All Kinds of Farm Equipment

Tractor Dash

Choosing a Cb Radio

© 2008 Right Channel Radios

The most important thing to understand when choosing a radio is that all CBs, regardless of their price, are limited to 4 watts of transmission power by the FCC. This means that a $50 bare-bones CB radio and a $200 chrome plated CB radio with every feature imaginable will have exactly the same transmission power. While a radio can be “peaked and tuned”, a process that increase a CB’s performance, all CB radios will have the same transmission power out of the box.

What primarily differentiates CB radios from each other is their features, not their output strength. CB radios come with a number of features, the most popular of which we’ve outlined below:

• Squelch Control - This control sets the break-point at which a CB radio outputs a signal. In effect, it keeps the operator from constantly having to listen to static and only activates the speaker when a transmission is received. This is a standard feature and is included with nearly every CB radio sold.
• RF Gain - Allows the operator to filter the type of transmission a CB radio receives based on signal strength. It’s useful to block out faint transmissions to eliminate background noise when talking with someone with a strong signal. This feature can also be used to pull-in and better hear weak signals.
• PA Capability - Allows use of the CB radio and microphone as a transmitter for a public address system. This requires a PA horn (usually not included) that can be mounted under the hood or on top of the vehicle.
• Automatic Noise Limited (ANL) - Filters out static, engine noise and other interference from the reception signal to improve reception sound quality.
• Weather Capabilities -CB radios with this feature have the ability to access local NOAA radio stations for real-time weather reports and updates.
• Instant Channel 9 & 19 - The ability to quickly jump to two of the most popular channels: Channel 9 (Emergency) and Channel 19 (Highway / Truckers).
• Nightwatch and/or Backlit Displays - A number of higher priced models include a backlit radio display for convenient operation at night. This is an invaluable feature if a radio will be used extensively at night or in dark conditions. ?

When choosing a CB radio and its corresponding features, it’s important to focus on how and where the CB will be used. Specific vehicle owners tend to want different features in a CB radio:

• Tractor Trailers & Large Trucks: Professional drivers tend to want full-featured CB radio as they are a crucial communication tool on the road. As such, a good after-market radio “peak and tune” to boost performance is often important. The Cobra 29 LTD series is one of the most popular CB radios among professional drivers.
• Jeeps & 4x4s: Off-road drivers usually have smaller vehicle cabs and tend to choose compact CB radios due to space constraints. The Uniden 510XL and Cobra 75 WX ST are both popular choice with off-road drivers due to their compact size.
• RVs: RV owners traditionally have ample cab space that can accommodate large CB radios. Popular features with RV owners include weather channel capabilities as well as front-mounted speakers for convenient in-dash installation. The Cobra 18 WX ST II and Uniden Bearcat 538W are both popular with RV owners.

There are a wide range of features available for CB radios and only the individual can best determine which feature set best suits their needs.

As all CB radios are limited to 4 watts of output, the biggest factor determining radio performance is the antenna. A cheap radio and correctly installed quality CB antenna will perform infinitely better than an expensive radio and a poor antenna setup. Before selecting a CB antenna, we recommend reading our article titled
Choosing a CB Antenna
which is available at
www.RightChannelRadios.com.
About the Author

Right Channel Radios specializes in CB radios, CB antennas and related CB accessories. You can find numerous educational articles as well as a wide selection of CB related products online at www.RightChannelRadios.com.

Must Have Checklist: Choosing a GPS Device

by Yung Trang

Must Have Checklist: Choosing a GPS Device

 

15 Smart Uses for a GPS-Enabled Device

1. Drive yourself and others with increased safety and more confidence

2. Install in your business’ delivery vans to make efficient use of time and gas

3. Hop in the SUV and drive the kids straight to a new friend’s birthday party – hassle free

4. Use on your boat (or a friend’s) to locate a favorite saltwater fishing spot

5. Tuck in your backpack when on a bike ride to try a different route home

6. Find the nearest diner on a road trip in your RV

7. Locate the nearest home improvement store on the day you move into your new house

8. Carry in your pocket to keep your bearings while on a nature walk

9. Avoid being the last one to arrive at the 8 a.m. meeting

10. Get roadside assistance with the touch of a button

11. Make phone calls from your car when your cell phone battery dies

12. Swing by and get some roses at the nearest florist on your way to pick up your date

13. Check out that excellent Mexican restaurant your sister mentioned she ate at last week

14. Drive the rental car to Las Vegas from Chicago in record time

15. Spend more time selling to clients and less time on the road

Relying on technology to help you find your way may seem like a luxury. But in fact, using GPS can provide you with so many benefits that you will likely be able to afford more luxury. A GPS-enabled device such as a portable GPS unit or cell phone can save you time, gas and money while preventing headaches – whether you purchase it for business or personal use.

Global Positioning Systems communicate your current location to satellites in orbit, which then feed navigation information to the GPS-enabled device in your car, delivery van, RV, boat, semi-tractor trailer, ATV backpack or jacket pocket.

Types of GPS-enabled devices include:

· Units for in-dash installation in a vehicle

· Portable full-featured units

· Portable no-frills models

· Handheld devices for hikers, bikers and tourists on foot

· PDAs with integrated receivers or equipped with add-on adapters

· Cell phones

Features to Consider

New, clever enhancements are being made to GPS systems every day. Although the following features are common, they show up in many combinations, so be sure to compare products thoroughly. Take the time to review ratings carefully, too – there’s nothing like having a GPS to know how well it works.

· Voice guided driving directions (so drivers don’t have to look at the display screen)

· If installed or mounted in a vehicle, drivers should only use the touch screen when at a stop. For your driving safety, some GPS units will “lock down” when the vehicle is in motion; others accept voice commands.

· Integrated Bluetooth for handsfree calling

· Integration with AAA or other roadside assistance service

· Option to store favorite locations

· Ability to search for and route to points of interest as well as by address

· Option to choose different forms of navigation (fastest route, most use of highways, etc.)

· Integration with data about current traffic conditions

· Up-to-date and comprehensive information about roads and locations

· Latitude and longitude coordinates, and detailed street maps

· Ability to connect the device to a computer or insert a DVD/CD and update maps and data

· Automatic rerouting when you veer off course

· Touchscreen controls

· Music and picture storage

· Vehicle-mount kit (usually a powerful suction cup); keep in mind that to work effectively, a GPS device’s antenna must have an unobstructed view of the sky

Who Should Buy a GPS-Enabled Device?

Investing in GPS may be a smart move if you:

· Have a company that depends on delivery, transit, or business travel

· Are new to the area

· Are prone to taking wrong turns or losing your bearings

· Like to know in advance what driving action you will need to take

· Tend to run late

· Live in an area that is not remote, heavily wooded or an urban jungle

· Spend a lot of time on the road or travelling by bike or on foot

· Get stressed when driving

· Enjoy off-roading or exploring new terrain

· Are planning a road trip or to rent a car in an unfamiliar location

If you are intrigued by GPS but not sure you want to put a lot of money into your first purchase, consider buying a refurbished model. These devices have been returned to the manufacturer, often for minor problems, and restored to the same quality standards as new units. You may be able to save up to 50% on models that have been discontinued or refurbished.

About the Author

Yung Trang leads the team behind Techbargains.com, one of the most visited online shopping deal sites. Techbargains has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, PC World, and the Wall Street Journal. The site was founded in 1999 and is best known for the quality and breadth of its Dell Coupons, Newegg
Coupons, and Staples Coupons.