SSB

[terminaltransco]

long time since last posts, hope everyone is well.

Was wondering if any of you guys out there still run SSB? (low or high, doesnt really matter) I know ch16 and 35-40 used to be used a lot, and have read on other forums that there are small groups trying to revive 16, was wondering if anyone on here monitors that channel. The increased distance is awsome, but obviously AM is wider used (especially for me, since I drive trucks!) But yeah, since I travel a lot I thought it would be cool to find out if anyone here monitors, and if so, what their 20 is, so if I'm in the area it'd be a cool way of meeting people on the airwaves.

current rig inventory

1-cobra 29 ltd classic, AM only, dependable backup,cranked up a little, but d11 limiter still intact
2-GE 3-5814B, AM only, currently awaiting my soldering iron for reapirs, very cool vintage rig I scored for 30 bucks, love its sound
3-Texas Ranger 296FGK, AM,SSB-she has some "fire in the wire" if you know what i mean...
4-just got a Galaxy 959 (company pays fuel, i get free points then at truckstops, after a year i got it brand new for only 50 bucks out of pocket) also AM,SSB. the only bad thing ive heard about it is that it can be less stable than the Texas Ranger, appearently its closest competitor....


as they say, 73 and good DX..

[44Dave]

I snarfed a Uniden Washington from eBay specifically for the SSB capability. Haven't had a chance to get an antenna stuck up yet :/
I'm not sure why SSB isn't a standard for all rigs these days.

[TacAir]

Oddly, I still run SSB. Really cool, I have talked with folks in Sweden, Oz, and Italy.

Lately, I find that running PSK as QRP is quite the challenge and fun too boot.

Welcome back to the board.

[44Dave]

On 11 meters?

[TacAir]

On 11 meters?

Oh no, low end of 20 meters, but SSB, not CW. An extra class ticket gives you a real shot at good DX.

[gary in ohio]

SSB is a modulation method and says nothing about the band/frequency your on. As noted it can be used on CB or on ham radio.

[44Dave]

SSB is a modulation method and says nothing about the band/frequency your on. As noted it can be used on CB or on ham radio.

Given the list of radios the OP has, I'm pretty sure he's only interested in 11 meters.
Closer to on topic (but not quite), why don't more people here have SSB capable CBs? There seem to be a lot of ZS people who have no interest in getting an amateur license so why aren't they maximizing the capabilities they do have?

[TacAir]

SSB is a modulation method and says nothing about the band/frequency your on. As noted it can be used on CB or on ham radio.

Given the list of radios the OP has, I'm pretty sure he's only interested in 11 meters.
Closer to on topic (but not quite), why don't more people here have SSB capable CBs? There seem to be a lot of ZS people who have no interest in getting an amateur license so why aren't they maximizing the capabilities they do have?

Simple, really and in one word.

COST

Single sideband radios, CB or other, are expensive. They need to have a very stable MO and a solid mixing scheme. Throw in a set of quality mechanical filters and it adds up to real $$$$ fast.

A 500 Hz CW filter made by Collins (Are there any other?) and you will drop about 250 USD. Granted these work in the IF chain, but still - woof.

I do see 10M SSB handhelds, it is unfortunate that they claim the 'bonus" feature of:

"actually can be set to one of 10 bands, which allows the radio to cover from 25.165 MHz to 29.695 Mhz in 10 kHz steps.

Pretty sure they are not type accepted for legal 11M operation. They are sold as 10M rigs, which says a lot right there.
At about 220 USD, it would be an OK deal for a ham handheld. It uses xtal filters and is known to suffer from master oscillator jitter...

In contrast - a used White Mountain SSB rig will give you the same power, uses less power and has better sensitivity. Build it yourself and you know to fix it.

Nothing against CBers, but that 'hobby' is all but dead. With the code requirement removed and a simple 35 question test as the only barrier, why not go with the Amateur Radio Service?

[terminaltransco]

SSB is a modulation method and says nothing about the band/frequency your on. As noted it can be used on CB or on ham radio.

Given the list of radios the OP has, I'm pretty sure he's only interested in 11 meters.---being a truck driver dictated my radio interest, I'd like to get into HAM, but not sure of what a mobile (non-handheld) rig would cost me any ideas on where to start researching?


In contrast - a used White Mountain SSB rig will give you the same power, uses less power and has better sensitivity. Build it yourself and you know to fix it.----definitly gonna check this out.

Nothing against CBers, but that 'hobby' is all but dead. With the code requirement removed and a simple 35 question test as the only barrier, why not go with the Amateur Radio Service?

shoot, i wish those obnoxious base station guys in NYC and other places would consider CB a dead hobby haha!!

[terminaltransco]

I snarfed a Uniden Washington from eBay specifically for the SSB capability. Haven't had a chance to get an antenna stuck up yet :/
I'm not sure why SSB isn't a standard for all rigs these days.

i agree, the only thing i can figure is the issue of stability? as in, AM is more stable? maybe someone with more experience can verify this, otherwise, yeah, why not just use the more efficient ssb? i dunno......those washingtons look nice, dont see much of those out here, seems galaxy and (stryker?) are the main units with SSB capability on the road.

[williaty]

I snarfed a Uniden Washington from eBay specifically for the SSB capability. Haven't had a chance to get an antenna stuck up yet :/
I'm not sure why SSB isn't a standard for all rigs these days.

i agree, the only thing i can figure is the issue of stability? as in, AM is more stable? maybe someone with more experience can verify this, otherwise, yeah, why not just use the more efficient ssb? i dunno......those washingtons look nice, dont see much of those out here, seems galaxy and (stryker?) are the main units with SSB capability on the road.

AM is cheaper to implement. Cheaper to implement means cheaper radios. Cheaper radios sell more. Thus AM stays the standard.

[crypto]

I do see 10M SSB handhelds, it is unfortunate that they claim the 'bonus" feature of:

"actually can be set to one of 10 bands, which allows the radio to cover from 25.165 MHz to 29.695 Mhz in 10 kHz steps.

Pretty sure they are not type accepted for legal 11M operation.

If I'm allowed to scratch-build and operate a radio made out of spare parts and throw it in an altoid tin, as long as it operates correctly, do I even need type certification for amateur radio?

Nothing against CBers, but that 'hobby' is all but dead. With the code requirement removed and a simple 35 question test as the only barrier, why not go with the Amateur Radio Service?

I'd say that theres more likely more CB's sold in the US than amateur radios, to be honest. The road-faring segment of the public has one in every truck, and those of us that like to avoid speeding tickets like them too

Speaking as someone who uses 2m, GMRS, and 11m CB, I have to say that using amateur radio is my least favorite thing to do in the radio world. I don't like the technical and bureaucratic entry barrier that keeps me from handing a radio to a friend, I dont like the wide prohibitions on what speech is and isnt allowed on the bands, and I certainly don't like needing to transmit my name and home address before beginning every conversation.

I like amateur radio as a tool to get a job done, but really dislike it as a hobby. I have the Internet for when I want to hear strangers talk, and the internet has much more interesting conversations.

[TacAir]

I do see 10M SSB handhelds, it is unfortunate that they claim the 'bonus" feature of:

"actually can be set to one of 10 bands, which allows the radio to cover from 25.165 MHz to 29.695 Mhz in 10 kHz steps.

Pretty sure they are not type accepted for legal 11M operation.

If I'm allowed to scratch-build and operate a radio made out of spare parts and throw it in an altoid tin, as long as it operates correctly, do I even need type certification for amateur radio?

No, but you MUST meet the technical specifications to run on the bands today - you wil note that most kits talk about how the finished radio - if correctly tuned - will meet carrier suppression etc and that spurious emissions are below X - and so on.

Nothing against CBers, but that 'hobby' is all but dead. With the code requirement removed and a simple 35 question test as the only barrier, why not go with the Amateur Radio Service?

I'd say that theres more likely more CB's sold in the US than amateur radios, to be honest. The road-faring segment of the public has one in every truck, and those of us that like to avoid speeding tickets like them too

Speaking as someone who uses 2m, GMRS, and 11m CB, I have to say that using amateur radio is my least favorite thing to do in the radio world. I don't like the technical and bureaucratic entry barrier that keeps me from handing a radio to a friend, I dont like the wide prohibitions on what speech is and isnt allowed on the bands, and I certainly don't like needing to transmit my name and home address before beginning every conversation.

I like amateur radio as a tool to get a job done, but really dislike it as a hobby. I have the Internet for when I want to hear strangers talk, and the internet has much more interesting conversations.

My dance with Ham radio began long before the interWebz was around - got my ticket in 1977 and into radio-electronics as a hobby in the late 60s.
It is truly a hobby for old men who have old men old habits - following rules, wanting to know the technology behind things and so on.
Make that a hobby for rich old men, actually. Even as a new ham I hated listening to OFs (old farts) who only seemed able to talk about their last doctors visit : P- like I cared.

Love the Web, on it a lot. But as they say, when everything else is out, I have the gear, training and expertise to push message traffic out of a disaster area - IOW, to be useful with my hobby.

It's a big world and there's plenty of room for everyone....

[KJ4VOV]

I do see 10M SSB handhelds, it is unfortunate that they claim the 'bonus" feature of:

"actually can be set to one of 10 bands, which allows the radio to cover from 25.165 MHz to 29.695 Mhz in 10 kHz steps.

Pretty sure they are not type accepted for legal 11M operation.

If I'm allowed to scratch-build and operate a radio made out of spare parts and throw it in an altoid tin, as long as it operates correctly, do I even need type certification for amateur radio?

As long as you're not trying to sell them commercially, no, you don't need your homebrew projects to be type accepted. But, as Tac-Air says, you still have to meet the technical specs.

[gary in ohio]

As long as you're not trying to sell them commercially, no, you don't need your homebrew projects to be type accepted. But, as Tac-Air says, you still have to meet the technical specs.

Not 100%... First anything you build for personal or commercial use must done using good engineering practices. Just because your on the ham bands does mean anything goes on home built. Second you can commercially sell a small number of items without part 15, but again must meet good engineering practices and those are up to interpretation by the FCC on site. You also much meet whatever bandwidth and spectral purity required for the band and mode your operating in.

[Boyscoutdreams]

11 meter sideband (CB) is very alive and well in Cleveland and a number of truckers come by on 38 LSB and talk to a bunch of locals. Ok,,, West side at least. Why more are not on it? I'd rather keep the "children" on the AM side of the radio so the "adults" can have cleaner more realistic conversations on SSB. Of course children and adult is a mater of maturity not age. Unfortunately there is a huge difference, but then I know a good sized group of hams that like getting on CB when they are letting their hair down.

[CREEPER]

My new toy: 



It's an RCI 2970N2 aka "the most "hated by HAMs" transceiver in the known universe.  

Does it operate on 11m (CB)?  
Yes.  It does after a one minute mod. 

Is that legal?  No.  

Will I care about legality if SHTF?  No. 

Do I use it to transmit on "true" HAM frequencies? No.  

Why is it illegal?  Simply because it'll do 200 watts on 12-10 meter and 11 meter's limit is friggin 4 watts.  

Why am I posting this here?  Beause I really dig 11m SSB. Mainly 27.385 LSB.  

Am I working on my tech class so I can use 10m legally?  Yes.  I should be ready within the month.

Why did I choose such a "hated" radio?  Because these are built to withstand the EXTREMELY harsh vibrations and jolts dealt by these CLASS 8 SEMIS.  Yes, I'm a truck driver.  They are also more easily repaired than lots of "brand A" HAM radios.  Tough as nails.  Period.  

Was this a strange post? Yes

Did it help me make friends?  Probably not.  

Do I care? A little, yes. 

[TacAir]

My new toy: 



It's an RCI 2970N2 aka "the most "hated by HAMs" transceiver in the known universe.  

Does it operate on 11m (CB)?  
Yes.  It does after a one minute mod. 

Is that legal?  No.  

Will I care about legality if SHTF?  No. 

Do I use it to transmit on "true" HAM frequencies? No.  

Why is it illegal?  Simply because it'll do 200 watts on 12-10 meter and 11 meter's limit is friggin 4 watts.  

Why am I posting this here?  Beause I really dig 11m SSB. Mainly 27.385 LSB.  

Am I working on my tech class so I can use 10m legally?  Yes.  I should be ready within the month.

Why did I choose such a "hated" radio?  Because these are built to withstand the EXTREMELY harsh vibrations and jolts dealt by these CLASS 8 SEMIS.  Yes, I'm a truck driver.  They are also more easily repaired than lots of "brand A" HAM radios.  Tough as nails.  Period.  

Was this a strange post? Yes

Did it help me make friends?  Probably not.  

Do I care? A little, yes. 

Don't get me wrong friend, I don't hate the radio. It is what it is.
The biskit bakers that intrude on 10 meters, well, then, that's an altogether different matter. However most are cleaver enough to mot run antenna tuners and soon disappear.

Keep the shiny side up good buddy.

Good luck on your license test, look forward to (maybe) hearing you (legally) on 10M when the band opens.

(Edit - if you don't mind me asking, what did the rig run ya? I will assume you got it at a truck stop)

[CREEPER]

I got it at a "cb shop". It was $425 converted. He wanted to "peak and tune" it with his GOLDEN SCREWDRIVER, and I told him NO! I do NOT want the mod limiter cut! I do NOT want a "swing mod" put in it! He couldn't believe that I ONLY wanted it converted. He said "I can get more power out of it that way!". I still insisted it be left alone. I've had all those mods before and they sounded awful on SSB.

But I can assure you, sir, that if you EVER hear me between 28.300 to 28.500, I WILL be legal.

[KJ4VOV]

I got it at a "cb shop". It was $425 converted. He wanted to "peak and tune" it with his GOLDEN SCREWDRIVER, and I told him NO! I do NOT want the mod limiter cut! I do NOT want a "swing mod" put in it! He couldn't believe that I ONLY wanted it converted. He said "I can get more power out of it that way!". I still insisted it be left alone. I've had all those mods before and they sounded awful on SSB.

But I can assure you, sir, that if you EVER hear me between 28.300 to 28.500, I WILL be legal.

Not on that radio you won't.

[CitizenZ]

Actually its a good little 10 m radio, and maybe the single cheapest HF SSB radio with a real VFO. That's a legit HF radio. Till you use on the wrong freq's. The whole point of CB is that is' a low power/qrp band. One guy pumping out hundreds of watts ruins it for everyone else. The limit is 11 watts SSB not 4. Your radio is about 6- 8 times more powerfull than a legal CB. In theory you could use a legal radio and a great antenna and do better, and stay legal. Also good antennas improve reception by the same amount, 200 watt amps do nothing for reception. "You can't work 'em if you can't hear 'em."

In case it's not clear, it is illegal to use that on CB, regardless of power.

[KJ4VOV]

Actually its a good little 10 m radio, and maybe the single cheapest HF SSB radio with a real VFO. That's a legit HF radio. Till you use on the wrong freq's. The whole point of CB is that is' a low power/qrp band. One guy pumping out hundreds of watts ruins it for everyone else. The limit is 11 watts SSB not 4. Your radio is about 6- 8 times more powerfull than a legal CB. In theory you could use a legal radio and a great antenna and do better, and stay legal. Also good antennas improve reception by the same amount, 200 watt amps do nothing for reception. "You can't work 'em if you can't hear 'em."

In case it's not clear, it is illegal to use that on CB, regardless of power.

Actually, it's illegal to even own under Part 95 rules, and it's illegal for sale in the USA. FCC has been raiding truck stop radio shops looking for these for the past six months, and levying some hefty forfeitures. And, you should know that any infraction of FCC rules, even outside of amateur operation, can result in the loss or suspension of any amateur license you might hold. Just FYI.

[CitizenZ]

No. It's not contraband. It is legal for us to own, buy and use... for amateur use. Not CB. Although it is a decent scanner for the band. For the price you can get a real ham radio with a lot better performance. Especially a better reciever from alinco or even MFJ. So there is no point. Except these guys who want to constantly one up what ever the system is. As if they are getting one over on "the man". It's Citizens Band. It's ours. Not the gov'ts. They don't care. We are the ones who suffer by not having a usefull CB band because of a few high power users.

I want to build a really big antenna farm on 11m. Maybe a big yagi or phased arrays. Run it off a legal CB and blast away these high power guys, and I would still hear the low power radios they can't hear. With 11 watts.

edit to add;
As for that radio, for the lowest cost HF radio, the 9750 is one of the cheapest that still has VFO. There's only 2 or 3 others in that price range. I wouldn't turn down a godd deal on one of those radios, and I can use it legally.

[CREEPER]

An ALL MODE cheaper than $425?? NEW?? Please, show me one! And again, I believe CitizenZ is right that it's illegal to sell it, but not to own it. I KNOW it's on the FCC's blacklist.

I'm really tired of the condescending tones, too. What's wrong with me using it on ten meter once I'm licensed? This is the kind of crap that drives radio enthusiasts AWAY from the Ham world. I agree that the cb band has gone to hell in a hand basket, but WHY do you Hams put me in the same category as the guys running 50,000 watts on 27.025?!?! Here I am telling you all that I've been studying for months to get my tech license, and I STILL get the "country club" attitude thrown at me. Will MY 200 watts PEP be illegal on ten meter between 28.300-28.500 just because it's not an ICOM or YAESU??

Yes, it's modded. Yes, it can be changed back by simply removing a plug. Why are y'all coming down so hard on me? I've seen guys on YouTube with YAESUs and ICOMs on 11 meter, and I can assure you they're not working it QRP-style.

I NEVER use it as a base. I do not even own a base antenna. ALL of my radio hobby stays in my truck. ALWAYS. So investing in a better antenna doesn't help my situation at all. You know what I did today? I LISTENED to CQ contests ALL DAY. Do you know how many interruptions I heard by "CBers" with 10 meter-capable rigs? ZERO!! I even video them sometimes and put them on YouTube so that the operator can hear his own rig thousands of miles away. But I guess receiving those transmissions should be punishable by death, huh?

About 10 years ago, I used to run a Galaxy DX99V and an 1800 watt "competition" amplifier. I had a blast on 26.915 for a couple years until the band openings came to a halt and eventually sold all my stuff. When the big bit me again, I decided to turn over a new leaf and stop being such an "outlaw" and go get my license. But why? So that I can have Hams with higher class licenses look down their noses at me?

Speaking of looking down the nose, just because I'm a truck driver doesn't mean I'm stupid, and I'd appreciate it if I weren't responded to as if I were. Its just not cool. Hams have always had my admiration, but the more I learn about the true HAM world, it's fanboys, an it's elitist attitude, the more my admiration dwindles. I thought the whole purpose of this forum was about emergency preparedness? SHTF? So I guess if I had CRUCIAL information that I needed to relay via my "blacklist" rig, I'd be totally ignored because I'm not in your club, and my rig isn't a YAESU? If 11m is such a plague, why does anyone even worry what goes on there? 99.999% of truckers I know NEVER stray off the standard 40 channels with their 10m-capable radios anyway! Oh, and tell your buddies at the FCC to stop looking in truck stops for those radios, because they're not sold in truck stops!!! "Big name" truckstops ONLY carry legal radios. Just because you saw a GALAXY radio in the Pilot truck stop doesn't mean it's a 10m rig! Galaxy has been manufacturing 40 channel radios for a few years now!

My 2970 has ONLY been modded for 11 meter because I need 11m as a truck driver. I rarely ever TX on channel 19. I do NOT have echo, talkback, or any modulation mods done to it. And I never will. I HATE that crap as much as you guys do. I thought the hobby was all about communication via radio waves. It was all about one radio receiving the transmission of another. What happened that changed that joy? Why did brand names and guys get involved? I bet 90% of the Hams in this world aren't happy with the way the Govt handles things, so why we're they so ready to be best friends with the "enemy" when it comes to the enforcement of "talking on walkie talkies"??

Here's one of my videos I posted on YouTube. Please watch it and tell me what I'm doing that makes you guys so upset.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPxW2jey ... ata_player


Y'all are making me question my efforts. I hope one day you'll find yourself with nothing but a 4 watt Cobra29 and a Firestick antenna on a Freightliner. Call for help, but no one will hear you scream.


73s and God bless.