CB Radio

[Israelson]

I am told by my friends and family I need a CB radio. I would like to NOT have a huge whip on my truck. Are there antennas I can get that are small and/or invisable. What type radios would you all recommend I prefer a small package but I do want good quality and performance and a packabe that will mount well in my '97 cab. Mounting recommendations would be great as well.

Thanks

Erik Israelson

 

[TowPro]

Why do you think you need a CB? I have not had one since 1995.

Originally posted by eisraelson

I am told by my friends and family I need a CB radio. I would like to NOT have a huge whip on my truck. Are there antennas I can get that are small and/or invisable. What type radios would you all recommend I prefer a small package but I do want good quality and performance and a packabe that will mount well in my '97 cab. Mounting recommendations would be great as well.

Thanks

Erik Israelson

 

[C. Harlan]

Cobra 29 Classic, Tweaked and peaked, with talkback so you can hear yourself, and be able to adjust the output. Echo would be a good one, though that is a preference from person to person. I have a Cobra 29 that swings 24 watts and deadkeys 7... . That is better than the 4 watts it swings out of the box... I also have a Connex 3300 that deadkeys 13 and swings 49 watts as well... As far as antennas, you could get a Wilson 1000 Magnetic mount, and just stick it up as needed. . those are my recommendations. I use a Wilson 2000 with mine, as well as a custom made antenna from Weatherford TX at the 406 CB Shop, called the Master Blaster. Just my $. 02 worth. .



-Chris-

 

[dewdo]

CB's are nice to have items when on the road RV'ng. You can keep in contact with fellow travelers, listen for road reports etc. Mine has the weather channels so I listen for weather reports and road conditions etc. If you don't want to install it in your truck, then you can go to a Radio Shack and get one of their portables for under $100. 00. They don't give you the coverage the in rig units do, but is adequate for keeping in communications with anyone traveling with you. They also come with the weather warning system for when traveling through tornado areas.



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[Israelson]

Thanks Guys....

That's a great idea, I will check out some handhelds. The family and friends I travel with all have units installed in their trucks and I guess their getting tired of chasing me down the freeway flashing lights and honking horns, when they all decide to exit for lunch. I just tell them to call my cell phone but I gues not everybody has unlimited cell minutes like I do...



-Erik

 

[C. Harlan]

You may like a handheld, but do not expect to be heard if you have an emergency.

Also, I would never put any type of CB that radio shack sells remotely close to my truck! Bigger is not necessarily better, but just remember one thing: YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR ... Just a thought to ponder.



-Chris-

 

[Got Smoke?]

Re: You may like a handheld, but do not expect to be heard if you have an emergency.

Originally posted by charlan

Also, I would never put any type of CB that radio shack sells remotely close to my truck! Bigger is not necessarily better, but just remember one thing: YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR ... Just a thought to ponder.



-Chris-

I second that!



Cobra 25 Sound Tracker (don't buy a soundtracker!, but buy a Cobra! ) Peak&Tune, Super & Power Mod, 1969 Final, Connex board (echo), Connex Audio Mod, re-tuned modulation.

holds 30-something watts swings close to 40.



225 Galaxy Modulater behind the seat for when I need to be HEARD!



Cobra High Gear CB antenna bolted to the toolbox!Oo.

 

[dewdo]

If you just want to stay in touch with fellow RV'rs an alternative to the CB would be the small hand held two way radios. Some of them now have a range of up to five miles and it is mostly clear reception without the skip interference you get on the CB's. A pait of good ones can be had for under $100. 00. My wife and I use them when we are parking and she is directing me.



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[skobylenski]

Be careful with the 2 way radios, though. The 5-mile versions require an FCC licence, but the 2-mile FRS (family radio system) versions don't. I've got the Motorola (no affiliation) Talkabout T6320. It has hands free voice activated x-mit, NOAA weather, altimiter, clock, stopwatch, and a slew of other features as well as 14 channels and 38 privacy codes on each channel. I don't like to use the Talkabout for driving as it's hard to hear the small speaker sometimes. You can also get headsets for the 2-way radios.

Of course, I also have a Cobra 29 WX on my truck dash. I like it a lot, even though I haven't had time to get it tuned yet. As for an antenna, shop around.



Good luck,

Scott

 

[Israelson]

What you guys think about Midland?

In searching the Internet I found an antenna mount made for Dodge trucks, it mounts to the front fender under the hood on either side without any drilling required. I also decided on the firestick II antenna, the short version, I think it was a 3 foot antenna and I also found what seems to be a great deal on a Midland CD radio, what you all think about Midland as I haven't seen anybody mention them yet?



Thanks,

Erik

 

[dewdo]

The Midlands I have had in the past have all been good sets. As for the FCC license it is something that is easy to get. I had to have one for my VHF on the boat and all it took was to fill out the form that came with the unit and send it in. A couple of weeks later my license arrived. I haven't looked at the 5 mile range units, but I have some doubts about an FCC license being required. Don't jump on me if I am wrong though. I have a friend that worked for the FCC in Washington DC licensing Department and he said they didn't pay much attention to people operating illegal radios as long as it didn't interfere with commercial frequencies.



I was an airborne radio operator in the Air Force for 15 years and I would often set my old T-412A and BC-348 to a ham frequency when things got boring on the plane and yak with the hams. It was against military rules as well as FCC rules, but no one ever said anything. I just identified myself as aeronautical mobile operating over some ficticious area. I would often pass messages for other crew memebers through the ham operators with phone patches. AHH! the good old bad days! ( I also had a ham license)

 

[jmadden]

The firestick fender mounts are nice, but height of the antenna can have a direct impact on performance. A 3 ft firestick will just clear the roof of your truck and will be significantly lower than the top of the 5th wheel... the roof and 5th wheel can and do block some of your signal getting out. I used a 4 ft firestik II for about 2 yrs. then tried a Wilson 1000 magnet mount on the roof... at a minimum the Wilson double the range of the radio (stock Uniden Grant LT). On the other hand the truck did fit into parking garages with the spring mounted Firestick.



jm

 

[Boomer II]

I built an L shaped bracket that bolts under the seat just to the right of my right leg, the radio is mounted vertical up against the seat. I also ran the power from my power seat, works well and keeps from having to run a wire under the dash.

 

[mberry]

Originally posted by skobylenski

Be careful with the 2 way radios, though. The 5-mile versions require an FCC licence, but the 2-mile FRS (family radio system) versions don't. I've got the Motorola (no affiliation) Talkabout T6320. It has hands free voice activated x-mit, NOAA weather, altimiter, clock, stopwatch, and a slew of other features as well as 14 channels and 38 privacy codes on each channel. I don't like to use the Talkabout for driving as it's hard to hear the small speaker sometimes. You can also get headsets for the 2-way radios.

Of course, I also have a Cobra 29 WX on my truck dash. I like it a lot, even though I haven't had time to get it tuned yet. As for an antenna, shop around.



Good luck,

Scott

I hate to contradict anyone here, BUT, anything over 5 watts requires an FCC license, not 5 miles.



I have the Motorla T5410 I got at Costco (not affiliated with either) for under $60. 00 and use them on road trips and around the property.



I have a 75 watt Palomar CB linear amplifier. Anyone interested? It's old, but it still works and has less than 10 hours on it total.

 

[C. Harlan]

I am interested!!! How much ya want for that little sockwarmer???



-Chris-

 

[wcjp]

A basic mobile CB will reach out better than any hand talk device. If you're really looking to reach out get a ham license. Once you hit the repeater you can contact just about anywhere in the world.

 

[scbrown]

Cant go wrong with a Wilson Mag. mount.

Just make sure you get someone to match it right.

If you buy it at a CB shop they will do it for you.

 

[Got Smoke?]

Also everybody has failed to mention that handheld CB's tend to go through batteries VERY quickly!



And the last one I had (only one thank goodness) if you used the cigarrette adapter it made a noise in the radio bad enough that you couldn't talk on it.

 

[jandtjil]

I for one really enjoying having the radio in when traveling for all the reasons others have previously mentioned.

The fender mount works pretty good, and is a breeze to install, but as mentioned does cause some TX/RX probs. But was a clear winner as I wasn't ready to drill holes anywhere else, just yet!

Mounting can be an exercise in original thinking, so if performance is not a priority, maybe look at the Cobra 75 that has most of the controls on the Mic. my . 02



jj

 

[wcjp]

Never owned a hand talk. I forgot about the battery issue. Friends have tried using them for their main CB. They constantly went through batteries if they misplaced the DC adaptor. They're also a little unruly with the antenna in a a car.