View Full Version : CB Discussion
Jeep4cern
05-09-09, 01:13 AM
Question? Do you guys trailer your jeeps in or drive them there? I am not sure if all your jeeps are street legal or what not. Thought I would ask.
Oh, also, where are you getting the cb's and antenna's "cheap?
mkjeepers
05-09-09, 09:00 PM
Question? Do you guys trailer your jeeps in or drive them there? I am not sure if all your jeeps are street legal or what not. Thought I would ask.
Oh, also, where are you getting the cb's and antenna's "cheap?
4 West 4x4 in Colton has a good selection, Wal-Mart sells a decent unit, and most truck stops have a complete set up, or radio shack.
Jeep4cern
05-09-09, 10:42 PM
Any models better than another or just what you like and buy it? What about installation? Any local places hook them up with the antenna?
Thanks again!
Ron
GP4Play
05-10-09, 12:16 AM
The only place I know here in the Desert is "High Desert CB" 760-947-9917.He is mobil now and I met him at the Pilot truck stop by the pumps.
Question? Do you guys trailer your jeeps in or drive them there? I am not sure if all your jeeps are street legal or what not. Thought I would ask.
Oh, also, where are you getting the cb's and antenna's "cheap?
In answer to you first question, most MJR Jeeps are street legal (well they have a license plate anyway :D ). The guys that trailer or tow their rigs usually plan on breaking something or they don't want to drive them on the freeway for a long distance.
Ron,
The Pilot truck stop has CB's and Antenas inside the snack shop. And the big truck stops off Milliken south of the 10 fwy have a large selection. If nothing else, you can get some prices and info. I have a basic Cobra 39 BC amd a 4' Wilson antena and it works perfect for my needs.
Mitch
Oh, also, where are you getting the cb's and antenna's "cheap?
Radio Shack also has CB's; low dollar ones, but could take a beating too. I know, personally.
Jeep4cern
05-10-09, 08:33 AM
Was going to look there and truck stop.
Radio Shack also has CB's; low dollar ones, but could take a beating too. I know, personally.
I have one of those Radio Shack branded CB's, and it works fine (now that its properly grounded!), but though they are nice and cheap and compact, you cannot swap parts with Cobra or Uniden. Particularly, the microphone, which is the part most people need to replace over the years. I currently have four CB radios, and my best one is the Uniden PRO-520XL from Radio Shack for $60. It's compact, black, and works great.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2572006
http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-3408731w345.jpg
Jeep4cern
05-10-09, 01:13 PM
I did see your post until after I got home. I ended up with the Cobra 29LTD for $89
http://www.bellscb.com/products/cbradios/cobra/Images/29LTD_Black.jpg
I did see your post until after I got home. I ended up with the Cobra 29LTD for $89
http://www.bellscb.com/products/cbradios/cobra/Images/29LTD_Black.jpg
Cobra's & Uniden's are good brands. I have one of each. You made a good choice. What did you buy for an antenna?
Jeep4cern
05-10-09, 06:57 PM
Fire stick
Ron,
It was nice to meet you and Dawn today. You are going to have lots of fun with your project. At least you are starting out with a very clean rig! The firestick will be perfect. I'll let you know about the mount.
Mitch
Jeep4cern
05-10-09, 07:09 PM
Ron,
It was nice to meet you and Dawn today. You are going to have lots of fun with your project. At least you are starting out with a very clean rig! The firestick will be perfect. I'll let you know about the mount.
Mitch
Thanks Mitch! Same with us, it was nice meeting you. Thanks for stopping by.
I called Ken. Got some bad news. He said I need a slip yoke eliminator and a drive shaft for a 4" lift. Who has the best deal?
Thanks,
Ron
paultyler
05-10-09, 09:08 PM
I have one of those Radio Shack branded CB's, and it works fine (now that its properly grounded!), but though they are nice and cheap and compact, you cannot swap parts with Cobra or Uniden. Particularly, the microphone, which is the part most people need to replace over the years. I currently have four CB radios, and my best one is the Uniden PRO-520XL from Radio Shack for $60. It's compact, black, and works great.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2572006
http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-3408731w345.jpg
That is an excellent CB. I've used one for two years.
Striker3
05-10-09, 11:08 PM
I did see your post until after I got home. I ended up with the Cobra 29LTD for $89
Was that at the truck stop? That is a better price than I have been seeing online, plus I would rather drive to a store to get it.
Jeep4cern
05-11-09, 12:31 AM
Yes it was :)
I have one of those Radio Shack branded CB's, and it works fine (now that its properly grounded!), but though they are nice and cheap and compact, you cannot swap parts with Cobra or Uniden. Particularly, the microphone, which is the part most people need to replace over the years. I currently have four CB radios, and my best one is the Uniden PRO-520XL from Radio Shack for $60. It's compact, black, and works great.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2572006
http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-3408731w345.jpg
I bought one of these and installed this weekend. Ive got a range of over 100 feet so far! Materdaddy is going to help me tune my antenna soon. Also I need to check my ground...
paultyler
05-11-09, 10:36 AM
I bought one of these and installed this weekend. Ive got a range of over 100 feet so far! Materdaddy is going to help me tune my antenna soon. Also I need to check my ground...
Lol. I guess with a range like that you should have saved your money and just yelled at the other party!
Once you get the antenna worked out the CB will work great for you.
Jeep4cern
05-11-09, 10:40 AM
lol. I guess with a range like that you should have saved your money and just yelled at the other party!
Once you get the antenna worked out the cb will work great for you.
lmao!..........
should have bought a bull horn..
MaRShiN
05-11-09, 08:54 PM
Just bought a "no ground" 4' firestick, anyone else using these? Still need to tune for SWR just dont have to worry about ground?
bruce p
05-11-09, 09:09 PM
I run a NGP Wilson. Went to it after I had lots of problems with other antennae along involving ground/ interference issues. Tj's have inherent transmit/ receive limits as I understand it. NGP system works well for me.
The antenna I bought at frys was total crap. This is my new one. It is actually a 12 meter ham antenna. It works like a champ. My only gripe is it is too long. That thinner silver rod on the top is the tuning rod. LOTS of adjustment available.
http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss150/ssnow84/photo-4.jpg
HAM and CB run a different frequencies (wavelengths), the antennas are not interchangable. You might be introducing a lot of impedence to your CB unit, and for certain, are not getting maximum range from your CB.
I might need to do some homework then. I figured since CB is 11 meter band this 12 meter antenna at 2/3 of its length would work fine. On the SWR it tuned up great and so far I have tested it up to maybe 5 miles.
Old Fart
05-12-09, 11:15 AM
Probably seeing resonance - might not be seeing full power output (unfortunately, an SWR meter only tells you resonance)
5 miles is pretty normal for 11M AM (CB). A 12M antenna should be "tunable" through the whole 12M band (24.890-24.990), normally there's not much adjustment as 12M is pretty "narrow". CB is 26.985-27.405, the antenna needs to be quite a bit longer for CB than 12M
Jeep4cern
05-12-09, 12:03 PM
Just bought a "no ground" 4' firestick, anyone else using these? Still need to tune for SWR just dont have to worry about ground?
I think that is what mine is. I didn't ground it.
Jeep4cern
05-12-09, 12:06 PM
The antenna I bought at frys was total crap. This is my new one. It is actually a 12 meter ham antenna. It works like a champ. My only gripe is it is too long. That thinner silver rod on the top is the tuning rod. LOTS of adjustment available.
http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss150/ssnow84/photo-4.jpg
Where did you get your netting in the rear?
Materdaddy
05-12-09, 12:35 PM
Where did you get your netting in the rear?
http://www.myjeeprocks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14224
Striker3
05-12-09, 06:20 PM
I called around the truck stops out here and the cost for the Cobra 29 with weather was $20 more expensive than what I found at right channel radios, so I just ordered it and a 4' Firestick antenna kit. I already have a mount on the way that uses the factory tire carrier bolts. Will see how well it grounds.
Now I am just waiting for Monday to arrive so that I can get it installed and tested before the Johnson Valley run. I have never hooked up a Cb before, but the install seems pretty straight forward. Is there anything to look out for?
I have never hooked up a Cb before, but the install seems pretty straight forward. Is there anything to look out for?
Be sure to run decent gauge wire (18 ga is what I use) direct to the battery for positive and negative. This will greatly help to reduce audible alternator whine.
Materdaddy
05-12-09, 08:06 PM
Be sure to run decent gauge wire (18 ga is what I use) direct to the battery for positive and negative. This will greatly help to reduce audible alternator whine.
x2
My radio has a lot of alternator whine when the engine is running. I've been meaning to run a negative straight to the battery since I wired mine using a positive from my aux fuse block, and just used the closest chassis ground I could find.
On choosing a low-end CB there isn't as much difference as you might think. They pretty-much all come from the same production house in China and have virtually identical circuitry. Features vary, but most of us don't use special features much anyway.
You might be interested that Cobra and Midland both have a plug-in model with the controls and guts in the mike head. My Midland is configurable with a rubber ducky and a battery compartment for hand-held use, or cigarette lighter plug and external antenna harness for in-vehicle use. Advantages are if you want to use them in more than one vehicle, or don't want it left to the thieves at night.
Any properly installed antenna will work fine for off-road convoy use. And antennas over 5 ft in length are banned from Cal4x4 events throughout the state.
Old Fart
05-14-09, 11:17 AM
Actually, Cal4Wheel changed that requirement a while back to read:
"Antennas must be rigid or restrained in a manner to prevent injuries."
You're right. The old wording is still posted here and there but your version is on their current website.
Old Fart
05-14-09, 11:31 AM
We use the same requirements for our 4x4 program within the SBNFA OHV volunteers (except we added a mandatory CB requirement)
Striker3
05-14-09, 04:42 PM
You might be interested that Cobra and Midland both have a plug-in model with the controls and guts in the mike head. My Midland is configurable with a rubber ducky and a battery compartment for hand-held use, or cigarette lighter plug and external antenna harness for in-vehicle use. Advantages are if you want to use them in more than one vehicle, or don't want it left to the thieves at night.
I shied away from the all in one handset for the simple fact that I would like to change out handsets when they go bad. While this is my first CB, I am not new to radios and it seems like the handset is always the weakest link. I am hoping that the extra $30 I spent now will save me some money in the long term.
Striker3
05-18-09, 09:59 PM
So I received the CB from UPS today. The antenna mounted easily and I was able to run the power wires to the battery...unfortunately the included wires are to short to install the CB anywhere acceptable, so it is off to the store tomorrow after work.
I did power it up and check it out. I was hearing some chatter on a few of the channels, but could not get a radio check. Now, I am in a very rural area, so I don't know if I am not transmitting, or if the people I was hearing were amplified. I was not able to get any of the weather channels though, just static on those.
One of my co-workers does have a CB so I should be able to check it tomorrow with him.
So I received the CB from UPS today. The antenna mounted easily and I was able to run the power wires to the battery...unfortunately the included wires are to short to install the CB anywhere acceptable, so it is off to the store tomorrow after work.
I did power it up and check it out. I was hearing some chatter on a few of the channels, but could not get a radio check. Now, I am in a very rural area, so I don't know if I am not transmitting, or if the people I was hearing were amplified. I was not able to get any of the weather channels though, just static on those.
One of my co-workers does have a CB so I should be able to check it tomorrow with him.
Both my CB's have the weather band and they are pretty much usless unless your are fairly close to a transmitter. I see you are in Joshua Tree and I believe there's a transmitter in the lower desert. You will probably pick it up if you drive Hwy 62 towards I-10 after you get through the pass.
I still feel the weather band is a good feature to have on the CB even though the reception is spotty in the Mojave Desert.
Matt2001TJ
05-19-09, 07:04 AM
I did see your post until after I got home. I ended up with the Cobra 29LTD for $89
http://www.bellscb.com/products/cbradios/cobra/Images/29LTD_Black.jpgdarn near Bullet proof,.. the truck drivers choice.
Russ Chung
05-19-09, 08:57 PM
I was not able to get any of the weather channels though, just static on those.
Here's a link to a list of NOAA Weather Radio stations.
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/indexnw.htm
It appears that the closest one to you is at Coachella, CA, on 162.400 MHz (channel 1).
Jeep4cern
05-19-09, 10:45 PM
darn near Bullet proof,.. the truck drivers choice.
Thanks. I like it :)
Striker3
05-20-09, 07:25 AM
It appears that the closest one to you is at Coachella, CA, on 162.400 MHz (channel 1).
Thanks. I think there is something wrong with my setup. I finally drove to a truck stop and was able to get radio checks with some of the drivers parked there, but as soon as I get on the highway, I cannot hear anyone talking.
The SWR meter is saying that I am at about 1.5 on channels 1,20 and 40. I have a 4' firestik antenna mounted on one of these http://www.quadratec.com/products/16180_000.htm so the antenna is between the spare and the body with 18' of cable running into the cab. I did not see any pinch points in the cable, and the line is not coiled.
Any suggestions to try out?
Old Fart
05-20-09, 08:43 AM
Striker, a few things to check:
Is there a knob marked "RF Gain"? If so, make sure it's all the way up (clockwise)
Switch off any noise limiters (ANL, etc)
Very surprised to see a "flat" SWR across the whole band - especially with a 4' antenna.
Striker3
05-20-09, 10:48 AM
It isn't exactly flat, but the deviation is not that far off. The RF gain was turned all the way up, but I will try turning off the other features.
Matt2001TJ
05-20-09, 11:10 PM
Striker, a few things to check:
Is there a knob marked "RF Gain"? If so, make sure it's all the way up (clockwise)
Switch off any noise limiters (ANL, etc)
Very surprised to see a "flat" SWR across the whole band - especially with a 4' antenna.Agreed,.. however, "flat match" is a myth,.. unless you are on a dummy load.
Old Fart
05-21-09, 11:45 AM
Agreed,.. however, "flat match" is a myth,.. unless you are on a dummy load.
....why I was surprised :)
Striker3
05-21-09, 03:35 PM
The swr meter I was using does not have tick marks between the numbers, so I am just estimating, but I don't think there is more than .2 spread between the 3 channels. I did move where I had the cb mounted and I can now hear chatter once in a while. When I try to get a radio check though, it sounds as if someone replies, but it is not clear enough to be sure.
We are camping at big bear now, hopefully I can find someone out here with a cb so that I can finally get a good check.
Striker -
Also check your squelch setting. Turn it all the way counter clock wise. Then turn it clock wise until the static goes away.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.0 Copyright © 2013 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.