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03-24-2010, 08:28 PM
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#1
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Posts: 41
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CB Radio
I'm considering purchasing a Cobra C75WXST CB radio, using a non-grounded antenna. Any pros or cons for this unit would be greatly appreciated!
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Neil & Rilla
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03-25-2010, 06:19 AM
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#2
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Weyauwega, WI US
Posts: 1,486
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fergo27
I'm considering purchasing a Cobra C75WXST CB radio, using a non-grounded antenna. Any pros or cons for this unit would be greatly appreciated!
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I am using this unit along with the antenna that came on the coach. I am very happy with it. I had the same radio on a previous coach and it worked well on that.
Don
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Don & Bev Morgan Weyauwega WI, 05 Itasca Horizon 40KD, 400 HP Cummins, Delorme GPS LT 40, Toad 07 Saturn Vue AWD, Air Force One, TST 510 TPMS, Mayor of Weyauwega 2007 - 2013, Waupaca Co Board Supervisor 2010 - 2014
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03-25-2010, 06:37 AM
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#3
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Portage, Wi.
Posts: 15
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I have to agree with Petro on the radio, Cobras are one of the best ones in the market, as a retired professional driver, right now I'm looking to go with a K-40 antenna myself.
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03-25-2010, 11:51 AM
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#4
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Posts: 41
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Don,
Thanks for your info. Good to know it works for you.
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Neil & Rilla
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03-25-2010, 11:53 AM
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#5
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Posts: 41
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Swamphog,
Thanks for your info also.
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Neil & Rilla
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03-25-2010, 04:39 PM
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#6
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Jacksonville FL
Posts: 114
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fergo27
Just in case you didn't know, you should be pre-wired (along with the antenna on the roof), for a CB radio. The wiring should be in a plastic bag, stuffed behind the carpeting up underneath the dash to the left of the steering column.
Winne tries to make things easy!
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Tom & Norma - NEW: 2011 Tiffin Allegro Bus 43QRP
OLD: 2005 Itasca Meridian 34H
Toad: 2007 HHR, 4-Down, Blue OX & Patriot Brake
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03-25-2010, 05:59 PM
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#7
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oh.
Posts: 317
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So, if this unit does not require a grounded antenna, does that mean you could use a window mount antenna and obtain satisfactory results or similar to one that is grounded? I have been using a window antenna for several years and the results are OK but not great. If I understand the OP correctly my window antenna would work with this new Cobra unit, right? Do you still have to match the antenna with this unit? Can someone tell me how much this Cobra unit sells for?
THanks
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03-26-2010, 05:47 AM
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#8
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Portage, Wi.
Posts: 15
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The Uniden & the Cobra at one time merge together, the two radios are the same, same features too, the Cobra was the higher price one because of the name, now I don't know if they are still together today as it was in the 70's, & I wouldn't be afraid to purchase ( Uniden) one today. Myself, I have one of each, reverb & echco box, peaked out & both have upper & lower bands with some other items added, one on a Wilson antenna, the other a broken antenna ( K-40).
I have a old Winne and will be mounting a aluminum bracket ,( cauking with clear caulk) since there is a old cb coax wire there, I will be drilling in the same place and remove the old wire to run a new CB wire. I like the upper / lower bands because of the "traffic" ( alot of people using the same channel on the radio) also skip channels. I, myself won't purchase a CB with a weather station, not saying its a bad ideal as the AM/FM radios can provide that info.
There are better radios out there besides these two, but "for the money these are the best". You are able to find great deals at truck stops, ( AKA travel plaza) there you will see all the items you could/ wish/ want/ & need to operate a radio, one more thing I would say, & that would be purchasing an external speaker, if you mount the CB under the dash you will have a problem hearing it, if you mount the CB by your head you will have a headache if its close to your ear, the CB unit can mounted anywhere (with the saftly of your view and operation of the vehical, such as brakes) the external speaker may be put any place you desire as long as it dose not obstruct your view.There are many sizes to the external speaker and you may chose to have a echeo speaker or a normal external speaker. The hand mike that comes with the CB radio can be replace with a 12 V battery operated hand mike, that also can give you some more power in the unit. The mike holder that comes with it can be replace with other(s), one that just swings (very noticable on semis) or magnet ones. As the grounding the antenna, it is grounded to the radio, the radio is then grounded to the chassie by the ground wire or the metal box of the radio. For tunning the antenna to the radio there are serval ways, but its best if you just take it to a CB repair shop or a truck stop, some "travel plazas" have places that rents a small area to people that repairs them.They will come out to the vehical to work on it. upon purchasing the antenna, there two to choice from, fiber glass or steel, the steel can be "match" to your radio by using a allen wrench and sliding the atenna up & down till you have peak performance, as for the fiber glass one, this is tricky as you "cut" the antenna to match the radio, either way, you can match it by watching your meter on the radio, to much being "cut" on the fiber glass will be a total lost & needs to be replace, as for steel ones well there not to popular with drivers. When I purchase my Winne I had a magnet mount on a little platform , on a strong windy day, ( you shouldn't be out driving) the magnet can come off and swing back n forth scrapping the side of your coach. there are many types of radios and antennas out there ,depending on your use, how much you want to spend, the size from small to large, and what they have on it. I never oprated my tractors with out one as you never know about a back up ( traffic jam) around the cornor and stopping a 40 ton truck on a dime just don't work. I keep my Squch down low to limit the noise and my RF up, this gives me enough power to hear a few miles ahead about anything i need to be Alert about. & not hearing all the rubbish on the radio. Today the older "hand" (drivers) really don't listen to the CB that much for that reason, I will also be using one in my Rv,but keeping the volume low. an oldie but a goodie. My radios are old but works. hope this help you, as it refreshed my mind.
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05-08-2010, 09:18 PM
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#9
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 277
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Quote:
Originally Posted by THutch
fergo27
Just in case you didn't know, you should be pre-wired (along with the antenna on the roof), for a CB radio. The wiring should be in a plastic bag, stuffed behind the carpeting up underneath the dash to the left of the steering column.
Winne tries to make things easy!
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Are we supposed to have a CB antenna? I thought we were just
pre-wired for the power supply. I thought that the short antenna was for the regular radio. ??? Joe
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2008 Itasca Latitude 39W. Cummins ISB 6.7 Turbo 340HP. Allison 6 Speed. Freightliner XCS. Michelin XRV 255/80R 22.5 LRG. SuperSteer MCU. Safe-T-Plus.
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05-08-2010, 11:15 PM
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#10
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 429
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Quote:
Originally Posted by azloafer
Are we supposed to have a CB antenna? I thought we were just pre-wired for the power supply. I thought that the short antenna was for the regular radio. ??? Joe
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That is what I found on my Winne. Power and ground but no antenna or coax. I used a Firestik NGP antenna and a side mount. I was able to run the coax behind the cabinet paneling and then down behind the "A" post trim and under the dash.
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Wayne & Roberta and Maggie the Miracle Dog
08 Winnebago Destination 39W Gas UFO Workhorse Chassis
Making the Journey in our Destination
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05-08-2010, 11:40 PM
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#11
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 277
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wthomas1
That is what I found on my Winne. Power and ground but no antenna or coax. I used a Firestik NGP antenna and a side mount. I was able to run the coax behind the cabinet paneling and then down behind the "A" post trim and under the dash.
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Where/how did you run the antenna wire out to the antenna? I was considering a mirror mount but can't figure out how to make it neat looking. Joe
__________________
2008 Itasca Latitude 39W. Cummins ISB 6.7 Turbo 340HP. Allison 6 Speed. Freightliner XCS. Michelin XRV 255/80R 22.5 LRG. SuperSteer MCU. Safe-T-Plus.
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05-09-2010, 04:47 AM
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#12
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Marathon, Florida
Posts: 222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by azloafer
Where/how did you run the antenna wire out to the antenna? I was considering a mirror mount but can't figure out how to make it neat looking. Joe
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Joe,
I found a CB coax under the dash of our Vectra next to the steering column, left side in a plastic bag. It looks like a factory job. So I looked up the specs on your Itasca 2008 Itasca Latitude Specifications and under CAB AREA & DRIVER CONVENIENCES sure enough it says CB radio prep. Ours is connected to an antenna next to the air horns right over the drivers head. It may not have come with the antenna but we bought it "new to us" so the previous owner may have connected it.
I would take a look or have someone look to see if there is already a wire there before running a new one.
__________________
Mark & Nancy
2004 Winnebago Vectra 40KD
Shep dog, R.I.P. Kenzie dog Toad 2015 Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler
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05-09-2010, 06:56 AM
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#13
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Portage, Wi.
Posts: 15
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Joe, your '08 is prep for a CB. Thanks HD4MARK for putting the Winnebago site up.
If you have the coax in the CB PREP bag you will need to locate the end of other end of the coax to mount the antenna, but again and I doubt it, may be connected to the radio antenna, remeber in the '70's the Dodge Class C radio's were "AM/FM/CB all in one turn the radio on you loose the Cb, turn the CB on loose the radio, all connected to one antenna, to see if you are lucky enought to have this, lay the CB on the floor hook up the right wires for the power ( postive & ground) plug in all wires ( postive, ground and antenna) turn on the radio "BUT DO NOT KEY THE MIKE" if you hear other folks on the radio your in luck,then you can key the mike and ask for a radio check, any responce you get like "check is in the mail" its working, you may have to move the channel to higher numbers or lower numbers to find someone, (as radios are not that popular anymore) if not and you may be to far away from the highway, see if someone in the "hood" has a radio or a walkey talkey ( not FRS) and will turn it on, can be a home base unit or a car unit, just be on the same channel, As HD4Mark said in his post his is mounted next to the air horns. You may want to read my earler post also for other hints about radios and speakers, hope this helps
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05-09-2010, 08:17 AM
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#14
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Full Time, TX Home Base
Posts: 432
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Having a good antenna mounted high is the key to having a good CB. CB (11 m band) is basically line of sight communication. The small roof mounted antennas furnished by the manufacturers are generally not very good antennas. You would do better to get a 2 to 3' long Fire Stix NGP (No Ground Plane) antennas and mount it on a side mount bracket with about 1/2 of the antenna above the roof line of the RV.
The Thru-the-glass antennas can work, but be sure you get a decent antenna. The cheapies from Camping World and Wally World are really a pretty poor antenna.
I carry an old 40 channel radio in my truck and a magnetic mount antenna for when I might need a CB. It has not been hooked up for 2 years now. Most of what you hear is a bunch of trucks cussing about 4-wheelers in their way.
Ken
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Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|Full-Time! - 2012 6.7L Ford Crew Cab Dually -2013 HitchHiker Champagne 38RLRSB - Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot
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05-09-2010, 09:45 AM
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#15
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Portage, Wi.
Posts: 15
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TXiceman, your right,halfway above the roof, like to have mine on the mirror, but mine is not possable, using a side mount for me is the way to go, the height is right for under the bridges under tree linbs too. as I mention in the earler post of mine, you don't hear the older hands on the radio much, as you stated cussing about four wheelers and among other things.
My radio is a Cobra 40 channel with side bands and installed skip channels, reverb & echo box along with the exrtra power using a K-40 antenna, I had firestix on each of my semi's I owned and there good antennas too.
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05-09-2010, 10:38 AM
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#16
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 429
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Quote:
Originally Posted by azloafer
Where/how did you run the antenna wire out to the antenna? I was considering a mirror mount but can't figure out how to make it neat looking. Joe
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Joe
I removed the panel in the back of the cabinets over the drivers seat. I then cut out the foam and used the antenna "mounting plate" as a template to drill the two holes needed. The coax actually connects to the side mount after you install it.
This Molded Side Mount Kit - Firestik CB Antenna Mounting - $29.95 is the mount I used. I can send you a picture of my antenna in about a week if you want.
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Wayne & Roberta and Maggie the Miracle Dog
08 Winnebago Destination 39W Gas UFO Workhorse Chassis
Making the Journey in our Destination
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05-09-2010, 03:24 PM
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#17
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Full Time, TX Home Base
Posts: 432
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Swamphog, I have a "real" radio in the truck and VHF/UHF and HF antennas. It won't do the CB band, but I can regularly talk to Canada, South America and Europe from the truck. The CB has been under the back seat for two years, untouched.
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Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|Full-Time! - 2012 6.7L Ford Crew Cab Dually -2013 HitchHiker Champagne 38RLRSB - Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot
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05-09-2010, 05:40 PM
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#18
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 277
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wthomas1
Joe
I removed the panel in the back of the cabinets over the drivers seat. I then cut out the foam and used the antenna "mounting plate" as a template to drill the two holes needed. The coax actually connects to the side mount after you install it.
This Molded Side Mount Kit - Firestik CB Antenna Mounting - $29.95 is the mount I used. I can send you a picture of my antenna in about a week if you want.
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Pictures would be great and I'm sure others would want to see them too. Joe
__________________
2008 Itasca Latitude 39W. Cummins ISB 6.7 Turbo 340HP. Allison 6 Speed. Freightliner XCS. Michelin XRV 255/80R 22.5 LRG. SuperSteer MCU. Safe-T-Plus.
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05-09-2010, 06:58 PM
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#19
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Murphy, NC, USA
Posts: 296
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I have the CB radio you want and it works great. My Rv had the CB antenna on the roof and the wiring was in a package behind the dash. I wired it up and mounted the CB on the left side of the dash.
The antenna that came with it was used and after I adjusted it for the correct SWR, it works great. The only problem with a roof antenna is low trees in state parks, however if you go slow it is no problem.
If I were you I would look for the package behind the dash and then look up on the roof and the antenna may be there but laying down as it is adjustable.
What ever antenna you use be sure to check the SWR on channel 20 and it should be lower than 1.5
Hope this helps you and when all else fails check with Winnebago at their 800 number and they will help you.
Good Luck
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2014 Winnebago Adventurer 35P,Ford F-53, V-10
2011 Ford Escape,2000 Roadmaster Tow Dolly
"Have a Great Day, Enjoy RVing."
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05-09-2010, 10:59 PM
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#20
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Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: St Albert AB Canada
Posts: 1
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You might want to check out "Right Channel Radio" They have some great advice etc.
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George & Barbara
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