Uniden PRO 510XL

[sgt.pinkerton]

Just broke down and had to replace my Cobra 29 with a little match box Uniden PRO 510XL. I can spit mud farther than this little thing.
Can anyone please tell me exactly how to boost this thing? I have read about cutting D9 and read about cutting D14, have read about bridging this diode with that diode, but it all comes back to clipping one of the legs off of D9 or D14. I found D9 but can not locate D14. I guess I only really trust other Jeep owners for reliable information, so I haven't really asked anybody else, just read their stuff.
Thanks so much in advance.

[mbuckner]

How far can you spit mud??? :D

I have run the unit in the TJ for the last 6 years ... it is matched
to a Firestik 48" antenna .....

I am not an expert, but has the SWR been checked .......

Also, I do not require or expect the CB to exceed to a 2 mile range
(line of sight) ..... Because it is used only on the trail when in a group ...

Best regards,

Mike

[YJunk]

I'm guessing if he's trying to get more swing out of the radio he's probably already got the antenna dialed in.

The easy peak and tweak sounds like cutting the D14 (modulation limiter) and then retune L5 and L6. You should DK around 2w and swing to 15+ which will get you in the face of (and probably on top of) anyone trying to key down in your immediate vacinity (at least on the trail).

I'm sure all of this is a violation of FCC rules so I'm not actually suggesting or recommending you do it... Just pointing out it CAN be done.

You can also consider putting a power mike on the box which will also help a bit...

[YJunk]

... Also, I do not require or expect the CB to exceed to a 2 mile range
(line of sight) ..... Because it is used only on the trail when in a group ...

Best regards,

Mike

This is actually a pretty good point; few of us if any really need to get out very far. I've kind of built my radio with the idea that I'll likely end up somewhere out of cell range and will either need help or will be with someone who does... my good radio is currently out of the jeep as its (the jeep) is pretty much broken... I currently have the radio installed in the S10... Last week I drove up Four Peaks rd and was getting locals as far away as 59th Ave & Baseline... It's good to be able to reach out and touch someone if you really need too...

[Cave Gimp]

To answer YJUNKs speculation, yes it is a violation of the FCC regs to even break the seal on the CB. There is a fine of some sort that could be given, I posted up the regs a while back. Also, I would think the mod you are talking about would create a really dirty signal, and it would bleed into all sorts of other frequencies.

mbuckner has the right idea, the typical use of a CB is for communicating on the trail only. A couple of miles is all you need and 4 watts will do that with a good antenna and setup.

If you are looking for something to reach out and touch someone with, CB won't really be enough. Sat phones have almost complete coverage, but are very very expensive. A cheaper route would be to look into other radio frequency bands, like the amateur band. Lots of options and with repeaters can easily reach out and touch someone.

I'm off my soapbox now. Good luck on the mod if you do decide to do it.

[YJunk]

To answer YJUNKs speculation, yes it is a violation of the FCC regs to even break the seal on the CB. There is a fine of some sort that could be given, I posted up the regs a while back. Also, I would think the mod you are talking about would create a really dirty signal, and it would bleed into all sorts of other frequencies.

mbuckner has the right idea, the typical use of a CB is for communicating on the trail only. A couple of miles is all you need and 4 watts will do that with a good antenna and setup.

If you are looking for something to reach out and touch someone with, CB won't really be enough. Sat phones have almost complete coverage, but are very very expensive. A cheaper route would be to look into other radio frequency bands, like the amateur band. Lots of options and with repeaters can easily reach out and touch someone.

I'm off my soapbox now. Good luck on the mod if you do decide to do it.

Listen to Gimp... it will keep you out of trouble.

[Cave Gimp]

Listen to Gimp... it will keep you out of trouble.


Hey do I get rep points for this? :D

I'm sure YJUNK has much more fun, staying out of trouble sometimes isn't that much fun. :)

[YJunk]

Absolutely... I'll start adding right now.

My CB is completely stock except for the power mic... I've got a really good ground, good coax (rated for +2000w) and a good antenna (rated +10,000w), and that's all I'll ever admit too :D Maybe I just had a good tail wind the day I hit Phoenix from the mountain top :D:D

[sgt.pinkerton]

Thanks again guys. Oh, what is "Rep Points"

[Wayco]

Thanks again guys. Oh, what is "Rep Points"

Copied this from another post that I made yesterday, maybe it will help:
Look in the blue line at the top of each post, over on the right with a number next to it is a little scale, if you click on it, a little box will come up and you can add a comment about that post. If you go to the "Members list" and click on the reputation column, it will list who has the most "rep." on this forum. Whenever someone gives good advise, you should reward them.

[Sc00by]

When I was younger I had a CB base station & on one cloudy night I was able to talk to some one in New Mexico from west Phx (this lasted about 10min) This is called skip, and when all sorts of things in the sky are in order its not un-usual for your signal to bounce & get you out further.

As Gimp said HAM radio is the way to go...
Heres what happend to me not to long ago...

"So today was un-mark the parks, CCV small groups along with Az parks & Rec. cleaned up area parks.

We ended up at the Table Mesa area, or North Lake Pleasent.
Park & Rec. people opended the gate for us & we did our clean up there.
I would guess about 75 members showed up & we filled 1 of those hugs dumpstards.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w79/pzelez/DSC_6334.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w79/pzelez/DSC_6336.jpg

The Mens Pastor (Dan) got one of the Church vans stuck in the sand about 10am so I dropped the trailer & pulled him out a bit, but we ended up using the Park & Rec. truck to winch him backwards so he could get out of the sand all together.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w79/pzelez/DSC_6353.jpg

They also asked if I could travel down a little further & pick up any bags of trash.
So we headed down to get trash...
We got about 1/4 of a mile down the river bed & when I tried to turn around it happend...
I ended up in some nasty, slimmy, stinky MUD... there's only 1 word I can thing of to discribe it... but its a 4 letter word. There was also a dead bull not too far from us, he too meet his fate in this mud.
I tried to jack up the tires & use wood & even old tires I couldnt get out and any disturbance to the surface and water would start to rise to the surface.
No cell phone coverage & I tried to use morse code with my horn (sos) in hopes MCSO people would hear me... no luck.
So my Son finally asked "Dad why dont you use your radio" Me... DUHH
I tried to hit the typical repeaters I use, no luck Im stuck in nasty mud, in a canyon & cant get a signal, So I scanned the frequence & finaly found some people talking & I put in a call for help.
A man named Anthony (AA7KV) placed a call to an MCSO guy on site & about 1.5hr later we were saved!!
Total time stuck 3 hrs. Winched out by a brand new Excurson, The MCSO Deputy is the guy who host our small group.
Sorry no pics of me actually in the mud as my priority was to GET OUT.
I would encourage ALL to look into getting a HAM radio / FCC Licence.
I never thought I would have to use my radio to call for help & thank GOD! there was someone to help out in our time of need.

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w79/pzelez/DSC_6347.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w79/pzelez/DSC_6371.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w79/pzelez/DSC_6372.jpg "

[YJunk]

conditions for skip are starting to improve; it rolls into az around 1 or 1:30 and hangs in til three or four. If you hit channel 6 (The Superbowl), you'll typically pick up Cali early on and then will begin to pick up east coast transmission. Right now FL, GA, SC and Kentucky are getting through pretty well. Sometimes at night we'll catch Iowa etc... You will also here some of the big radios out of WA roll down.

Anybody can shoot skip with a well tuned radio if the conditions are right. What makes it tough is there are some really big radios out there that basically "Squash" your signal when you try to talk. The guys are typically using several thousnd watts (and yes its an FCC violation... but many of them have been doing it for years and years, from the same spot... so go figure).

[BRUZR]

conditions for skip are starting to improve; it rolls into az around 1 or 1:30 and hangs in til three or four. If you hit channel 6 (The Superbowl), you'll typically pick up Cali early on and then will begin to pick up east coast transmission. Right now FL, GA, SC and Kentucky are getting through pretty well. Sometimes at night we'll catch Iowa etc... You will also here some of the big radios out of WA roll down.

Anybody can shoot skip with a well tuned radio if the conditions are right. What makes it tough is there are some really big radios out there that basically "Squash" your signal when you try to talk. The guys are typically using several thousnd watts (and yes its an FCC violation... but many of them have been doing it for years and years, from the same spot... so go figure).

I've HEARD guys in Hawaii and Austrailia from my 510XL and personally gotten out to a guy in Needles, CA from my driveway at the north end of Havasu... All in all, the radio isn't all that bad... If I wanted to REALLY get out there, I'd be buying a more easily tweaked radio and an amp and a better antenna...

My .02

[YJunk]

I've HEARD guys in Hawaii and Austrailia from my 510XL and personally gotten out to a guy in Needles, CA from my driveway at the north end of Havasu... All in all, the radio isn't all that bad... If I wanted to REALLY get out there, I'd be buying a more easily tweaked radio and an amp and a better antenna...

My .02

like a General Lee, Sweet Sixteen and a Monkey Made? If you've got the juice and the ground to run it... thats about like a kick in the face with a steel toe boot... You could defiantely get and and shoot some skip then.

[jeepdude775]

OK so is this a good general purpose CB radio? I gues I should get one for trail runs.

Thanks

[Wayco]

Yep, perfect little unit for most occasions.

[ArizonaSunshine]

Went to Apollo Communications - I ended up with the PRO 520XL & Lil Wil Antenna. I like how it's compact size. Tested on outing last weekend & seems to work fine. :)

[Desert 4x4]

I went to apollo communication and they dailed in my uniden 520 and firestick antenna and i get a 10 to 15 mile range or more on the trail ....i would refer them to anyone..... I was at Crown King and i was talking to my brother at Lake pleasent

[ryan rich]

the FCC doesn't regulate like they used to i would not worry about peaking your radio the most you will get is about 15 watts any way they have bigger fish to fry i have told people before call zane 602-770-5327 he knows what he is doing and has the best prices then any one he will treat you right

[YJunk]

I've HEARD guys in Hawaii and Austrailia from my 510XL and personally gotten out to a guy in Needles, CA from my driveway at the north end of Havasu... All in all, the radio isn't all that bad... If I wanted to REALLY get out there, I'd be buying a more easily tweaked radio and an amp and a better antenna...

My .02

Skip was rolling pretty good today... worked my way into CA, VA, PA, NJ, RI, MI and MA... All in the course of about an hour. Something to do while the rig is broke :(

[Stone Dragon]

My CB is completely stock except for the power mic...

That your story and your sticking to it!!!!!!!!!!!

Skip was rolling pretty good today... worked my way into CA, VA, PA, NJ, RI, MI and MA... All in the course of about an hour.

:confused: :p :D

[YJunk]

Actually Tony all of that is true... My CB is completely stock internally except for the power mic... as a matter of fact, my CB actually produces less wattage on Dead Key than most radios. I dead key at .5w and only swing to 3 or 4. Most radio's dead key at 4 and swing to five or six... on the other end I have a very well grounded and tuned antenna. My SWR is something around 1.05:1. The needle barely moves when the radio is keyed down...

So, I'm not lying about the CB, just so ya know... :D

[Stone Dragon]

I understand! Mine does about the same.

[over's tj]

I have Uniden pro 510XL and a PC66XL

on my TJ- I have the antenna mounted on my tire carrer that is powder coated and hinged. How do I make sure it has a good ground?

the PC66XL stopped working after I tightened the volume/power switch, should I try to get it repaired from Apollo or other? Bronco-1 sold it to me a while back and he "powered it up" before I even bought it (always worked great)

should I just be happy with the more compact/modern 510XL?

[Wayco]

The 510XL should be sufficient for you. You can check for a good ground with an ohm meter, but if it's working on the trail, it's good. I have mine mounted with a bracket I got at 4 Wheelers supply that fits in the bolt holes where the stock tire carrier went. When I mounted it, I made sure there was bare metal between the bracket and the door.