Newbie to CB - Base Station

[naterd00d]

Hey, i recently used a CB radio in my friends car (surprised at the range it got in suburbia) and i want to setup a base station. The problem however, (always a problem) is that i am moving into an apartment complex, where i will have no car. Which is why i want to have a base station. I will be living on the top floor, and am fairly sure i have no roof access...

A) Which radio would you guys suggest (affordable, but quality, as usual)
and
B) what antenna solution would you also suggest?

i was looking into a Firestik indoor setup (as i am on the top floor, so it would be slightly less awful) but i figured i would ask as you are all much more knowledgeable than i am.

[naterd00d]

is there a better place i should post this?

[Mikey B]

You may not be pleased with the results you get from that antenna. You also may cause alot of RFI in your apartment and possibly others. It will probably work, but I don't think you'll be happy

[Capndave]

There is a antenna just for your situation,the saturn by workman about $ 40.00,its just made for people with lease restrictions,it is a 39 inch antenna.with a 10 foot piece of conduit and some U clamps that will do.As for a radio,A Cobra 148GTL would be a good start.That antenna is claimed to rated at 500 watts but I would not try it.

[naterd00d]

There is a antenna just for your situation,the saturn by workman about $ 40.00,its just made for people with lease restrictions,it is a 39 inch antenna.with a 10 foot piece of conduit and some U clamps that will do.As for a radio,A Cobra 148GTL would be a good start.That antenna is claimed to rated at 500 watts but I would not try it.

where can i put it though, do i run it indoors?

['Doc]

Indoor antennas are always going to be weaker performers than out door antennas. The simple reason being that they have to 'get' through more stuff (building) to get to where it's supposed to go. The same antenna out side is going to be better than the same antenna in side. If you can 'live' with the reduced performance, there's no big deal. Yet.
The biggest 'deal' of indoor antennas is that they are closer to electrical things that can be interfered with, yours and your neighbor's. That's a big subject all by it's self.
You can figure on an indoor antenna being inconvenient because of it's 'size' and where it would be 'best' to place it for best performance. Where to place it is one of those "try it ans see" thingys. Have fun.
If you can stick that antenna out the window, things sort of improve a little. Putting it outside and on top of the roof would make it even more 'improved'. You still have the same "too close" problems, but maybe not as many? Is there always a 'dead-nutz' best antenna for indoor use? Not really, too many different circumstances for that to happen. Some can certainly be better than others depending on circumstances. Which? Sorry, can't tell you, I don't know the circumstances well enough to make a guess.
The best you can do is select a 'small' enough antenna to fit, adapt it how you have to to make it work, then use it. If it works as good as your mobile, I think you should be happy with it. Do I think you'll be just thrilled? Not for long, nobody ever is...
- 'Doc

[Capndave]

Yes ,outdoors would be best as doc said,If you put it up 10 foot (as you are going to be on the top floor)that should do.

[naterd00d]

is there a way i can mount it through a window, im trying to think of a way to get it above the actual building out of my window, and i cant really find a solution (the building is brick so nailing is out of the question

[shakuna]

hmm is there a pipe or something that is close to the window on the outside? maybe u could somehow use those cable ties maybe the 12 to 14 inch ties and somehow clamp the small antenna that way. or another idea is a dipole antenna. for 11m cb use. they can be used on the inside. but again there is the possible interference from electrical or metal objects.

the dipole can be used in different ways. i used one in the inverted v shape, which a upside down v. have the middle antenna up hanging from the celing or so and have the ends about 45 degree angle. you can lookup dipole on the internet and see how they are installed. maybe that might help you out. the outside is the best always for better reception and transmit. sory i can,t be much more helpful. the apartment thinghy is always a problem, as most won,t let you put a outside antenna up . but some might give u permission. i wish you good luck on this and hope u can find a way. but atleast read upon the dipole. its a small and pretty good option, when others are not allowed.

[shakuna]

oh and also the 148gtl or galaxy 959 is a good sideband radio, if u are into ssb. if not then a 919 or cobra 29 tuned is a good normal am radio. blessings.

[Ryder505]

I lived in an apartment on the second floor for about 2 years. What I did was get a gutter mount (it is made for your rain gutter on the house) and I ran a 6' firestikII mobile antenna and 25 feet of coax. I had a 1.4 standing wave on it. My base was a Cobra 148gtl on a power supply. I bought 2 identical slide mounts and mounted one in my truck and half of the other one I made a bracket that mounted to the power supply. That way I could use between the truck and house without the trouble of disconnecting wires all the time. Since i lived alone didn't need a radio at home all the time. Just don't use the quick connect for the coax(ok for power wires,external and pa speakers but not antenna). I used to be able to talk about 15-20 miles with no problem and didn't bother any neighbors that I knew of.

[Sporty Mike]

If you have a balcony I would suggest mounting and antenna to the railing using a truck style mirror mount, but your particular apt. complex may not allow that.
But, if I lived in an apartment, that's what I'd do.