Help choosing a CB

[80seriesnut]

I need help choosing a CB. Me and some of my friends had CBs in our cars back in high school but I didnt really know anything about my CB then except that I could talk to my friends on it. I now have a 96 80 series that I am wanting to take trail riding and will need a one to talk to other drivers but when not trail riding maybe just to communicate to the truckers on the interstate. Do all CBs have channel scan. I went down to the local Theisens and looked at there CBs. They sell mostly cobra and one midland. The antennas they sell seem small. I think 3 foot was the longest one they had. Does that matter if I were to mount it high? Some of the CBs they had at Theisens were like 50 dollars and some were like 100. Maybe if someone could give me the basics. Also I see something on here about 2 meter radios.

 

[Tools R Us]

I run a Uniden 520XL, is very compact, works great. The 510XL works just as well, but has a few less features. They often have "like new" referbs at a great deal.

UnidenDirect - Products - CB

 

[Tools R Us]

For the antenna, recently started using the Procomm 9" Rubber Duckie Magnetic CB Antenna. Small, works well and has proven durable. Prefer the mag mount, I only stick it on the roof when needed.

ET-JBC101 Procomm Rubber Duckie Magnetic CB Antenna

 

[Dan2722]

I have the Uniden 510XL and it has worked great and fits in the ashtray slot on an 80.

For general conversation on the road I prefer the Ham radio and only use the CB when needed on the trail.

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

510XL or 520XL both fit in the ashtray location (with a little trimming). I have the 520XL and it has worked well for short range comms.

 

[sl33p3]

510XL or 520XL both fit in the ashtray location (with a little trimming). I have the 520XL and it has worked well for short range comms.

for completeness, they only fit in '95+ 80's ashtray (which i read you have)... i guess smoking was more popular starting in 95 cuz the tray is WAY bigger. i have a '93, i put my 520 in the second DIN slot and just leave the mic cord off not in use. i had to pigtail the antenna conn even for that. and for a cb have been happy with it. IME swr tune and good antenna connection means more than cb model.

 

[Kofoed]

Get a Wilson 1000 antenna, mag mount.

 

[rusty_tlc]

I have the Uniden in one truck and a midland $30 unit in the other, can't really tell much difference. The Uniden has a K40 antenna, I use a Wilson mag mount and a Firestick with the Midland. The Firestick has the worst performance but is the most robust on the trail.

I'd suggest spending more on a the antenna than the radio.

 

[fieldsken1]

a cb is a cb they all do basicly the same

 

[rusty_tlc]

a cb is a cb they all do basicly the same

Not exactly. Some offer advanced features like scan, weather, and PA.
I have weather RX on all my Ham radios and it is a feature that get used often when traveling. The rest of the features available for CB's are basically worthless IMHO.

 

[Tools R Us]

a cb is a cb they all do basicly the same

True, somewhat, maybe? I prefer the Uniden 520XL, because of it's size and weight, they are also proven durable. It's small, so fits where I want it, is light weight so no problem mounting it with velcro. The are also inexpensive, right now they are offering refirb units for $34.99.

UnidenDirect - Compact Professional Mobile CB Radio

 

[fieldsken1]

Not exactly. Some offer advanced features like scan, weather, and PA.
I have weather RX on all my Ham radios and it is a feature that get used often when traveling. The rest of the features available for CB's are basically worthless IMHO.

ok some offer scan just how many channels do you want to listern to at one time. all i ever hear is crap anyway and as far as the weather goes i just look up. and for pa i already know what i sound like plus i yell just fine

 

[rusty_tlc]

ok some offer scan just how many channels do you want to listern to at one time. all i ever hear is crap anyway and as far as the weather goes i just look up. and for pa i already know what i sound like plus i yell just fine

Obviously you have some background knowledge of CB's the OP just as clearly doesn't. My post was for their benefit.

The weather radio feature is great in hill country where you can't necessarily see what is happening in the mountains above you. I happen to live in the desert where flash floods are a pretty common occurrence at some times of the year. Knowing that there is a possibility of T-Storms in the afternoon can be useful information here. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't pay more for a CB that had the feature, but I use the heck out of it on my HAM rigs.

I think we agree that scan and PA are worthless, as is SSB since most people on the trail won't have that ability.

 

[fieldsken1]

buy 2 meter