Question to those with a CB mounted in the dash

[GeologistFelix]

So, I've got a pretty basic question.

Where does the sound, errr, come out? As far as I can tell, most CBs seem to have an integral speaker in the top or bottom of the unit, so if they were installed in the dash, the sound would be severely muffled.

The reason I ask is that I'm trying to put together a fairly basic setup in my FJ60. I've got the antenna/antenna mount figured out to my liking, but I'm still not sure what to do about the radio itself. The 'easy' option seems to be something like the Cobra 75WX, which I'd just hang from a CB mic holder in one of the empty switch holes in my dash. However, there are better 'standard' CBs out there for less money.

So, what have your solutions been? Here's what I've figured might work...

1. Wire it into the stereo system, either as AUX or Line-in.
- Pros: Nice and loud, doesn't require cutting/modifying the dash
- Requires a stereo with some type of input on it; if it doesn't have line-in on the back, it means having a wire come out of the dash to plug into a 3.5mm jack on the front of the new stereo, which seems clumsy at best

2. Install an external speaker
- Pros: dead simple wiring, and doesn't matter what sort of a stereo I have
- Cons: requires putting a speaker somewhere, and running wires to it.

3. The obvious answer I'm obviously missing?

 

[RobRed]

I use HAM radio but the concept is the same. I use a Yaesu FTM350AR which has a remote head mounted at the dash and the brain in the rear cargo area. The remote head has two speakers built-in, but at full volume is only adequate. The brain has an aux speaker out which I ran RCA to an additional input on my Pioneer NAV head unit.

Lots of folks do the aux speaker setup but I had the input available on the stereo.

When I want loud - I get loud.

 

[GeologistFelix]

Hm, now I've found the Uniden PRO538W, and the Cobra 18WXSTII, both with front-mounted speakers. Based on the reviews, it sounds like the Uniden's front speaker is better, and the Uniden also has more controls...

One thing I can't find is if either radio has a speaker-out on the back, which would be ideal--I could use the built in speaker, or plug into my stereo if I need extra volume.

 

[RobRed]

BTW you should really consider amateur radio (HAM). The basic license is super simple (40Q test) to get and the performance makes a CB like two cans and a string. Get your buddies to do it too. You wont be sorry as the quality of communication is shockingly better as well as range.

 

[retrofive]

Hm, now I've found the Uniden PRO538W, and the Cobra 18WXSTII, both with front-mounted speakers. Based on the reviews, it sounds like the Uniden's front speaker is better, and the Uniden also has more controls...

One thing I can't find is if either radio has a speaker-out on the back, which would be ideal--I could use the built in speaker, or plug into my stereo if I need extra volume.

The 18WXSTII does. I currently have it plugged into an external speaker; but need to change some stuff around (use the external for my ham and just the front fire of cb)

 

[GeologistFelix]

BTW you should really consider amateur radio (HAM). The basic license is super simple (40Q test) to get and the performance makes a CB like two cans and a string. Get your buddies to do it too. You wont be sorry as the quality of communication is shockingly better as well as range.

At this point, my main purpose for a CB is short range, mostly line-of sight communication on the trail. "I need to back up and try another angle," "Get some momentum, or you'll get high-centered here," etc. kind of stuff. HAM probably is in my future, but a CB is a much better option for the short term. Besides, none of my friends would ever get into HAM in a million years. I mean, only have one friend who even owns a ratchet, and he drives a wrangler.

 

[1911]

Besides, none of my friends would ever get into HAM in a million years. I mean, only have one friend who even owns a ratchet, and he drives a wrangler.

You definitely need a better class of friends!

 

[Brentbba]

I just picked up a cheap Radio Trash external speaker for my Uniden 520 I have in dash mounted under my single din radio. It's been fine for years for a CB-it's just a CB. In fact I have two external speakers right next to each other on the center console under the dash. One for CB and one for Ham. Can get confusing if I have both on and talking. Most folks I wheel with have upgraded to Ham, but a dear friend I camp with is still CB only, so I keep that to communicate with him.

 

[GeologistFelix]

You definitely need a better class of friends!

Hey, hey, three years ago I never would have imagined even wanting a CB. But then I got a Heep Cherokee to replace the Volvo 244 I had been driving since I graduated high school in 2005. The XJ was really fun to wheel but rarely went more than a week without breaking something, so I sold it and upgraded to my 60 about a year ago.

So, there's still hope for my friends. It'll probably just take another few years of pointed encouragement for one of them to get something with 4x4.

 

[sdnative]

I use one of these for an external speaker. Nice and loud / clear and pretty cheap.

MFJ-281

Ham Radio Outlet | MFJ MFJ-281 | CLEARTONE SPEAKER

 

[Elbert]

if you want a good external speaker...look for one of the square ranger brand models.

 

[canman]

I had the same concerns when I installed my CB into the ashtray slot (80 series 95-97). I had some old Logitech computer speakers lying around, so I wired them up in series due to the resistance. One is mounted on my center trans console and other is mounted on my center console next to the drivers seat. No problems hearing anything now.

 

[JamesR]

I'm in the process of mounting my ham radio in the dash (where the stock radio was located). I'm installing an external speaker in the stock radio speaker location, on the dash. I tested it today and it sounds good. Keep in mind the windows were up, the engine was off, and there was no road noise.

 

[sl33p3]

my uniden 520 is in my 80 dash under the aftermarket radio (lower single din slot). i hear trail com just fine under 4lo conditions with the speaker in the unit (i made sure to not cover the speaker holes with my "bracket"). it sounds like it in the dash as you'd expect but not muted or really muffled... i have no intention of external speaker for it.
now my kenwood ham, under the driver seat, DEF needs external speakers, especially since it gets used at highway speeds. i actually have a speaker for each side of the radio and one is mounted on the left of driver and one in the center, they both work well and are the cheapo uniden variety.

HTH