Cheap CB set-up Q's

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OGBeno

OGBeno

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Hey all:

Since I am planning on going to Cmcc 2005 this year, I decided, upon closer inspection of requirements and , uh-hem, nudging from the Junkster, that I should get at least a cheap CB to aid in communications.

I have no clue where to start, but I started looking at Radio Shack.

Is the model I have listed below a decent starter CB and one that will work for my purposes? What else would I need? Antenna?

Any helps is appreciated and I'd like to keep the cost of this down below $100 total for now.

Thanks again.
-onur
Akron, OH

CB link: http://www.radioshack.com/product.a..._name=CTLG_008_009_005_003&product_id=21-1703
 
IMO, Uniden Pro 510XL for $30-50 and a Wilson 1000 or LilWil mag mount will set you up nicely.
 
Yup - all that gets you is the radio. You still need the antenna, antenna mount, and cable. Then you'd need to install it all - run power to the radio - tune the antenna - etc. None of this is hard to do just time consuming. It also put's it over you $100 budget limit.

You may want to consider a handheld like the one below - drop in the AA's and you're good to go.

http://www.radioshack.com/product.a..._name=CTLG_008_009_005_003&product_id=21-1679
 
woody said:
IMO, Uniden Pro 510XL for $30-50 and a Wilson 1000 or LilWil mag mount will set you up nicely.
Click to expand...

I've run this set up for years and have been very happy with it. I plan on addining an external powered speaker for clarity.
 
I have the Uniden Pro 510XL paid about $50 from Fry's, Velcroed it to the side of the console and only put it in for the trail. Tap the seat wiring and used a deans plug connector for power. The antenna is a mag mount from Walmart $9.99 works great. Have to remember it's there when going under trees, that's what the sunroof is for, reach up pop it off drive under the tree then slap it back on. :)
 
Beno. I am in the same exact situation as you. I dont wheel enough to think i need a CB and dont really want to have to go through the whole hassle of installing it right now. I think i will go with the handheld. It will do the job and get us in to CMCC....at least it should.
 
Hey Cruiserhead:

I agree with you now, but in the future, especially in the next two years or so, I'll be doing some long-range trips and some occasional wheeling. I will be moving from Ohio in summer of 2006 (please, please, please, please,please) back to California, hopefully.

As such, I think installing at least a mediocre (read: able) CB system might be worth it. And besides, the more I think about it, with all of the money I am already putting into this rig, what's another $100 or so to be able to listen to Junk talk about anal activities and to be able to listen to truckers talk about the s***ty coffee at the Pilot stop on I-80 outside of Cheyenne!!

I think it might be worth it for you too, considering the rigs you have lined up in your sig.

Best.
-onur
Akron, OH
 
A magnet mount antenna will suffice, and it is cheaper because the coax comes with it.

Napa sells 3 and 4 ft barjan fiberglass antennas (like firestick) for $10. I am using one with the same results as my 4 ft wilson.

Had very good luck with the radioshack rebadged Uniden 510xl. (Most radioshack radios are rebadged uniden).
 
I needed a cb to use in a rental truck. Bought a uniden, a mag mount antenna, and a cigarette lighter power plug. Works way better than the typical cb handheld.

It is now the loaner rig if another driver on a roadtrip with me has no radio. Slap antenna on roof, plug power cord into cigarette lighter, start jabbering.
 
Beno, you raise a good point. maybe i will just do what Rich is talking about, so i cant just move it in and out easely, i just dont want to go mounting one, yet at least...we'll see. rich, which one did you get?
 
The radio I bought was a uniden pro538w. My selection criteria consisted entirely of the fact that it was a recognized brand, and it was the only radio on the shelf in the mega large electronics store I happened to be in. If you go this route you do want to think about were it is going to set while in use. Smaller would probably be better in this respect. The pro538w is not small.
 
Rich, i'll take that into consideration. So for the power source, you just plugged in the cig. lighter.....sounds nice. exactly what i want to do....ebay here we come.
 
radioshack has nice selection of fused/switched etc cig lighter adapters with pigtails..

done this for a coupla friends.
 
woody said:
IMO, Uniden Pro 510XL for $30-50 and a Wilson 1000 or LilWil mag mount will set you up nicely.
Click to expand...

Our club has a bunch of those with the cheap 2 foot antenna/mag mount combo. They are good for a max of 2 1/2 miles over a dry lake with a good radio on the other end.

Beno, you can get this set up for under 75 bucks at cooper.com.

The Cobra 19 is bigger, with a bigger mic, but is works a little better than the 510 for the same $$$
 
The Cobra 19 is bigger, with a bigger mic, but is works a little better than the 510 for the same $$$
Click to expand...

I bought the Uniden for it's size, it's the only one that fit on the console and didn't interfere with the e-brake. Other than installing a single DIN stereo and putting it in the dash I couldn't find a good place for a full size unit in the 80.

cb.jpg


The plan was to move it to the ashtray slot, but I like the option of removing it and it works great where it is.

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/technical/tz_uniden.htm
 
I just picked up a Uniden pc66 and a pissed of Wilson 1000 rip off for $40 from some guy on the side of the road. The only problem with doing this is that you don't really know what you're getting until you hook it up. This is my 2nd loaner/spare radio and my 4th radio that I own. I run a RShack 510 rebadge and a LilWil on my Tacoma and it works splendidly. $30 for the radio and $30 for the antenna will get you a decent result.
 
Tools R Us said:
I bought the Uniden for it's size, it's the only one that fit on the console and didn't interfere with the e-brake. Other than installing a single DIN stereo and putting it in the dash I couldn't find a good place for a full size unit in the 80.

cb.jpg


The plan was to move it to the ashtray slot, but I like the option of removing it and it works great where it is.

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/technical/tz_uniden.htm
Click to expand...


The only addition to Kevin's setup IMO would be a good external speaker and your set for a cheap trail radio.
 
I just got a Uniden 520xl, swr meter, 2' firestik and a mag-mount antenna.

The radio is portable between my two trucks:

Firestik is mounted on my FJ40 and mag-mount is on my 4Runner;
I power the radio via cig-lighter;

Total was about $150 for all (including bare wire cig-adapter)

Took about 2 hours to install. Most time was spent trying to figure out where to mount the Firestik on my 40 and then tuning it.
 
Tools R Us said:
I bought the Uniden for it's size, it's the only one that fit on the console and didn't interfere with the e-brake. Other than installing a single DIN stereo and putting it in the dash I couldn't find a good place for a full size unit in the 80.

cb.jpg


The plan was to move it to the ashtray slot, but I like the option of removing it and it works great where it is.

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/technical/tz_uniden.htm
Click to expand...

How is that mounted? Double stick tape?
 
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