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dcdubs
Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2003
Posts: 860
Location: the Great Northwest
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 Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 10:44 am Post subject: y'all got cb's? |
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how many bay window bussers out there have cb radios?? me and a buddy of mine are building our busses into campers and we were thinkin that a cb should make its way into the bus somewhere. where have you guys mounted yours? and has any one used the kind that is a handset only??
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dcdubs/glcustoms
AllRightGarageDoorsNW.com |
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stupidsongs2
Samba Member
Joined: October 25, 2006
Posts: 550
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| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:44 am Post subject: |
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Mine is behind the seat in the spare tire well.
Mostly cause I haven't hooked it up yet, I need an antenna... |
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waterboy
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2006
Posts: 233
Location: Lake county, california
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| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:16 pm Post subject: |
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Do a search on this, there has been alot of comments. I started this discussion some time ago and it only makes sense to have a CB, many agree. There were definately some who thought it was icredibly lame and made retarded trucker insinuations. In any case, mine is located on the side of the passenger seat in the walk-thru. I like it there because when under the dash, you have a dangling cable that will get wrapped up with the e-brake/shifter/knees. On top of the dash, you have to stare at an ugly box.
P.S. If you put one on, you may as well install a loud speaker, it pisses people off in the crosswalks when you yell at them! |
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dcdubs
Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2003
Posts: 860
Location: the Great Northwest
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| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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i did try searching the baywindow forum for the term cb radio but nothing useful came up......do you have a link ?
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dcdubs/glcustoms
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ScottK
Samba Member
Joined: August 28, 2004
Posts: 1748
Location: Avilla America
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| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 2:36 pm Post subject: |
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| A thread on cb's from the split forum HERE |
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dcdubs
Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2003
Posts: 860
Location: the Great Northwest
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| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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nice that helped out lots of good info in that thread.....thanks jobu!
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dcdubs/glcustoms
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EZ Gruv
King of Plaid
Joined: December 10, 2002
Posts: 8544
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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| ScottK wrote: |
| A thread on cb's from the split forum HERE |
The thread in the splitty forum is the best cb thread on thesamba.
For the record, I have one...I havent gotten it all the bugs worked out (engine noise)...but here it is:
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Eric
1977 Deluxe Westfalia - 2.0L FI Type IV, Completely Original
Photographer for HotVWs, VolksWorld, AirMighty, VW Camper & Commercial, Hayburner, and more.
My Photography Page. |
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MikeHill
Samba Member
Joined: August 12, 2005
Posts: 271
Location: Plymouth, MA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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I had one mounted in my glove box a few buses ago. I had one of the antenna's that is just a box that hooks in-line with the regular antenna (JC Whitney). It worked great and I didn't have to add another external antenna. When we drove to shows we all kept in touch via CB, on channel 2 of course.
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Chris-a
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2005
Posts: 42
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:37 pm Post subject: |
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I've been getting ready to install one in my Westy. We head down into Baja alot, and the back-back woods of the Cascades where cellphones don't reach. I have been told the 102" antenna from radio-shack is supposed to work real well, and the the most important part is tuning your antenna to the radio.
Here's a link to a good article on that:
http://jeephorizons.com/tech/cb_ant_basic.html
Does anyone know where the best spot on a westy with a pop-top is to mount an antenna? I've heard not to fiberglass, so I was thinking the front bumper?? Keep it a bit lower for those parking garages...
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I gotta have nice tools, just look at the cars I drive. |
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EZ Gruv
King of Plaid
Joined: December 10, 2002
Posts: 8544
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:40 pm Post subject: |
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| Chris-a wrote: |
Does anyone know where the best spot on a westy with a pop-top is to mount an antenna? I've heard not to fiberglass, so I was thinking the front bumper?? Keep it a bit lower for those parking garages... |
Mine is on the front bumper, but like I said...engine noise through the cb speaker - could ba an antenna issue.
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Eric
1977 Deluxe Westfalia - 2.0L FI Type IV, Completely Original
Photographer for HotVWs, VolksWorld, AirMighty, VW Camper & Commercial, Hayburner, and more.
My Photography Page. |
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dcdubs
Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2003
Posts: 860
Location: the Great Northwest
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| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 10:34 pm Post subject: |
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| EZ Gruv wrote: |
| ScottK wrote: |
| A thread on cb's from the split forum HERE |
The thread in the splitty forum is the best cb thread on thesamba.
For the record, I have one...I havent gotten it all the bugs worked out (engine noise)...but here it is:
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thats a cool lookin cockpit.....also that was where i was thinking of putting my cb...i suspect that if your drivin and talkin on the cb it probably means that the e-brake is not engaged therefore not in the way, and your not shifting either so not in the way... does your mic cord have issues tangling with anything?
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Memph
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Joined: May 31, 2007
Posts: 312
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 3:08 am Post subject: |
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About the handset ones I'm assuming you are talking bout the cb ones and not walkie talkies when my family drove from Ohio to Washington we had one that was a handheld that had a mag mount antenna that would blow off and damn near take a window out everytime a big rig went by. The handheld didn't get great reception if I recall right and when it did work wouldn't transmit for more than 2-5 miles.
Last edited by Memph on Wed Aug 08, 2007 2:55 am; edited 1 time in total |
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dwill49965
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Joined: August 08, 2005
Posts: 1396
Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 5:42 am Post subject: |
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I'm a ham (VE1 DOH), but have also used a CB in my Westy. For a westy, I'd recommend a gutter mount antenna. On a regular bus, a magnetic mount should work fine, and you get a massive ground plane with that large expanse of metal roof. If it blows around when trucks pass, get a triple magnet mount. That sucker won't move.
Of course, CB communication is finicky at the best of times. As all things, it depends what you're going to use it for. If you just want to communicate with some other vehicles close by on trips, I'd recommend going with handheld FRS units. They are simple, foolproof, and newer ones are good up to 22km or so. Even more useful is a Ham radio, but it involves licensing, testing, etc, which most people aren't up for.
But, if you just want to be able to call for help or for some other emergency, a CB might be useful. At night, someone in Haiti, South America, or Europe will probably hear you fine. During the day, someone within seeing or shouting distance might hear you. 
Or get a cell phone.
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Darryl
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'78 Westy, Boston Bob built 2.0 L, FI, MSD 6A
| Meyer wrote: |
| Lastly, you just referred to US citizens as 'Americans'. Exactly what kind of Canadian are you? From what continent? |
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EZ Gruv
King of Plaid
Joined: December 10, 2002
Posts: 8544
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 6:05 am Post subject: |
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| dcdubs wrote: |
thats a cool lookin cockpit.....also that was where i was thinking of putting my cb...i suspect that if your drivin and talkin on the cb it probably means that the e-brake is not engaged therefore not in the way, and your not shifting either so not in the way... does your mic cord have issues tangling with anything? |
My mic hangs where the garage door opener is in that picture. It doesnt tangle with anything at all. It seems to be a good location.
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Eric
1977 Deluxe Westfalia - 2.0L FI Type IV, Completely Original
Photographer for HotVWs, VolksWorld, AirMighty, VW Camper & Commercial, Hayburner, and more.
My Photography Page. |
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mattcuddy
Samba Member
Joined: October 22, 2003
Posts: 2036
Location: Philly, PA
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 7:01 am Post subject: |
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| Chris-a wrote: |
| Does anyone know where the best spot on a westy with a pop-top is to mount an antenna? I've heard not to fiberglass, so I was thinking the front bumper?? Keep it a bit lower for those parking garages... |
I run a small rubber magnetic mount antenna on the little metal bolt plate on the outside top of the pop top. Cord is run either through the front window/door or; pop the top, open the screen, run the cord through it then close the top and run the cord out under the luggage rack seal. Works great. This is on a late westy, not sure if there is somethinhg similar on early Westies. |
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EZ Gruv
King of Plaid
Joined: December 10, 2002
Posts: 8544
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 7:29 am Post subject: |
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| mattcuddy wrote: |
I run a small rubber magnetic mount antenna on the little metal bolt plate on the outside top of the pop top. Cord is run either through the front window/door or; pop the top, open the screen, run the cord through it then close the top and run the cord out under the luggage rack seal. Works great. This is on a late westy, not sure if there is somethinhg similar on early Westies. |
How is your reception?
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Eric
1977 Deluxe Westfalia - 2.0L FI Type IV, Completely Original
Photographer for HotVWs, VolksWorld, AirMighty, VW Camper & Commercial, Hayburner, and more.
My Photography Page. |
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static
Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2002
Posts: 1831
Location: The High Desert
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:12 pm Post subject: |
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| dwill49965 wrote: |
Of course, CB communication is finicky at the best of times...But, if you just want to be able to call for help or for some other emergency, a CB might be useful. During the day, someone within seeing or shouting distance might hear you. . |
You know that's not true, so why did you even write it?
I have been hearing the same BS from HAMs for decades.
CBs work well for what we do, they're cheap and universal. |
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dcdubs
Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2003
Posts: 860
Location: the Great Northwest
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:41 pm Post subject: |
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i just remember my dad had one in the truck that used to haul our camper and it was always cool to talk to the truckers and our friends....plus you can tune in the noah weather station and get up to the minute weather reports and warnings when your out campin
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dwill49965
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2005
Posts: 1396
Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 2:09 pm Post subject: |
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| static wrote: |
| dwill49965 wrote: |
Of course, CB communication is finicky at the best of times...But, if you just want to be able to call for help or for some other emergency, a CB might be useful. During the day, someone within seeing or shouting distance might hear you. . |
You know that's not true, so why did you even write it?
I have been hearing the same BS from HAMs for decades.
CBs work well for what we do, they're cheap and universal. |
| Quote: |
| You know that's not true, so why did you even write it? |
Okay - a bit of an exageration. It was more of a joke - that's why I put the smiley laughing face icon there.
| Quote: |
| I have been hearing the same BS from HAMs for decades. |
Well, as someone who has used CB's in this manner extensively, I stand by my statement that CB comms are finicky at the best of times. I guess it goes along with the point I made about HAMs needing to be licensed and tested to make sure they understand something about the theory of radio communications - and that most people don't bother. I think you back up my point.
| Quote: |
| CBs work well for what we do, they're cheap and universal |
Sure, and so are FRS's - that's why I said in my original post that depending on what you want to do, they may be a better option.
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Darryl
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'78 Westy, Boston Bob built 2.0 L, FI, MSD 6A
| Meyer wrote: |
| Lastly, you just referred to US citizens as 'Americans'. Exactly what kind of Canadian are you? From what continent? |
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Redd73
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2007
Posts: 836
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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can you get a ham setup for a car?
theres a ton of old ham radio equipment at my parents that belonged to my grandpa and my dad. ive thought about using it one day if pops will ever come up off it.
I will probbably add a cb at some point. Its one of the long term goals. First I have to decide if I am going to keep my 73 or get a 74 or later for the double bunk up top.
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73 Westy 2000cc w/dual solex (engine code GE) + aftermarket AC |
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