For your first radio install here is a cheap and functional set-up.
Radio-Uniden 510 (get a factory referb if available-usually $29-$39)
Antenna-Wilson Little Wil' Magnet mount (Roughly $29)
This set up will perform almost as well as the big boys and total price should be well under $100. The place to spend money for performance is the antenna. "Firesticks" are pushed hard and in my opinion, they suck. If you want to spend a bit more in a meaningful way, a Wilson 1000 or Wilson 5000 will be noticable upgrades, especially the 5000 which is about the best performing CB antenna you can get and it comes as a mag mount.
I agree, though, there is no reason to spend much money on CB equiptment-save that for 2 meter Ham radio.
I picked up a Uniden 510 off of ebay for around $30 shipped. It was in the original box and never used. I suspect it was several years old, but it works great for me.
Another vote for the 'lil Wil antenna. Great performance for a $30 antenna. Now I just need to get my ham license .
I have a little RS CB that fits perfectly in the pocket below the radio. With that, I have a cheapo RS mag-mount antenna - works as well as most other guys in my club. inexpensive t'boot.
I have pics and a mini writeup on the CB install in that pocket. I'll post or PM me and I can email to ya'.
I have a little RS CB that fits perfectly in the pocket below the radio. With that, I have a cheapo RS mag-mount antenna - works as well as most other guys in my club. inexpensive t'boot.
I have pics and a mini writeup on the CB install in that pocket. I'll post or PM me and I can email to ya'.
I have one of the RS CB's too. The problem I have with it is it's friction connect mike connection. It has a tendency to add static/distortion due to the not-quite-tight enough connection. FYI: The 510/520 have the more typical thread lock style mike connection.
I bought a cheap no name mag mount antenna at the local truck stop. It has great SWR readings. A friend has the same antennas on his 80 too and it also works great. I bought a Midland 77-115 because I like having the weather channels too.
Ebay can be hit or miss. I bought a screwed up RS radio on Ebay that was supposed to be new and I bought this Midland radio there too which is brand new. I'm not sure I'd buy a used radio on Ebay.
Cobra makes some good cheap little units. www.walmart.com has some cheaper Cobras on their website.
Getting a good antenna is more critical and then placing it correctly on the roof makes a huge difference in performance.
the concept of buying something that was returned because a customer didn't like it or it wasn't working right is an interesting one, come to think of it... Not saying it can't be a good deal in principle and it can't be fixed. Just an odd idea if you think about it, especially for perfectionists like most cruiserheads.
(You can probably find a real new one for the same $ with a bit of searching btw.)
the concept of buying something that was returned because a customer didn't like it or it wasn't working right is an interesting one, come to think of it... Not saying it can't be a good deal in principle and it can't be fixed. Just an odd idea if you think about it, especially for perfectionists like most cruiserheads.
(You can probably find a real new one for the same $ with a bit of searching btw.)
the concept of buying something that was returned because a customer didn't like it or it wasn't working right is an interesting one, come to think of it... Not saying it can't be a good deal in principle and it can't be fixed. Just an odd idea if you think about it, especially for perfectionists like most cruiserheads.
(You can probably find a real new one for the same $ with a bit of searching btw.)
Well-I did a bit of searching. Walmart has it for $40, and Eric's link above at Wolcott has them for $45. At Walmart, you'd have to pay shipping and tax. From Uniden it's just shipping. That's a decent price, though, and I've run refurb units for years with no issues. My understanding is that they test them like a new unit, and repackage as new. Full warrenty in effect.
This has been my experiance with refurb stuff. Like new only with much better quality control. Basically a unit that may not have had anything wrong with it inspected by the one person in the company who knows all the weakness and failure points.
True, except for mechanical wear. Every refurb speaker I ever bought, for example, failed much sooner than I expected. Other than the built-in speaker, I suppose the wear and abuse on the knobs and PTT is meaningless in a refurb unit, though.
Does anybody know of a CB that has the microphone jack on the back?
That way it could still be dash mounted but the cord could come out somewhere less obtrusive than right in the middle of the dash.
I have found front mounted and side mounted but none on the back.
Does anybody know of a CB that has the microphone jack on the back?
That way it could still be dash mounted but the cord could come out somewhere less obtrusive than right in the middle of the dash.
I have found front mounted and side mounted but none on the back.
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