CB Radios

[kyojin]

I'm thinking about getting a CB. I've heard varying opinions on this subject. Some people say the CB is not important that the antenna is everything. I'm just looking for a CB for off-roading. Walmart has a cheap Cobra CB for $34.96. I've heard that a firestick antenna is pretty good. Where can I get one of those locally.

Do people even really use CB's anymore?

 

[DOSS]

I have the Wallyworld CB radio and a Cheap Radioshack antana and it works great its nice to be able to chat with the guys at the back of the line .. you can pick up fire sticks at your local Flying J truckstop

 

[greenjeep]

In the back woods, cbs are about your only communication source. It's also nice being able to chat as you wheel.

 

[gijohn40]

pawn shops

a lot of times you can pick up a cb in a pawn shop for $20 or so... one of the best cbs out there is the Cobra model 19 its small and can be put in just about any rig.

antennas can be had from any flying J or other truck stops along the highway. stay away from the radio shack antennas that are over priced and usually bust shortly down the road.
Look for one that has all the wires wrapped around the top of the antenna and says that its 5/8Y which means its a 5/8 of a wavelength. if you can mount the antenna with the top windings above the roof of you rig it will get out further due to not being reflected off the top of your rig.

If you have any other questions feel free to PM me...
I am an amatuer radio operator and have been one since 1991.
John
n7shz

 

[Bart]

Yep, you are on the right track. I run a Firestick antenna on a spring. The main thing is to get the CB tuned to the antenna.

 

[notajeep]

To do this you need a SWR (?) meter... right? Where do you get one and how do you use it?

 

[kyojin]

a lot of times you can pick up a cb in a pawn shop for $20 or so... one of the best cbs out there is the Cobra model 19 its small and can be put in just about any rig.

antennas can be had from any flying J or other truck stops along the highway. stay away from the radio shack antennas that are over priced and usually bust shortly down the road.
Look for one that has all the wires wrapped around the top of the antenna and says that its 5/8Y which means its a 5/8 of a wavelength. if you can mount the antenna with the top windings above the roof of you rig it will get out further due to not being reflected off the top of your rig.

If you have any other questions feel free to PM me...
I am an amatuer radio operator and have been one since 1991.
John
n7shz

Walmart has the Cobra 19 for $35.00. Sounds like it would be a decent CB. How much do firesticks run?

 

[DevinB]

To do this you need a SWR (?) meter... right? Where do you get one and how do you use it?

Radio Shack has them, but chances are that you'll only ever use it once to set up your CB, then it sits in your garage collecting dust. If you can, borrow one. Or, if you're like me and have no conscience, buy one from Radio Shack, use it, then return it.

They're very simple to use, just run the cable from your antenna to the SWR, then another small cable from the box to your CB. Then key the mic and watch the needle. I can't remember the values, but I think you want to be below 3? Adjust the antenna accordingly to achieve the desired level. Google it and you'll get better instructions, obviously. I'm running off ~3 years of memory, and I probably did it wrong in the first place.

 

[Caleb]

Walmart has the Cobra 19 for $35.00. Sounds like it would be a decent CB. How much do firesticks run?

When I bought my Firestick years ago they were about $40 IIRC. I bought it from a shop that used to be off of ~4700 S. and about 3rd West...I think that shop is gone now though. I also have a K40 brand CB antenna (I *think* thats the brand) and it works every bit as good as my Firestick, but it's also about the same price (or was at the time). I believe I got it from Mepco. The biggest thing (like Bart said) is to have your radio tuned to your antenna. I've also used a short (~2') Radio Shack antenna and once it was tuned it worked great as well.

 

[BlackDog]

Got a used Cobra 25 ltd clssic, and a used firestick. I swear one day the will leave the garage, nad get on the Bronco.

 

[grntaco]

I have a CB just because most people have them but I think they suck. I usually take GMRS radios with everybody in the group since they are tiny and have 12 - 16 mile range instead of under 4 miles like a CB.

 

[diablokicks]

I did some research and found a Midland 1001Z 40 Channel CB with Channel 9 Switch and PA for pretty inexpensive with lots of options on it (no weather channel) I think i got it for like 40$ shipped.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00024DIDK/102-3208124-4575318

 

[Lifelong Jeeper]

CB Repair...

I have a CB that I bought years ago and I need to get it repaired. Somehow the coax cable shorted out on my antenna mount and cooked something inside the CB. It will now receive but won't transmit. Does anybody know anything about this and where I can go. I paid around $100 for it when I bought it and I would like to get it working again if it's cheap. Otherwise I will just go buy a Walmart cheapy that has been spoken of.

 

[1993yj]

I have never taken the time to tune my CBs and so far they have worked well enough for me for years

 

[dabears]

i have one of the wally world cheapys & a cheap ant. from sap bros ($25), borrowed a swr and needed no tuning. both work great on the trail

 

[Rot Box]

Me and a couple friends bought out the supply at the Logan Walmart (now restocked) and I have to say thats the best $34 Ive spent in awhile

 

[gijohn40]

I have a CB that I bought years ago and I need to get it repaired. Somehow the coax cable shorted out on my antenna mount and cooked something inside the CB. It will now receive but won't transmit.

What you did was short out the transmitter circuit and its what costs the most in the radio... unless your really attached to this radio its not work the money to fix... there are shops that will fix it but your better off getting a new one with all the bells and whistles for less....


as far as tuning I have a power/swr meter and would be willing to help anyone that needs their antenna tuned...

Most antennas are pretty much tuned for the band and just need a bit of fine tunning to match the radio its hooked to.. this is why most radios and antennas work fine right out of the box...

 

[diablokicks]

GI's a good guy, he'll hook ya up (dunno if your girlfriend gave ya one of the two diet pepsi's i gave her, but there were two ;-) ) Thanks again...

 

[92XJeeper]

I bought a small, inexpensive Uniden 520 and it works great. I used to own a 4' Firestick antenna that worked well, but it was too long and hard to tune. The 3' Wilson that replaced it works just as well and tunes much easier. $40 for an antenna is pricey in my opinion. You can get the Wilsons for about half that much.

As for having a CB on the trail, I think it's very important when in a group of wheelers of varying experience. The group leader can communicate to the rest of the group certain things about obstacles (hard or easy lines, bypasses, etc), what to watch out for, or when bikers, quads, or people on foot are approaching the group. Same for the trail gunner, who can report on a broken rig to those in the front of the pack.

As for tuning the CB, you want to tune it using at least several channels spread out across the spectrum. Also, your vehicle plays a huge role in tuning; therefore, placement of the antenna is very important in the radio's ability to receive and transmit.

If anyone gets only 4 miles range out of a CB, they probably need to tune it or replace the faulty/substandard part. When I was in Moab I was talking to a friend who had just crossed the Arizona-Utah border. It was crystal clear, too.

 

[Medsker]

I have a SWR meter if anyone wants to come by and use it. I bought it off the web a couple years a go to tune my antenna. Seems a waste for everyone on here to do the same.

I've always had a cb in my rigs. I use it as much on road asking the truckers about traffic conditions etc. It's great when the traffic slows down and you can ask which lane has the wreck in it so you can scoot over before everyone else.

Last time I went to Moab I was with a group that used those little 10 mile radios and I was surprised how well they worked. I still liked the cb's better since you didn't have to hold them to hear them etc but the whole group didn't have them.

Medsker