How can I boost my CB radio?

How many watts can a CB radio have?

CB Radio Power Output

The FCC allows a maximum of 4 watts of output power for CB radios to avoid signal interference with other devices, such as TV and emergency communication radios.

How far will a 4 watt CB transmit?

Transmitter power is limited to 4 watts in the US and the EU. CB radios have a range of about 3 miles (4.8 km) to 20 miles (32 km) depending on terrain, for line of sight communication; however, various radio propagation conditions may intermittently allow communication over much greater distances.

How many watts should my CB antenna be?

CB Antenna Wattage

Please note that we just wrote that all CB radios should not be pushing out more than 4 watts. Even CB radios with SSB have only 12 watts.

Are dual CB antennas better?

With antennas on both sides of your vehicle, you're much less likely to have large dead spots because the antenna system can "see" more. This is one of the primary reasons most 18 wheelers have dual antenna setups.

How to get more power from CB Radio

Does coax length affect SWR?

Coaxial Cable Length Does Not Change Antenna SWR.

How far will 25 watts transmit?

For example, a 25 watt marine radio will roughly have a maximum range of 60 nautical miles (111 km) between antennas mounted on tall ships, but that same radio will only have a range of 5 nautical miles (9 km) between antennas mounted on small boats at sea level.

What CB channel do most truckers use?

CB Radio Channels

Channels 17 and 19 are the two channels most commonly used by truckers; in some areas, those on north- and southbound roads use channel 19, while those on east- and westbound roads communicate on channel 17.

How far can a 10 watt radio transmit?

Thus the typical ranges with around 400 MHz frequency range with 1 W transmitter power are up to ~30 kilometers and up to ~80 kilometers with 10 W transmitter power.

What is the highest watt CB radio?

Welcome to the most powerful CB radio available, the Ranger RCI 69FFB4. Boasting over 400 watts PeP, this Ranger CB radio puts everything else to shame in terms of sheer performance.

How far will a 100 watt FM transmitter reach?

If an ERP of 100 Watt is used, it is very likely that 20 kilometers of range will be reached because a 100 Watt ERP is able to propagate a strong signal as far as 20 kilometers. If an ERP of 1000 Watt is used, it is very probable that the signal will reach 20 kilometers, and it will also penetrate eventual obstacles.

What is the longest CB antenna?

The 'Red Devil' is the longest Thunderpole base loaded mobile antenna. Its long coil and wide-band coverage make this a good choice for any serious mobile CB'er.

What 2 Way Radio has the longest range?

1. Motorola T470 2-Way Radios. The T470 is a powerful option from Motorola; it boasts an up to a 35-mile range, and it has 22 channels and 121 privacy codes to more easily stay in touch with your party.

How far do police radios reach?

Commercial radios like FRS/GMRS are advertised to have up to 30-40-mile range. The higher the wattage of your radio is will give you a boost in range respectively. Police radios operate in a 700/800 MHz UHF band. This gives them a considerable amount of range which is pretty good in urban areas.

What channel should I leave my CB on?

What's special about channels 9 and 19? Channel 9 is the universal CB emergency channel. In most areas, it is monitored by local law enforcement at all times, so please keep random chatter off this channel. Channels 17 and 19 are commonly used channels by truck drivers.

Do truckers still use channel 19?

Channel 19 is pretty much home base for long haul truckers. Line-haul drivers could be found on channels other than 19.

How far can 900 MHz travel?

The lower frequency radio waves of 900 MHz radios provide greater penetration through walls, trees and other obstacles, making it optimal for most non-line-of-sight applications. A typical AW900xTR Radio using high powered AW-15 15dbi antenna can go distances of up to 1500 feet with buildings and/or trees in the way.

How Far Will 6 watts transmit?

Some handheld radios have 6 watts which can reach up to 20 miles in the right conditions.

How far can an 8 watt radio transmit?

Most airband radios are 5 - 8 watts and typically have a range of around 200 miles.

What is the best length of coax for CB radio?

We recommend 18 feet of coax even if you don't need that much. If you use a length that is shorter or longer, you might risk having trouble achieving good SWR readings. Properly store any excess coax in a figure 8, about one foot in length, and bound in the middle- it should look like a long, skinny 8.

Do you need to ground a CB antenna?

Ground Your Antenna Mount

If you're using a standard CB antenna (i.e., anything except a no ground plane, or NGP, kit), you'll need to make sure your antenna mount is solidly grounded to the vehicle's chassis. A bad ground will result in an un-tunable antenna and sky-high SWR levels.

Is it OK to coil coaxial cable?

There's nothing inherently wrong with “looping up” extra coaxial cable. In fact, a neatly wound coil of coax can function as an air-core choke balun (“ugly balun”) which is useful for some antenna systems when located at the feed point of the antenna.

Is GMRS better than CB?

While VHF radio waves – including CB – typically travel farther in rural settings, GMRS's power advantage overcomes UHF's slight range disadvantages to give longer range in most scenarios. GMRS may work better in wooded areas, since UHF radio waves can easily travel through small spaces.