i'm fairly new to the world of CB radios. my friend has one and got me
interested, and i also liked the fact that i can get a PA system
through one. i'll jsut throw it out there, what are some suggestions
for a CB radio? i want one with PA capabilities. i also was wondering
if yall had any speaker ideas, i know you need amps for some and i
didnt know what kind of wattage requires an amp? i'm also interested
in getting a police scanner, is it posible to get a combo or do you
have to buy them separatly? Do i need any special kind of antena or a
license to use a CB radio?

Any suggestions and help would be awesome!

Thanks
-davis

"pigeek" wrote in message
ups.com...
i'm fairly new to the world of CB radios. my friend has one and got me
interested, and i also liked the fact that i can get a PA system
through one. i'll jsut throw it out there, what are some suggestions
for a CB radio? i want one with PA capabilities. i also was wondering
if yall had any speaker ideas, i know you need amps for some and i
didnt know what kind of wattage requires an amp? i'm also interested
in getting a police scanner, is it posible to get a combo or do you
have to buy them separatly? Do i need any special kind of antena or a
license to use a CB radio?

Any suggestions and help would be awesome!

Thanks
-davis

A CB radio should come with its own (primitive) built-in speaker. Using a
better speaker which plugs into it improves audio performance, but is not
necessary to hear the output.
My CB radio required a 12 Volt adapter for the wall (Radio shack told me the
13.8 V adapter was the same thing, and it worked. So, shows you how much I
know.) You can use a cigarette lighter adapter for your car, too.
Yes, you will need an antenna. I thought Radio Shack was trying to scam
me -- but he really wasn't. This thing has a hard enough time receiving
audio even with an antenna. However, I am in the mountains, and am inside
of a building, which probably doesn't help. You can buy the antenna you
want at Radio Shack. (And possibly on Ebay, but be careful about what you
buy.)
You do not need a license or certification to operate a CB radio if you live
in the United States. You do not need to be a certain age to operate a CB
radio.
I don't know about police scanners. I just bought a primitive radio from
radio shack, which was -exclusively- a radio with mic.
-Mindraker, Western North Carolina

Mindraker wrote:
"pigeek" wrote in message
ups.com...
i'm fairly new to the world of CB radios. my friend has one and got me
interested, and i also liked the fact that i can get a PA system
through one. i'll jsut throw it out there, what are some suggestions
for a CB radio? i want one with PA capabilities. i also was wondering
if yall had any speaker ideas, i know you need amps for some and i
didnt know what kind of wattage requires an amp? i'm also interested
in getting a police scanner, is it posible to get a combo or do you
have to buy them separatly? Do i need any special kind of antena or a
license to use a CB radio?

Any suggestions and help would be awesome!

Thanks
-davis

A CB radio should come with its own (primitive) built-in speaker. Using a
better speaker which plugs into it improves audio performance, but is not
necessary to hear the output.
My CB radio required a 12 Volt adapter for the wall (Radio shack told me the
13.8 V adapter was the same thing, and it worked. So, shows you how much I
know.) You can use a cigarette lighter adapter for your car, too.
Yes, you will need an antenna. I thought Radio Shack was trying to scam
me -- but he really wasn't. This thing has a hard enough time receiving
audio even with an antenna. However, I am in the mountains, and am inside
of a building, which probably doesn't help. You can buy the antenna you
want at Radio Shack. (And possibly on Ebay, but be careful about what you
buy.)
You do not need a license or certification to operate a CB radio if you live
in the United States. You do not need to be a certain age to operate a CB
radio.
I don't know about police scanners. I just bought a primitive radio from
radio shack, which was -exclusively- a radio with mic.
-Mindraker, Western North Carolina




Well first let me suggest that you find a local Ham Radio club and learn
some read radio electronics. Any ham will be more than glad to help you.
You can find your local club at: http://www.arrl.org .

Now as to your situation. You were not scammed or lead astray by your
Radio Shack sales person. The 13.8 volt power pack you got is exactly
correct. An automobile when running produces 13.8 volts of power to
charge the car's battery therefore all electronics produced to operate
in a car uses 13.8 volts. In fact 12 volts will under power most devices.
Most higher frequency receivers require an outdoor antenna placed as
high as you can safely hang it. There are many good sources of equipment
that you shouldn't have any problem getting equip. Check advertising in
the various magazines. One good source is "Amateur Electronic Supply":
http://www.aesham.com . They have CB equipment in addition to ham and
the salesmen are excellent sources of accurate information.
As to licensing. In the US and it's territories and possessions no
license is requires for CB radio. For Amateur Radio you do need one. Of
course no morse code is required anymore. Just some multiple choice
questions.
Finally, in the mountains at CB frequencies you need a clear and high
antenna to get any signal.

Good luck and ignore the idiots on the band.

Dave WD9BDZ
former KBH1602