Cb Radio Suggestions

mikystyle · January 28, 2008

Ive been looking into getting a cb for my truck but not sure what to get. I know nothing bout cbs. Anything thats decent quality. Anyone have any good experiences? Also i would want a shorter antenna. I dont want a big whip antenna, just something small, like an 8" or something. Im not lookin to go nuts just something nice n simple.

klunkerbus · January 28, 2008

No recommendations for you, but good luck with that 8-inch antenna. The optimum length of an antenna depends on the frequency of the radio signal involved. Lower frequencies require longer antennas. CB is a pretty low frequency, hence the long whip-style antennas you used to see a lot of. Shorter antennas can be "base loaded" with a coil so they still electrically match the radio, but getting down to 8-inches for a CB antenna would leave you with an antenna that doesn't perform very well.

overkill · January 28, 2008

Cobra and Midland are always good and Uniden is good also. Definetly get one that can do Weather alerts. Also, the minimum antenna you will want to go is a 3' and a 4 or 5 ft would be better. The more antenna above the ground plane (your truck) the better distance you'll get out of it. Firestik is one of the most popular antenna brands along with Wilson.

mikystyle · January 28, 2008

Cobra and Midland are always good and Uniden is good also. Definetly get one that can do Weather alerts. Also, the minimum antenna you will want to go is a 3' and a 4 or 5 ft would be better. The more antenna above the ground plane (your truck) the better distance you'll get out of it. Firestik is one of the most popular antenna brands along with Wilson.

I'm not looking to go nuts with distance. I dont need like a 50mile reception destance but i guess if a small antenna would only do like 2miles than thats no good either

overkill · January 28, 2008

No need to worry about the 50 mile range. I have yet to see an "unmodified" radio get much better than 10. I know they say they can do more but none of mine ever did, I figured I was lucky to get 5-7miles. But then again thats where the better the antenna and ground, the better the signal. CB's are limited to 3watts(atleast they used to be) which isnt much. I just got my HAM ticket and with my radio tuned down to 5watts and my 30ft home antenna, I can just barely reach 30miles and they are asking me to turn up the power. Thats on top of a 30ft mast. The one on your truck will be what, 8ft off the ground.

If you use the stakepocket or a tool box in the bed to mount the antenna, it will only stick above the cab by 1-1.5ft which isnt too bad(higher the better though). And if you use a magnetic mount, you can take it off the roof when not in use or you need to pull into the garage.

mikystyle · January 28, 2008

http://www.walcottcb.com/product_info.php?...products_id=881

I was looking at this guy. Like I said im not an avid CB'er but it would be nice to pick up some weather channels and occasionaly catch up on the lingo. It would be roof mounted to get as much height as possible.

overkill · January 28, 2008

Ok, that looks like a good one to start with.

That reminds me.... when you do get the radio and antenna hooked up, either buy an SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) meter or take the truck down to a radio shop that deals with CB's and have them tune the antenna for optimum efficency. You'll get a better signal and it wont be as hard on your radio when transmitting.

You can get a SWR meter at radio shack.

overkill · January 28, 2008

Also, I dont know if you have figured out how/where to mount the radio yet but this is where I mounted mine.... http://www.flickr.com/photos/8240136@N04/s...57603613115922/ (this is my HAM radio but a CB will mount the same way.)

I had posted many times trying to find out where others had mounted their radios and all I got in replies was antenna locations/mounts.... thats the easy part. Also, I dont know if you have the center console that extends from the dash back to inbetween the seats but mine didnt. The plastic panel that is just below the accesory lighter plugs just pops off with two screws and allows for a nice clean hole to place the radio. There are 2 other screws in there that I used to attach a bracket I made. I'm glad I pulled the panel off to find what I did behind it. I was hoping for atleast a few metal structural dash bracket and wires but instead it was already enclosed and made for a nice clean install with out having to drill any holes in the dash/plastic. I hate drilling where the holes could be visible when the item is removed. Oh, and I used some double sided 3M tape to mount the mic bracket. Again, no holes.

Hope this makes your install a bit easier.

mikystyle · January 28, 2008

I do have the center console. This is the radio im looking at: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...A:IT&ih=022. I figure ill get the radio first then find a location. thanks for the help. I appreciate it. I'll let you know where i mount it when i get it installed

mikystyle · January 30, 2008

http://uniden.com/products/productdetail.cfm?product=PRO538W

I think i might go for this one over the cobra because it has PA feature. Any ideas

-Devil- · January 30, 2008

if i was to get a cb again .. it would be a cobra 19, 25 or 148 ... i try to shy away from the others ... mostly from bad experience tho ...

mikystyle · January 30, 2008

Well i changed my mind about the antenna. ive decided this setup will be better: http://www.walcottcb.com/firestik-mk294r-s...ikit-p-307.html

One i think it will look better and two i think i will get better permormance from it. Just wondering where i can go with the coax. Is there any plugs in the back of the cab that i can go into? I didnt see any when i looked today but its hard to see in there. Any ideas. Also any suggestions on a good antenna for that mount? I dont want to go over 4'. A 2' or 3' would be best. Thanks.