I picked up a Midland 3001 CB for a tenner a couple of days ago. Untested. From a local second hand shop.

Was pleasantly suprised to find it actually works, after connecting it up to a 12 v adaptor. Unfortunately, I don't have any antenna for it, and spent a bit of time this evening experimenting connecting it to the TV aerial in the loft. However, just static across all 40 channels. I'm not sure if this is the antenna not being suitable, or a complete lack of people on CB radio! (By the way, this is in Dorset UK).

A few quick questions for someone almost completely new to this:

1. What is the general chat channel? What is the emergency channel? Any others of interest?
2. Can I make my own antenna out of any old bit of wire? On the back of the CB is a 1/2 inch screw fit jack for the antenna, with a central female port. With a homemade antenna, is this a case of a long wire connecting these two parts (i.e. the female port and the outer threaded part).

(My previous experience of CBs was in the 80s, where my childhood friend had one in his room - he had an approx 3 ft commercial aerial in the loft of his bungalow - nothing very sophisticated - but we had people from probably a 2 mile area+).

Hoping the answer to these questions is not "CB frequencies have now been reassigned for 5G" or something dreadfully depressing like that.

THanks!


Dial-Up Nights BBS
01202 929659 9 pm - 6 am.

---
þ Synchronet þ >>> Magnum BBS <<< - magnumbbs.net

Re: CB experiments
By: Ginger1 to All on Mon Feb 03 2025 21:37:03

Hi, Ginger1.

However, just static across all 40 channels. I'm not sure if this is
the antenna not being suitable, or a complete lack of people on CB radio! (By the way, this is in Dorset UK).

I picked up a CB a couple of years ago having not used one since the 90s. What I noticed was:

1 - The modern world does not help you at all. Where the noise floor used to be basically zero across the band, there is now S3 - S9 of (man made) interference on every channel. Half the people I used to chat with were S5 or below so, all things being equal, I would no longer be able to hear them nowadays.

2 - There are way fewer people on nowadays

3 - I get *nothing* from my house at all

4 - If I drive somewhere high then I can often pick up / join in on a few conversations with a 6ft aerial on my car, however it's very time dependent. Most commonly there is either nobody on or there is only one conversation going on, albeit with 3-5 people in it.

Regarding an aerial - you can use anything to listen (to varying levels of success) but you will need a properly tuned aerial to transmit. I would definitely get a CB aerial if you plan to use this thing. Controversially I would say it doesn't make *that* much difference which one you get, it's more important to get it up high and preferably away from houses. You'll also need a SWR meter to tune it correctly. It's going to be more than a tenner but doesn't need to be crazy money.

BobW

---
þ Synchronet þ My Brand-New BBS

On 03 Feb 2025, Ginger1 said the following...

I picked up a Midland 3001 CB for a tenner a couple of days ago.
Untested. From a local second hand shop.

nice looking radio. only FM though so you won't be able to talk to anyone on SSB around 27.555 .. not that i'd condone such things (he he he)

of people on CB radio! (By the way, this is in Dorset UK).

check out "Fred In The Shed" on youtube. he's got some decent videos about CB over there.

2. Can I make my own antenna out of any old bit of wire? On the back of the CB is a 1/2 inch screw fit jack for the antenna, with a central
female port. With a homemade antenna, is this a case of a long wire connecting these two parts (i.e. the female port and the outer threaded part).

https://www.westmountainradio.com/antenna_calculator.php

i don't know which channels are popular in the UK (or if they even match in frequency.. you'll have to look it up) but let's say it's like the US and you want channel 19. so you cut two wires around 8ft 7.3inches (sorry m8 lol) ..

get a run of coax cable and one of these (will have to poke around to find local, but so you know basically what it looks like. you can get fancy ones too..):

https://www.ebay.com/itm/195847908990

your two ~8ft wires connect as shown to the wingnuts and your coax between that and the radio.. hoist it up somewhere so it's like a big T in the sky (or pretty much any way you'd like.. if you can hang one end from a tree and another angles down to a stake or something that's fine. just avoid running the coax and the the 8ft wires too close or parallel if you can)

for coax, i often buy cheap-o 50 ohm BNC cables .. often even real RG58 for significantly cheaper than what they sell HAM/CB stuff for.. i just have some BNC-PL259 adapters.. they look like this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/404361564377

sure there's a risk the cable sucks/is fake, but ~$20 for 50ft isn't bad.

hopefully your $10 investment didn't just turn into more than say.. $50 or so. if you find a local radio shop i bet you could get that down further..

meh, for that matter you might be able to find a CB dipole on ebay for cheap, like this one from your neck of the woods:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/126286973227

and some ready to go coax for $50-60

and here's why i went through the rigamaroll:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/226367144269

they go up from there.. a bit much for a lark.. especially if you're in a quiet spot

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/25 (Windows/32)
* Origin: cold fusion - cfbbs.net - grand rapids, mi

Re: CB experiments
By: Ginger1 to All on Mon Feb 03 2025 21:37:03

I picked up a Midland 3001 CB for a tenner a couple of days ago. Untested. From a local second hand shop.

I've still got my brand new (when I bought it) Superstar 4000 in the loft.

Not had it up and running since I moved house, but its on the list of things to do.

Problem is, the computer equipment doesnt like the CB and the CB doesnt like the computer equipment :(

---
þ Synchronet þ >>> Magnum BBS <<< - magnumbbs.net

Re: CB experiments
By: Keyop to Ginger1 on Tue Feb 04 2025 21:14:01

Not had it up and running since I moved house, but its on the list of things to do.

When did you last use it? Anyone there to chat to?

---
þ Synchronet þ >>> Magnum BBS <<< - magnumbbs.net

Re: Re: CB experiments
By: fusion to Ginger1 on Tue Feb 04 2025 13:40:00

Hi, fusion.

nice looking radio. only FM though so you won't be able to talk to anyone on SSB around 27.555 .. not that i'd condone such things (he he he)

SSB is actually legal in the UK now, license free (on purpose built radios and to 12W PEP). I guess compliance to both is minimal but I doubt many people get their collars felt unless they take the mick...

i don't know which channels are popular in the UK (or if they even match in frequency.. you'll have to look it up) but let's say it's like the US and you want channel 19. so you cut two wires around 8ft 7.3inches (sorry m8 lol) ..

For my area at least, yeah - channel 19. It was fiercely maintained as the calling channel back in the day but people seem to just as often sit on there chatting nowadays. Not enough traffic to warrant a calling channel maybe?

Call me a wuss but I'm not sure I'd want to key up on a home made aerial without measuring the SWR first - these days we are spoiled with nanoVNA and the like :)

BobW

---
þ Synchronet þ My Brand-New BBS

Re: CB experiments
By: Keyop to Ginger1 on Tue Feb 04 2025 21:14:01

Hi, Keyop.

Problem is, the computer equipment doesnt like the CB and the CB doesnt like the computer equipment :(

I think we all know what's going to win out of those two in your house :)

BobW

---
þ Synchronet þ My Brand-New BBS

Re: Re: CB experiments
By: Bob Worm to fusion on Wed Feb 05 2025 19:02:29

SSB is actually legal in the UK now, license free (on purpose built radios and to 12W PEP). I guess compliance to both is minimal but I doubt many people get their collars felt unless they take the mick...

Forgive my ignorance - what's SSB? Very new to this game.

For my area at least, yeah - channel 19. It was fiercely maintained as the calling channel back in the day but people seem to just as often sit on there chatting nowadays. Not enough traffic to warrant a calling channel

Ah I see. So Channel 19 was where people would seek a chat, and then they would take it off to other channels?

Call me a wuss but I'm not sure I'd want to key up on a home made aerial without measuring the SWR first - these days we are spoiled with nanoVNA and the like :)

And sorry, what's SWR? You mentioned a SWR Meter. Something to seek out areas with better radio signal for the desired frequencies?

Thanks!

---
þ Synchronet þ >>> Magnum BBS <<< - magnumbbs.net

Re: Re: CB experiments
By: fusion to Ginger1 on Tue Feb 04 2025 13:40:00

nice looking radio. only FM though so you won't be able to talk to anyone on SSB around 27.555 .. not that i'd condone such things (he he he)

Thanks. It feels pretty well made - solid metal case etc, nice light behind the signal meter :)

i don't know which channels are popular in the UK (or if they even match in frequency.. you'll have to look it up) but let's say it's like the US and you want channel 19. so you cut two wires around 8ft 7.3inches (sorry m8 lol) ..

I don't understand why there's a relationship between aerial length and frequency...I've got a lot to learn here.

your two ~8ft wires connect as shown to the wingnuts and your coax between that and the radio.. hoist it up somewhere so it's like a big T in the sky

I'm not sure how well an 8 foot giant T in the garden would go down with the wife.

hopefully your $10 investment didn't just turn into more than say.. $50 or so. if you find a local radio shop i bet you could get that down further..

Brilliant. Thank you for all of this advice and the time you took to construct this reply. I will let you know how I get on!

---
þ Synchronet þ >>> Magnum BBS <<< - magnumbbs.net

Re: Re: CB experiments
By: Ginger1 to Bob Worm on Thu Feb 06 2025 08:32 pm

Re: Re: CB experiments
By: Bob Worm to fusion on Wed Feb 05 2025 19:02:29

SSB is actually legal in the UK now, license free (on purpose built radios and to 12W PEP). I guess compliance to both is minimal but I doubt many people get their collars felt unless they take the mick...

Forgive my ignorance - what's SSB? Very new to this game.

Single sideband. https://www.hamradioschool.com/post/understanding-single-sideband-ssb

And sorry, what's SWR?

Standing wave ratio. https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Technology/tis/info/pdf/q1106037.pdf
--
digital man (rob)

Synchronet/BBS Terminology Definition #34:
FSP = FidoNet Standards Proposal
Norco, CA WX: 65.9øF, 58.0% humidity, 2 mph SE wind, 0.02 inches rain/24hrs
---
þ Synchronet þ Vertrauen þ Home of Synchronet þ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Ginger1 wrote to All <=-

A few quick questions for someone almost completely new to this:

1. What is the general chat channel? What is the emergency channel? Any others of interest?

That's a local thing. Local chat channels vary from town to town. 19 used to be the "trucker" channel so in smaller towns that might be a good place to start. Larger towns use different channels. It's been so long since I was active that I couldn't say.

CB channel 9 is still by FCC regulation the emergency channel. In practicality CB is so rarely used it's debatable whether it's useful in that role or not.

2. Can I make my own antenna out of any old bit of
wire? On the back of the CB is a 1/2 inch screw fit jack for the
antenna, with a central female port. With a homemade antenna, is this a case of a long wire connecting these two parts (i.e. the female port
and the outer threaded part).

You CAN, but it's usually easier to purchase a ready-made antenna for 11 meter/27 MHz use or modify a 10 meter antenna. Most (might as well say ALL) CB traffic will be vertically polarized so a vertical or vertically polarized yagi will be the way to go if making your own. 1/4, 5/8 and 1/2 wavelength antennas are common and if you know a source for used aluminum tubing are not TERRIBLY difficult to build on your own. I'd still recommend a manufactured antenna for 11m, however.

(My previous experience of CBs was in the 80s, where my childhood
friend had one in his room - he had an approx 3 ft commercial aerial in the loft of his bungalow - nothing very sophisticated - but we had
people from probably a 2 mile area+).

Hoping the answer to these questions is not "CB frequencies have now
been reassigned for 5G" or something dreadfully depressing like that.

No, there's no way the 11 meter band could support 5G communications. You're safe...


... Internal Error: The system has been taken over by sheep at line 19960
--- MultiMail/Linux v0.52
þ Synchronet þ The Lost Chord BBS - Cheyenne, WY

Ginger1 wrote to Bob Worm <=-

SSB is actually legal in the UK now, license free (on purpose built radios and to 12W PEP). I guess compliance to both is minimal but I doubt many people get their collars felt unless they take the mick...

Forgive my ignorance - what's SSB? Very new to this game.

SSB = Single Side Band. An AM signal has three components. The carrier signal and two side bands, upper and lower. In the 1930s or so, techniques were found to allow modulation on only the side band portion of the signal. This essentially allows more effective power to be concentrated on a narrow portion of the AM carrier. It allows a 4 watt signal to provide the modulation effect of a 12 watt AM. Power is also measured differently. Instead of average power you measure peak envelope power.

And sorry, what's SWR? You mentioned a SWR Meter. Something to seek out areas with better radio signal for the desired frequencies?

SWR = Standing Wave Ratio. Compares the signal output to the RF returning along the coax. A tuned antenna system will have a low SWR, meaning more signal is transmitted compared to what is returning through the coax. SWR of 1.5:1 are good, 1.0:1 is perfect. SWR of 3:1 or below is acceptable. Above that you lose so much efficiency that your signal is severely degraded and extremely high SWR of 5:1 or above could damage your radio.


... DalekDOS v(overflow): (I)Obey (V)ision impaired (E)xterminate
--- MultiMail/Linux v0.52
þ Synchronet þ The Lost Chord BBS - Cheyenne, WY

Re: Re: CB experiments
By: Weatherman to Ginger1 on Sat Feb 08 2025 02:28 am

CB channel 9 is still by FCC regulation the emergency channel. In

Just FYI, I think the guy you replied to is in the UK.

Is CB in the UK on the same frequencies as the USA? Wasn't there some place that calls FRS as CB or something?

---
þ Synchronet þ TIRED of waiting 2 hours for a taco? GO TO TACOPRONTO.bbs.io

Re: Re: CB experiments
By: phigan to Weatherman on Sun Feb 09 2025 05:46:32

Just FYI, I think the guy you replied to is in the UK.

Is CB in the UK on the same frequencies as the USA? Wasn't there some place that calls FRS as CB or something?

Correct, CB in the UK is on UHF frequencies that I believe run along the US FRS/GMRS bands, while CB in the US is on HF band.
---
Tim (kk4qbn)
+o kk4qbn.synchro.net
þ Synchronet þ KK4QBN BBS - kk4qbn.synchro.net - Chatsworth, GA USA

On 09 Feb 2025, kk4qbn said the following...

Re: Re: CB experiments
By: phigan to Weatherman on Sun Feb 09 2025 05:46:32

Just FYI, I think the guy you replied to is in the UK.

Is CB in the UK on the same frequencies as the USA? Wasn't there some place that calls FRS as CB or something?

Correct, CB in the UK is on UHF frequencies that I believe run along the US FRS/GMRS bands, while CB in the US is on HF band.

i looked it up.. seems the UK has an original CB band ~27.60 -> ~27.99 as well as the US band being tacked on eventually for a total of 80 channels.

the previous joke about 27.555 was because of "freebanding" .. it seems less sneaky now considering both below and above that frequency are more CB channels..

the UK lost it's UHF CB band 934MHz in 1999(?) and i'm unsure they would call PMR446 nor the one at 477MHz "CB" for historical reasons (having had similar CB culture to the USA)

*shrug*

where i live there used to still be a lot of CB activity near the downtown area.. but that's getting to be maybe 15 years ago now. ugh.

had this thing on the roof: https://www.amazon.com/Sirio-Antenna-GPE-10m-Base/dp/B009GWL8EK

was pretty slick!

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/25 (Windows/32)
* Origin: cold fusion - cfbbs.net - grand rapids, mi

Re: Re: CB experiments
By: kk4qbn to phigan on Sun Feb 09 2025 03:14 pm

Correct, CB in the UK is on UHF frequencies that I believe run along the US FRS/GMRS bands, while CB in the US is on HF band.

They don't seem too far apart - from Wikipedia:

CB was eventually legalised on a 27 MHz band but not the band used in the US. Whereas the US used a band occupying the range 26.965 to 27.405 MHz, the UK system was to operate on 27.60125 to 27.99125 MHz.

---
þ Synchronet þ .: realitycheckbbs.org :: scientia potentia est :.

Re: Re: CB experiments
By: kk4qbn to phigan on Sun Feb 09 2025 15:14:55

Correct, CB in the UK is on UHF frequencies that I believe run along the US FRS/GMRS bands, while CB in the US is on HF band.

CB in the UK is on two blocks, the original 27.60125 - 27.79125 (high?) and the "Euro" CEPT band (26.965 - 27.405), which I think(?) is the same as the US?

Regarding UHF, we have the PMR 446 band for little handhelds, which may be what you are thinking of? Unless you mean the 928MHz block the government proposed in the very early days but nobody wanted...

BobW

---
þ Synchronet þ My Brand-New BBS

Re: Re: CB experiments
By: Bob Worm to kk4qbn on Mon Feb 10 2025 09:00:06

Yeah, I probably should have read on a bit - I see other people have already replied with everything I just said :)

Sorry!

BobW

---
þ Synchronet þ My Brand-New BBS

Re: Re: CB experiments
By: Bob Worm to kk4qbn on Mon Feb 10 2025 09:00:06

Correct, CB in the UK is on UHF frequencies that I believe run along the US
FRS/GMRS bands, while CB in the US is on HF band.

CB in the UK is on two blocks, the original 27.60125 - 27.79125 (high?) and the "Euro" CEPT band (26.965 - 27.405), which I think(?) is the same as the US?

I didnt realize the UK's CB band was in these ranges, I've never really studied into but have been told by a couple of my old elmers here locally that the PMR you are speaking of was actually the UKs CB band, And I have never been corrected lol, cant really say it's ever been brought up in conversation before :)

Regarding UHF, we have the PMR 446 band for little handhelds, which may be what you are thinking of? Unless you mean the 928MHz block the government proposed in the very early days but nobody wanted...

Thank yall for letting me know. have really never had the need to look into it, but like to know.
---
Tim (kk4qbn)
+o kk4qbn.synchro.net
þ Synchronet þ KK4QBN BBS - kk4qbn.synchro.net - Chatsworth, GA USA

Re: Re: CB experiments
By: Bob Worm to kk4qbn on Mon Feb 10 2025 09:01:48

Re: Re: CB experiments
By: Bob Worm to kk4qbn on Mon Feb 10 2025 09:00:06

Yeah, I probably should have read on a bit - I see other people have already replied with everything I just said :)

I'm using your message to pretty much reply to everyone else also, Thanks for the (correct) information. Yes, I always had the belief that the PMR service was considered your CB service, did'nt even know about the services in the 27mhz range.
---
Tim (kk4qbn)
+o kk4qbn.synchro.net
þ Synchronet þ KK4QBN BBS - kk4qbn.synchro.net - Chatsworth, GA USA

Re: Re: CB experiments
By: kk4qbn to Bob Worm on Mon Feb 10 2025 13:25:46

I'm using your message to pretty much reply to everyone else also, Thanks for the (correct) information. Yes, I always had the belief that the PMR service was considered your CB service, did'nt even know about the services in the 27mhz range.

TBF it's not your job to know every country's CB allocations :)

Beyond knowing the names "CB27/81" and "CEPT27/81" and that they're vaguely in the 27MHz area I had to look up the rest of the details... and I live in the UK and own a CB.

BobW

---
þ Synchronet þ My Brand-New BBS

Re: Re: CB experiments
By: Weatherman to Ginger1 on Sat Feb 08 2025 02:36:00

SWR = Standing Wave Ratio. Compares the signal output to the RF returning along the coax. A tuned antenna system will have a low SWR, meaning more signal is transmitted compared to what is returning through the coax. SWR of 1.5:1 are good, 1.0:1 is perfect. SWR of 3:1 or below is acceptable.

Thank you - that makes some sense!

Is this different to the meter on the CB radio itself? Mine has a meter with a single needle, but two gauges - one labelled signal, the other power.

And I've been reading about tuning the antenna - but what is there to tune? Does this mean the direction it is pointing in? I have a car-mounted whip antenna - and I can adjust the angle it points at, but not much else. I've only tried it perpendicular to the car roof.

Do Squelch and RF Gain have a role (I have knobs for these on the radio).

Apologies for the newbie questions!

---
þ Synchronet þ >>> Magnum BBS <<< - magnumbbs.net

Re: Re: CB experiments
By: Bob Worm to kk4qbn on Tue Feb 11 2025 08:20:16

Further to my previous messages...I've made some progress on the CB front.

On Monday, I found a telephone number for an amateur radio supplier, in an amatur radio mag in WHSmith. Gave them a ring, and they had me very quickly set up with a CB whip-type antenna, magnet mount, co-ax. It came the very next day. The company was very helpful and interested in my CB adventures, despite my obivous complete lack of knowledge! :) The antenna is made by an Italian company - looks to be good quality.

Quickly got it set up on the car roof, sat on the drive. Was amazed to soon hear hear responses to my "Anybody copy come on?" line.
Shared a few sentences with someone about 8 miles away - who said he could hear me clearly. Tried to have a bit of a chat - but lost him.

Had a few snippets of things like "COPY COPY COPY!!" and "GO GO GO!!". This was all very exciting.

Tonight, tried again but just static on all channels after twenty minutes of trying. Got cold so came in.

My next job is to power it within the car (I was running an extension cable out to the car - the shame of it). This will allow me to drive around - get up on to a hill or something, see if that makes a difference. Could I connect it to the cigarette lighter? Maybe just another 12 v battery in the foot well...

All in all though, a very positive start!

---
þ Synchronet þ >>> Magnum BBS <<< - magnumbbs.net

Re: CB experiments
By: Ginger1 to Keyop on Wed Feb 05 2025 20:39:31

Not had it up and running since I moved house, but its on the list of things to do.

When did you last use it? Anyone there to chat to?

That would be 2014.

There were a few users on then - not sure what its like now.

Maybe a project for me in the summer to get it installed again, although I would need to get a new decent antenna.

---
þ Synchronet þ >>> Magnum BBS <<< - magnumbbs.net

Re: CB experiments
By: Bob Worm to Keyop on Wed Feb 05 2025 19:03:30

I think we all know what's going to win out of those two in your house :)

Indeed - which is why the CB is still sat in the loft :)

---
þ Synchronet þ >>> Magnum BBS <<< - magnumbbs.net

Re: Re: CB experiments
By: phigan to Weatherman on Sun Feb 09 2025 05:46:32

Is CB in the UK on the same frequencies as the USA? Wasn't there some place that calls FRS as CB or something?

In the early years, the only frequencies allowed were called UK-FM - 27.60125 to 27.99125 FM.

In later years, FM "mid band" was also allowed.

Both required a CB licence.

In later years the licence requirement was removed and according to the article below, AM and SSB were permitted too.

https://www.red-radio.co.uk/cb-frequencies

---
þ Synchronet þ >>> Magnum BBS <<< - magnumbbs.net

Re: Re: CB experiments
By: Ginger1 to Weatherman on Wed Feb 12 2025 21:36:49

Hi, Ginger1.

Is this different to the meter on the CB radio itself? Mine has a meter with a single needle, but two gauges - one labelled signal, the other power.

Yup, the SWR meter is a separate little box with a dial that you need to cable between the radio and the aerial to tune it up.

And I've been reading about tuning the antenna - but what is there to tune?

Tuning as far as aerials go means the length. If you imagine a wave going up the length of the aerial (?) you get the best results when the length of the aerial is a nice fraction (e.g. 1/4 or 1/2) of a wave's length.

Somewhere on your whip (usually at the bottom or sometimes if there's a coil half way up, there) there will probably be a little grub screw that lets you ajust the length.

In theory if you take the aerial off and put it back on the car you should re-adjust it again but I find mine doesn't really change as I put it back in the same spot. I'm surprised your helpful guy didn't adjust it for you or try to flog you a SWR meter. If you don't want to swing for a meter then at least a one-time adjustment *should* put you *somewhere near* the right length so you hopefully don't damage your radio.

Hmm...

Anyway - hope you get some good contacts. You must be in a half decent place for it to get people on the first attempt :)

BobW

---
þ Synchronet þ My Brand-New BBS

phigan wrote to Weatherman <=-

Re: Re: CB experiments
By: Weatherman to Ginger1 on Sat Feb 08 2025 02:28 am

CB channel 9 is still by FCC regulation the emergency channel. In

Just FYI, I think the guy you replied to is in the UK.

Is CB in the UK on the same frequencies as the USA? Wasn't there some place that calls FRS as CB or something?

I think CB in the UK is on UHF instead of HF like it is here.



... He does the work of 3 Men...Moe, Larry & Curly
--- MultiMail/Linux v0.52
þ Synchronet þ The Lost Chord BBS - Cheyenne, WY

Ginger1 wrote to Weatherman <=-

Re: Re: CB experiments
By: Weatherman to Ginger1 on Sat Feb 08 2025 02:36:00

SWR = Standing Wave Ratio. Compares the signal output to the RF returning along the coax. A tuned antenna system will have a low SWR, meaning more signal is transmitted compared to what is returning through the coax. SWR of 1.5:1 are good, 1.0:1 is perfect. SWR of 3:1 or below is acceptable.

Thank you - that makes some sense!

Is this different to the meter on the CB radio itself? Mine has a meter with a single needle, but two gauges - one labelled signal, the other power.

I've been made aware that you're located in the UK, so regulatory issues are definitely different between there and the US.

Generally the CBs here have one meter, it's referred to as an S/RF meter. When transmitting it shows the output signal strength as referenced against an internal standard and when receiving it shows the receive signal strength - again referenced against an internal standard. When I refer to "internal" standard, I mean it. There is no industry standard I know of that defines exactly what an S9 received signal is or what a "5" output strength is. Too many variables to go into here to try to explain it. On your radio, with two meters, I can only guess that "signal" would indicate the strength of the received signal and "power" would indicate the transmitter output. Not knowing the model of the radio and then looking up the manual, this is just a guess.

And I've been reading about tuning the antenna - but what is there to tune? Does this mean the direction it is pointing in? I have a
car-mounted whip antenna - and I can adjust the angle it points at, but not much else. I've only tried it perpendicular to the car roof.

Tuning refers to altering the length of the driven element of the antenna. Making it shorter to try to match the desired operating frequency. When fabricating an antenna we tend to make it a bit longer than needed so that it can be trimmed down to match the frequency. Your car-mounted whip antenna probably has a set screw to hold the whip in place. Loosen it and you can adjust up and down as needed (to a small extent) to fine-tune your SWR.

Do Squelch and RF Gain have a role (I have knobs for these on the
radio).

Squelch is used to raise the noise floor of the radio's receiver so that only signals above a given level will be heard. It's essentially used to adjust the receiver so that background static is not heard and so that signals stronger than the squelch setting will be heard.

RF gain adjusts the receiver's sensitivity. Best use of the RF gain is when you are trying to hear a signal but a weaker signal on the same frequency is interfering. By adjusting the RF gain you can make the receiver less senstitive so that the weaker signal is attenuated to the point where it no longer interferes with the signal you're trying to listen to.

Apologies for the newbie questions!

Not a problem. It's how you learn, and it's good for me to review some of these myself. I've been off the air ever since I relocated and miss this stuff. Need to get some coax buried out to my antenna site and put some equipment on the air!

= Synchronet = >>> Magnum BBS <<< - magnumbbs.net

... The best way to accelerate a Mac is at 9.8m/s^2
--- MultiMail/Linux v0.52
þ Synchronet þ The Lost Chord BBS - Cheyenne, WY