CB Radios

[Humble Mechanic]

Hey folks
Not sure if I am in the right area, but I was wondering about CB radios.

Here is what I want to do.

Install it in my Passat, have it so that I can swap it to my truck, and then take it out for a setup in the house if needed. Anyone have a good recommendation. I wont be blowing up the air waves with it, but I want it to work, and be easy enough for my wife to figure out.

Thanks for the advise
Charles

 

[Wingnut65]

We used to have a slide-in mount mounted in different cars so that we could take the CB radio with us in whatever car we used. Like this type:


Try to Google "cb radio slide mount" and you will find some.

They may be available for marine radios.

 

[Zeke]

Do you have the radio? If not, get a hand held and a remote antenna.

 

[Humble Mechanic]

I do not have the radio yet. Is there a brand you prefer?

 

[chris142]

AM only? SSB? Weather bands?Need alot more info.

 

[Wingnut65]

Seems I've usually had Uniden, Midland or Cobra in the past. Not sure what the quality is now-a-days

 

[chris142]

Seems I've usually had Uniden, Midland or Cobra in the past. Not sure what the quality is now-a-days

Pretty much garbage compared to the past. IMO the only legal CB's that are still decient are the Galaxy ones that are made in Malasia.

 

[Humble Mechanic]

AM only? SSB? Weather bands?Need alot more info.

Weather would be great, I am just looking for something entry level, for backup comm. I don't need the pimpest one out there, but I don't want to be a POS either.

Thanks for the suggestions.
Charles

 

[chris142]

Theres only a few that do weather. Only Cobra and Uniden have weather I think. Both used to be great radios 20 years ago. Cobra had the 148,29 and 25. Uniden had the Grant XL and LT and the PC66. These were great radios.

They still sell 25's,29's and Uniden has a 68 and a 78...IMO all these radios are now garbage. I've reciently had a 68 and a 78 that had a scratchy recieve.

The good CB's were made in the Phillippines but almost all are from China now. I cant recomend any CB with Weather as IMO they are junk since CB isn't popular anymore.

 

[markw365]

Look at getting a 2 meter amateur radio. Way more capability with that. It's what we run in the jeeps now. More than once someone I've known has used ham radio to save someone's life, where as the CB's were pretty much worthless.

 

[chris142]

Look at getting a 2 meter amateur radio. Way more capability with that. It's what we run in the jeeps now. More than once someone I've known has used ham radio to save someone's life, where as the CB's were pretty much worthless.

I've had the opposite experiance. Several times I've heard a cry for help on the CB and saved someone. Went up into the mountains a couple of times to get people that were stuck in the snow. They made a contact on the CB and got help.

I am interested in the Ham side of things but I cant pass that stupid test to save my life! Talking to an international space station? Naw I'm not interested. And I always forget what type of capacitor you need to stop interfierence on the neighbors tv.

 

[Humble Mechanic]

I don't think that I am at the Ham level. I know that CB may not be the greatest, but I think it might be a good simple back up comm.

 

[HOTFR8]

You used to be able to buy a set that could be a walkie talkie type or simply convert to magnet mount antenna and plug into the cigarette socket for power.

 

[Outlawmws]

I gave up on the CB's years ago. Even an FRS hand held will work better unless you want to talk to truckers (I don't. I'll carry a CB to listen to them for traffic and such on long trips, but for personal use, its been surpassed)

GRMS is even better if you get the license and go for the 5 watt bands. (GRMS shares FRS bandwidth so those are generally regulated to 1/2 a watt...)

 

[kei8mas]

tvi is the filter . stay with cobra . galaxy . the 29 or 959 . your best ant, will be steel whip . you don`t need tvi on just radio. if so your radio need to be tuned. 2 meter kenwood . need to past test have a extra help you. you can take a voice test.

 

[HOTFR8]

I still have 27megs CB's in all my cars (am only) and have UHF in all as well. In my works I have 27megs base set with upper and lower sideband. I have a walkie talkie set as I mentioned above. These days the small UHF CB's are so compact and have a good range I also have a couple of those to use at swap meets etc. UHF here is more popular now and even recently the government allowed the change from 40 to 80 Channels.

 

[5lima30]

Do you have the radio? If not, get a hand held and a remote antenna.

+1, thats what I did.

 

[Kevin54]

CB radios.....that is a blast from the past.

As far as quality radios, I would go with a Cobra first, Midland second, and then Royce. Cobras can be tuned up rather easily. When I had a Royce though, just a stock mobile unit, I could talk further than my buddies Midland or Cobras

 

[Bill Crowell]

CBers should always remember that ham radio operators are jealous of them because CB radios get out much better than ham radios do, and CB operators occasionally get laid but hams never do.

 

[Capt Chrysler]

WOW!

Just had a flash back to CW McCall's Convoy! ..........dark of the moon on the 6th of June

 

[Zeke]

There must be a ton of stuff on CL, feebay and in pawns. I haven't had mine in the PU or the handheld out in 15 years. But I live in SoCal. Cell phones do it all unless I really get away.

 

[kbs2244]

At the current prices I would think about getting 3 different radios.
If it is for "back up comm" who are you going to talk to?
With 3 different one you can get one that best fits the place you put it.

 

[chris142]

CB radios.....that is a blast from the past.

As far as quality radios, I would go with a Cobra first, Midland second, and then Royce. Cobras can be tuned up rather easily. When I had a Royce though, just a stock mobile unit, I could talk further than my buddies Midland or Cobras

I have not seen a Royce in 30 years! Did they even offer a 40 Channel CB?

 

[ihredo4]

Royce did offer one with 40 channel. I have one but will have to go look in my truck tomorrow for the model number. It was powerful enough to reach cross country but had troouble close up. Actually had too much and over powered everybody else. This one has a side band on it also. Figured I did ok as I bought it at a garage sale for something like $5 but had to solder on a power cord. Did get it tuned up at a truck stop in Memphis and they offered me $200 for it.

 

[00pewter]

Not to hijack or anything, but I have a Cobra for sale if your interested... PM if you'd like