CB Model/ Brand Recommendation

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Nifski

Nifski

SILVER Star
10 Year
Joined
Sep 22, 2011
Threads
483
Messages
1,361
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
I am re doing my roll cage and would like to install a CB in between the center bars , I want to get a good unit that will last a while and have a good signal, does anyone have a favorite they would like to recommend?

Thanks! N.
 
Call the local Ham Radio outlet @ 800-559-7388 they are very helpful and can direct you to a great unit either ham or cb
 
Last edited:
Do you have any size constraints at the install location? If not cobra 29 ltd is as solid a CB as you can get. If you need something smaller the uniden 510 or 520 are solid but more basic. Just my 2 cents.
 
Dimples said:
Do you have any size constraints at the install location? If not cobra 29 ltd is as solid a CB as you can get. If you need something smaller the uniden 510 or 520 are solid but more basic. Just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...


X2 on the Unidens, mine's been going strong for 10 years. Never even mounted it. It just hangs out between the seat and the console.

Check uniden direct online for the best deals.
 
I couple lay person questions.....

Ham or CB?

If Ham where do I get the permit?

Can anyone recommend a shop to install radio/antenna? I'm not sure I want to do it myself.

Sorry for the hijack.

Thanks,
Brandon
 
Ham or CB

No comparison, a $25 hand held 2 meter Ham will out perform the best CB available at any price. Add in the use of repeater and phone patch and its a no brainer IMO.

Ham does require a test and license but trust me when I say any idiot can pass it just watching videos.
 
brandon12777 said:
I couple lay person questions.....

Ham or CB?

If Ham where do I get the permit?

Can anyone recommend a shop to install radio/antenna? I'm not sure I want to do it myself.

Sorry for the hijack.

Thanks,
Brandon
Click to expand...

I say both because a lot of people are still intimidated by the idea of testing and only have CB. Ham outperforms CB in every way and is gaining in adoption.

Here is is the AARL test location finder Find an Amateur Radio License Exam in Your Area

Look up ham college on youtube as a study guide. It is pretty dry but will get you ready for the test.

Like @murf said call Ham Radio outlet @ 800-559-7388. If they do not install they can recommend a shop.
 
brandon12777 said:
I couple lay person questions.....

Ham or CB?

If Ham where do I get the permit?

Can anyone recommend a shop to install radio/antenna? I'm not sure I want to do it myself.

Sorry for the hijack.

Thanks,
Brandon
Click to expand...

Ham... by far a better choice. Much more performance, better range and sound, and like Phil said repeaters (think of a relay, it makes your hand held or mobile unit able to transmit hundreds of miles and your little radio with 2-25 watts now has like 20,000 watts of power) are accessible with HAM. SKYWARN storm reporting, access to all National Weather Service frequencies, and if you get a slightly fancier radio you can listen to aircraft frequencies and other stuff. Test is super easy.

Installation of a mobile radio is pretty easy, if you've installed a pair of offroad lights you can do a radio. Hardest part is proper antenna mounting but I've got a small antenna on a magnet mount on the roof of my Tacoma and it works great.

As for CB... I've got a Cobra 75 WX in my 4Runner. It's an all-in-one the radio and microphone are the same unit (it does have a small remote box for power and antenna). Decent radio. Has instant channel 9 and weather radio. But it's still a CB...
 
Simply - CB's are for people that have not experienced HAM.
Kinda like a fax machine

I have a CB for monitoring. In the past I used it to listen to the truckers when traveling but any more they dont even use it. I dont think many truckers even monitor it any more only because when on the road I comment on there stupid driving they dont respond.
 
I am selling a uniden 520xl. Will be coming through Phoenix in a couple weeks and could bring it with me..

Uniden CB 520XL
 
blatant said:
Which cheapie hand held ham unit is best?
Click to expand...
Just get a mobile single 2M unit vs a handheld and be done with it if you don't want to go fancy. Handhelds without external antennas in your vehicle are pretty worthless. Put an antenna on it well it gets awkward. You can get a nice 2M single band radio for less than $150.00.

PS: GET YOUR LICENSE! Yeah I am yelling. Hate to say it but all of the unlicensed folks are giving us a bad name. It is not hard to study for and pass the test. Also, when you get one learn how to use the radio for more than 146.46. Yes that is pet peeve #2. Too many folks on the same frequency and don't know how to move to a free channel.
 
As for a cb this is a great radio. It is big though:
Uniden 40-Channel CB Radio (PRO505XL)
by Uniden
Link: https://amzn.com/B006TA2F1M

Just don't expect CB to be good for anything other than close in trail communications. 2 miles or less and I am being generous with saying 2 miles.
 
brandon12777 said:
I couple lay person questions.....

Ham or CB?

If Ham where do I get the permit?

Can anyone recommend a shop to install radio/antenna? I'm not sure I want to do it myself.

Sorry for the hijack.

Thanks,
Brandon
Click to expand...


Arguments can be made for both. Many clubs, including TLCA, requires cbs for group runs. So you'll likely want and/or need one, even if you get a ham. Cbs don't need any special mounting. With a cigarette lighter plug and a magnetic antenna, they're pretty much plug and play.
 
BrotherRob said:
Arguments can be made for both. Many clubs, including TLCA, requires cbs for group runs. So you'll likely want and/or need one, even if you get a ham. Cbs don't need any special mounting. With a cigarette lighter plug and a magnetic antenna, they're pretty much plug and play.
Click to expand...

TLCA only requires CB at MOAB otherwise it is recommended
VEHICLE INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS | TLCA

With many other group event now using HAM only TLCA will soon catch up with the new standard.

Rubicon Trail Foundation
 
Well, I am going to head towards the Hamm highway! I went on the website and looks like most have a remote radio and a separate face plate, is this the standard? How far can the base be mounted from the faceplate?
 
The separate face plate is a shiny option but is not standard. The face plate can be mounted a fair distance from the main unit. 20 plus feet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom