Marine CB radios

[Forktail]

I'm not a radio buff. Does anyone make a good marine quality CB radio (waterproof, etc)? And are these on the same frequency as automotive type CB's?<br /><br />I've got VHF's, but want the CB for non-VHF type use while on the water.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Marine CB radios

The radios are the same. You may be able to get a "marine" version but expect to lay out the bucks. An alternative would be a zip lock bag and probably work just as well.

 

[Mumblerone]

Re: Marine CB radios

Take a look at www.icomamerica.com Have you considered FRS (Family Radio Service)? Great for a lot of things. In answer to you question; I have never seen a marine CB.

 

[Forktail]

Re: Marine CB radios

FRS wouldn't be a bad idea if I could rig an external antenna. I think the aluminum cabin would kill the range. <br /><br />Someone has to make a marine CB??

 

[ob]

Re: Marine CB radios

Don't know if you're looking for console models or not.Here's a site that carries some UHF CB radios.The hand held models are waterproof.<br /><br /> hand held waterproof CBs<br /><br />Here's another site that has a waterproof handheld CB.The Uniden 054A model is (waterproof)<br /><br /> web page

 

[Franki]

Re: Marine CB radios

In australia, we have 27mhz AM marine radios for close costal work and VHF for off coast stuff.. don't know about the US.. <br /><br />27mhz marine radios are cheap as chips.. about $50 each.. they are white an are generally identical to non marine radios in construction except mayby they have more plastic...<br /><br />but I guess 27mhz isn't used in the US??<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank

 

[Troy_from _Oz]

Re: Marine CB radios

being from australia too, I can confirm that we use 27MHz AM CB's for marine applications. However, in australia and new zealand, the marine frequencies used ARE a bit different from the standard car/4wd AM CB frequencies - even though both are in the 27MHz spectrum. If you use the car type CB's here, they will not me monitored by the local sea rescue groups, but as Frank said - they are quite cheap so its not a big expense to have one. You really need to check the RF spectrum standards in your local area though.<br /><br />Frank - I presume your $50 has been converted to US$ ?. Do you have an email address I could contact you on? I may be in the market for an new marine radio soon - so id like to pick your brains about cheap places to buy.<br /><br />Cheers<br />Troy

 

[Franki]

Re: Marine CB radios

Yes, I did convert to USD.... <br /><br />email is: "franki @ gshop.com.au"<br /><br />(I put spaces in to confuse the spambots, take them out before you use it.)<br /><br />Incicently.. here are the channels for use in Australia on 27mhz..<br /> 27.880MHz: Safety/distress frequency.<br /> 27.89, 27.90, 27.91, 27.96 MHz: Boat to boat communication.<br /><br />There are a ton of boat radio's around, the best quality for price is probably the uniden. it was $140.00 AUD..<br /><br />But you can certainly get cheaper..<br /><br />Don't buy a handheld AM CB.. you will have practically no range.<br /><br />Also, make sure you get it SWR'd in for the best range.<br /><br />rgsd<br /><br />Frank<br /><br />WACB

 

[y2jericho]

Re: Marine CB radios

I have the Small Console Mount uniden (with the speaker on the bottom and with the LED display on the front. one for about that price but it only has 10 channels i believe around 60 to 96 and the main one being 88 but till today i have only once heard someone talking on channel 88 in Botany Bay and i do have nearly 1.5m aerial for it<br /><br />

 

[y2jericho]

Re: Marine CB radios

I have the Small Console Mount uniden (with the speaker on the bottom and with the LED display on the front. one for about that price but it only has 10 channels i believe around 60 to 96 and the main one being 88 but till today i have only once heard someone talking on channel 88 in Botany Bay and i do have nearly 1.5m aerial for it<br /><br />

 

[bruoff]

Re: Marine CB radios

Hey Fortail, I'd just get a cheap, even Yardsale, CB. I've used one for years on a pontoon and it never faied. If you have a cabin, just mount it out of the "drip". With an aluminum boat you won't even need a marine antenna. Just find a moblie antenna that you like the looks of and mount it to the "tin" boat. You might want to check the SWR with a meter. Where are you located?

 

[Forktail]

Re: Marine CB radios

Thanks all. I think I'm going with a basic auto CB and using a marine CB antenna. The auto CB's are cheap, so I can change it out every couple of years if needed, and keep the good antenna. It's just for non-VHF jibber-jabber.

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: Marine CB radios

I have a hand held CB and as Franki says, it's good for listening, but not for calling. I'm cheap; is there an antenna I can attach to to increase the range?

 

[BigBabyLou]

Re: Marine CB radios

Capn Mike, if your handheld CB has a detachable antenna (most likely BNC or TNC), get an adapter for a PL-type connector and you can hook it up to any antenna with standard connector (mobile, magnetic, stationary). Been in the CB-land for long years. <br /><br />Hope this helps.<br />Lou

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: Marine CB radios

Thanks. It does have the removable antenna, and you're right, I should be able to find a connector.<br />Of course, this means: 1) buying a longer antenna and mounting it on my boat; 2) snaking the antenna connection cable from the antenna to near the helm where I keep the radios; 3) discovering that the CB is really useful, and then buying a CB to install next to the VHF. <br />It never ends does it?!!

 

[Boatist]

Re: Marine CB radios

Capn Mike<br />I hate to disagree but you can not use any antenna and just hook up the cable. You must either buy a 1/2 wave CB antenna usually marine, or if you get a 1/4 wave CB auto type antenna then you must tune the feed line by cutting cable to right length or tune the antena and reduce your standing wave to less than 2 to 1. For hand held radio's I would go for less than 1.5 to one.<br /><br />If you get the 1/2 wave Marine CB antenna it should be 50 ohm impedence and in this case can probably just cut the cable put on the connector to match your radio and have it work with a low Standing Wave ratio. I still like to check the standing wave just to be sure. I also check it on VHF radio and tune for chanel 22 but only makes a very small improvement.

 

[BillP]

Re: Marine CB radios

Hey boatist,<br />I've used a car cb with marine cb antenna for years as a backup and it works fine. Is the tuning you are talking about also done with the adjustable swr meter? I'm getting ready to buy new a vhf and cb so need some info from those who know this stuff.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Marine CB radios

BillP<br />CB radios with a marine CB antenna should work fine with no adjustment. Every marine antenna I have seen is a 1/2 wave and should work fine without adjustment unless the coax cable is shorted or something like that. However auto antenna most are 1/4 wave and must be adjusted for it to work right. In the old days (60s & 70s) if standing wave ratio (SWR) was too high would just burn up your transmiter. Today all radios since mismatch and shutdown transmitter to protect it but still no one can farther than you can shout. That why I posted as can not just use any CB antenna without adjustment. Also 1/4 wave antennas need a ground plane to work right, no problem on a car as have plenty of metal but on a fiberglass boat nothing to use as a ground plane without doing a lot of work. For me I always check the standing wave when done to be sure, on CB, Vhf Marine, Ham Bands or SSB Marine. I have fixed more than one friends problem caused by shorted cable. One put on a soldier type PL259 connector but used too much heat and melted center insilateor so coax shorted right in conector at back of radio. Another friend drilled a hole in a aluminum boat and ran wire thru hole to get inside then to radio. After a few trips to the ocean sharp edges on hole cut the wire and would short out every wave.<br /><br />For CB or VHF Marine if you get a 1/2 wave Marine antenna should work with no tunning. I do not think I have seen any marine antenna that were not 1/2 wave. If you have a Standing Wave Bridge (meter) check it anyway. Even with a 1/2 wave Marine antenna can tune the cable and make a small inprovement, I do this on the emergency channel and on the water. (VHF 16 or 22 and CB 9) One last thing You can not use a CB SWR meter on the VHF Marine band as most do work right at that high a frequency. Can Use a VHF SWR meter on the CB band.