Don't even try. Nobody makes one due to the different power levels. Just get a seperate CB and HAM.
What CB radio is good...
- Thread starter mercfan
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Don't even try. Nobody makes one due to the different power levels. Just get a seperate CB and HAM.
Aids10
xploraz.net
This is what I did too. I used my ash tray, so this was the better option IMO. I'm planning on removing the radio all together and mounting a 2m HAM radio with the CB...
CLEAN!
THX M8
Thanks!
I just replaced my 15 year old giant Cobra with a new Cobra 75 WXST. Install is super neat with the power/antenna module under the center console.
In reality, any CB will be fine. The determining factor is good antenna cable and proper antenna mounting.
In reality, any CB will be fine. The determining factor is good antenna cable and proper antenna mounting.
Don't even try. Nobody makes one due to the different power levels. Just get a seperate CB and HAM.
Not true. "Export" radios are ham and CB with several hundred watts available for CB. I had a RCI 2970DX modified for CB use in Mexico. Peaked and tuned, but stock hard parts, she put out over 175watts in CB mode (in Mexico).
Makes me wonder what kind of CB's you can actually buy in Mexico...
The one I am speaking of is a 10-12 meter ham radio. Export radios have a module you can purchase that clips in, and allows the mode button to set it to CB mode. Only available in Mexico, as far as I know. It was funny, when I sold it to a friend, he would set it up on AM and talk to me through my truck's speakers. Can't get away with that stuff in the US, though
I believe they look exactly the same. I'm under the impression you can purchase regular 10-12meter radios, and 'find' the cb chip to unlock it. Although I'm under the impression as well that it's illegal since they're far more capable than the 5watt limit for CB. I can try and get you a photo, I still see him occasionally, although I'm not sure he'd let me uninstall his radio, and take it apart to get a photo of the module
I guess I should have clarified: You cannot get a HAM/CB in a single unit in the states. Even if you got one of these, the most common HAM band for wheeling is a 2m or a 7m... I will also say that it is a lot easier to have 2 seperate radios on a trail ride due to not everybody having a HAM.
Back to the CB, honestly you don't need to spend a lot. Stick with a good name and tune the antenna. It will work just great!
I guess I should have clarified: You cannot get a HAM/CB in a single unit in the states. Even if you got one of these, the most common HAM band for wheeling is a 2m or a 7m... I will also say that it is a lot easier to have 2 seperate radios on a trail ride due to not everybody having a HAM.
Back to the CB, honestly you don't need to spend a lot. Stick with a good name and tune the antenna. It will work just great!
/This\
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I run a Uniden 520XL compact, light and durable. Have it stuck to the side of the console with Velcro and run a stubby mag mount antenna. I only install it for the trail, works great.
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I purchased similar: Uniden PRO510XL and the Firestick Antenna. The radio works well, the antenna... not so good. I may not have installed it correctly - I can't tell, but two separate individuals using SWR meter told me there was a problem - they told me the antenna was too long, or I have a grounding issue...
I mounted it on the stock front bumper (drilled a hole) and ran the cable into the engine bay, through the firewall. I have also purchased the Radio/CB splitter, which I installed in-series to split the signal between my CB and the radio (so I can use the same antenna for the radio as well as CB). So I either have some type of ground issue, or the splitter is messing me up.
When I tested it with my neighbor, I could hear him great when I was parked right next to him... as soon as I turned the corner, I lost him (and vice versa). When I plopped his 'Lil Will' antenna on the roof and ran it to my radio I could hear him nearly a mile away and he could hear me...
Any suggestions would be welcome.
James
Both are probably just fine. Sounds like a grounding plane issue. The front bumper location is not a good place period. Too low and not much plane to really operate well. The radios are dead simple, the antenna, cable length and grounding plane play a much bigger role on a CB performance.
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As you found out, mounting location is more important than antenna choice. One of the things that affect SWR setting is reflected waves. Any close vertical metal surface will affect the reading and performance. SWR setting needs to be done in an open area, walls, overhead structures, roofs, etc, will effect the reading, sometimes even opening the rig door will change the reading. Mounting it next to a vertical metal surface (the rig) will affect the reading and performance.
I run a little ~9" rubber, mag mount, antenna in the middle of the roof. Works great, smokes most of the bumper, tire carrier, etc, mounted rigs that I wheel with.
Yep, these little things are cheap, durable and work great.
ProComm JBC101 9" Rubber Duck CB Antenna w/ Chrome Base | eBay
How did your power the CB?
I think I like your mounting solution as I think I only want to use the CB while wheeling with others. I probably don't want to permanent mount the CB anyway. So how did you power the CB? I guess you run the co-ax cable out the driver window? With the rubber mag mount ant did you have to "tune" the SWR or did it just work right out of the box. I guess I am trying to figure out if I can just order the CB, ant and cigaret lighter power adapter and I am done?
I think I like your mounting solution as I think I only want to use the CB while wheeling with others. I probably don't want to permanent mount the CB anyway. So how did you power the CB? I guess you run the co-ax cable out the driver window? With the rubber mag mount ant did you have to "tune" the SWR or did it just work right out of the box. I guess I am trying to figure out if I can just order the CB, ant and cigaret lighter power adapter and I am done?
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I spliced into the drive side power seat and it is connected to the CB with a plug. The coax goes out the driver rear door, I just close the door on it. I first ran the antenna right out of the box, then checked set the SWR, only took a little tune, didn't notice a difference.
That's the quick and dirty method, I've never tuned any of my antennas. CBs are just for short range communication, you don't need anything high tech.
I have the same model and it was tweaked and tuned. It works really really great specially if it is mated with Wilson 1000 cb antennna.
