: Read the section on grounding in the introduction to radios area. Vehicles are grounded but not grounding designed for radion RF. A General Lee will work without the extra grounding but you will find that grounding your vehicle better will give you better RX and TX even with out a amp.

More Power: General Lee has a lot of power. If you want more, buy an amp to kick it up. The more power you have the more complicated things become. A good Dave Made 2 pill amp from RadioActive Radios or a 2 pill from East Coast amps would kick your power level up to a very effective range for local or DX work. Using a 2 pill does not require additional power like higher amp alternators or larger batterys ( But those are nice ). General Lee is a good platform for adding an amp later but if you go to higher power radios, like ones with built in amps, you might find they dont work well adding amps onto.

[bosshog]

Hope I am posting this under the correct topic ....

I would like to get back on the airwaves and have been doing A LOT of surfing the web, and A LOT of reading (mostly in this forum). I want a system for my pu truck that will really get out there and sound good, but not require a super elaborate installation and/or mods to the truck. I have pretty much decided on a SWP General Lee from RA, but have a few questions ... hopefully they aren't too stupid .. or too many ..

1) How important is having a Frequency Display?
2) What exactly does the "10KHz switch" do for you?
3) What exactly is "Talk Back", and how does on/off compare to variable?
4) Would I have to run all sorts of grounding straps on my truck like I have been reading about, for a 46-52 watt PEP radio like this?
5) If I want more power, is there any advantage to just getting a higher powered radio verses adding an amp to this radio?

I guess that's enough for now... I also have questions about my choice of antennas, but I'll post them under "Antenna Questions".

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

THANKS!
LM

1:not a necessity but it does help you know where you are, especially when on other bands.

2:it will jump you in between channles...example...channel 19 is 27.185 but if you were to flip the switch it would put you on 29.195...to where channel 20 is 27.205

3: talk back allows you to hear your self through the speaker of your radio. it is really helpful when adjusting your echo levels but other than that i think its annoying (MY OPINION)

4: No but it sure wouldn't hurt to add some more ground straps to your truck. you don't have to go all out but i would make a loop. body to frame, frame to block, block to battery


5: the advantage is that if you don't want the power(......IE........talking to someone in another Mobile that only a few feet away.) you don't have to use it. running lots of power that close to someone could burn a radio up at worst, but most commonly sounds like crap and is all gargled. the advantage is with a separate amp is you could just turn it off and talk "Bare Foot".


and the choice with the radio is a good one. i have a General Lee in my semi and am very happy with it. i prefer it over my cobra 200 witch is doing 160 PEP, but goes down to the whole power thing again. if i get to close to someone i start to get distortion in my radio.

i hope this helps you, if it doesn't and you still have more questions don't be afraid to ask..



and WELCOME TO THE FORUM

[Maverick]

Hello Loudmouth,
1) For an AM/FM Radio like the lee, a freq counter really isn't important, but for ssb, it's a must.
2)the 10kHz switch really just adds channels, the 11mtr frequencies aren't all spaced the same and have gaps, so this lets you access more channels between some channels.
3) talkback just amplifies the modulator section and puts it thru the speaker so you can hear what you sound like on the air. Variable is preferable, on/off is fine too, but watch out for some radios that don't let you turn it off without doing a mod.
4) No, you should'nt have to
5)I'd stay with a dual final radio, when you get 100+wPEP radios, it really limits the options you have in amplifiers.

[bosshog]

damn Phaze you beat me to it.

[Phaze91460]

lol, looks like we were all on the same track

[Loudmouth]

YOU GUYS ROCK!! That was some quick and informative responses right there. I think you've all answered about the questions I had. But raised one new one.

So .. the Gen Lee is NOT SSB ? What are the 240 channels then?


Only other thing I want to find out before I place an order is if there's a "GOOD" shop around here that could do the install for me. But I don't suppose youz guyz would know that, not being from here in Rhode Island. I'd do the install myself (and probably will), but it's pretty cold here right now, and I don't have a garage, unfortunately.

Thanks again for all the help! I'll check ya later ...

LM

[Phaze91460]

Channels: Mode, AM Band A = 40 channels
Mode, AM Band B = 40 Channels
Mode, AM Band C = 40 Chennels
Mode, AM Band D = 40 Channels
Mode, AM Band E = 40 Channels
Mode, AM Band D = 40 Channels
Mode, FM Band A = 40 Channels

I think you get the picture. On the General Lee the CB Channels is Mode AM, Band D, Channels 1-40

No it does not have SSB. I have never had a contact on SSB and I own 3 radios that do it. For a mobile I wouldnt worry about it.

I'm in GA and RI is one of the few states I have never been in. No help on a shop there. One thing that might work though is to find a stereo install shop ( Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. ) and see if they could install it for you. Worst case, see if one of their guys wants to do it on the side.

[Loudmouth]

Thanks Phase, I guess the more I learn, the more I realize I don't know. I guess SSB is nothing to be overly concerned about then.

[4600 Turbo]

Thanks Phase, I guess the more I learn, the more I realize I don't know. I guess SSB is nothing to be overly concerned about then.

ssb is great for talking skip.

I've talked to Hawaii, Jamaica, Carta Jenia Columbia. on SSB, to mention a few. So don't over look ssb so fast. It a fun way to use your radio.

But atlas I don't have ssb on my current rig. So I'll shut up for now

[Loudmouth]

ssb is great for talking skip.

I've talked to Hawaii, Jamaica, Carta Jenia Columbia. on SSB, to mention a few. So don't over look ssb so fast. It a fun way to use your radio.

Someday I'd like to play around with skip, and try to reach out to some cool places, but I see that happening on a base station more so than driving around. So I don't think I need SSB in my mobile ... for now anyway.

Thanks for the info ...

LM

[jessejamesdallas]

IMO...SSB is a joke in a Mobile anyway, unless your parked somewhere. On allot of mobile radios, the SSB will want to drift some, and your always trying to fine-tune in the stations your listening to...This is hard to do, while driving!

But as for as skip go's. You can talk anywhere in the country, and over-sea's, with a regular AM CB! You will need a high quality antenna, very well tuned, and a amp will help you get herd in DX. (Skip is often referred to as "DX")

A 102" Whip antenna, will work fine for talking skip, or some of the Large Open type Coiled antennas, like the Predator 10K.

But regardless of how much power your running, or what kind of radio. If the antenna is not tuned properly, you may as well be using a old coat hanger for a antenna.

[muthatrucker530]

SHOOT, RA. Now that is a radio. I have owned two of mike radios. I still have one. You wont get a better comment, period........................He is the man when it comes to service. I have one word for mike..

PASSION

A man who loves his job, not many of us can say that.

[Loudmouth]

Thanks Jesse, I'm convinced I don't need the SSB for now, which really has made choosing a radio easy. I'll be calling Mike soon to order my SWP GL, and everything else I need to get it talking. I just have to decide what antenna to go with. I have posted in the "Antennas" section what I think my options are. Just waiting for some feedback on that. If I can figure a good way to stick a 10K on my truck, where I can still take it down when needed, then I'll probably go with that. I've heard a lot of good stuff about them. This forum ROCKS! You guys ROCK!

Oh and .. thanks Muthatrucker ... I've heard nothing but good stuff about Mike. I can tell he's really busy these days, but I'm in no rush ... and I can tell it will be worth the wait.

LM

[Loudmouth]

Channels: Mode, AM Band A = 40 channels
Mode, AM Band B = 40 Channels
Mode, AM Band C = 40 Channels
Mode, AM Band D = 40 Channels
Mode, AM Band E = 40 Channels
Mode, AM Band D = 40 Channels
Mode, FM Band A = 40 Channels

Hey Phase,
I tried like heII to find out what the other 160 AM and 40 FM channels are, but am still at a loss. Can you please enlighten me?
Thanks,
LM

[Shaft]

and the ground to the seat bolt.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! NOT THE SEAT BOLT!


Aaaaaah. I feel better now.