Newbie Base Station Setup diagram

[will85w4]

Hello all,

I am brand new to the CB radio scene although I am under the guidance of a self-proclaimed semi-expert on the subject. Anyways, I am going to be receiving a President Washington 11m AM/SSB 40ch. Base Station here very shortly and will most likely be choosing an IMAX 2000 for my base antenna.

I have attached a quick diagram and a picture of my antenna mast that I will be placing the IMAX 2000 on top of.

Any suggestions, comments, or criticism welcome...

Thanks everyone...

will85w4

Edit: Purpose of radio setup is to attempt radio communication with my father in NW Washington (yes we have cell phones, internet, etc...but you all understand I'm sure...), I am in Southern California. Also plan on keeping logbook for contacts in DX land...

 

[Robb]

Should be OK they way you are setting it up.
It would be better to have the antenna on a 30 ft mast rather than a 10 ft mast. But I think you are off to a fine start this way.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[will85w4]

Should be OK they way you are setting it up.
It would be better to have the antenna on a 30 ft mast rather than a 10 ft mast. But I think you are off to a fine start this way.

Welcome to the forum.

A neighbor of mine is going to try and get me an old TV antenna that is about 20 feet tall. I'll have to remove the old elements on top and was told that if I go with that setup to run 3 or 4 guy wires for extra support to the top of the antenna mast.

 

[Robb]

A neighbor of mine is going to try and get me an old TV antenna that is about 20 feet tall. I'll have to remove the old elements on top and was told that if I go with that setup to run 3 or 4 guy wires for extra support to the top of the antenna mast.

An extra 20 ft with the 10 ft mast you have already - plus guy wires and a ~40 ft piece of coax - and you should do real well.

Don't buy/use cheap coax. I have always regretted using cheap coax. I may have regretted spending money on decent coax at first; but it was always the right thing to do in the long run.
Example: Don't buy/use Radio Shack coax.
It's Junk!

 

[will85w4]

So I've heard...thank you for the tips!

 

[BOOTY MONSTER]

you wont be able to talk groundwave from california to washington state . youll need favorable skip conditions for that and the odds of skip just happening to link your two locations will be random and definately not something you can plan ahead on . but it can happen........

having the feedpoint 10 feet off the ground will work , but as other said higher is better and you will definately notice a difference going another 10 or 20 feet higher . but you can add height (more mast) later and just be happy to be up and running for the time being .

and great choice on a radio !! those washingtons are great radios , they dont make them like that anymore .

 

[will85w4]

you wont be able to talk groundwave from california to washington state . youll need favorable skip conditions for that and the odds of skip just happening to link your two locations will be random and definately not something you can plan ahead on . but it can happen........

We can only try...I'm sure it'll be fun trying anyways...

I am also located in the Coachella Valley (Palm Springs area) and am located in the higher desert area in the valley, so I do have a little bit of elevation on the rest of the valley, however, with Mt. San Jacinto (San Jacinto Peak - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) at my doorstep, I hope it doesn't create issues.

and great choice on a radio !! those washingtons are great radios , they dont make them like that anymore

Thank you, thank you. I must say that it was my dad's radio. He just picked up an RCI 2950 and he knew I was in need of a good radio.

 

[BOOTY MONSTER]

the challenge of making the long distance skip contact is what makes it fun IMO . if it were as easy as talking local it just wouldnt have the same appeal . i do run a small amp when i need it though . i certianly dont make every contact i attempt , but i make enough to make me happy and keep me interested in the hobby .

i will admit though that if i had the money and location id run a AL80-B amp with a 8 element beam

 

[Moleculo]

Welcome to the forum.

You'd be surprised how much "skip" you'll be able to work with even a low antenna when the conditions are right. For local stations though, higher is generally better...to a ridiculous point.

 

[tshows]

the challenge of making the long distance skip contact is what makes it fun IMO . if it were as easy as talking local it just wouldnt have the same appeal . i do run a small amp when i need it though . i certianly dont make every contact i attempt , but i make enough to make me happy and keep me interested in the hobby .

i will admit though that if i had the money and location id run a AL80-B amp with a 8 element beam

Wouldn't we all if money was no problem and some of us didn't have those pesky neighborhood association covenants...

 

[BOOTY MONSTER]

some folks might like to have a 16 pill driving a 64 pill into a merlin .... or a big ol wizard box .

 

[will85w4]

Don't buy/use cheap coax. I have always regretted using cheap coax. I may have regretted spending money on decent coax at first; but it was always the right thing to do in the long run.
Example: Don't buy/use Radio Shack coax.
It's Junk!

Do you have a suggestion for coax? I saw another post of yours recommending to look online at Ham Radio Outlet...any specifics?
I am also on limited budget, so, the cheaper the price the better, but I still would like quality...

 

[n8fgb]

If you are on a budget, and only running 100 foot or les, try this stuff.RG-8X/IIA Jacket w/Foil (9092-Plus) from RFconnection
RF Connection Coaxial Cable
I run a kw thru without any trouble. And gropundwave does not esist on 11 meter, to high in frequency. If you want to talk to your dad on a regular basis, I suggest ham radio and 75 meter. Groundwave works good at night on that band.
Rich

 

[BOOTY MONSTER]

And gropundwave does not esist on 11 meter, to high in frequency.

ground wave definately does exhist on 11 meters aka the CB band . why in the world would you say it doesnt ?????

if youre not talking skip youre talking ground wave on 11 meters . how far we can talk ground wave is gonna be dependent on our local conditions , the strength of our signal and how good the ears/recieve of the other station is . ground wave communication on 11 meters/27Mhz/CB band can vary from just a very few miles (or less in very powerful skip conditions) to 100+ miles .


if money is tight i wouldnt be too concerned about the difference between good quality 8x coax and the bigger .405 stuff if youre running a 4 pill or less and shorter than a 100 foot run . if money isnt so tight , youre running big power or have a longer run then belden 9913F7 , times microwave LMR-400uf or davis buryflex would be my choices in coax . not all coax is created equal though and there is some poorly shielded crap out there .

 

[n8fgb]

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