Yes!! A CB Radio that works

[jplinville]

I've been using CB radios for years. Over the last 10 years or so, I've noted a serious downturn in quality of the smaller, 4-wheeler versions, of which I've bought a couple. These are the smaller units that usually fit where the ashtray is, after you remove it. They are small for a reason...because space isn't afforded for them. In the past 10 years, I've gone through at least 5 of them...with them always winding up in the trash due to the unit breaking.

I decided to go back to the big boy size versions, and couldn't be happier. I picked up a pair of Uniden PC78LTD radios, and installed one into the wife's pick up, added a pair of 4' Firesticks off the sides of the bed, and have been receiving and transmitting very strong signals where the smaller units were barely registering. I've been very pleased with this set up, and will copy the same set up in my pick up. When the small unit in the Tahoe dies, which it's on it's way, I'll add one to it, as well...once I can figure out a decent enough mounting spot.

Our pick ups have truck shelves, which are suspended from the ceiling, right near the windshield, with the sun visor mounted to the bottom. I've installed her CB in the shelf, just right of the rear view mirror, at an angle to the driver for comfortable and easy operation. This set up works the best, IMHO. Since our trucks are virtually the same model years (4 years apart, with only the nose and trim packages being different) mine will be no different.

I rely on radios to pick up chatter of speed traps and traffic, as well as to communicate emergency situations while in phone dead spots...such as when I had a van load of kids and the idler pulley decided to give up the ghost. Using the radio, I was able to get assistance when the phone had no signal. I grew up with a dad that always had one in his truck...an old Realistic TRC-152 that he had doctored up for more power, which I have set up in my basement, connected to a 12V supply.

[optimusprime]

Good to see these cbs are still in use over in the USA .I had many a good dx with truckers on the motorway .That was when i used my Cobra DTL DX from over here in the UK . Miss ,my Midland home base .And the International jumbo. Only working on a mag mount fixed in my atic. I may hear you some day.

[strelnik]

Originally Posted by jplinville

I've been using CB radios for years. Over the last 10 years or so, I've noted a serious downturn in quality of the smaller, 4-wheeler versions, of which I've bought a couple. These are the smaller units that usually fit where the ashtray is, after you remove it. They are small for a reason...because space isn't afforded for them. In the past 10 years, I've gone through at least 5 of them...with them always winding up in the trash due to the unit breaking.

I decided to go back to the big boy size versions, and couldn't be happier. I picked up a pair of Uniden PC78LTD radios, and installed one into the wife's pick up, added a pair of 4' Firesticks off the sides of the bed, and have been receiving and transmitting very strong signals where the smaller units were barely registering. I've been very pleased with this set up, and will copy the same set up in my pick up. When the small unit in the Tahoe dies, which it's on it's way, I'll add one to it, as well...once I can figure out a decent enough mounting spot.

Our pick ups have truck shelves, which are suspended from the ceiling, right near the windshield, with the sun visor mounted to the bottom. I've installed her CB in the shelf, just right of the rear view mirror, at an angle to the driver for comfortable and easy operation. This set up works the best, IMHO. Since our trucks are virtually the same model years (4 years apart, with only the nose and trim packages being different) mine will be no different.

I rely on radios to pick up chatter of speed traps and traffic, as well as to communicate emergency situations while in phone dead spots...such as when I had a van load of kids and the idler pulley decided to give up the ghost. Using the radio, I was able to get assistance when the phone had no signal. I grew up with a dad that always had one in his truck...an old Realistic TRC-152 that he had doctored up for more power, which I have set up in my basement, connected to a 12V supply.

Have you found any hand-held ones that are reliable? I had one on a trip through the Arizona desert, but it was later stolen. Wasn't bad and helped me out in a spot.

[E150GT]

I have a cobra handheld and it has no range. Maybe two blocks at most.

[jplinville]

Originally Posted by strelnik

Have you found any hand-held ones that are reliable? I had one on a trip through the Arizona desert, but it was later stolen. Wasn't bad and helped me out in a spot.

Midland 75-822 is one of the highest rated handhelds on the market, in both CB magazines as well as Amazon. However, I would caution about range, as handhelds lack the ability to carry the needed antenna length. If you can get your hands on the discontinued Maxon WTA-1 antenna, which is extendable to 42", you can extend that range. Better yet, for driving purposes, get the BNC to PL259 adaptor and use any good magnetic base antenna you want. You lose portability while connected, but stand a better chance at reaching further out when the antenna is properly tuned.

[jplinville]

Originally Posted by E150GT

I have a cobra handheld and it has no range. Maybe two blocks at most.

I'd look into replacing the antenna with one similar to what I stated in my previous post. Most hand helds can't get out too far, because they can't carry a long enough antenna.

[E150GT]

In my Mazda 3 I had a Uniden Pro520XL paired with a Wilson 1000 trunk lip mount. That thing had pretty good range when I tuned it correctly. I miss having my CB but since I bought the Mazda 6, I dont want to ruin the look of the car with a 5' whip. I am going to get my Ham ticket so I can run an icom in there with a much smaller antenna. While I do find the CB has some good points, the amount of pure garbage on the waves now is making the decision to not get that much easier.

[strelnik]

Originally Posted by E150GT

In my Mazda 3 I had a Uniden Pro520XL paired with a Wilson 1000 trunk lip mount. That thing had pretty good range when I tuned it correctly. I miss having my CB but since I bought the Mazda 6, I dont want to ruin the look of the car with a 5' whip. I am going to get my Ham ticket so I can run an icom in there with a much smaller antenna. While I do find the CB has some good points, the amount of pure garbage on the waves now is making the decision to not get that much easier.

Agree with you on the garbage, but my intent is to hook this up as a back-up to the cell phone in areas where cell coverage is just not strong.

Since this is going in a G30 cube van, there's no space for the CB unless I attach it to the roof. The dog house comes off to get access to the 6.2L diesel and trans.
Or I could put it inside the cube with a whip antenna on the side of the vehicle??

[E150GT]

Originally Posted by strelnik

Agree with you on the garbage, but my intent is to hook this up as a back-up to the cell phone in areas where cell coverage is just not strong.

Since this is going in a G30 cube van, there's no space for the CB unless I attach it to the roof. The dog house comes off to get access to the 6.2L diesel and trans.
Or I could put it inside the cube with a whip antenna on the side of the vehicle??

when I had a cb on my 1990 ford econoline I put the CB to the left of the steering wheel and the antenna on the mirror. i did have metal mirrors and those little butterfly windows to run the wire to. I didnt have air conditioning so those windows were always open anyway. If this is just for an as needed type of deal you can get an adapter like said before and get a magnet mount antenna. Just pop it up there if you need it and its out of the way when you dont. Either way a handeld inside a car without an external antenna is next to useless and a handheld without an external antenna or at least an aftermarket extended range antenna is useless.

[jplinville]

The G30 cube van should have a rain lip on the roof...there are mounts that clip to that lip that you can use. Run the wire to exit the passenger door and tuck it in the interior panels.

[compu_85]

We have a nice setup in our Passat... Cobra radio, kicker under the front seat, and a Wilson 5000 on the trunk

In the Benz I have a Motorola powered AM/FM/CB antenna and a simple cobra "hand held" i keep in the center console.

-J

[dynalow]

Break One Nine. Break. Break. This is the Blue-eyed Devil westbound on I-76 at mile marker XX. Looking for someone on my front porch to run with me to Harrisburgh.............

Fond memories.... State trooper pulled me and another guy over for speeding one evening.

[Angel]

Good thread
I have my tech+ license from many years ago, but never use it. I thought about putting a cheap 2m rig in my car/next car just to have something to play with (lotsa repeaters around home, but not sure where the action is...if any...

But y'all got me thinking - I'm considering buying a different car when I get back (Rick Mileys 300D if I can convince the wife to let me fly so far...) and if its an old Benz, Its gonna need a new radio.

Do they made DIN mount CB/AM/FM radios ? are they any good ?

(ideally, I'd want 2m/440/CB/AM/FM/aux input, but that sounds like a lot to ask..)

-N8ITV

[jplinville]

Originally Posted by Angel

Good thread
I have my tech+ license from many years ago, but never use it. I thought about putting a cheap 2m rig in my car/next car just to have something to play with (lotsa repeaters around home, but not sure where the action is...if any...

But y'all got me thinking - I'm considering buying a different car when I get back (Rick Mileys 300D if I can convince the wife to let me fly so far...) and if its an old Benz, Its gonna need a new radio.

Do they made DIN mount CB/AM/FM radios ? are they any good ?

(ideally, I'd want 2m/440/CB/AM/FM/aux input, but that sounds like a lot to ask..)

-N8ITV

It's been done in the past...Chrysler did it in the 70's with the Volare and Jeep did it in the 80's. I know I've seen some on Ebay, but for the UK market.

[E150GT]

Originally Posted by Angel

Good thread

Do they made DIN mount CB/AM/FM radios ? are they any good ?

(ideally, I'd want 2m/440/CB/AM/FM/aux input, but that sounds like a lot to ask..)

-N8ITV

I believe a DIN mount CB is available but as far as anything with 50 watts of power I am not sure youd want to do that. I plan to get a detachable face radio so I can mount the body somewheres out of the way and with ample room to cool and mount the head somewhere on the dash. Much cleaner I think.