CB radios and scanners (1 Viewer)

[Luthier]

700 Watts! The legal limit for transit power on the CB frequencies is 4 Watts.

Ed HAM's re-tune Firestik's for use on the 10 meter HF band (28 mhz - 29.7 mhz) which is just above the CB band. We are limited to 1500 watts on that band although few run that much power when mobile. So the published 700 watt limit is actually useful data to some of us.

Regards
-- Eugene

 

[emorth]

Ed HAM's re-tune Firestik's for use on the 10 meter HF band (28 mhz - 29.7 mhz) which is just above the CB band. We are limited to 1500 watts on that band although few run that much power when mobile. So the published 700 watt limit is actually useful data to some of us.

Regards
-- Eugene

Yep. Roger that. My 10 meter antenna is currently being used as a CB antenna. Don't tell anyone.

73s Ed WA3TOL

 

[Devilmans Hand]

thought this was an interesting article worthy of sharing.
It deals with adding ground straps on everything attached to the vehicle.
Bonding Mobile Installations

 

[emorth]

thought this was an interesting article worthy of sharing.
It deals with adding ground straps on everything attached to the vehicle.
Bonding Mobile Installations

Very Good!!!!

 

[KliersLC]

I used to have one of those Uniden pr units. No complaints and it transmitted very well. I also like the front firing speaker models for a flush mount Option.

I have a Cobra 18 with a 2ft fiberglass antenna from a truck stop. I think I had better luck than anybody on the trail ride. My antenna is mounted to the ARB.

 

[Tyler Durden]

I just bought that same exact one off of Amazon. Seems like a good deal.

I've used one of those with a cheapo magnet antenna. It worked just fine (I didn't tune it). I need to get a new antenna though (looking at Firestick) and figure out how I want to mount it.

 

[winstonclein]

Great threat.
Thanks for info.

 

[artwerks]

...For off-roading, the fiberglass "stick" antennas are probably the best...

Hope this helps,
Ed

Ed, et al,
Why is the fiberglass antenna the best? Does it bend like the other antennas?
I park my truck in the garage and it already barely fits (clears the garage door by like 1/4"!); therefore, I'll probably have to bend the antenna down when not in use. I'm afraid the fiberglass antenna requires a spring-mount and will only bend at the spring mount limiting my ability to bend down the antenna when not in use.

TIA,
Aj

 

[Devilmans Hand]

I'm no expert by any means, and I think the fiberglass stick antennae are desired because of the way they're wrapped with wire and how a greater length of wire is wrapped at the top 1/3 of the fiberglass putting more wire up higher. I believe that a whip antenna will work better overall, but will have a greater height per length wire when compared to a fiberglass stick type. The whip will be more flexible and have a greater chance of snagging on trees/brush and smacking someone in the face.
A com officer friend says that they get better results by dragging speaker wire behind their vehicles, but I'd think it would get ripped off quick while offroading.the fiberglass sticks have some bend in them and the spring mounts are cheap. Quick disconnects are available too if overall height into a garage is of concern.

 

[PEGUSAS]

Would like a recommendation on a CB radio please. Ed? I'd like to mount an antenna to my front bumper. Any suggestions there? Also, is there a use for a scanner? Do any units do both? Are there any models that also receive AM/fm so thAt I could just replace what's in my dash?

Thanks
B

I did quite a bit of research on Mud to decide what to buy. Looks like a lot of mudders loved the Uniden 520XL. So that is what I went with. The guys at Auto Outfitters in Manassas mounted it for me on the middle console next to the emergency break. I also had them intall the PA speaker under the hood - only cost another $20. They mounted a 2' firestick antena on the passenger side of the jam of the rear hatch with a stainless steel bracket. The antena clears the roof by a few inches. I have not had a chance to test the range yet. I might need to move to a 3' antena with a spring. They tuned the antena as well.

 

[PEGUSAS]

I did quite a bit of research on Mud to decide what to buy. Looks like a lot of mudders loved the Uniden 520XL. So that is what I went with. The guys at Auto Outfitters in Manassas mounted it for me on the middle console next to the emergency break. I also had them intall the PA speaker under the hood - only cost another $20. They mounted a 2' firestick antena on the passenger side of the jam of the rear hatch with a stainless steel bracket. The antena clears the roof by a few inches. I have not had a chance to test the range yet. I might need to move to a 3' antena with a spring. They tuned the antena as well.

Well, had a chance to test the CB yesterday on Rt 81 - the antena was not high enough above the roof line to give me reception/transmission of more than 1 mile and the transmission/reception was terrible. I also went on trails that same day and branches were scrapping the roof. Unfortuately the firestick was getting caught in the branches. While there is some flex on these firestick antenas - it is not enough to handle branches that scape the roof of the rig. I went back to Auto Outfitters today. Scott installed the longer 3' firestick and added a spring to the base of the mount to allow the antena to flex when going under branches. Now the antena extendes 1'+ above the roof line and can handle me going on trails with over hanging branches. Scott and I then tested the range as I drove for home. I checked in with him at every mile marker along Rt 66 East. I had crysal clear communications for 3 miles, decent communications at 4 miles and could still communicate at 5 miles. Very pleased now with the performance now. I recommend this configuration.

Note that per Scott at Auto Outfitters, he has had clients who have mounted their antenas on the front bumper and received tickets from Virginia State Police. They stated that the antena on the front bumper blocked the vision of the driver.

 

[Jakes40]

Note that per Scott at Auto Outfitters, he has had clients who have mounted their antenas on the front bumper and received tickets from Virginia State Police. They stated that the antena on the front bumper blocked the vision of the driver.

That's good info to have!

Chris

 

[Black Op]

Great feed back thanks for the info.

 

[chudly]

I'm using this guy
http://amzn.to/2vsW4jM
worked great on the trail

Using it along with a 4 ft firestik mounted on the back

 

[Pestry]

Here is a nice list. 10 Best CB Radio Reviews: the Most Powerful CBs for Truckers
I liked the second model - Uniden Bearcat 880 CB radio.
What do you think, guys?

 

[bkfj40]

Here is a nice list. 10 Best CB Radio Reviews: the Most Powerful CBs for Truckers
I liked the second model - Uniden Bearcat 880 CB radio.
What do you think, guys?

get a ham radio...

 

[Jakes40]

A CB is very entertaining to listen to the truckers bitch!!

 

[shmukster]

Anyone want my 40 channel Cobra CB? Complete with microphone and wiring harness. Free can deliver to coal mine this year.

 

[76FJ40]

I'll gladly take it for Austin's 80.

 

[shmukster]

Bob I'll deliver for you should I bring some beer too?