But for the real USB device, you can’t do more than 5 meters without active repeaters because of the 26 nS Acknowledging timeout delay of the transceivers. (26 nS = about 5 meters of wire).

Pass this delay, the USB tranceiver is already in the Timeout process when it receive the ACK from the other side.

I’m putting a radio back in my truck (Suburban, not a Jeep…but I love Jeeps and used to have one!). I’ll have to listen to Ch. 4. I get tired of ch. 19.

I have a CB on my GoldWing cycle…but listen mainly to 19 there to hear of traffic conditions…19 is really for truckers now and the lingo is a lot gone. Don’t hear “handles” much. They just call each other “driver” or Mack Driver, or “you in the red Peterbilt” And the truckers are quite civil about it all and pretty matter-of-fact most of the time here in Minneapolis.
Out in the rural areas when “19″ is less busy the conversations get more interesting.

Now when the band opens up…yikes…it’s hard to believe some of the operators are human or at least sane. And their over-driven radios sound like CRAP.
A wide variety of folks on CB to be sure.

I’m a ham radio operator too, but that’s different…and has it’s share of strange folks too. (me included maybe). CB has it’s place. It’s a good place for 4×4 drivers or any other group that needs to talk without the licensing hassle.

Don’t be afraid to buy the old radios! They are still fun and most were built well (but not all! ) The band is not crowded and 23 channels are plenty most of the time. When the band is open, 100 channels wouldn’t help anyway.

Get a good antenna, mount and ground securely and you’ll have a lot better luck than a mag mount or clip-on antenna. Guess you guys would want a secure mount anyway in the 4×4 world.

If your SWR is below 2:1, don’t worry about it! Even 3 to 1 is not bad.
Above that, you have something wrong. The difference on the other end between 2:1 and 1:1 is not noticable.

Have fun!

Loved your article and share the same idea as you. My husband and I too remember the good old 70′s and the fun with CB’s in the car club we belonged to. Recently we installed a CB in our Jeep so we can communicate with the Son’s jeeps when out together on outings. We will always use channel 4 or 16 to hopefully bring this back.

Antenna gain will probably help more. Amplification will help, but, you have to remember that when you amplify the signal (for receive), you also amplify noise. An antenna with better gain will do a better job at pulling in the signal.

I would first try your setup with good antennas (maybe 14dBi 2.4GHz yagis as they’re “cheaper”). See if that works. Then try the amplifier route since they can be pricey compared to antennas.

Tony

Will wattage help with tree penetration or it no help for near LOS or no LOS situations?

I’m in the same situation with a boat at a marina that I’d like to push wifi to from the house. Distance no problem, less than 3/4 mile, but trees are in the fresnel.

Thanks,

Eric

I’ll have to disagree here. I did not find anything in the FCC Part 95 rules that makes it illegal to own or sell a 23 channel CB. As long as the CB conforms to FCC Part 95 (Personal Radio Services) Subpart D (CB Radio), it’s ok to use them and sell them. 23 Channel CBs still use the same 23 channels that are in the 40 CB channel plan outlined in subpart D. Just keep it under 4 Watts (as most of them are, unless they were “peaked and tuned” at some point in their life). The only way to be sure that the CB is operating less than 4 watts is to use a power meter. A power meter for 11 meters can be had for US$10-$20 used on eBay.

73.

Kyle
K0KN