I'm one of the many who came to amateur radio via CB, and for many years after I got my ticket, I remained quite active on the CB bands, before they (particularly 27 MHz) went dead.

However, today, aided by social media, CB in Australia is undergoing a bit of a revival. People are dusting off their old gear and/or buying online, and CB is making a comeback. There is even a Facebook based DX group that issues callsigns to group members who request them (actually, we request the callsign and the admin records it in the official list). From what I am reading, 27 MHz, despite ordinary propagation is regularly alive with signals. I'm yet to setup my CB station - have to obtain an antenna, but have a couple of good radios to use.

Is anyone else seeing a CB revival in their area? To me, it seems to be part of the general 80's retro trend that is also reviving BBSs, 8 bit computers and old gaming consoles. :)
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Vk3jed wrote to All on 05-02-18 15:08 <=-

Is anyone else seeing a CB revival in their area? To me, it seems to
be part of the general 80's retro trend that is also reviving BBSs, 8
bit computers and old gaming consoles. :)

Our revival came and went already here in the northeast US (at least in NJ). There are still a few around but the days of BIG power are gone. There are still a few keydowns, people with exorbatent amount of money that take an older Chevy Suburban, convert it into a rolling linear powerhouse (some that have enough power that would make an AM radio station blush). Me, I peak out at about 1000 watts due to the electronics in my pickup. Don't want to go frying any modules.


--

Bill

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... Look Twice... Save a Life!!! Motorcycles are Everywhere!!!
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Bill McGarrity wrote to Vk3jed <=-

Our revival came and went already here in the northeast US (at least in NJ). There are still a few around but the days of BIG power are gone.

Our revival is national in scope, and backed by social media.

There are still a few keydowns, people with exorbatent amount of money that take an older Chevy Suburban, convert it into a rolling linear powerhouse (some that have enough power that would make an AM radio station blush). Me, I peak out at about 1000 watts due to the
electronics in my pickup. Don't want to go frying any modules.

While a number of CBers did and do run linears, the bog power you see in the US is not evident here. The majority run stock CBs, power wise, with or without some "extras". Those who do run amps are most likely to run 50 - 200W.

I haven't got my (27 MHz) CB gear back up yet, but I will be running a stock radio with no mods. I have a couple of GME (Aussie brand) TX-840s that I can fire up, which are 40 channel AM/SSB CBs.


... It's best to be judged by twelve than carried by six.
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Tony,

While a number of CBers did and do run linears, the bog power you see in the V>is not evident here. The majority run stock CBs, power wise, with or without V>some "extras". Those who do run amps are most likely to run 50 - 200W.

Years ago, I bought a book at the now long gone (for all intents and purposes) Radio Shack, on CB Radio, plus all the 10 and 12 codes. One of
the 12 codes I remember most is "Can't receive you...a bird pooped on my antenna". <G>

Daryl

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Vk3jed wrote to Bill McGarrity on 05-08-18 09:31 <=-

Bill McGarrity wrote to Vk3jed <=-

Our revival came and went already here in the northeast US (at least in NJ). There are still a few around but the days of BIG power are gone.

Our revival is national in scope, and backed by social media.

11 meters is still fairly popular in the entire US but as I said, there are some who take it a step 'further'. Granted, it's not as popular as it was in the 70's but the desire is still there.

There are still a few keydowns, people with exorbatent amount of money that take an older Chevy Suburban, convert it into a rolling linear powerhouse (some that have enough power that would make an AM radio station blush). Me, I peak out at about 1000 watts due to the
electronics in my pickup. Don't want to go frying any modules.

While a number of CBers did and do run linears, the bog power you see
in the US is not evident here. The majority run stock CBs, power wise, with or without some "extras". Those who do run amps are most likely
to run 50 - 200W.

I'm sure most who run power are within city limits there as they are here. It's an ego thing... key up, want to be heard no matter the costs. It's all against the law... :)

I'm sure 50-200w in the outback works out pretty well, especially when the sun spots give you that extra bounce.

I haven't got my (27 MHz) CB gear back up yet, but I will be running a stock radio with no mods. I have a couple of GME (Aussie brand)
TX-840s that I can fire up, which are 40 channel AM/SSB CBs.

I'll be working on the truck soon now that the weather is getting nice. I have the upgraded wires for the new radio and will probably bring the 'kicker' in for a tuneup. :) Still not sure on setting up the base.

Enjoy!!



--

Bill

Telnet: tequilamockingbirdonline.net
Web: bbs.tequilamockingbirdonline.net
FTP: ftp.tequilamockingbirdonline.net:2121
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Radio: radio.tequilamockingbirdonline.net:8010/live


... Look Twice... Save a Life!!! Motorcycles are Everywhere!!!
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Daryl Stout wrote to VK3JED <=-

Years ago, I bought a book at the now long gone (for all intents and purposes) Radio Shack, on CB Radio, plus all the 10 and 12 codes. One
of the 12 codes I remember most is "Can't receive you...a bird pooped
on my antenna". <G>

I remember the 10 codes, though they were frowned upon here. Those who used them were known as "Good buddies" (or "Good budgies" in Aussie lingo), a derogotory term for those who used American style jargon. I had never heard of the 12 codes, though there were 9 codes here, used by one emergency monitoring group.

Budgie is short for budgerigar, a native bird, and CBs are also colloquially known as "budgie boxes" among some hams (who often have one setup). :)


... I am not conceited! I just hate mortals.
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Tony,

I remember the 10 codes, though they were frowned upon here. Those who used V>them were known as "Good buddies" (or "Good budgies" in Aussie lingo), a V>derogotory term for those who used American style jargon. I had never heard V>the 12 codes, though there were 9 codes here, used by one emergency monitorin V>group.

The joke around here is that some repeater software, on October 4th, identifies as "10-4". Can you say "good buddy???" <G>.

Daryl

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05-09-18 07:51 Daryl Stout wrote to VK3JED about Re: CB revival?
Howdy! Daryl and Tony,

@MSGID: <5AF30D1D.277.vk_qso@capitolcityonline.net>
Tony,

I remember the 10 codes, though they were frowned upon here. Those who used
them were known as "Good buddies" (or "Good budgies" in Aussie lingo), a
derogotory term for those who used American style jargon. I had never heard
the 12 codes, though there were 9 codes here, used by one emergency

onitorin

group.

The joke around here is that some repeater software, on October 4th, identifies as "10-4". Can you say "good buddy???" <G>.

In the early 1970's I drove 150 Miles to a Ham Radio store to buy a Radio.

When I walked inside I saw CB Transcievers and Amateur Radio gear on the shelves.

While waiting for a Clerk I noticed a LED Digital Clock on the counter that flashed the Time for a second or two and then showed 04 10 on the dial.
It did this over and over and over.........

I thought the 04 10 was some reference to something about Citizens Band.

After buying my Radio I looked at the Invoice and noticed the Date was
April 10th. DUH!

Yes!, I am that dense.

During that same portion of the 1970's I heard two new Technicians on the
2 Meter Repeater who had became friends on 27 Mc. Citizens Band.

They would occasionaly say "Ten Roger Good Four Buddy" because they knew
of some Amateurs who used that Repeater didn't care for CB'er at all, so
they would say things like that over the air to poke fun at the Older Hams.

If it wasn't for my passing the Novice Test in June of 1958 at 16 years old
I probably would had jumped at getting a CB Permit when I turned 18.

I was introduced to Shortwave Radio Listening in 1953, and a relative of
mine told a neighbor about my becoming interested in listening to my friends Hallicrafters S-38D, and the neighbor said he had an old Radio to give me.

So I became a SWL when he gave me a Midwest AM-FM-SW Radio.

I spent hours and hours listening to Berne Switzerland, Ham Radio Operators
and anything else that I could tune in.

I bought a Hallicrafters S-38E a little while after I took the Novice Test
so I would have a radio that I could copy CW with, the Midwest Radio wasn't good on the CW Bands.

The day I bought it and got it home I turned it on to listen to 75 Meters
where I knew the local General Class Hams rag chewed.

As I was listening I heard someone I went to High School with and called
him on the Telephone to tell him I was listening to them talk.

When he got off the phone with me I heard him tell the others on the
frequency "LID Vance got a Shortwave Radio today".

About half an hour later the Mailman came by our home and someone said there was a letter for me from the F.C.C.

It had my KN4ZIQ Novice License in the envelope, so I called my friend again with the news that I got my License, and he told the others about that.

Until I got my Transmitter I occasionally asked some of my school friends
if I could come to their QTH and learn to make a QSO.

It was about four months after I got my license I built a Heathkit DX-40
AM-CW Transmitter.

I wanted to get the DX-40 instead of the DX-20 "in case" I passed the General Test and could use it on AM later.

73 de Ed W9ODR . .


... Geriatric Hymns: "Give Me The Old Timers Religion"
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Daryl Stout wrote to VK3JED <=-

The joke around here is that some repeater software, on October 4th, identifies as "10-4". Can you say "good buddy???" <G>.

ROFL! :D


... The nicest thing about growing older is that it takes such a long time.
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Tony,

The joke around here is that some repeater software, on October 4th, identifies as "10-4". Can you say "good buddy???" <G>.

ROFL! :D

I'm just glad October doesn't have 100 days -- now, that would be
really crappy (hi hi).

Daryl, WX1DER

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Ed,

After buying my Radio I looked at the Invoice and noticed the Date was EV>April 10th. DUH!

Yes!, I am that dense.

I had a "gray blond moment" today, taking my Mom and myself out to
early vote, and to Sonic for lunch. A Visiting Nurse does actual
physical care at times during the week...but, otherwise...I do all of
her driving, shopping, banking, bill paying, computer work, appointment scheduling, phone calls, etc. The roles are reversed, she did so much
for me growing up, it's the right thing to do, and it's more the
exception than the rule nowadays.

But the "idiot moment" came when I was driving her car with us heading
toward lunch at Sonic (I loved their crushed ice drinks), and I thought "Where's the key for the car?? I had it on my wrist when I left the
polling place!!". Then, it hit me -- it was in the ignition, while we
were driving down the road...I felt so stupid. :P

I spent hours and hours listening to Berne Switzerland, Ham Radio Operators EV>and anything else that I could tune in.

I remember when we lived in the Miami, Florida area (before we
moved to Arkansas)...late at night, we could pick up WSM AM 650 and the
Grand Ol' Opry from Nashville, Tennessee.

About half an hour later the Mailman came by our home and someone said there EV>was a letter for me from the F.C.C.

When I first read that, I thought "Uh oh!! Pink Slip!!". :P

It had my KN4ZIQ Novice License in the envelope, so I called my friend again EV>with the news that I got my License, and he told the others about that.

It took nearly 7 weeks after I passed the Novice and Technician
Written exam at the end of Field Day, 1991, at the Little Rock, Arkansas chapter of the American Red Cross, before my license and first call,
N5VLZ, arrived in the mail. I held it until June, 2009, nearly 2 years
after I had upgraded from Technician to General in 14 days, and General
to Amateur Extra 13 days later, with Ham Test Online...that was 5 months
after the FCC got rid of the Morse Code requirement for U.S. Ham Radio Licenses. The new call was AE5WX, because Skywarn Storm Spotting was
what got me into ham radio. Then, just after the Christmas Day snowstorm
in 2012, where Little Rock got almost a foot of snow, I changed to
WX1DER, which I hold to this day.

I wanted to get the DX-40 instead of the DX-20 "in case" I passed the Genera EV>Test and could use it on AM later.

My upgrading wasn't so much to get on HF...but to become a Volunteeer Examiner (VE)...to give and grade license exams in central Arkansas.
Several years ago at a local hamfest, they were begging and pleading for
VE's. The last time I operated HF was 20 meter HF railroad mobile on the Arkansas And Missouri Railroad Troop Train, along the former Frisco line between Springdale and Fort Smith, Arkansas...a video of it is on
YouTube. When I'm on the air now...mainly for nets every night of the
week...I have one packet (via telnet) net, 3 Echolink Nets, and the rest
are D-Star or D-Rats Nets...which is what I use most often. Right now, I
can't get excited about DMR, for whatever reason.

Daryl, WX1DER

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Bill McGarrity wrote to Vk3jed <=-

11 meters is still fairly popular in the entire US but as I said, there are some who take it a step 'further'. Granted, it's not as popular as
it was in the 70's but the desire is still there.

10 years ago it was pretty dead here, but the influence of social media has brought a lot of people back to the band. :)

I'm sure most who run power are within city limits there as they are
here. It's an ego thing... key up, want to be heard no matter the
costs. It's all against the law... :)

I've seen a fairly even scattering here, in the old days.

I'm sure 50-200w in the outback works out pretty well, especially when
the sun spots give you that extra bounce.

The outback is an amazing place for propagation. Haven't done much 11m there, but 20m goes like a rocket - throw uo a bit of wite, add 100W and work the world like it's in your backyard. And domestic propagation on 80-20m is not bad either.

I haven't got my (27 MHz) CB gear back up yet, but I will be running a stock radio with no mods. I have a couple of GME (Aussie brand)
TX-840s that I can fire up, which are 40 channel AM/SSB CBs.

I'll be working on the truck soon now that the weather is getting nice.
I have the upgraded wires for the new radio and will probably bring the 'kicker' in for a tuneup. :) Still not sure on setting up the base.

I'll start with the base. Already got enough radios and antennas on the car, not sure where I would put a 27 MHz whip, though I could put a switch between the HF rig and the CB to share the HF antenna, which, conveniently, is a full size 1/4 wave whip (I run an auto tuner on ham HF).


... Have you checked your smoke detector batteries & Fire Ext, LATELY?!
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Daryl Stout wrote to VK3JED <=-

I'm just glad October doesn't have 100 days -- now, that would be
really crappy (hi hi).

LOL


... Typographers rule, OQ
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