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Post by BBB on Dec 31, 2017 10:27:46 GMT -5
A new year is upon us and why not start out with a good old fashioned local Classic Radio Round Up crew "Coffee Break" or as they call it now a "Meet & Greet"
So we bounced it around a bit with about 10 local operators OTA on CH13 and we came up with Friday January 19th 7:30 PM at the local Pottstown Burger King on High St. across from the Wawa as it has been before. All are welcome and the place has been very hospitable to CB'ers in the past as we usually gather inside.
The 19th of January should be easy to remember just like Truckers like CH 19 and having it on a Friday night may be able to help others try to make it that would not normally be able to attend due to shift work.
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Sandbagger
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Post by Sandbagger on Dec 31, 2017 13:38:14 GMT -5
A new year is upon us and why not start out with a good old fashioned local Classic Radio Round Up crew "Coffee Break" or as they call it now a "Meet & Greet" So we bounced it around a bit with about 10 local operators OTA on CH13 and we came up with Friday January 19th 7:30 PM at the local Pottstown Burger King on High St. across from the Wawa as it has been before. All are welcome and the place has been very hospitable to CB'ers in the past as we usually gather inside. The 19th of January should be easy to remember just like Truckers like CH 19 and having it on a Friday night may be able to help others try to make it that would not normally be able to attend due to shift work. Ah, you beat me to the CRR post for the new year. As in year's past, this is the place for CRR related news, before and after chats, upcoming themes etc. Here's to the 10th year of Classic Radio Roundup! |
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Post by BBB on Dec 31, 2017 18:12:06 GMT -5
I have a tablet to hand off to Spitfire hopefully for some more Super CB Water Gates of CRR this year. Maybe he can make the upcoming event? I just forgot whether he wanted an iPad or Samsung Android tablet.
Personally, I think it's better not to have the Meet & Greets on Wednesday nights as it conflicts with CRR. I think the intent was good, but we don't really hang out in the mobiles to talk on the CB radio during such an event, and IMO, it cuts down on CRR on-air attendance.
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Post by BBB on Jan 7, 2018 17:51:09 GMT -5
I talked to yet another CH 13 classic radio operator "Ranger 001" from Hatfield, PA. He came on last night after I shouted for "Ranger" thinking I might stir up "Ranger" Rick. Ranger 001 was on a browning Mark IV with the 776 desk mic and sounded very good. He has several other classic CB radios including a Mark III that he said was in excellent condition. I told him about this wonderful forum and CRR, so maybe he will join us in the future here and on Wednesday nights OTA  |
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Post by Sandbagger on Jan 25, 2018 8:37:50 GMT -5
January 24th's CRR went off well. We had our usual crew of locals participating, although Sparky just sort of "evaporated" early on and not a peep was heard since. Pete was showcasing his newly aligned Demco SUPER Satellite. I was showcasing my newest addition to the collection, a Tram Diamond 40 courtesy of Husker (Thanks again!). The Tram is in really good condition. A couple of crystals are off frequency, but otherwise a quick alignment and we're off to the races.  |
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Post by BBB on Jan 27, 2018 10:23:34 GMT -5
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Post by Sandbagger on Feb 1, 2018 8:43:56 GMT -5
The last CRR for the month of January went off as usual. A little light on the turnout, but still lively enough. A couple of the guys from our Delco contingent checked in, as well as a long absent Slammin' Sam. A slightly under the weather Blue Max showed up and we played our weekly game of "Stump The Sandbagger". Pete was still running his new favorite toy, the Demco Super Satelite. I decided to run my freshly tuned up SBE Trinidad, which was performing like a champ.  |
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Post by Sandbagger on Feb 22, 2018 21:06:33 GMT -5
Well, another CRR went off as usual on Feb 21. The usual cast of characters were in attendance. Spitfire, Skeeter, Sparky, Rooster, Blue Max, Gumby, Original Operator (AKA Motorpuppy), Ranger, and 64 (AKA Jake from State Farm) all were sounding good on their classic rigs. I took this opportunity to showcase my "one of a kind" Frankenstein rig. It's part Trinidad, part Uniden (Does that make it a Unidad or a Triniden?). Of course there's a back story so here it is: Some time back I was given a bunch of basket case radios to use for parts. Included in that pile was a Lafayette Telsat 50, and a Realistic TRC-451. Both of those were quickly gone over and made operational again and added to the classic collection, Well, also in that pile of stuff was a Uniden 40 channel AM mobile rig. The receiver was dead and the rig was 10 KHz high in frequency on each channel. Well, I corrected those ills and this radio became operational as well. But there was one problem - the radio had no covers. So I really couldn't do much with it. I experimented on it for various modulation schemes and it saw duty as the Spew Radio server receiver for a spell. But it really never served any real purpose. I also was given a ratty old "A" version SBE Trinidad. Cosmetically it wasn't in too bad of shape, except for the first 2 toggle switches, which had broken. I managed to get the radio working, but I just didn't like how it performed The newer "B" version was much better. It was then that I got the hair brained idea to gut the Trinidad and put the chassis of the Uniden mobile in it. This project was born probably 4 or 5 years ago, but I never got any further than gutting the Trinidad and stripping the Uniden. The project became back burnered because I simply don't have the time for any intense projects. Well, that changed a bit thanks to my extended stint of unemployment. So I thought I's revisit this mothballed project. So I attacked the toughest parts, mounting the channel selector and LED display, and mounting the Uniden PC board to the SBE chassis that was not made for it. Once that was accomplished, it was simply a matter of wiring. Of course I wanted to keep the controls as close to stock as possible. But the SBE has a Delta Tune, and the Uniden did not. But the Uniden had an RF Gain and a Mic Gain. So the Delta Tune position became the RF Gain, and the Mic Gain was eliminated. As luck would have it, I have been re-employed, so my time to work of this has been put in jeopardy. But I managed to get enough done to allow me to debut it on the Roundup. I still have to get the SWR bridge connected again and add a meter light. But at least this Frankenstein radio is working....   |
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Post by bluemax on Mar 2, 2018 10:42:02 GMT -5
Personally, I like Unidad. It reminds me of the Uniblab on The Jetsons. Anything that reminds me of childhood cartoons makes me smile  . hey that was fun... |
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Post by Sandbagger on Mar 24, 2018 8:53:59 GMT -5
While you wouldn't know it from the recent weather (We've had more snow in the last 2 weeks than in all the rest of the winter combined), spring is here and summer will be not all that far behind. So before everyone shifts into outdoor activity mode and radio activity dwindles, I thought it might be time to have a couple of theme-based CRR's since we haven't really done one for a while. Since the last couple of storms resulted in some widespread power outages and guys were forced to operate from alternative power sources, I figure it's time for a walkie-talkie night. So this coming Wednesday, let's dig out the handhelds (emergency radios count too!) and have at it......
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Post by No Streak on May 30, 2018 20:31:05 GMT -5
 I tried getting in the Roundup tonight but the Train noise was killing my receiver. |
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Post by BBB on Jun 2, 2018 7:30:44 GMT -5
Darn PTC System. There was a lot of 11 meter propagation (noise) that kept it pretty local up here. I geek'd out on my DAK IV again. I finally got the (8) metric screws and decorative washers for the faceplate that were missing. Just have to put them in this week.  On a side note we picked up a nice clean White Ford Sport Trac 4 X 4 truck from Operator Ron's relative for my son to tinker around on before he turns 16 in a year or so. Thank you Ron for the lead! Hmm, wonder what CB radio and antenna set up I shuold jam in there? It even fits the bill as a future Po Po Cruiser (if properly equipped) It already has the Bull Bar on the front like the one pictured...  Looking at this light bar for the roof: |
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Post by No Streak on Jun 2, 2018 8:41:58 GMT -5
Darn PTC System. There was a lot of 11 meter propagation (noise) that kept it pretty local up here. I geek'd out on my DAK IV again. I finally got the (8) metric screws and decorative washers for the faceplate that were missing. Just have to put them in this week. View AttachmentOn a side note we picked up a nice clean White Ford Sport Trac 4 X 4 truck from Operator Ron's relative for my son to tinker around on before he turns 16 in a year or so. Thank you Ron for the lead! Hmm, wonder what CB radio and antenna set up I shuold jam in there? It even fits the bill as a future Po Po Cruiser (if properly equipped) It already has the Bull Bar on the front like the one pictured... View AttachmentLooking at this light bar for the roof: Dak radios are nice and BIG! I have a Dak X myself that needs repair but it is in great shape. And has the original box too. I’m going to have to take a road trip to the hill by renegade and join in the Roundup. |
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Post by Sandbagger on Jun 2, 2018 9:08:31 GMT -5
Darn PTC System. There was a lot of 11 meter propagation (noise) that kept it pretty local up here. I geek'd out on my DAK IV again. I finally got the (8) metric screws and decorative washers for the faceplate that were missing. Just have to put them in this week. View AttachmentOn a side note we picked up a nice clean White Ford Sport Trac 4 X 4 truck from Operator Ron's relative for my son to tinker around on before he turns 16 in a year or so. Thank you Ron for the lead! Hmm, wonder what CB radio and antenna set up I shuold jam in there? It even fits the bill as a future Po Po Cruiser (if properly equipped) It already has the Bull Bar on the front like the one pictured... View AttachmentLooking at this light bar for the roof: Dak radios are nice and BIG! I have a Dak X myself that needs repair but it is in great shape. And has the original box too. I’m going to have to take a road trip to the hill by renegade and join in the Roundup. Yea, the Roundup was a bit noisy, but the skip was not running in places we usually have operators who like to check in to the roundup. I'm still waiting for the South Carolina pipeline to open up and we'll get Night Ranger in there like a local. My "ride" for the night:  |
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Post by BBB on Jun 2, 2018 16:57:41 GMT -5
Nice looking Tram Diamond 40. Kinda ironic its 23 channel.  |
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Post by Sandbagger on Jun 2, 2018 17:05:03 GMT -5
Nice looking Tram Diamond 40. Kinda ironic its 23 channel. Yea, the 40 channel version became the Diamond 42  |
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Post by BBB on Jun 22, 2018 19:40:22 GMT -5
Awesome DX conditions on CRR 6/20/18. Great to hear an Old Timer from Indiana and High Tower from Montreal. Even "the DX heckler" checked and had his sites set on Night Ranger for some reason, but he wasn't present. The DX conditions made it a bit tough for the locals unless they were at the pump house. The browning Mark III got some nods from the DX folks that recognize the ping.
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Post by Sandbagger on Jun 28, 2018 16:23:40 GMT -5
June 27th's CRR started off a bit slow. Pete was once again AWOL, and Sparky was transmitting but not receiving (at least not on channel 13). Things moved along once the issues were worked out. The Summer Sporadic-E skip was in there and a few stations were worked. Sparky was running a DAK 9, Green Dragon was running a TRC-465 and I was running a Stalker IX. Ranger was in there as well, running something less classic  . What was starting off as a slow and light traffic night suddenly made a huge shift, when the conditions opened up a pipeline from our area of Southeast Pa. to somewhere in New Hampshire (not far from where Browning was made). Usually E-Skip does not cover areas that close together, plus it usually doesn't stay wide open for all that long before it shifts to another area. But the atmosphere was in a strange mood and our pipeline to New England remained for nearly an hour. The guys "up there" were as strong as locals, and they said the same for our guys. Suddenly, what was a fairly quiet night exploded into conditions reminiscent of the 1970's. People climbing on top of each other and lots of heterodyne. The guys in N.H. were not really classic radios guys, so I switched over to my HIFi Galaxy and stepped on the gas (good for another 6db). So we mixed it up for nearly an hour before Mother Nature turned off the switch. And there we were back to our own world as if nothing ever happened. So you never know what you might encounter on any given night on Classic Radio Roundup....... |
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Post by Sandbagger on Jul 19, 2018 20:04:01 GMT -5
For July 18th's CRR, I decided to do something a little different. I wanted to do another shootout. This time it was to be between two of my uPD-858 radios. I pitted the Cobra 139XLR against a President Washington. But it wouldn't be a complete apples to apples comparison. The Cobra is basically stock, with the exception of the elimination of the distortion-prone modulation clipper, and unlocking the clarifier. The Washington, on the other hand, had an extensive modulation rework, and audio bandwidth expansion. The receiver was also modded for increased sensitivity. Clarifier was also unlocked. Well, I did want to get some honest opinions on the difference in audio quality, but it turned out the the skip was in which made critical ear comparisons nearly impossible. Sparky did say that they sounded very much alike, which I guess given the limitations in frequency response of a D104, it shouldn't be too surprising. Receiver performance seemed about the same. But again, with the skip in there, I really couldn't tell which radio heard better. One thing I did notice is that the receive audio seemed better on the Washington. That was probably due to the slightly larger speaker. I will probably put both radios on the test bench and do some objective number comparisons and write up the review and post it at some future date.  |
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Post by BBB on Jul 21, 2018 11:33:09 GMT -5
Yes unfortunately lots of man made noise prevented me from hearing you in-the-clear. Maybe we can try again some night when local conditions are better. Good to hear the Old Timer from Indiana check in!
I ran the Cobra 139 XLR that Green Thumb gave to me last week. At first it looked like she wasn't going to wake up after it's 40 year attic slumber. Just a tiny bit of some noise when I switched it on via the built in AC/DC power supply. No display and no meter lights either. Tried the external 12VDC power connector and Bingo! It turned on and started working. All the meters, lights, channel display LED segments and other functions work. Right on frequency to boot. It got some good audio reports from DX land as well. That's part of the fun in this classic radio hobby...will it work? will it not work? will it explode?
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Post by sgtpepper on Jul 21, 2018 11:55:19 GMT -5
Nice talking to both of you, also. OT756
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Post by Sandbagger on Jul 21, 2018 18:03:11 GMT -5
Nice talking to both of you, also. OT756
You sounded good...... even on the back side of my beam. |
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Post by Sandbagger on Aug 11, 2018 9:25:39 GMT -5
Well, this past week's CRR was a first. It started off in the usual way - kind of slow, but started to ramp up a bit as the night wore on. But then right about half way through.... it ...... just.... died. I had just left the room for a second, and people were talking, but when I came back it was just dead air. 4 People vanished in a blink of an eye. I spent the rest of my time trying to listen to the Delco guys. I could hear Renegade booming in, but not much else. Oh well, hopefully the fall will bring a renewal in activity. But at 10+ years of running, I also have to consider that CRR just might be past its freshness date. Nothing lasts forever  |
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Post by bluemax on Aug 21, 2018 8:07:32 GMT -5
Don't be too quick to toss that perfectly good MRE; you can't judge a meal on the appetizer. As I recall, that night was EXTREMELY noisy for me with DX blabber. And not enjoyable blabber at that. If I'm not mistaken, this skip should calm down pretty soon. I enjoy a day or two now and then, but not daily for months at a time.
Now I'll be the first to admit that my 10PM evenings are very few and far between. And if I recall there are a few other rather seasoned fellows that work in this miserable weather we've been enduring for WAY TOO LONG. I'm sure there are plenty of unconditioned shacks that are mighty uncomfortable right now, also.
I just spoke to a new contact last evening who is waiting for a free Wednesday evening in his schedule so he can join the fun.
I think the old horse has a few good years left in her. Maybe she can't plow any more, but she's still good for an easy ride now and again.
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Post by Sandbagger on Aug 22, 2018 17:59:11 GMT -5
Don't be too quick to toss that perfectly good MRE; you can't judge a meal on the appetizer. As I recall, that night was EXTREMELY noisy for me with DX blabber. And not enjoyable blabber at that. If I'm not mistaken, this skip should calm down pretty soon. I enjoy a day or two now and then, but not daily for months at a time. Now I'll be the first to admit that my 10PM evenings are very few and far between. And if I recall there are a few other rather seasoned fellows that work in this miserable weather we've been enduring for WAY TOO LONG. I'm sure there are plenty of unconditioned shacks that are mighty uncomfortable right now, also. I just spoke to a new contact last evening who is waiting for a free Wednesday evening in his schedule so he can join the fun. I think the old horse has a few good years left in her. Maybe she can't plow any more, but she's still good for an easy ride now and again. Yea, but the old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be.......  We'll see what this week's roundup brings.... |
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Post by Sandbagger on Oct 8, 2018 18:14:21 GMT -5
The roundup has been getting kind of lean lately. Late summer or conflicting activities, loss of interest or whatever. Hopefully, things will pick up again as the weather turns completely to crap (not that this summer was all that good). With that in mind, Sparky and I talked about a theme for this coming Wednesday's CRR. We decided to go with a 3 Knob radio theme. So break out those simple no-frills radios and give us a yell Wednesday night. I have several candidates for 3 knob night. I will probably go with my Midland 13-879 base.
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Post by No Streak on Oct 9, 2018 8:01:23 GMT -5
The roundup has been getting kind of lean lately. Late summer or conflicting activities, loss of interest or whatever. Hopefully, things will pick up again as the weather turns completely to crap (not that this summer was all that good). With that in mind, Sparky and I talked about a theme for this coming Wednesday's CRR. We decided to go with a 3 Knob radio theme. So break out those simple no-frills radios and give us a yell Wednesday night. I have several candidates for 3 knob night. I will probably go with my Midland 13-879 base. I think that I would go with the Johnson 250 a true 3 knob radio! 👍🏻 from the Delco Boys |
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Post by Sandbagger on Oct 9, 2018 16:47:08 GMT -5
The roundup has been getting kind of lean lately. Late summer or conflicting activities, loss of interest or whatever. Hopefully, things will pick up again as the weather turns completely to crap (not that this summer was all that good). With that in mind, Sparky and I talked about a theme for this coming Wednesday's CRR. We decided to go with a 3 Knob radio theme. So break out those simple no-frills radios and give us a yell Wednesday night. I have several candidates for 3 knob night. I will probably go with my Midland 13-879 base. I think that I would go with the Johnson 250 a true 3 knob radio! 👍🏻 from the Delco Boys That's an excellent choice! |
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Post by MonkeyMan on Oct 10, 2018 15:46:30 GMT -5
Gonna make an effort to get in there tonight.
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Post by Sandbagger on Oct 10, 2018 21:25:43 GMT -5
Gonna make an effort to get in there tonight. Evidently not enough of an effort........  |
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. hey that was fun...
. What was starting off as a slow and light traffic night suddenly made a huge shift, when the conditions opened up a pipeline from our area of Southeast Pa. to somewhere in New Hampshire (not far from where Browning was made). Usually E-Skip does not cover areas that close together, plus it usually doesn't stay wide open for all that long before it shifts to another area. But the atmosphere was in a strange mood and our pipeline to New England remained for nearly an hour. The guys "up there" were as strong as locals, and they said the same for our guys. Suddenly, what was a fairly quiet night exploded into conditions reminiscent of the 1970's. People climbing on top of each other and lots of heterodyne. The guys in N.H. were not really classic radios guys, so I switched over to my HIFi Galaxy and stepped on the gas (good for another 6db). So we mixed it up for nearly an hour before Mother Nature turned off the switch. And there we were back to our own world as if nothing ever happened. So you never know what you might encounter on any given night on Classic Radio Roundup.......
