CB Radios. What are y'all using?

[benjy_26]

Hello all.

 

I've been considering getting a CB for the MJ and have finally decided to go about buying/installing one, but I know NOTHING about them. What are you guys running and what have your experiences been with your set up? Thanks in advance!

[AeroNautical]

I run a Cobra 29 LTD NightHawk with a 102" whip. It's an excellent radio, tried and true design, built in swr (though I'd use an external for calibration), adjustable backlighting for night time, awesome range where I live (it's flat here, I've gotten in excess of 20 miles with the antenna). Here's a video on tuning when you do get up and running:

 

https://youtu.be/0UsOmfVErO8

[benjy_26]

I run a Cobra 29 LTD NightHawk with a 102" whip. It's an excellent radio, tried and true design, built in swr (though I'd use an external for calibration), adjustable backlighting for night time, awesome range where I live (it's flat here, I've gotten in excess of 20 miles with the antenna). Here's a video on tuning when you do get up and running:

 

Awesome! Thanks for the info. It seems like the Cobra 29 series variants are pretty popular.

[87Warrior]

The cost to get a good CB set up has been growing rapidly. I bought a Uniden 'kit' in 2004 from rightchannelradios for less than $70. That cost has doubled today. Radio, swr meter, coax, antenna and mount. For less than the cost of a CB radio set up, today you could buy Amateur radio study book, pay the license fee and get a handheld and an external antenna that will blow any (legal) CB out of the water. But, 90% of wheelers still only use a CB so we have to run one.

 

The Uniden radio still works good which is impressive since it has been rained on a few too many time in my TJ. My 3' firestick antenna is about due for replacement since the coating is peeling and cracking. Not bad for 15 years in the sun! I recently discovered I needed CB radio for my MJ and Toyota for trail communication. Since CBs are darned expensive, I bought a Midland 75-822 that I can move between both vehicles. It works flawlessly for trail communication. The MJ has a short rigid antenna mounted to the bed rail and the Toyota has a magnatic antenna on the roof. I can't speak to distance since I turn the CB off on the road and only use the Ham. Both vehicles have the antenna coax terminated in the dash for a quick and clean install/removal of the radio.

 

Here it is in the Toyota, I don't seem to have a picture of the MJs install.

[Megadan]

I've been considering installing my little Cobra 25LTD Classic that I ran in my truck back in my OTR days.  Had a CB Shop do a little tweaking to it and I still have my firesticks sitting around.  Trying to figure out a place to install it has been the biggest challenge.  I've been thinking about making a bracket to mount it where the ash tray sits.  The 25 is small enough it may actually fit ok in that area.

[daking]

I'm using a Cobra 29LX 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-29-LX-40-Channel-Selectable/dp/B004RO3RBE/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1461979013&sr=1-1&keywords=Cobra+29+LX

 

Whip 102" Antenna mounted to my top LED bar. using a tie down in the bed 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Kalibur-K101X-Antenna-Whip-Down/dp/B00DILKM9M/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1461979155&sr=1-2&keywords=Whip+102%22+Antenna

 

Image Not Found

 

Where are you guys mounting the radio? The only place I can see is on the passenger side hump, near the floor shift 

[Pete M]

my 88 has a mini CB mounted on my overhead shelf, but eventually my Cobra 25 will be in the CD player's location in the dash because, well, music hasn't been played in there since I lifted the truck so what's the point of keeping it? 

 

this lil guy plus a big ol' whip have proven quite effective.

 

[benjy_26]

The cost to get a good CB set up has been growing rapidly. I bought a Uniden 'kit' in 2004 from rightchannelradios for less than $70. That cost has doubled today. Radio, swr meter, coax, antenna and mount. For less than the cost of a CB radio set up, today you could buy Amateur radio study book, pay the license fee and get a handheld and an external antenna that will blow any (legal) CB out of the water. But, 90% of wheelers still only use a CB so we have to run one.

 

The Uniden radio still works good which is impressive since it has been rained on a few too many time in my TJ. My 3' firestick antenna is about due for replacement since the coating is peeling and cracking. Not bad for 15 years in the sun! I recently discovered I needed CB radio for my MJ and Toyota for trail communication. Since CBs are darned expensive, I bought a Midland 75-822 that I can move between both vehicles. It works flawlessly for trail communication. The MJ has a short rigid antenna mounted to the bed rail and the Toyota has a magnatic antenna on the roof. I can't speak to distance since I turn the CB off on the road and only use the Ham. Both vehicles have the antenna coax terminated in the dash for a quick and clean install/removal of the radio.

 

Here it is in the Toyota, I don't seem to have a picture of the MJs install.

Can one communicate with CB users woth a ham radio?

[87Warrior]

 

 

Can one communicate with CB users woth a ham radio?

No, the citizens band does not overlap any of the amateur bands.

[benjy_26]

[87Warrior]

[DirtyComanche]

I use a handheld VHF FM.  A face programmable Icom that cost a pretty penny.

 

I keep looking for a good used Tad M10, because that would be easier to use and have better range.

 

People do not use CB here as it is quite useless, all radio controlled roads are VHF FM within 138-174MHz.

[benjy_26]

I use a handheld VHF FM. A face programmable Icom that cost a pretty penny.

 

I keep looking for a good used Tad M10, because that would be easier to use and have better range.

 

People do not use CB here as it is quite useless, all radio controlled roads are VHF FM within 138-174MHz.

Where is "here"for you?

[DirtyComanche]

 

I use a handheld VHF FM. A face programmable Icom that cost a pretty penny.

 

I keep looking for a good used Tad M10, because that would be easier to use and have better range.

 

People do not use CB here as it is quite useless, all radio controlled roads are VHF FM within 138-174MHz.

Where is "here"for you?

 

 

Canada.  All the truckers use VHF FM too, normally they're on Lad 1 or Lad 2, or whatever their company channel is, even if they're just hauling on the highway.  The railways use it too, so you can listen to see if they're running a train in your area (if you need to cross), or you can potentially call them and get them to relay if you have an emergency.  Same with the highways crews.  Need a medivac?  The responding helicopter, ambulance, SAR, etc, will have VHF FM.  Basically, CB is dead, stemming from it not being used commercially and not being regulated.  There isn't much point having a radio if there isn't anyone that will answer you.

[64 Cheyenne]

Local clubs here are switchin to hand held HAM radios, way better performance over a CB, and cost is fairly cheap, only thing is you need to be licensed, no big deal.

[benjy_26]

My issue is that everyone I know is still using CB's, so I'm tied to that technology for better or worse.

 

How good/bad are the hand held CB's? I noticed Cobra makes one that looks like a big walkie-talkie.

[64 Cheyenne]

Got a hand held like your talkin about, works fine on the trail, but without an external antenna it's range is severely limited, nearly line of sight to the back of the group on trail rides, beyond that, like over or around a hill, not so good. FWIW I do have an external antenna just not mounted yet, hoping for better performance, we'll see...

[87Warrior]

I borrowed a buddy's Cobra 38 hand held before I got a CB in the Toyota. Worked great for trail communication, which is really the only practical use for CB. But it was big and HEAVY! The Midland 75-822 I bought is essentially a handheld that has a battery replacement adapter for 12v power and has a super convenient external antenna connection. You can attach a battery pack and rubber duck antenna if you want it to be a handheld. Any handheld CB with a rubber duck antenna will have dismal range, probably about 1 mile.

[Pete M]

I had a handheld CB once.  wouldn't even reliably talk to the truck in front of me unless I held it out the window.  :fs1:  needs an antenna for sure.

[86FUBAR]

I'm running a cobra clasic 25 IIRC ! I have mine mounted on the roof sideways just to the right of the rearview mirror , works great there ! That and I couldn't find a better spot for it . It currently doesn't have an antenna cause it got ripped off but I was running a 10' wipp !

[Pete M]

just a side note on antennas, fiberglass units have a nasty habit of snapping off from branches, but whips can be quite dangerous when to anyone standing around the truck.  whips are sometimes not allowed on trail rides.  I've mounted my whip on a spring base and normally it's tied down (seen here is the short lived sheath that parted ways on the freeway one day).

 

[daking]

Well, they don't call em "Whips" for no reason  :yes:  

 

 

On the subject of handhelds, I keep one in my Jeep too. That way I can loan it on a trail ride, or if a rider walks away from the jeep, we can communicate. 

[Jackrabbit41]

I don't have one but I've seen those Cobras where it's all in the handheld mic. No box. Just Aires antenna and mic so it's really compact

[Jackrabbit41]

It's the 75 wx st

[benjy_26]

I'm starting to like the idea of a whip. How does one tune those atennae?