New to CB's, advice and wisdom wanted.

[kemo]

what's with the argument on a dated communications technology...? Seriously, an argument over CB?

 

[Scotty J.]

I got it mostly for when I am out wheeling, nothing super far or life critical. The antenna came with a mirror mount but since I don't have tube mirrors I was thinking of mounting it on an 'L' shaped bracket on the hood, like how Fx4wannabe has his mounted. How would I go about getting the antenna tuned? Thanks for the help.

Hey Mike,

I just put one in my 02. Locating a place to mount the radio was my biggest dilemma. I think I came up with a good solution. So far the only thing that I don't like about it is when the sun is high in the sky and reflects off it through the windshield.

Oh, an regarding a lot of the comments here, CBs are the single most popular radio for off roading. I have GRMS radios (yes, I have a license for them) but they're pretty useless except when stopped. And regarding HAM, why in the world would you want a HAM radio off road? Myself, I just want to talk to the people that I'm with, not the Space Shuttle.

Cobra 29 LTD Radio
Firestik 2' Antenna
Firestik Medium Spring Mount
Firestik 18' cable, I don't care the validity of the myths, it's still 18'
Ford F-150 Hood Mount

The Cobra has SWR Calibration built in, very simple to tune. You can pick up a SWR Meter cheap at Amazon or somewhere similar if it's not built into your radio.

 

[Andres629]

If you're still looking for ideas, I simply MADE my own hood mount for a fixed antennae, and can show you where I routed the cable if you're still looking for ideas...

 

[Grunizzle]

And regarding HAM, why in the world would you want a HAM radio off road?

I kinda wanted a hand held HAM for emergencies ever since I got stuck in the woods in a snow storm, no cell service and no one knew my location. I think a HAM could have its values.

What kind of hand held CB was that that you loaned to me sat.?

 

[Scotty J.]

I kinda wanted a hand held HAM for emergencies ever since I got stuck in the woods in a snow storm, no cell service and no one knew my location. I think a HAM could have its values.

What kind of hand held CB was that that you loaned to me sat.?

It was a GRMS, range MAYBE 2 miles best case (read flat and dry). I brought up HAM kind of tongue in cheek, the antennas for those are very big and a bit delicate, not something you'd want to take on the trails, at least not OUR trails LOL.

A good old fashion CB should do you well. If you tend to get far out from civilization without other folks around, a more efficient setup than mine may be required for emergency type situations. I'm an old time scuba diver, I never dive alone and I approach being in the woods the same. If I do go out on trails alone, I want to be within an hour or so walk back to civilization LOL.

 

[willievhook]

what's with the argument on a dated communications technology...? Seriously, an argument over CB?

Like Will said, it has all been informative.

 

[Grunizzle]

It was a GRMS, range MAYBE 2 miles best case (read flat and dry). I brought up HAM kind of tongue in cheek, the antennas for those are very big and a bit delicate, not something you'd want to take on the trails, at least not OUR trails LOL.

A good old fashion CB should do you well. If you tend to get far out from civilization without other folks around, a more efficient setup than mine may be required for emergency type situations. I'm an old time scuba diver, I never dive alone and I approach being in the woods the same. If I do go out on trails alone, I want to be within an hour or so walk back to civilization LOL.

Yeah I learned my lesson about going places without leaving detailed instructions, as well as being prepared for most anything you can run into. My mom has a little handheld HAM back home I carried around for a while for emergencies on my camping expeditions.

I really only need something for using on the trails, Im not relying on CB to save my life in an emergency or anything. I'll prolly just bite the bullet and get an actual CB setup

 

[4x4junkie]

It was a GRMS, range MAYBE 2 miles best case (read flat and dry). I brought up HAM kind of tongue in cheek, the antennas for those are very big and a bit delicate, not something you'd want to take on the trails, at least not OUR trails LOL.

This depends on what band the radio is for (you're probably thinking of like 40 or 80-meter equipment). VHF/UHF radios can be very much like your GMRS (or FRS) radios in size and antenna requirements. They certainly have their place on the trail as well, though I think having a 27MHz CB (which is easily capable of talking nationwide during most days) and a cell phone, can still pretty much cover for any emergency needs (Additionally, I've never once not been able to find other users on the CB bands (including FRS) by using my radio's scan function when out wheeling on a popular trail).

 

[Clay Lorance]

A CB is not only good for trail riding, it also makes a darn good radar for smokey reports out on the highway, as long as your tuned into the channel that the truck drivers are on. Just my .02.

 

[MountainMike]

This is how I mounted the antenna on the '93

 

[strvger]

that should work fine for you there, Mike. if your range isn't what you think you should be getting, you might try adding a thin plate (1/8") at least 10" dia. round or 10" square under it to make a better ground plane. good job!

 

[MountainMike]

Installing the CB next weekend so we shall see how it all pans out.

 

[strvger]

wow... finally!! jk. iirc, you've been in school, right? anyway, glad you're back posting again! i'm using cb, frs, marine, and cell phone for my Alcan trip. thought about 10m ham, haven't decided yet. is ham radio more popular in Ca.?

 

[MountainMike]

wow... finally!! jk. iirc, you've been in school, right? anyway, glad you're back posting again! i'm using cb, frs, marine, and cell phone for my Alcan trip. thought about 10m ham, haven't decided yet. is ham radio more popular in Ca.?

Yeah.. well kind of. Back at work full time now but it's an apprenticeship so technically yes.

There are a few HAM radio operators where I am but if you want to be on the truckers network you can't beat CB. And most motorcyclists are running CB also so it really expands the network of people to get info on road conditions from.

 

[Jason]

If this is for trail use, use the internal meter. It isn't that important. Honestly, from a truck driver, there is nothing on the CB to hear unless it's a friend which will be close.