marine radio

[tx mercury]

I have aray jefferson marine radio 7878m , can you use a cb power cord to the radio,also I would like to know if, can I use it in my car? (just to listen to) as I enjoy just listening, without all the confusion. Also do I need a certain antenna? Thanks for any help. Mercury.

 

[arks]

Re: marine radio

WELCOME to iboats tx mercury!

can you use a cb power cord to the radio?

Sure, as long as you can identify + and - wires. If you reverse 'em the radio is toast. Make sure you have an inline fuse on the + side.

also I would like to know if, can I use it in my car? (just to listen to) as I enjoy just listening, without all the confusion.

Well, you can legally listen, but it's illegal to transmit unless you've got a special license. You should remove the mic and leave it home. A scanner is a better idea.

Also do I need a certain antenna? Thanks for any help. Mercury.

Yes and no. If all you want to do is listen, then a CB antenna might work for close broadcasts. To pick up talk farther away or for transmitting you'd need a VHF marine antenna.

 

[wtxpatrick]

Re: marine radio

I have aray jefferson marine radio 7878m , can you use a cb power cord to the radio,also I would like to know if, can I use it in my car? (just to listen to) as I enjoy just listening, without all the confusion. Also do I need a certain antenna? Thanks for any help. Mercury.

The CB power cord would work fine. I would install a fuse on the ground leg also. and its ok to use in a car, or anywhere else for that matter, just do not transmit on it. A good antenna would be a 1/4 wave mag mount, cut to about 18 or 18 1/4 inches long. That would work pretty well for you and would look ok. Hide your microphone so no one will transmit on it and blow the finals out of it.

Pat N5WVC

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: marine radio

Install one way connectors on the radio so you can't reverse the polarity,fuse both power leads.A mag mount antenna used for two meter ham radio will work just fine for listening. Ted,KB3QVL

 

[Boatist]

Re: marine radio

A CB power cord might work but if I were you I would rewire.
In the ONE watt transmit mode the CB cord should work fine as long as have a proper polarized connector.
However in the more important 25 watt mode that you would use for distance and a MayDay call I would rewire.
25 watt transmiter requires a larger fuse than a 4 watt CB radio.
Also the CB likely has a power wire to supply the 4 watt transmitter and this wire
is likely too small a guage to get full power out of your 25 Watt VHF Transmiter.
So I would rewire all the way to your main bus bar or to the battery.
Use the proper size fuse for your 25 watt Transmiter in the red + wire.
The ground wire should be the same size and again go all the way to the Minus bus bar or negitive battery cable.
This way you will know it right and it will work when you really need it.

 

[wellsc1]

Re: marine radio

ARKS,

Folks should check local laws regarding scanners. While they my be legal to sell, they may not be legal to have in a vehicle. At home is one thing, and likely legal; but in a vehicle may be illegal (as if anyone enforces that in the first place).

An Amateur Radio Operator and personnel on official government business can legally carry one in Florida as I recall. Otherwise, it's only legal at home. Oh yeah, scanners capable of receiving cell phone signals are illegal nationwide for any Joe like you and me unless your on related government business warranting the need for one (i.e., emergency support functions during a disaster or something).