Getting a CB Radio

[MercFan]

Eventually I'm going to get a CB radio for the Land Cruiser. Something I can use on a trail to communicate and something on the highway to listen to the truckers and occasionally ask about the traffic ahead and such.

Don't wanna go overboard on the latest and greatest but looking for good quality at a reasonable price (less than $200). Along with the radio I guess the antenna is just as important so post up your proven favorites that work well and will last.

James

[amosfella]

Just get a handheld unit like a walkie talkie that plugs into a cigar lighter. I bought one a few years ago from a truck stop for $80.
I will say this. After a while in cb channel 19, you will shut the damn thing off.... Too many talking to hear their own voices...

[Botnst]

Look intyo FRS/GMRS freq radios. Of course, it depends on what your application is, but I'm very happy with the Motorolas.

I think my great-grandpa had a CB radio when he was a boy.

[Local2ED]

Originally Posted by MercFan

Eventually I'm going to get a CB radio for the Land Cruiser. Something I can use on a trail to communicate and something on the highway to listen to the truckers and occasionally ask about the traffic ahead and such.

Don't wanna go overboard on the latest and greatest but looking for good quality at a reasonable price (less than $200). Along with the radio I guess the antenna is just as important so post up your proven favorites that work well and will last.

James

I've got a 30yr. old Motarolla and I don't know what kind of antenna that still works perfect that I bought brand new.
I use them anytime I travel. Not only are they entertaining to listen to but you will get traffic and weather reports faster than on a radio actual real time within several miles of where you are.

Two times I have avoided a tornado during the night and both times the chatter on the CB came before the local radio stations reported the tornadoes.
If you go to any automobile swap meets you can usaully find the radios for $20, easy.

[Jim B.]

A brand new Cobra "Night Watch" with illuminated night time dials for $160 is the best you'd really need. Everything new is made in China now though, it seems.

(I was shopping around last month.) Haven't decided yet.

If you just want a basic unit, though, about $46 - $50 should get you a decent basic new model on ebay, Radio Shack or most everywhere.

I've been 10-7 for many years but I am told if you want to listen to Ch. 19 these days, you'd better speak Spanish well, as the Mexican truckers are stepping on everyone else all the time, they are pretty rude and very loud.

Don't get into SSB, the FCC still doesn't like that, and they are aggressive enforcers.

Don't bother with a slide mount, or bracket, the dash and seats of modern vehicles can't accmodate them well now, unless you have a bench seat pickup truck with under dash space for a slde bracket.

Just plug your unit in and si it on the seat next to you...


A magnetic roof antenna is the way to go, for about $30 to $60 depending on what you want.

They are secure but the wire leading into the interior looks a little tacky but not too bad.

There are reports that they can blow off at 130 mph and above, though.

"Another Mother for Ya", on the side.

Jim B. ( KANZ9087 )

[buffa98]

Mercfan- Seeing you are in Denver,head west on 70 to the TA truckstop. You can pick up a basic 40 channel and a magnet mount for less than $150(maybe less than $100) depending if they are on sale.

[MercFan]

Originally Posted by buffa98

Mercfan- Seeing you are in Denver,head west on 70 to the TA truckstop. You can pick up a basic 40 channel and a magnet mount for less than $150(maybe less than $100) depending if they are on sale.

I've seen some fancy ones on display in one of the trucks stops in Wyoming few weeks back.... good tip, thx.

[JiveTurkey]

I like CB radios, I'm planning on one for the truck, the SD, and the /8 because of their value during highway travel. The handheld units never give good reception here in East Tennessee. Three guesses what my CB handle is...

[G-Benz]

WOW! This would have been a pretty hot thread in the 70's!

Cobra was the by far the elite brand back then...nice to know it still is.

During the CB craze, CH 19 was too obnoxious to even bother listening to with all of the neophytes chiming in all the time! I'm surprised all of that chatter still exists even today!

I figured by now though the magnetic CB "whip" antenna and the ungainly cable would have been replaced with something else with technology advances, but I guess some things still remain the same.

[Botnst]

Originally Posted by G-Benz

WOW! This would have been a pretty hot thread in the 70's!

Cobra was the by far the elite brand back then...nice to know it still is.

During the CB craze, CH 19 was too obnoxious to even bother listening to with all of the neophytes chiming in all the time! I'm surprised all of that chatter still exists even today!

I figured by now though the magnetic CB "whip" antenna and the ungainly cable would have been replaced with something else with technology advances, but I guess some things still remain the same.

See FRS/GMRS.

[mgburg]

Get yourself a COBRA CLASSIC and for the antenna? A LITTLE WILLIE magmount. The LITTLE WILLIE is about as good as any of the K-40 branded units out there...but in reality, any antenna should do fine IF it's tuned properly. Make sure you have access to a decent VSWR Meter so you can do the job right.

Good luck with the "new" endeavor!

("SuperSax" / KXL-0236)

[tjts1]

I heard dinosaurs used CB radios.

Originally Posted by tjts1

I heard dinosaurs used CB radios.

They still do.

[my83300cd]

I pulled the Cobra 40 channel out of the CD's glove box last week- its been in there since oh, 1984 or so- and moved it into the Bus with a new antenna. Still works great

We found two radios and magnetic antennas at a tag sale a few weeks ago, both working, I think we laid out 15$. We plan on using them during road trip convoys...