Thinking about getting a CB...

Surrey · Apr 1, 2011

I was thinking about getting a CB, but am trying to figure out some details.

First, where is a good place for an antenna on a Bronco II? I dont think roof mount will work, roof top snorkels dont even last on BC trails. Im not sure anything more then 2' long would survive is a front-fender mount... How short of an antenna can I get for a reasonable price that is actually worth buying?

It seems the Cobra 29 series is very popular. What is a good price to pay for one? I read that it allows you to tune your antenna without an SWR meter...How common of a feature is that on radios? An SWR meter will probably pay for itself as soon as I convince my friends to get CBs in their trucks, but sounds like extra work I wouldn't mind avoiding. .
Is there an easy way to know if the radio will require an SWR meter to tune?

A quick search on the local craigslist found these adds...
1) http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pml/for/2290295829.html
2) http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/ele/2284107131.html
3) http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/pts/2298240753.html

Are small radios like that any good? What about old radios? Has there been big advances in technologies and shit so a Radio from the 80s is junk, even if it works?

What about power? What is a good power for a radio? They are rated in watts I think? (From what I"ve been reading here..)

Thanks!

4.0B2 · Apr 1, 2011

honestly for a trail radio-- most use a uniden or cobra "mini" cb.. and a firestick. 3 foot should be fine. best place on a b2 i can think of is the spare tire mount if you have one, as long as it will ground to the body good..

that's my plan, the cobra mini and a firestick- mounted to my custom spare tire mount bumper once i make that! lol

think about something like this- not really this kit- but similar
http://www.rightchannelradios.com/jeep-offroad-cb-radio-106/jeep-off-road-cb-kit-uniden-pro-510xl-418.html

Surrey · Apr 2, 2011

That site says the firestick has better transmit/receiving... How much better?

Something like a wilson FLEX sounds more like what I might want, but If Im spending money on a CB radio it needs to have better range than a decent FRS radio...

4.0B2 · Apr 2, 2011

idk b/c i've never used a FLEX, but i'm totally satisfied w/ every firestick i've used or been around. we only use them for trail use usually so... either would work just fine. people are talking several miles on their little cbs like that. find someone that is running one now and ask them. b/c now i have a 2 meter ham radio in my truck... SO MUCH BETTER THAN CB. lol..but the masses i ride w/ don't have ham's so...

02RangerXLT · Apr 2, 2011

I have a Cobra 29... Great radio, sounds very good, have no complaints so far. I used a Midland 1001Z before, it was also a great radio, but it decided to take a crap on me.

I ran a 4ft firestik on the Midland 1001Z and got good range with it, about 6 miles of receive, maybe 4-5 on transmit.

I run a Wilson 2000 Trucker antenna with the Cobra 29, great range and clarity. Haven't been able to officially test it with someone who has a decent enough antenna. But I know it goes far.

Surrey · Apr 2, 2011

02RangerXLT said:
I have a Cobra 29... Great radio, sounds very good, have no complaints so far. I used a Midland 1001Z before, it was also a great radio, but it decided to take a crap on me.

I ran a 4ft firestik on the Midland 1001Z and got good range with it, about 6 miles of receive, maybe 4-5 on transmit.

I run a Wilson 2000 Trucker antenna with the Cobra 29, great range and clarity. Haven't been able to officially test it with someone who has a decent enough antenna. But I know it goes far.

Goes farther than the firestick?
And thats a metal whip? How are metal whips for flexibility/durability, compared to fiberglass?
And where is your whip mounted?
I have heard that half the antenna should be above the roof line for maximum reception?

407Link · Apr 2, 2011

i get over 10 miles in the city with my midland 1001z and a hustler magnet antenna

4.0B2 · Apr 2, 2011

407Link said:
i get over 10 miles in the city with my midland 1001z and a hustler magnet antenna

holy crap. i'm getting that radio next paycheck anyways. i'm glad to hear that. i think i'm gonna run a 4' firestick tho.

407Link · Apr 2, 2011

I'm in florida though its flat!

4.0B2 · Apr 2, 2011

407Link said:
I'm in florida though its flat!

i wheel at superlift, its not so flat. but oh well! lol

02RangerXLT · Apr 2, 2011

Surrey said:
Goes farther than the firestick?
And thats a metal whip? How are metal whips for flexibility/durability, compared to fiberglass?
And where is your whip mounted?
I have heard that half the antenna should be above the roof line for maximum reception?

1) Yes the metal whip goes farther. However, this could be a combination of the better radio and antenna and not just the antenna.
2) Yes, its a metal whip, I'd say durability is about the same really, you don't want to start running either through trees though.
3) Its mounted in a hood channel mount on the drivers side of the pickup.
4) Its actually 2/3 of the antenna, however it is hard to follow that rule without getting a bigass antenna... 1/2 is sufficient though.

Surrey · Apr 2, 2011

02RangerXLT said:
1) Yes the metal whip goes farther. However, this could be a combination of the better radio and antenna and not just the antenna.
2) Yes, its a metal whip, I'd say durability is about the same really, you don't want to start running either through trees though.
3) Its mounted in a hood channel mount on the drivers side of the pickup.
4) Its actually 2/3 of the antenna, however it is hard to follow that rule without getting a bigass antenna... 1/2 is sufficient though.

What would be better, a small antenna on the roof, or one twice that size off the back bumper? I think I am going to have to go with a FLEX, trees are nasty round these parts... Rooftop snorkels dont even survive.

How poor would the performance be for an antenna on the back bumper of a b2? Or how about mounted on a spare tire carrier?

Does anyone other than Wilson make really flexible whips that are not made-in-china crap?

Considering my need for durability, what would you suggest as a good mounting point? It seems ontop of the roof will be too high...

407Link · Apr 2, 2011

i like my hustler magnet antenna i drive though trees everyday and it holds up..when i'm off road i either take it off or it'll fall into my bed. but for $20 i don't care if it rips off

4.0B2 · Apr 2, 2011

spare tire is fine IF you get a good ground to the body

Blacked-Out FX4 · Apr 2, 2011

I have a Cobra mini cb i picked up at wal-mart. and 2 3ft firestik's...work like a charm. One whip is CB and the other is my scanner. I like about 20 miles from NYC and i can pick up the FDNY like they were sitting right next to me.

Thinking about getting a CB...

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