Newbie question

[Mk121]

Hello,
How can I hear what my radio sounds like on transmit? I would like to actually hear for myself instead of just asking for a "radio check" over the air and seeing what people say. What piece of equipment do I need or can I use another cb I have laying around?

 

[The Jerk]

Talkback installed in the radio or some external speakers can give you talkback.

 

[space cowboy]

you can use another cb, no antenna with headphones has worked for me. or a police scanner, or a shortwave radio. I've used a webcam to record test broadcasts too. or have someone use your radio while you use theirs.

 

[Marconi]

121, welcome to the forum.

JMO, but for years I have had similar thoughts. However the idea of hearing your radio up close, as in using talk back, or using another radio without an antenna to receive...will of course work, but I don't think the quality or sound level (loudness) will be a true sound compared to what you probably sound like several miles off in the distance or across town, and for sure maybe farther away.

Most of us just have to consider that what others sound like to us is pretty much what we sound like on the other end. If you repeatedly have other operator's tell you they can barely hear you...then maybe you have something to worry about.

JMO!

 

[222DBFL]

You can use a seperate radio for your transmitted audio like stated, but like also stated, it may or may not truly be what you sound like to receiving stations. Different radios use different speakers with smaller or larger speakers, some have eq's, DSP, and other processing gear perhaps. Or they have the run of the mill cb radio speaker that normally sound about okay if that. Even external speakers can sound like shizz on some radios. Guess what I am getting at is what you may sound like on one guys station might be totally different than another guys. As long as the radio is on frequency and no one is complaining about your audio, you should be fine like said above. I've tried all of the above and the truest sound I got was being recorded by another station locally that I know has a good radio and speaker setup. I don't think talk back or even PA mode will help you know what you sound like TBO. But I could be incorrect. Maybe you could build yourself a simple RF sampling device and use in with a good speaker setup. May require some other gear as well I'm pretty sure, but that would be the best way to know I suppose, is to insert it after it leaves the radio. JMHO.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Talkback installed in the radio or some external speakers can give you talkback.

Talkback simply is an audio sample before the modulator section of the radio. It is in no way a true representation of what the final output may sound like. A separate radio with headphones would be the way to go however you have to bear in mind that a persons sounds different to themselves that to everyone else because we hear our selves thru bone conduction in the head. Ever hear a recording of yourself and say "That's not me".

 

[Road Squawker]

depending on where you are located/propagation,.... go here

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...o.com/&usg=AFQjCNFcYpJ_Cl-uyrHxFVy78iqpbM6HTw

 

[Mk121]

Thanks for the replies. I will try using another radio with headphones. So I just plug them into the ext. speaker jack and don't use an antenna?

depending on where you are located/propagation,.... go here

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB0QFjAAahUKEwjq5--4purIAhXGGT4KHSPvA1Q&url=http://www.livecbradio.com/&usg=AFQjCNFcYpJ_Cl-uyrHxFVy78iqpbM6HTw

I checked that website out. Thanks

 

[space cowboy]

Thanks for the replies. I will try using another radio with headphones. So I just plug them into the ext. speaker jack and don't use an antenna?

and start with the volume LOW if you like your hearing. feedback's a bitch.

 

[RatsoW8]

Just for fun I found a web SDR receiver in VA one evening and tuned around on 40 meters until I found an empty spot. I actually did hear what my station sounded like and my signal was S9 +20. It was interesting to try a few things and flip the amp on. I know now what my Yaesu sounds like on the air.

 

[BigKahuna]

If you're testing a mobile unit.

1.) Get a cheap walkie talkie CB or scanner that covers CB freqs.

2.) On a mobile device such as Ipad set up Ustream or Periscope account and aim your camera at the walkie talkie.

3.) Drive about 1-2 miles away and then turn on your mobile phone and tune into the broadcast.

4.) Begin broadcasting on your CB - then you can actually hear/see yourself on the radio in real time via the internet broadcast and can make adjustments to your audio accordingly.

Of course if you have a friend just tell them to Ustream video of their station and you can watch it live while you test (doesn't require the extra radio/ipad).

Talkback isn't really what you sound like on the radio, you need to actually be able to hear the broadcast through a receiving radio.

 

[space cowboy]

you can actually hear/see yourself on the radio.