Real CB Radios are side mic

[Handy Andy]

Didn't they tell you?

You know, I thought I was nuts but you fellas are nuts. Your imaginations crack me up but come to think of it maybe it's because I'm nuts too hahaha

Oh I wanted to caution those that pass by that may be reactive to allergens...

Ingredients:
CAUTION: Contains Nuts...

 

[Rebel Outlaw]

View attachment 47545

Hogged out the hole for the stud in the Pro-Comm T680 mounts so as to fit some beehives. Used a carbide cutter with a Wally World rechargeable drill that luckily had enough juice to do both sides.

Maybe these studs have little more flex to accommodate the new 7’ Skipshooters I picked up a few weeks back. (They are top heavy).

The previous set must have had 40-60k on them on three different trucks and one broke off at the ferrule recently. Always amazed me that it didn’t break while running the Llano Estacado (130-mph headwinds some days).

Bought a pair of 6’ also that served until now. A good backup pair.

The sensitivity I’ve come to expect is now back. The 6’ are fine, but the octane is too low to run a side mic 959, the 7’ get just far enough above the trailer to make a difference.

Moved the antenna feedpoint chokes in closer, and swapped back to a KL-203 for a cleaner cab. (Can be seen atop radio). The other amps are physically too big, overall. I couldn’t detect a performance difference that made them worth the hassle plus another 6’ of coax, etc.

Still need more RF Bond work. Doors, cab corners, etc.

View attachment 47546

Sitting at the famous LEE HI (T/A chain) in Lexington, VA, not far from both Interstates 64 & 81. Listening now to locals & regionals greeting each other as their day winds down (or their week has gotten underway).

I’m back to doing air checks at a significant distance. Easily.

On into District of Columbia traffic tomorrow.
I know y’all are jealous not making that ride!

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Nice set up, looks good. Did you have to modify the overhead compartment to fit the radio? There are always compromises except a side mic radio(the rest can not compete)!.
Are the skipshooters the best for the truck because they are top loaded? Have you ever tried the trucker’s version SIRIO? I understand that if something works good, why change it?(just curious). It’s nice to see that I’m not the only one that’s very picky about installations.
73

 

[Slowmover]

Nice set up, looks good. Did you have to modify the overhead compartment to fit the radio? There are always compromises except a side mic radio(the rest can not compete)!.
Are the skipshooters the best for the truck because they are top loaded? Have you ever tried the trucker’s version SIRIO? I understand that if something works good, why change it?(just curious). It’s nice to see that I’m not the only one that’s very picky about installations.
73

I added latest work here versus lengthening t680 thread past what it should be. So your questions answered there in more detail.

— Overhead console had face plate and slide contraption removed. (See pics that thread).

— Top load antennas versus center load for this application.


Side Mic: where only custom-fit will do.

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[Slowmover]

A Mobile Radio Performance Formula Re-Capitulation:

1). Side Mic Galaxy DX-959b.
2). West Mountain Radio CLEARSPEECH DSP Speaker.
3). RM Italy KL-203 amplifier.
4). Palomar Engineers coax chokes (or equivalent).
5). Skipshooter 7’.
6). Fat 1/2’ ID snap-on ferrite with radio power cord wrapped multiple times.

That antenna, in that length. (See discussions of shootouts with 102”, etc)

Use a 102”. Or a Signal Engineering GoldenRod 45. Or another VHQ extra-tall antenna if not a custom-length Cowtown Antennas Predator.

I run the Kenworth antenna system to a height just short of 14’. Recommend near that height for any mobile. (Atop my pickup a 7’ would be 13’ height).

5’ antenna minimum okay for GP. But one wants 7’ or more if at all possible for highway running, IMO.

Versus more amp juice to compensate for a shorter antenna (include RF Bonding in that as “quiet” is a major concern). I’m showing 13.98V at engine idle, and 13.70V on DK — less than .5V — with a 44’ power circuit of 6-AWG (system below 20A maximum possible draw).

Keep that draw low with a lower output amp. Today’s vehicles worse for big amp/12V power concerns. (See those discussions). I can’t find a benefit to using above 100W once the 7’ Skipshooters are installed (pulling a 53’ van).

— All six component categories have their own discussions. Plenty of meat on the bone to see WHY the decisions other men or I have made (thanks, WWDX).

I’m now close to matched ranges with TX & RX.
(Combined ranges beyond what nearly every experienced man believes mobile CB can do).

**Hear, and Get Heard**
The performance goal, IMO.


Side Mic to rule them all.



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[Rebel Outlaw]

I added latest work here versus lengthening t680 thread past what it should be. So your questions answered there in more detail.

— Overhead console had face plate and slide contraption removed. (See pics that thread).

— Top load antennas versus center load for this application.


Side Mic: where only custom-fit will do.

.

Thanks Slowmover, I will read the t680 thread!
It makes sense to have a top loaded antenna specially if you run a dry van trailer or a reefer opposed to a flat deck or low bed(overall height comes into play as well). Have to admit that side mic 959 looks good day or night in the truck(real radios have side mics and knobs).
Nice

 

[midnight special]

wow what a lot of reading,, always had a thing for side mikes i guess ,, my favorite though is a tram d 62, it is sidemike and red channel leds... which i like too,,,,i have a couple of cobras with side mikes and red leds,,,,

 

[Rebel Outlaw]

I added latest work here versus lengthening t680 thread past what it should be. So your questions answered there in more detail.

— Overhead console had face plate and slide contraption removed. (See pics that thread).

— Top load antennas versus center load for this application.


Side Mic: where only custom-fit will do.

.

Hey Slowmover, obviously there is a side mic in this truck!
Fully tricked out Pete 359, it sure does make a statement!

 

[Eldorado828]

View attachment 47559
Hey Slowmover, obviously there is a side mic in this truck!
Fully tricked out Pete 359, it sure does make a statement!

Has to be an Australian rig! They've got some big guns when it comes to their hauling so it makes sense that it would be loaded out with a side mic! Thinking 98vhp would match well

 

[Rebel Outlaw]

Has to be an Australian rig! They've got some big guns when it comes to their hauling so it makes sense that it would be loaded out with a side mic! Thinking 98vhp would match well

Yeah, you are probably right 828

 

[NightThumper]

Get a side mic radio NOW or you’ll end up a crazy/angry old man

 

[lonestarbandit]

Too late.

 

[Slowmover]

The Life

Up at 0300 for an 0400 departure from central South Carolina. Shipment receiver is 200-miles up Interstate 95 in North Carolina with an 0800 appointment.

A pre-dawn weekday with miles of road construction past Fayetteville/Ft Bragg, morning rush hour traffic and forecast mild weather up ahead. (Mid-60s with no rain). ETA is a minimum of three hours.

— Set several tractor cab controls for night-running.

— Set radio to High Tone, ANL in, and max RF Gain + zero Squelch.

After delivery, run back south 80-miles to have the trailer washed out and perform personal errands at the truckstop prior to a next-morning re-load and 1,300-miles in a little over 48-hrs back to Texas.

Don’t let external stressors drive energy too low.


Side Mic DX-959: the lucky charm that wards off what would have been surprises.


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[Handy Andy]

That Leprechaun is reaching...
Not for the Stars, but that Side Mic Radio
so he can talk to the Stars!
​

 

[r carl]

I think MMM runs a side mic 148GTL

 

[Slowmover]

I think MMM runs a side mic 148GTL

That’s not a question, is it? What other type could he possibly run?

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