CB Radio Suggestion?

[MDH33]

Hmmm... This discussion about noise from the coax running parallel to 12V wires has me wondering. When I re-wired my CB direct to the battery, I ran the wires through the same grommet in my firewall as my coax. Could this be my problem??

 

[Beater]

find a k40, with a k40 antenna.

 

[teamextreme]

The Little Wil was tuned at Camelot before they went out of businessDODCU

Bummer, they are (were) right by my work and I was planning on stopping by there to pick up a CB next week. Guess I have to go to the place way over on Sheridan now. Any other places in town worth trying? I gave up on buying the cheapos at Wallyworld after going thru two that only lasted a year or two each.

 

[nakman]

Hmmm... This discussion about noise from the coax running parallel to 12V wires has me wondering. When I re-wired my CB direct to the battery, I ran the wires through the same grommet in my firewall as my coax. Could this be my problem??

Martin you should see the grommet on the firewall in my 80... I don't think you could get another wire through that sucker if you had to, I must have 30 wires crammed through the thing.... CB, ham, rock lights, fog lights, seat heaters, OBA, stuff I can't identify, even the CB antenna.. if there's a god of electrical interference he is no doubt cursing my name and planning my eternal damnation as we speak..

but I don't have any problems transmitting on CB or Ham, the only issue I get is when the inverter is on in back I get a little CB interference, and I've chosen not to worry about since I don't use either that often, and even less often at the same time.

 

[LARGEONE]

Thanks for all of the great info.

I guess if this thread continues as it is...it should probably move over to the tech section?!! I will make an attempt at the CB install next weekend and see how it goes from there.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

all good helpful info guys thanks very much. I am linking it over to the thread in "General Chit Chat"

always lurking

 

[Hulk]

Hmmm, I didn't notice what forum this was in. We should probably move it. Should we put it in Tech Chat or Ham Radio Corner? Does the Ham Radio section include CB stuff? Seems like it should.

 

[nakman]

Hmmm, I didn't notice what forum this was in. We should probably move it. Should we put it in Tech Chat or Ham Radio Corner? Does the Ham Radio section include CB stuff? Seems like it should.

IMO the Ham Radio section sould be renamed to Ham & CB, or Communications, or something a little more ambiguous than just Ham.

And then sure, move it!

 

[Hulk]

IMO the Ham Radio section sould be renamed to Ham & CB, or Communications, or something a little more ambiguous than just Ham.

And then sure, move it!

Done and done.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

thanks Matt for the move

 

[85Toy]

I am no expert (also do not play one on TV), but am sharing my recent experience. I also did not have a CB so I did a little research, particularly looking for units with a front speaker that could be mounded above or below a single DIN radio in my 4Runner. I narrowed the CB choices down to 2 units. The Cobra 18 WX ST II for about $65 including Shipping on Amazon or the Uniden PRO538W also on Amazon for $55.69 shipped. Both met my size and speaker requirement and have Weather channels. I chose the Uniden because it has RF gain control and the Cobra did not.

I ordered the "Little Wil" Wilson CB Magnet Mount Antenna. From Amazon, the antennae was $38.42 with shipping. I plan to take them into the CB shop on Sheridan for "tuning".

 

[Hulk]

I narrowed the CB choices down to 2 units. The Cobra 18 WX ST II for about $65 including Shipping on Amazon or the Uniden PRO538W also on Amazon for $55.69 shipped. Both met my size and speaker requirement and have Weather channels. I chose the Uniden because it has RF gain control and the Cobra did not.

I plan to take them into the CB shop on Sheridan for "tuning".

I had to order the Cobra unit because the Uniden would not fit -- it was too deep. That's cool that you were able to get the Uniden. Please post up some pictures of your install when it is all done.

You won't be sorry that you paid to have your new radio tweaked for best output. It makes a big difference.

 

[rover67]

I just got a peaked and tuned Uniden 520 from the radio shop recommended on Sheridan. Really really nice guy. After getting the HAM radio I decided to get a CB with a smaller chassis than my old Uniden PC78LTW so I could hide it.

Radio Services wasn't the cheapest by far (amazon, ebay cheaper), but you know, it was nice to be able to drive there this morning, talk to the guy that runs the place and let him tell me what he'd run.

I also traded him the short Firestik antenna I had to go on the hood (bought to replace my 5 footer mounted on my bumper) with a 4 foot stainless whip antenna. It's nice skinny stainless that is easy to see past which I like. Not like the big fiberglass ones. It'll look nice since it almost matches the Groucho Special 2 meter antenna on the other side of the hood. I honestly I think it is going to work better than the firestik did... we'll see.

Anyways, really nice guy to deal with.

I'll have it hooked up tomorrow and we'll see how it works... now that I have been spoiled by the HAM it seems like my expectations are pretty low... but we'll see. LARGEONE, If you want me to swing by tomorrow so we can check the radios let me know.. I'm just down the road in Lafayette. Might be nice to get a "trail distance" apart and check them.

 

[MDH33]

Uniden and Cobra are both good brands. You will be much happier with a radio that is installed in your vehicle than a handheld radio.

Buy a decent mid-line radio from a good brand and have it peaked for maximum range. Then invest in a very good antenna, which makes a big difference. Don't mount the antenna parallel to to another metal surface if possible -- you'll get much better range.

I'm a fan of this place:

Radio Service Center
918 South Sheridan Boulevard
Denver, CO 80226
(303) 922-8107

The nice thing about buying a CB radio from a place like this is that they can tune your radio for maximum performance. You buy a new radio from them, then pay an extra fee (like $30) for them to open the radio and tune it up. You'll have better transmission power than a stock, out-of-the-box radio.

I visited Radio Service Center today and FINALLY got my CB troubles figured out. I had issues with both my radio and my antenna ground. What a nice guy. He spent a bunch of time trouble shooting my rig. His prices are higher than internet shops, but I was glad to support his shop and appreciated his time to answer my dumb questions and help me out. He even cut his lunch break short.

 

[pmccumber]

I'm up in Longmont and was looking for an aux speaker. I got my system down at Radio Service Center and forgot the speaker. I visited Radio Shack and Best Buy and neither of them carry a small speaker and longer. Kind of amazing I thought.

Any suggestions?

 

[Shark Bait]

What vehicle is it for?

 

[pmccumber]

what Vehicle Is It For?

1995 Fzj-80

 

[Shark Bait]

1995 Fzj-80

People use the little speakers in the dash for an external CB speaker. They don't add much to the overall sound in your 80, so you won't miss them. I know for sure Hulk has done this. Search this site and also IH8MUD. Maybe it's only the one by the glove box door.

 

[pmccumber]

People use the little speakers in the dash for an external CB speaker. They don't add much to the overall sound in your 80, so you won't miss them. I know for sure Hulk has done this. Search this site and also IH8MUD. Maybe it's only the one by the glove box door.

That's a good idea. I give a look. Thanks.

 

[Hulk]

People use the little speakers in the dash for an external CB speaker. They don't add much to the overall sound in your 80, so you won't miss them. I know for sure Hulk has done this. Search this site and also IH8MUD. Maybe it's only the one by the glove box door.

I used the one by the glove box. Remove the capacitor from the speaker to get full range. It puts out plenty of volume and sounds good.