2 CB radios ?

[MMcCowan]

I have a CB in the truck. I'm wondering. Can I have two CB's in the truck? I'd like to be able to monitor ch. 19 yet talk with someone I'm traveling with on another channel. Will 2 independent radios in the same vehicle effect one another or would it be okay? Sorry if this is a dumb question. Thanks.

 

[Dieselnut59]

I have seen some CB radios in the truck stops that allow you to monitor either channel 9 or 19 while talking on another channel. I think the unit I saw was a Cobra. Do some online searching for Cobra, Midland and Uniden radios.



Cobra Electronics



Midland Radio - Midland Radio | Home



Uniden | A World Without Wires

 

[Skydiver]

I think the "bleed over" would not allow this. Try this. If possible park two different different vehicles with CBs within 2 feet and see if the channels operate properly.
I know when traveling through towns the locals running high power base stations cover up channel 19,,,and think it's funny when you tell them.
That's just the way AM works.

 

[SRath]

Try a Cobra 18 WX ST II.

example here: New Cobra Elect. 18 WX ST II 40-Channels Base CB Radio - eBay (item 220561269623 end time Feb-27-10 20:08:00 PST)

It is a decent radio for about $80 with a front-firing speaker and mic connection and 10 weather channels, channel 9 and 19 instant buttons AND, very importantly for my job, it can monitor any two channels you choose at once, as well as scan all channels constantly.

It is great for convoying and still keeping an ear on 19 while chatting away on a less busy channel. For me, I am constantly picking up loads at the mill, which uses channel 1, and taking them to a manufacturing plant that runs on channel 30. I don't need to remember to switch channels every time.

They are a good enough radio that a competent shop can get you about 30 watts out it and it has noise filtering. it will never be a Bobby-Big-Rigger mega-watt radio, but it does the job when matched to decent antenna.

 

[JoeTaylor1]

If you are caravaning with someone, a cheap, simple option is to use those little walkie talkie radios from Motorola. They work well and do not cross talk at all with the CB.

 

[MMcCowan]

Thanks guys. The bleedover is what I was worried about. I have a Cobra 29 WX NW ST Classic in the truck. I wish that had the scan feature. I bought a box at a farm auction that had four other Cobra radios in it. I found a use for a couple of them. I was hoping this idea would be a good use for one of the other ones. Since I have these extras, I don't want to buy any other ones. Maybe I will try the truck to truck test.

 

[SRath]

That Cobra 18 WX ST II scans all channels, too, but the Dual Watch feature is different in that it constantly scans only two channels of your choosing. If you search ebay for "cobra 18 cb" you will find some very cheap deals from time to time. Just make sure it is the WX ST II to get the best features as there are older versions lacking some features.

If you do not have a weather radio feature on your truck stereo like most semis do, that feature is worth the cost of the radio in itself, imo. You can also hook up a PA speaker and yell at your kids or wolf whistle at chicks... :-laf

For me, the simplicity (idiot-proof), compactness, and front-firing speaker and microphone jack are great features, too. I am going to see if i can mount one in my Dodge where the cup launcher currently is. Right now, the one in my pickup (I have 3 of these radios) is mounted to the bottom of the overhead console doo-hickey.

 

[fest3er]

'Bleed-over' is nothing but a transmitter operating outside its assigned bandwidth, due to using an improper amplifier or having improper output filters. A CB transmitter that is operating according to FCC rules will not walk on another channel.

If your radios are within the proper power limit (5W, I believe), you route the antennas away from each other, you provide solid grounds for the cable shields (short of welding the radio frames to the truck's body), and you use different lengths of cable for each antenna, you should be just fine having two radios in the truck, especially if you are transmitting only one at a time.

 

[GaryOwen]

My BIL does it all the time in his big truck with no problem. Matter of fact, all the drivers in his company do. They monitor their company channel and channel 19. He has two separate systems.

 

[The patriot]

It shouldnt be a problem with a stock radio.

I would recommend to have the antennas as far apart as possible.

 

[MMcCowan]

I just talked to a guy tonight that does the same thing. Two radios in his big truck, company channel on one and 19 on the other. Maybe I'll give it a shot. I have dual firestiks in the stake pockets. Maybe a whip off the side mirror or hood?

 

[dclassens]

SRath is right on the money. When I would travel about 500 miles every weekend, i had that set up in my truck. Never let me down and always was loud and clear. I like to scan, but most I loved the weather. In Michigan, weather can creep on you and the Cobra 18 WX ST II had the most features and was most operator friendly radio I have ever had!!

Dave

PS ~ if i am reading your last post correctly about the guy with two radios in his big truck... I would be willing to bet the frequencies are VERY different. 2 way radio's freq's are all over such as VHF and others. Citizen Band are FRS 27MHZ, with no more than 4 watts, well that is what the fcc says, but there are tons of amps for sale that would blow the CB off your dash board. again 2 CB's side by side I think would clash. but for example a HAM next to a CB no prob. Where is Gary-k7gld when you need him. I bet he would have the data you need.