CB or Ham (or both)

[Tango2]

I'm just getting back into 4x4's after a hiatus. Picked up a '13 FJC a couple months ago, and one thing I'd like to add is some comms. I don't want everything in view but I will need some access to it though. I have an old Radio Shack CB (full size) that has already been peaked/tuned. It has an RJ 22 plug for the handset (6 pin telephone type connector), and has channel controls on it as well. With the remote audio connected to the stereo aux port, I could maybe get by with an under seat mount or something. If I install a 2m/70cm mobile, I would likely get a remote mount module and install it under the seat.

Since I don't have a crew of people I currently wheel with, it's hard to say which I would use more. I'm going towards a bandi mount and possibly just changing antennas based on which radio I'm using. I really don't want my rig looking like a mobile command center, but would also like to have some comms installed for safety/efficiency purposes. I also would like to limit the amount of holes, etc in the interior, especially in noticeable areas.

Any suggestions?

 

[woody]

My setup is the 2m antenna on the rear mount and the CB antenna on the front bumper...maximize distance to minimize interference.

Really, my handheld dualbands with an aftermarket antenna perform perfectly with no need for an external antenna.

 

[Tango2]

I just bought a uv-5ra to monitor a little while waiting to get my ticket. It was cheap enough that if I decided against it I would. Have been out too much. Plus if I get a mobile, it will be a good loaner/spotter radio to keep in the truck. Not to mention a good backpacking companion when out of cell range.

I have stock bumpers now, and I may consider a bumper mount once I have some aftermarket ones installed. I'm more concerned with where to mount the CB/Ham mobile unit. I saw one thread with it under the seat. That was a pretty slick setup. Not sure how my CB would do since most of the controls are on the unit itself.9

 

[Tango2]

"It was cheap enough that if I decided against it I would. Have been out too much."

This should have read "it was cheap enough that if I decided against getting my ticket I wouldn't be out too much". Can't seem to edit the original post.

Also saw that this got moved to the General Tech forum. I originally posted in the FJC section because I'm more concerned with mounting locations specific to the FJC, but oh well...

 

[1911]

I'm just getting back into 4x4's after a hiatus. Picked up a '13 FJC a couple months ago, and one thing I'd like to add is some comms. I don't want everything in view but I will need some access to it though. I have an old Radio Shack CB (full size) that has already been peaked/tuned. It has an RJ 22 plug for the handset (6 pin telephone type connector), and has channel controls on it as well. With the remote audio connected to the stereo aux port, I could maybe get by with an under seat mount or something. If I install a 2m/70cm mobile, I would likely get a remote mount module and install it under the seat.

Since I don't have a crew of people I currently wheel with, it's hard to say which I would use more. I'm going towards a bandi mount and possibly just changing antennas based on which radio I'm using. I really don't want my rig looking like a mobile command center, but would also like to have some comms installed for safety/efficiency purposes. I also would like to limit the amount of holes, etc in the interior, especially in noticeable areas.

Any suggestions?

I have both in my 40 and FJC also. Never use the cb's unless I'm in a trail group that has nothing else.

If you want a stealth cb installation, get a Cobra WX-75. There is a small box that the antenna coax goes into that can be hidden easily under the center console, and the rest of the radio is all in the mic, which can be detached and stored/hidden when not in use. Got a photo of the one in my FJC somewhere.

If you get a 2M or dual-band radio with a detachable face plate, you can put the radio almost anywhere and just us a remote kit to mount the face plate somewhere handy. I just put mine on the ceiling and dash because I didn't care who sees it.

 

[Tango2]

I have both in my 40 and FJC also. Never use the cb's unless I'm in a trail group that has nothing else.

If you want a stealth cb installation, get a Cobra WX-75. There is a small box that the antenna coax goes into that can be hidden easily under the center console, and the rest of the radio is all in the mic, which can be detached and stored/hidden when not in use. Got a photo of the one in my FJC somewhere.

If you get a 2M or dual-band radio with a detachable face plate, you can put the radio almost anywhere and just us a remote kit to mount the face plate somewhere handy. I just put mine on the ceiling and dash because I didn't care who sees it.

That seems to be the most commonly chosen CB (well, that and the midland IIRC). Both seem to be a good option from all the threads I've read. I like the fact that I could store the radio itself away and only plug it in if I needed it, and all that would have to be permanently mounted would be the small antenna box or whatever it is. I think the route I'm going to go is to do the "remote-able" 2M/70CM radio and add the CB later if I need it. I'll probably go for the bandi mount for the 2M and run with that.

 

[1911]

I'll probably go for the bandi mount for the 2M and run with that.

Make sure to check the SWR on your 2M/70cm antenna at that location; there is sometimes not much ground plane available using a Bandi mount. You might want to use a 1/2-wave antenna since they are much more forgiving of (lack of) ground plane.

 

[hawker7]

Just go HAM

Just my little Scorpion 6-80 Meter. No holes drilled except into the side of the trailer hitch. The 2 meter antenna is located on the right rear NMO mount. I didn't have it on when I took the picture. Icom IC7000 Radio. I made contact with the Ukraine a few nights ago.

 

[jonheld]

I have both in my 80 Series.
I was one of those "I'll never get a ham" guys for years simply because the need wasn't there. I primarily wheel on the east coast where CB is the defacto standard.
Then I took my first trip out west and realized how pathetic CB really can be. I got my ticket and my 2M mobile setup as soon as I got back.

I have converted many in our local club to 2M ham, but CB continues to be prevalent. I have the Kenwood KM-271A, which is a small single DIN 2M only unit. It's cheap, powerful and the front firing speaker is loud and crisp.
I have the Cobra WX-75 that everyone else has. Super easy install, but the speaker sucks. You get what you pay for.

 

[pdimarco65]

I had both CB and 2m/440 in my '08 FJC, along with a full-sized digital scanner. I remote-mounted the Yaesu 2m/440 in the spare tire compartment and discretely mounted the faceplate on the console just forward of the shifter. All wires were (mostly) out of sight. The CB and scanner were mounted radio-stack style on a Ram mount attached to the right side of the console in the passenger footwell. CB antenna was mounted to the rear door hinge. Scanner Ant was in an NMO mount drilled on the roof and the 2m/440 ant was mounted to a Diamond lip mount on the rear door. The ham and scanner worked great but I had issues getting decent SWR readings on the CB.

When I replaced the FJC with a '04 TLC, my better half told me to NOT install any radios in her footwell, so I only have a remote faceplate on the dash for 2m/440. No CB or scanner. I wish I had CB though and have to look at options for that next.

 

[1911]

I have the Cobra WX-75 that everyone else has. Super easy install, but the speaker sucks. You get what you pay for.

The little remote box has an external speaker jack; I ran mine into my stereo and it sounds a lot better.

 

[rusty_tlc]

You will never regret the few hours and couple of dollars it takes to get a tech license. Cost wise CB and ham are neck and neck for a decent radio and antenna.

When you find a group to wheel with they may use ham or CB. If they use ham you are golden, if not you can add a CB.

Bottom line; get an entry level dual band ham radio and license now, if you find the need later get the CB.

 

[Elbert]

The range and audio quality/clarity of the ham radio totally outclass the CB, its like a quantum leap forward. I'm no expert but a simple 2m radio is not expensive, you can find reivews at web sites like eham.net . http://www.eham.net/

 

[ntsqd]

If you're going to become a ham then maybe a dual band radio makes sense. I don't see any point in dual band for simple trip/trail comms and dual bands drive up the entry price. A single band 2M will so blow any cb out of the water that you'll wonder why you ever messed with cb. Heck even for really short range comms an FRS beats a cb.

 

[jonheld]

I don't see any point in dual band for simple trip/trail comms and dual bands drive up the entry price.

Yes and no. Since so many of the folks I wheel with now are hams, we find ourselves using both simplex and local repeaters to stay in touch with everyone. I wish there was a dual channel 2M only option so I can monitor 2 channels simultaneously and switch TX freqs on the fly. Unfortunately, a dual band mobile setup is out of my price range right now.
Once again, those little Baofung radios come in handy.

 

[Elbert]

the answer for present date in many cases is both...while ham is clearly the better solution, CB's are cheap and many of the off-road guys already have those and some will never go with ham. I have both since a number of people at present have CB and or don't intend to get HAM.

 

[rusty_tlc]

I would strongly encourage a new ham to start with a simple 2M mobile unit. They are easy to use and inexpensive they also have a good re-sale value when/if you decide you want a dual band.

You might also check with a local ham group and find out which band is more common on the local repeaters.

 

[esh]

I'm with Dan about a simple 2m mobile to start with.

I have been slowly able to convert folks to 2m. Going to start requiring it for longer traveling camp trips I lead. Now to get them to stop buying cheap hand-helds for a mobile (got a friend to see that light a couple weeks ago). I'm just as bad, lucked out getting a used Yaesu VX-7R as my first so it was a good step and has a better feature set than the FTM-10R and 350 I have... just not the transmit power.

I have a CB and 2m in the trucks. It is a matter of lowest common denominator and basic communication is better than nothing.

 

[Ebg18t]

I started with an Icom 208H 2m/440 in my 4Runner (just took the exam this summer). So far it has worked out well.

 

[Tango2]

I think I've decided to go the ham route for now. Ordered a uv-5ra a couple weeks ago. The price was right to pick it up and familiarize myself with ham operations (monitoring only) until I get my ticket this month. I'll probably pick up a dual band mobile to install, but if I find a good deal on a single band 2m I may go that route. I'll also have the HT for a bug-out bag/spotter radio/hiking/etc later on. Then if the need arises, I'll do like most suggested and add a CB later. Going to go with the bandi mount for now, and haven't decided on antennas yet. Always had good success with firestiks for CB, but have heard good things about the diamond for 2m/70cm use with a small ground plane. If I end up adding a CB, I may swap the ham over to an nmo mount antenna down the road. I know I can get low SWRs with that on the roof.