CB info for a novice

[Fly Rod]

I want to add a CB for comms while on wheeling trips. I am considering the Cobra 75 wxst and Uniden 510 or 520. I don't mind loosing the ash tray to the Uniden. Does the Cobra do anything the Uniden won't? At 1/2 - 1/4 the price the Uniden is attractive to me.

School me on antanaes. Most likely I won't be doing a permenant mount so a mount on the edge of the hood or hatch of the 80 would be preffered. I know from my VHF days that the antanae is very important. What should I look for?

When I run antanea cables do I run the risk of picking up interferance or are the cables shielded?

What else do I need to know?

 

[Brentbba]

Search and you'll find lots of opinions on antennas in this section as well as head units. I'm very happy with my 520. Using a Wilson 5000 mag mount. So long as you've got integrity with your cable, doubtful that you'll have any interference.

 

[96r50]

I put the Cobra version of the Uniden ($35 at Walmart) in my ashtray location. Works great! No need for an external speaker as the stock one doesn't seem to be muffled by the dash. I used a 3' Wilson antenna and coax and a Firestik trunk mount and spring. You can just see it in this picture.
Originally I didn't want to use a permanent mount, but after doing a couple trips with a friend's magnetic mount and having it get knocked off or tipped over I decided four little holes in an inconspicuous area of the trunk wasn't a big deal. YMMV!

 

[MoJ]

Firestik has an excellent FAQ and Tech section. Firestik Antenna Company Home Page

My experience has been that the install is way more important than the type of CB you buy. A good antenna with a $35 CB will do the trick. I have a $35 Uniden with a 36" Wilson Silver Load antenna. For use on the trail I just use an 18" flexible antenna. It stays out of the way and offer more than enough range. The large truck stops are great for finding everything.

 

[woody]

my last two CB setups were kit purchases from Right Channel RadiosCB Radio Packages - Truck, Car, Jeep and RV Owners The site is quite informative too.

Uniden Pro510 in my FJ40 and the Cobra 75 in my DMax...also run a 510 in the FZJ80

the RCR kits were nice...complete package and included the tuner (which is the most-forgotten part of a CB install) I keep one tuner in the shop and another in the DMax in case someone needs theirs tuned at an event.

 

[Fly Rod]

my last two CB setups were kit purchases from Right Channel RadiosCB Radio Packages - Truck, Car, Jeep and RV Owners The site is quite informative too.

Uniden Pro510 in my FJ40 and the Cobra 75 in my DMax...also run a 510 in the FZJ80

the RCR kits were nice...complete package and included the tuner (which is the most-forgotten part of a CB install) I keep one tuner in the shop and another in the DMax in case someone needs theirs tuned at an event.

I spent quite a bit of time reading info on their site last night. When I buy I will call them first.

I am goint to try and figure a way to do a semi-permanent mount off the hatch.

BTW: The search function works fine here, if you can spell!