Series 2 – Ep 5 – Aerials / UHF

Still working on my handle but … breaker, breaker … got your ears on? I’ll back it down and hope you copy, because I need some big ears as my chopped top isn’t doing it for me. Don’t want to go the big mama so I shot the breeze with DJ Cruise. He had some forty-fours before cutting loose.

Translation: Still working on my CB name but … I’d like to start a transmission on a channel … have you got your CB/UHF on? I’ll slow down and hope you get this, because I need a strong, clear signal as my short stubby aerial isn’t doing it for me. I don’t want to go to a big, very tall aerial, so I had a chat to Chris Blakemore. He had some kind remarks before signing off.

So … basically I needed some advise on boosting the signal on my portable UHF radio, maybe an external aerial, I went to Chris for some advise and here’s our conversation.

Installation was easy (even for me), Chris wanted to do it, but I just had to have a go, he could always fix it.
He did however remind me to run the cable through the firewall before attaching the connector, as if I needed reminding!
I found a suitable entry point prior to running the cable, jumped under, well … squeezed slowly into a position under the dash to check final positioning of cable and handset (hoping I could get out), planned my installation and away I went. I mounted the aerial on the front roo bar, using cable ties as I went, making sure no moving parts would be inhibited. Cable through the firewall on the drivers side and time for connection.
This is where my high tech knowledge worked a treat, I jumped on Google and found this …
https://www.gme.net.au/media/1707991/general-land-antenna-installation-instruction.pdf
How easy is that (again … even for me)! I attached the small converter cable Chris makes and all good … I thought.
Slight panic set in for a moment when I turned it on and tested. Is this where I use my CB lingo, breaker, breaker? Or would it turn out I was indeed a breaker, breaker and not connected things properly? I opted for “anyone available for a radio check?” No reply, what have I done! Settled down and realised I was in a corner of my carport, surrounded by metal and obstructions … onto the road I go.
Again “anyone available for a radio check?” and bugger me a guy in Crafers (Adelaide Hills) came back. Considering I live just 5km west of Adelaide and he was at a lot higher altitude than me, the 24km distance wasn’t a problem.

My job here is done!

Chat soon, over and out, Andrew Kennedy

The following channel information was found on UHF CB Australia web site http://uhfcb.com.au/Home.php
Note Channels 10, 18 & 40