CB Gurus

[Archive]

In June will be caravaning with Camping club. To communicate two meter ham would be the way to go but I am the only ham. They all have children band( CB ). Guess I am going to be forced into buying one. Looked at Walmart and they have a Maxon MCB-30 40 channel for under forty dollars. I am not looking for the best CB on the market but would this serve my purpose for truck to truck communications. Is this too cheap to be any good?

------------------
Northport,AL. 1999 2500 quad cab, driftwood, 5 speed ISB. Boost and Pyro gauges. Line-x.
Amateur extra W4XH

 

[Archive]

Make sure no one uses it but your children!!!

 

[Archive]

Paul,

I, too, would like to find a reasonably priced CB that is powerful, functional (well-illuminated and easy to use) and of a small enough size that it might fit into the overhead console storage area; my dash is already maxed out with useless guages, gizmos, light switches, telephone pod, and sterio gear. This truck puts the cockpit of a 747 to shame! (gotta leave room for the GPS "Magellan" unit going in nex week) <g>

My main problem with CB usage is the crappy looking antennas that have to be mounted to the truck. I wish somebody would come up with a sophisticated, updated solution to the whip antennas which have to be bolted on and don't improve the appearance of the truck.

I bought a couple of Radio Shack "walkie-talkie" type units with magnetic roof-mounted antennas -- you know, the kind that plug into a cigarette lighter for power. My wife and I used them to caravan to Florida a couple of years ago and I was very disappointed with their performance. I hated the cables snaked in through the door weatherstripping and the general inconvenience of having to grab for and fiddle with a walkie-talkie when trying to raise her at night, in the dark.

The worst part of it was that the range of these units was terrible -- less than a mile, even with lots of fiddling with the antennas (tuning the length, etc. ) I took 'em back to the store when we got home...

Now, however, I'm thinking about giving CB another look. I have to drive to Oregon next week then back to New York and finally home to Atlanta. That's a lotta road miles with no company...

I'd like to buy a CB if there is an attractive, affordable unit that won't make my truck look like something out of a 1980s, Burt Reynolds "Cannon Ball Run" movie. ;-)

------------------
97 2500 4x4, club cab, auto, 3. 54 limited slip, JRE 4" exhaust, Dr. Performance Fuel system (370 HP), turbo, Geno's guages -- Boost, EGT, transmission & Rear -- MAG Hytec covers, SunCoast Converter/Transgo shift kit, Brite Box, tons o'chrome under hood, Prime Loc, EZ Drain, Seat covers, wood dash, Rancho Suspension, Warn M12000 Winch on Warn Brush Guard, Warn driving and fog lights, Hella twin back up lights, 285/75/R16 B. F. G. ATs on Mickey Thompson rims; Linex bed liner, BD exhaust brake.

[This message has been edited by Sasquatch (edited 04-09-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

Cobra has a nice looking CB out. The mike has the necessary controls to operate it(vol. change channels etc. ) I've had 29 model for about 8 years now, works great. Had a few toys put into it over the years, running a wilson 2000 antenna. I know the 29 sells for around 120. 00, not sure about the new model I mentioned above. Here's a link to an install on the new model. After the sight pulls up on the screen, click on the big pic. to get to 2nd screen, you will see the CB prompt about halfway down.
good luck

http://www.rockcrawler.com/


------------------
97 Dodge cab/chassis 1 ton,5 spd. , 4. 10's,11'flatbed w/ monorail, bd injectors, K&N filter,Cobra 29 CB, Wilson 2000, electcric & V/H brakes, 50 gal. aux tank, pulling 20' 12 k cap tag-along flatbed trailer,
208,000 miles and counting
86' ford 1 ton,4 spd, 4. 10's, 6. 9 non turbo,( AKA "slow motion"),4spd ,90gal. aux tank, elecric & V/H brakes, pulls 40' G/N flatbed w V/H brakes
170,000 and counting
AKA- Slow motion

[This message has been edited by LARGE CAR (edited 04-09-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

L. C. ,

Thanks, man. The Cobra looks like a really nice unit. I'll check it out.

 

[Archive]

The cobra is good (thats what I have) and uniden has some real good small compact one for about $70. My dad has one of those and it works better than my $120 cobra. A CB is a good tool on the highway. You always get a warning of accidents or cops from other drivers ahead of time. Saved my butt a few times.

------------------
99, 4x4, slt, 3500,5spd,
3. 54 gears, black,hoswel bale bed, blue box, Pac-
Brake, 5in. sraightpipe, K&N, silencer ring removed, 5 star aluminum wheels, brushguard,blackouts, eclipse stereo, sound stream 10,matrix blue headlight bulbs, blazer blue neon fog lights, KC Daylighters, 29ltd Cobra CB, Dodge splash guards, Lund Cold Fronts

-- email address removed --


"Use to be Strokin' now I'm Cummin'

 

[Archive]

I don't care much for Radio Shack equipment. But a guy at work had bought a small c/b at Radio Shack. I was shocked at how clear it was and the range it had. If you are using just for your caravanning that will be plenty good. Me I've got a Cobra Night Hawk c/b. For night drivers its kinda handy to have the knobs aluminated wich the Night Hawk does. Antennies I'm using are Wilson Silver with adjustable SWR built in. 3 1/2 foot long they are and mounted on the box behind the cab.

 

[Archive]

I'm a Ham too who had to resort to
the CB cause of our local club. I wound up with a little uniden, about 50bucks.
The biggest feature (which this had)I wanted due to the closeness of the others was an RF Gain.
Helps big time. If you check out their site, they have deals on re-cond units.
I mounted the CB and dual bander on the floor
facing up, just behind the transfer case stick and infront of the middle seat.
The other kinda new alternative for the antena would be the glass mount. looks like a cellphone antena. A few folks I know have them and for the road train or on the beach it's good enough.
I stuck the good old 4' glass whip on a bracket I made off the end of the rear bumper.

 

[Archive]

What does a CB with SSB (single side band) allow you to do?

I was looking at a Midland that was DIN size, removable faceplate, weather, SSB for like $160.

Thanks for any info...

------------------
99 QC SB 4x 3. 54 Auto, Camel leather/white, Westach Pyro/Boost and transmission Temp, Mag-Hytec 727

 

[Archive]

Simply. . SSB is different mode of modulation. the basic three are AM, FM and SSB.
In the world of CB the fcc allows you to run 12watts pk-pk of power.
There are less people talking on SSB, it kinda of punches through the noise as well.
So for you and a buddy, you can get some better distance than you would with basic AM operation.

 

[Archive]

For what it's worth--I'm running a Cobra 40 channel with 7 weather bands/auto warning system-it's a good little radio with 4-5 miles range. I paid 65. 00 for it at a truck stop. I have found the best deals on CB is at a big truck stop (Love's in this area-TX/ OK). They also sell antenna's/accesories at a good price too. I stay away from the shack...

------------------
2001 QC,SLT,4x4,Cummins HO,6 spd. ,Dark Garnet/Pearl, all options but leather/snowplow/Sport, the elusive front license plate bracket,"Cup Smoothie" Autometer gauges on A pilar, LineX bed liner, Cobra CB,Westin nerfs, More To Come! Needs a name...

 

[Archive]

Dave I have the same radio that you have. I love the weather alert on it. My question is do you ever feel like it doesn't transmit very well at times? It seems to receive transmissions but I don't think it gets out very well. ( maybe they just don't want to talk to me- I don't know!! #ad
)

------------------
'93 D250 CC 210hp 5spd K&N filter straight exhaust

 

[Archive]

For the ant, you can make a plat (mine is SS) and mount it to the drivers side fender under the hood. Truck stops have a mount w/insulator that can be used to mount a smaller (2. 5' - 3') "whip". There was a posting last year on this and there is another mount from R/S that also lets you do this, but it mounts to the hood (if I recall). Saw some of these @ Longbeach in Dec and Auge's last month.

Just some more ideas vs the "BIG" whip on the bumper - etc.

\\BF//

ps. the Uniden (smaller) unit was good when I had it on the other truck. Few controls but compact and lo cost. Still see them in truck stops, they are all black.

[This message has been edited by Ben Stair (edited 04-11-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

Firestik makes a stainless steel mount antenna mount specifically for the Ram. It mounts the antenna on the driver's side front fender using one of the fender mounting bolts. They even have a kit which includes coax and hardware. Sorry I don't have the part number handy, but it's shown on their website, which I think is www.firestik.com.

 

[Archive]

If you're really can't stand extra antennas on your truck, you can look into a AM/FM/CB combo antenna interface for your existing factory antenna. It's a box that plugs in between your AM/FM radio and the factory antenna, and allows you to transmit/receive CB and receive AM/FM at the same time.

Downside is that they're not as "good" as a dedicated CB antenna for transmitting.

A note about Radio Shack - just like their scanners, all RS CB radios are manufacturer by Uniden for RS. I've owned several RS scanners and CBs and have been pretty happy with all of them!

Greg

------------------
Y2K Dodge Cummins QC 2500 SLT Laramie 4x4 Long Bed, 4. 10/Auto, Forest Green/Driftwood, 265x75R16 Michelin LTX, 6 speaker CD, Camper/Tow/Plow Packages, Westin Black Nerfs, Mopar bedliner, Ultra bright diamondplate toolbox, K&N Filtercharger.

Not Bombed yet!

 

[Archive]

What you pay for quality is worth it when you are on the road. I got a cheaper RS radio and am less than impressed. I get alot of noise overpowering anyone I can talk to. Get a radio with RF and Mic Gain!!
Also put up with the ugly antenna for good distance. Nothing is more frustrating than loosing contact during a good conversation.

$0. 02, take it or leave it #ad


------------------
Jason's Lil' Mack - 89 D250LE 2WD 5Spd 3. 55 Reg Cab. K&N,"tweaked pump", 3. 5" Exst straight,E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4, PIAA 80W/80W HdLites. Bosch 100W Driving. Bosch 55W Fogs.
218,000 miles (355,000 Kms)
7450 Hrs.

 

[Archive]

Guys,
if your lookin for nice radios that will talk try looking at www.exportradios.com
they sell about any radio you can think of already peaked and tuned, the also sell converted 10 meter radios if your into power i've had real good luck with them and prices are reasonable

Rick

------------------
93 W 250 Banks turbo, intercooler, straight exhaust, JRE injectors, K&N, moderate pump tuning, B&D converter, TFOD diesel shift kit, 21/2 in skyjacker system, lock rite in rear, (detroit locker waiting instalation) lock rite in front, fourwheel camper, steel horse bucket seats, borgeson steering arm, jacobs headlight brightener, Dual battery conversion, dunlop 255/85/16 rovers,

<A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Albumlist?u=279120&Auth=False" TARGET=_blank>

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=279120&Auth=false</A>

 

[Archive]

Did any of you have static problems with your CB in our Cummins Rams?

My 99 is real bad, (almost had to look under the hood to insure they did not sneak some sparkplugs in there somewhere).

I've tried two radios with the same noise which is rpm related. One theory is that the 24v fuel pump is responsible.

Any thoughts, ways to address, ??

 

[Archive]

David, You might think about moving the antenna to the right rear stake bed hole. I picked up a mount that is a compression fit and allows use of a topper (which I don't have). I have no noise on either the CB or on HF/VHF bands. The mount is stainless and made/sold by Firestick.

 

[Archive]

That is the alternator hum you are listening to through the cb radio not the antenna. Try a different ground source first. Then try a different power source. If that doesn't work you may have to buy some noise filters. They go inline on both positive and negative feeds to the radio. Hopefully just moving the ground wire will do it.