First foray into the world of CB, I need pointers

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Doc

Doc

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So, I'm going to CM08 this year. One of the requirements is every vehicle has to have a CB. Handhelds are OK, as long as you have the AC adapter as well.

I've only used borrowed hand-held CB's briefly for one day. I don't want to drop a load of cash either. I did use a nice cobra hand held CB as trail leader for the Tall Corn Cruiser Classic, liked it.

Pointers- suggestsions, all welcome at this point.
 
Oh, and if I buy a non-hand held type, I'll need to buy an antenna as well, right?
 
My 2 cents - get a cheap cb and a good antenna. Something like a Uniden 510 or 520 or Cobra DX19. They're all tiny and work well. Spend more on your antenna. I like the Wilson Flex 4, but the Larsens and other Wilsons get high marks as well.

The whole works shouldn't set you back much over $100 - $150. You will enjoy having comms on the trail and wonder why you didn't do it sooner. Just don't get in anyone's ham radio-equipped rig...;-)
 
I just picked up my midland cb brand new off amazon for about 30 bucks, free shipping. They have good prices on the unidens too.
 
Walmart sells the Cobra 19 for $34.98. It is version 3 instead of 4 on the exterior but the interior guts say version 4 on the inside of the one I bought. If you are only going to use it for this trip buy a mag mount antenna. The Lil Wil Wilson is a decent antenna and runs about $35 too. I've had awesome luck with no name brand mag mounts sold at Pilots and Flying Js for $29.99. They have adjustable rings above the magnets for tuning the SWR. I'd also just put it on a cig. lighter plug and be done with it. Then you have mobile with full power for $75 or so. The handhelds will have .5 watts instead of the 4 watts of the mobile CBs. Don't bother buying one used off Ebay or any other place that you can't test it. If folks transmit without an antenna it screws them up. And it is impossible to tell until you go to use it.
 
Thanks guys. I have a wal-mart locally and a radio shack. I'll go shop around this weekend.
 
I saw the Cobra at Walmart- looks decent. I didn't like the antenna's at Walmart though.

Radio Shack had a nice 3 or 4 ft fiberglass antenna (not a mag mount) that would fit great on my rear bumper tire carrier (4x4 labs bumper, already has a hole drilled for 'something' on top of the carrier- good spot for an antenna I'd guess).

Does this sound like a decent set up?

The antenna was $35, so was the CB.. so $70- which is actually less than I expected to pay!
 
Ask R.S. if that antenna is or is close to a Firestik, if it is, it's a good one. Don't forget to tune the antenna also (brought up in cruisinMt's thread).
I've got a Realistic CB I bought back in the late 70's that still works great. Don't know how the new models are but the old ones are bullet proof. You may even want to get a power mike which will give you some added output range.
 
Also, Spring or quick-disconnect?
 
The fiberglass whips have plenty of flex, so they act like sprung units. IMHO, they provide better reception also. You can even tie them down if your into alot of trees. That being said, if you are in a shady side of town, they can be easily unscrewed from the base so they wont get legs.
 
I've got a nice spot for it on the upright of the spare tire carrier on my rear bumper. Pre-drilled and all that jazz.
 
Doc said:
I've got a nice spot for it on the upright of the spare tire carrier on my rear bumper. Pre-drilled and all that jazz.
Click to expand...


That should be a good spot for it Doc.

I have done that on other vehicles I own and it has worked well.

One tip though: You may have trouble getting a good ground unless you use a 12ga. wire from the tire carrier to a spot on your frame.
 
I wish Walcott were a bit closer. That's a 5-6 hour drive (one way) from where I'm located. Good for mail order though!
 
I would go with a hand held unit. They are ok for out of vehicle issues. ie winching someone and someone asks what the hold up is.

But check out the size of a Yaesu VX2. It is half the size of a pack of cigs.

Why be on the CB when you can be on 2m FM. The fidelity is like FM broadcast.
 
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