CB Radio what setup do you have?

[smurfpike]

After searching on the forum I still have questions about CB Radios. I am new to them and want to know what you have as a setup and why. I don’t know the difference between the antennas (fiberglass or metal), radios, mounts and what would be good for what I need.

I want something for on the highways, talking to friends on a trip, and in the event I need help (hopefully not) I can radio someone. I am thinking of the Midland 75-822 40 Channel CB-Way Radio. I know there is Cobra brand that is similar. Just want to know some different set ups for mounts.

http://www.amazon.com/Midland-75-822-Channel-CB-Wa...s=cb+radio

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[Syncro Jael]

I have the Cobra 75 WX ST CB. With a permanent mount antenna on my light bar. It has weather channels and has worked good. It is a great choice and doesn't take much space.

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Jael = (Mountain Goat)

[hans j]

I have one I dug out of my parents basement that used to be in our '74 westy. Made in 1978 and still works great.

I'll probably get a hand-held HAM though, but I would expect my 4' antenna to get out to most roads in Southern Utah. I can pick up a LOT of people everywhere from Texas to Washington with my current setup.

For most use though, I keep the short 8" motorcycle antenna on. It still picks up quite a bit and works well for convoys (only if others have CB )
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1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181

[devesvws]

best of anything I have found, and I own both.. btw that radio in my link can be bought at a truck stop on sale for less than $140 and works great out of the box.. http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=305-38&...oogle_base http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Esatm-X88B8
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[bluebus86]

[Dampcamper]

There are lots of good options and small radios...I'm still using my 24-yr old CB. It's hard to stick a magnet-mount antenna on top of a Westy, though!
There's some facts, a lot of sales hype and even more opinions about antennas. I'm going to mount a short (motorcycle-type) antenna on the passenger side rear vent opposite my 2 meter/70 cm ham antenna on the driver's side. Check out Kourt's mount over the engine vent (scroll down to find it, he has several antennae 'cause he's a serious Ham!):
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5...3573097159 and that is about how I'm doing mine. Not invasive on the body of the van. Sure, it's not an optimal ground plane but it works.
A little tutorial on antennas here: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/question490.htm but really, if you're just using your CB "in convoy" and are OK with limited range, you don't need a 10-foot whip with loading coil. Something that "gives" if it catches on a tree branch is a good idea, no sense bending sheet metal with your antenna.
BTW, you might check in with a local "Ham" group to see about getting a license. The 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) has a lot of repeaters around the country that allow you to use a low-power setup and relay your signal for greater range. The FCC Amateur Radio "Technician" class license is pretty easy to get (the test is pretty basic and there are good study guides out there) and no Morse Code required any more.

[tilstad]

I\ve been wondering about getting one too. Where to install though? I was thinking of the somewhat larger unit, not all in the mic kind of thing.

Any good place to put a fairly standard antenna?

Quality differences of the brands?

[kbeefy]

I have a Uniden PRO520, small and works pretty well for the price.
I have it mounted to the roof between the front seats, mic is easily accessible from either seat and with the bottom firing speaker it's easy to hear.

I believe I have a 36" (wanted 24" but the shop I was at was sold out) firestick mounted to a roof rack on the front of the van.

I haven't even tuned it and it works great 5-10 miles depending upon terrain. I'd imagine if my friends and I tune our antennas we could get a bit more.

http://www.amazon.com/Uniden-PRO520XL-40-Channel-C...amp;sr=1-1
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'86 Syncro Westy. Stock for now.

2000 F350 7.3 CC LB 11' Northland Cabover

2006 Subbie OBXT

2002 Tacoma DoubleCab 4x4

1969 Mustang Basket Case 351c/FMX/9

http://kbeefy.blogspot.com/

[WestyBob]

I did a lot of research and came up with what would work for me as follows:

Cobra 75 WX ST handset.

Cobra Remote Connector Box

Note: I have four rigs but bought three of these boxes so I could transfer the CB between rigs.

2' Firestik top load 5/8 wave antenna with tunable top and quick release.

Firestik model K-16A guttermount for antenna with quick release

Note: with the 2' antenna it easily clears the top of the westy from the gutter for max range but is short enough not to get too knocked around by wind. The antenna can be quickly released and stored inside for security. The mount can also be quickly released and stored inside. It also can rotate continuously from vertical to horizontal -- handy if the wind gets to be too much but you don't want to remove the assembly. There's no drilling required.

I run the cable between the control box and antenna out a slight opening in the back left center slider window right up to the the gutter mount which is positioned just behind the driver door opening. If you use a screen for that window (I took mine off on that side) then you could also run the cable out from a crack in the driver or passenger side door window but that's a little less convenient. This entire assembly can be quickly transferred between the three rigs.

Astatic PDC7 SWR Meter --- I bought it to do my own tuning and wave checking because it didn't cost much.

I also have an old CB radio from the early 70's with a magnet mount antenna that goes in the fourth rig (the sinka in my avatar) more semi-permanently.

Hope this helps with ideas.

[smurfpike]

Thanks for your advice this has helped a lot.
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1965 Ottinger Tribute Overland Bus
IG @otter.the.overland.bus
FB Ottertheoverlandbus

IG Westyrestorations
FB WestyRestorations, parts and accessories

1987 Syncro "Big Red", Full restoration thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=606596

1978 Westy Camper, Full ground up restoration, restoration thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=593413

[tilstad]

I like this one. Has fairly good reviews, good transmission quality and range. Looks good too. I don't know much about cb's, but it seems decent to me.

http://www.amazon.com/Uniden-BEARCAT-Sideband-Weat...roduct_top


As for the All-in-one types, there is also this Midland that seems like a good radio. Car mounted that converts into a handheld with a clip-on battery pack.

http://www.amazon.com/Midland-75-822-Channel-CB-Wa...and+75-822

http://www.amazon.com/Midland-75-822-Channel-Handh...and+75-822

[Jeff's Old Volks Home]

At the risk of sounding ignorant. What's the advantage of having a CB nowadays with a cell phone in every pocket?
Jeff
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2004 Jetta TDi Wagon
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1987 Syncro Doka AAZ...soon to be TDI
2014 DL650ABS Xpedition
1986 Weekender Syncro (Under construction)
1987 Westfalia (Under construction)
1987 Syncro Single cab

[tilstad]

That's a very fair question, and probably the biggest reason why CB's are no longer in style to the same degree as in the past.

There are scenarios where cb's or walkie talkies excel though.

- You might be out of cell phone coverage
- You're driving 2 or more cars on a trip, and cell coverage is spotty/regional/state based, and based on carriers.
-Easy group communication. One message- everyone receives it.
-Quick alert, if you need to warn of a danger ahead, just blast it out on the cb, if your companion vehicle is listening, as they should, they will get it instantly. No need to wait to pick up etc, or busy chatting with someone else.
-Cb in car, give a handheld to wife or kids while out walking/sightseeing at remote areas.

We use handhelds in supermarkets and such aswell, when travelling.

I'm sure there are other benefits, but these are what I can think of. I'd say it starts becoming usefiul in a group setting. Not so much if you're a loner. At that point your down the the benefit of listening in on truckers and road hazards, speed traps etc. Also the higher end versions have NOAA weather channels.

[Jeff's Old Volks Home]

These are obviously more than an FRS radio?
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www.jeffsoldvolkshome.com
2004 Jetta TDi Wagon
2002 Smyth Ute TDi
1990 Vanagon weekender Syncro AAZ
1987 Syncro Doka AAZ...soon to be TDI
2014 DL650ABS Xpedition
1986 Weekender Syncro (Under construction)
1987 Westfalia (Under construction)
1987 Syncro Single cab

[tilstad]

[devesvws]

[Jeff's Old Volks Home]

[Syncro Jael]

[Jeff's Old Volks Home]

[LeftCoastKiteboarding]

Some of the places we travel don't have cell signal. Being able to keep in touch with others in our group is super important.