CB Radio Beginners Guide. Part 5. Choosing a power supply / Connecting a mobile radio in a car.

[@fairmania]

If you were to connect your CB 'direct' to your car battery, please use a relay to switch the power on and off, using the ignition switch to power the relay. This removes the chance of leaving the radio powered on when you leave the vehicle, and is the normal way of connecting a higher current device to your car. Typically used for spotlights, winches and the like, they're cheap and with a few crimp connectors give a reliable high current connection. Most are rated for 30 amps so should cover most mobile use. It won't stop you sitting too long and running the battery down yourself though, you might want some self-control for that one 😀😀

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Great advice. Thanks for the comment.

[@BoB4jjjjs]

I had a power supply go bang with me, so after that I changed to a big car/lorry/tractor battery being charged by an old 4 Amp battery charger. It is also a good way to get on the air if you have an old but good battery lying around. I built it into a box to stop the risk of acid, ventilated on the top to let any fumes out. Make sure all connections are good, fused on power to your CB and the charge lead to the battery, also make sure the charger is fused at 4 to 5 Amps. You might think that the battery will run down, but if the charger is charging all the time the CB is on, it will stay charged (it will charge when you are not transmitting, more than enough), an added bonus is that you can still use the CB when there is a power cut. For a few hours anyway, depending on the size of the battery. I used one for years and had no problems at all. Pay attention to the wiring, a car battery can deliver a lot of power if any of the cables gets damaged, so put a fuse as it leaves the battery to go to the CB. Also fuse it as it leaves the charger (if it does not have one on the output of the charger, good makes should have), avoid getting a cheap Chinese made charger, some can be a bit dodgy! I used this for years with no problems at all. Above all, make sure, if you use a CB power supply, that it can deliver a lot more power than the CB will ever pull from it. Newer CBs pull a lot more current, even on receive, around 1,5 Amps or more in some cases, older CB would only use this on transmit. Use connectors, don't just twist wires together, this makes heat and losses. Play it safe at all times with power supplies and batteries.

[@Greg-et2dp]

Frid in the shed my hobbies are painting pictures 🖼 and listening to shortwave and ssb I have 5 shortwave receivers iam thinking about getting my ham license

[@chikhai]

Gone are the days of having an Amstrad 901 hooked up to a car battery in my bedroom as a kid...

[@Tobinindustrial]

Thanks for sharing Fred. This is another important conversation that radio enthusiasts need to engage in to ensure the radio hobby gets off to a good start and will continue to be a pleasant experience.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Thanks Andy. Keep the repair videos coming bud. You should check out "my mate vince" channel.

[@Tobinindustrial]

@@CB-RADIO-UK I am subscribed to his channel. Thanks so much, will do!

[@SimonBlandford]

Amazing that the 1981 PSU is still working. If an old PSU like that ever starts to lose regulation (hum over TX) then the capacitors may need changing since they go off with age. BTW, those Noise offset controls are for if the switching power supply, and any leaking RFI that comes out of it even after all the filtering, manages to interfere with the frequency you are listening to. It adjusts the switching frequency slightly so it is out of the way and off to some other frequency that you are not listening to.

[@stampydragon2739]

I generally rec omend getting a. 10amp 12v lighter socket AC adapter to start with there on ebay and it's got way more headroom than a 3a for around the same money

[@donbunson5031]

I decided to run my rig off a car battery at home because of the possibility of power cuts and to reduce QRM (Awesome results) but had issues with the voltage. A car battery is 12.8v and when you use a radio like the crt 6900 they prefer closer to 13.8v (I think a lot of radios do) when you use full transmit power the radio cuts out. I fixed this by using a step up converter that takes 12.8 volts and gives you 13.8. I have a Retevis rt95 for PMR and that can run fine off the 12v without step-up and doesn't cut out but I do get quite a drop in power. My burner also puts a little more power out when stepped up to 13.8 but I don't bother. Best to run things a little cooler anyway.

[@Greg-et2dp]

Frid in the shed I learn lot from you about CBs radios that's cool 😎 👌 😄 😀 👍

[@grandpaandlucas7054]

hi fred i use a leisure battery which i fitted in my van. i charge it with a split charger i wired up. so when the leisure battery goes flat . the van engine battery is still at 100% charge and will start the van. then the the alternator will recharge the leisure battery while driving home. i prefer the old linear style power supply to the modern switch mode units. looking forward to the linear amplifier debate.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Good choice. Many DX'ers use a seperate battery.

[@johnbolt806]

Hi Fred great advice as always. A couple of important things you didn’t mention. Wiring up to a power pack or battery. Make sure you wire up the the right colour or your rig will fry or fuse will blow. Also dont take the fuse out of the back of power pack in your sleep :). I done it and flew across the room. Look forward to the next video. Cheers

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Great tip!

[@RosssRoyce]

I got the zetagi tm999 Antenna Tuner sometime ago after seeing it on your video for which I thank you!!, with only two knobs it tunes fantastically, while my huge American MFJ with two additional coil switch selections cannot tune the same antenna… Go and figure!

[@zukispur5493]

PSU. I recommend the ASTRON RS-70M. keep it moving my shed guy Fred.

[@nielsbruun8046]

Great video -

[@wesyjam]

Typically those cigarette lighter ports are 120W to 180W (10A to 15A).

[@RingwayManchester]

Great series Fred!

[@slayerwba1]

I have a microset 50 amp linear power supply the best thing on it is the crow bar so if the power supply goes faulty it don't take the radio with it I would look into this while looking for PSU's or look how you could make one for all power supply's you have

[@MAGNETAR-187]

Fred thanks for sharing this video. İ have 3 PSU with about 30 amps draw and İ never have any issues. İt was your videos that i have chosen a CRT SS 9900 v4 amateur radio! Keep the videos up! 73's.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Glad I could help

[@andik859]

And is your ss9900 radio good ?

[@gazzabyerun9048]

Thank you, looking forward to the next video!

[@Dan.and.motors]

Hello Fred thank you very much for this beginners guide I'm interested in getting in to cb radio I live around Potters Bar it will take me around 2 months to get all the set up.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Hi Dan. Nice one. Be sure to leave a new comment on any video once your set up and we will meet up on air.

[@newcastleroad2372]

Fred in the shed ive just bought a president Trueman im new to the cb and the information watching your videos are brilliant ,,,,,,,, im just waiting for my housing association to allow me putting my aerial up i think ive jumped before i can walk because ive also bought a Wouxum handheld and the aerial adaptor and a ham foundation booklet 😂 I'm hoping it hasn't been a waste of money ,,, the present Trueman the amp swr and a silver pole all for £100 the wouxun KG-UV9D was orly £30 But i thini got a bargain ?? What do you think

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Sounds like you made a good buy.

[@stephendouglas-cr1mk]

Hi Fred, love your videos. Can you advise on amp power supply required for a UK President Mckinlay? Thanking you in advance. Best Regards.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

I would look around 12 amps which should give you plenty of reserve power.

[@Lee-70ish]

My mate had a Rover 2000 and he fitted 1/4 wave whip on the roof it was 7ft long and needed you to remember to remove it if you went into a mulitstory carpark . He ran a 500 watt set of boots on his Amstrad. His Handle? Nipple Gripper

[@zombiebiker5581]

Hi, was he in Essex/London? My brother and his mare used to use captain caveman & nipple gripper when amping up

[@ClickinChicken]

I need a new A/C to D/C converter. I mean man, that was easy; I can plug it into battery bank but then you have to watch over battery. The last one got dripped on from roof leak on Mum's desk. Smelled like Maple syrup. shit! LOL

[@SlinkiestTortoise23]

Brilliant channel!!!!!

[@daienaa]

I have the same power supply as your main but it has a different name so I don’t know if it’s quality or not good quality but it wasn’t cheap and power supply was for me the most boring thing I had to buy.

[@AlienCatcher23]

What’s the best way to ground the Chinese cheapies if you’re using them to power ham gear? 3 prong AC plug (North America) I keep reading conflicting info on PSU grounding and whether it is necessary or not. Using a 3 prong however would significantly limit me and make it impossible to use 2 prong outlets.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

I dont think mine are earthed.

[@warrenksanbornjr.6643]

All you need is a 100 to 150 watt linear amp that’s plenty

[@daienaa]

Also my radio says it will draw 10a but the meter shows it only draw 4a and that’s on usb with full power on and the radio shows 60watt. I also got a little amplifier with the radio but I have not connected it because I don’t know how and idk if my power supply is enough for both. The man who sold it to me says over 100w if I use the amplifier lol

[@G0USL]

One thing to mention, It's always a good idea to put a fuse in the negative lead of any radio that's connected to a vehicle. The reason? If your radio is connected when you start your vehicle and the ground or negative of the vehicle is faulty, the ignition current, which could be in excess of 50+ Amps will take the next path to ground or negative. This could be your radio especially if the antenna is connected to the vehicle body, resulting in lots of expensive smoke.

[@paulm0hpd319]

Sorry is not a good idea ,Perhaps read fcs1362 for the correct information on this subject

[@G0USL]

@@paulm0hpd319 Yes now, You're right, I stand corrected, Thanks for that. The relevant clause is attached below. 4.6.4. Negative Feed Connection In the case of negative earth return vehicles, the negative power line must not be fused. It should be connected to the vehicle body as close as practical to the point at which the battery-to-body connection is made. Do not connect the negative power line directly to the battery.

[@daienaa]

My amplifier did die when I tried it and I have no idea why but it did work at first then just dead and I can’t repair it.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

You do have to be careful how much power you put into it. Some have a max of just 10 watts.

[@daienaa]

@@CB-RADIO-UK My dad said maybe is the fuse only so he will change it and hope it works again lol

[@PhilipHounsham]

Sound Advice 😎 🍻 Fred

[@trackpackgt877]

Can you use one of those LED power supplies to run a radio? Because they're about 10 amps at 12 volts

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Yes they are fine. They range up to 33 amps. I used a 16 amp version in my tool box supply. A 4 watt radio pulls about 2 amps.

[@trackpackgt877]

@@CB-RADIO-UK I really appreciate the info buddy I just needed something that makes a few amps to run my radio in the house working on setting up a base station thank you a lot for the response

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

This is the supply i made a few years ago and its still working fine. Very cheap. kzbin.info/www/bejne/in3ZoIufZdejpNU

[@moktgaming7555]

Hey Fred got my 5/8 up in the air and doing well picking up plenty on the old Muppet channels lol is there a way other than CB able to contact u

[@Mandydoesdomes-nx7kc]

Hi Fred I'm getting back into cbing ive got a magnum deltaforce radio my power supply is rated 5-7 amps is that enough for the radio or do i need a bigger amp supply ?

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

If i rem correctly that radio puts out something like 30 watts. I would say that your very very close to the limit of a 5-7 amp supply. To be 100% safe i would look for a PSU with double that limit.

[@Mandydoesdomes-nx7kc]

@@CB-RADIO-UK me again lol can I run it off car battery then instead of power supply

[@anthonycampbell2837]

Thanks Fred for an excellent series of videos on CB radios, I am considering returning to the CB world, and your videos can be a useful update on current trends & equipment. Does your Yaesu 450D transmit on 11m out of the box? Regards Tony in Enfield.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Hi Tony. No the 450D requires a solder mod. As i bought mine new i had it done for £20 at the time of purchase.

[@Greg-et2dp]

Frid in the shed do you have your ham license and do have ham transceiver?

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Hi Greg. Answer is No and YES

[@SimonBlandford]

Not legal to use on CB bands but in practice not likely to be a problem either. A high-spec HF transceiver is at least going to be a clean transmitter, probably cleaner than a badly designed but type-approved CB rig, especially on SSB.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Then some add a cheap 200w amp. HF makes more sense with adjustable power.

[@steelheadplayer]

@@CB-RADIO-UK A "cheap" 200w amp is likely to cause more interreference simply because of the way it is built, save your money and get a decent one, yes they are expensive but for good reason, high current high power devices can be dangerous so why go cheap ?, they also require antennas that can handle the power as well. You will get more value out of spending the same amount of money on improving the antenna and coax than on a cheap linear amp which also doesn't improve what stations you can receive. I'd avoid switch mode power supplies if you can, they kick out a lot of hash across the bands which can interfere with your own reception. -Mark

[@RosssRoyce]

And then, in reality what is a licence: people who utter Q-codes with a nuance of self-importance in their voices 😀😝

[@briankemp4499]

🤡