Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: dac on February 25, 2009, 11:20:15 AM

Title: CB radio recomendations
Post by: dac on February 25, 2009, 11:20:15 AM
So I picked up an antenna, 18' coax cable and antenna mount from that radio place at the road king.  However buddy was recommending a $200 radio which I'm sure works fine but for something that I wouldn't use that often I'd rather not spend that kind of money on it.  I know Walmart sells a cheap cobra (19DXIII) for about $80.  What does everyone run?  Is the weather channel worth it?
Title: Re: CB radio recomendations
Post by: FiEND on February 25, 2009, 11:31:32 AM
weather channel isn't worth it.  DXIII for $80 is ok.  many people use it and it is small enough to fit in a heep.

my choice is uniden pro 510/520/530 models you can get off ebay or road king shoulda had them starting @ $109 or $119
Title: Re: CB radio recomendations
Post by: RckyMtnTJ on February 25, 2009, 11:42:37 AM
I recommend the Cobra 75.  Primarily because you can hide the main box, which is small, and everything is in the mike.  I have never had any problems with mine.  Since space is at a premium in a Jeep, I love the compact nature of it.  It used to be expensive, but seems to be right around $100 US.  Not sure how much they are in Canada now.

http://www.dealtime.com/xPO-Cobra-75-WX-ST
Title: Re: CB radio recomendations
Post by: cruiserheads on February 25, 2009, 11:48:14 AM
I have a couple of Unidens here. Pro520XL and PC 68XL. $60.00 each
Title: Re: CB radio recomendations
Post by: FiEND on February 25, 2009, 11:58:50 AM
personally i think the cobra 75 is arse.  first off the thing doesn't have enough power to run an external speaker - at least not loud enough when you drive a heep.  drop the microphone in the winter when your floor is full of snowy water, and good chance you are screwed.  was a good idea done badly.
Title: Re: CB radio recomendations
Post by: dac on February 25, 2009, 01:06:53 PM
Is there any licence required for operating one of these things?
Title: Re: CB radio recomendations
Post by: FiEND on February 25, 2009, 01:24:56 PM
even if there still is or was, no one would know much about it and it was never enforceable so i'll say no.

i used to know but never mattered so i forgot :D
Title: Re: CB radio recomendations
Post by: dac on February 25, 2009, 01:26:07 PM
I was just thinking we had cb's on the farm but something tells me we had a dedicated frequency.  I can't remember.
Title: Re: CB radio recomendations
Post by: Hi Lo Silver on February 25, 2009, 02:14:40 PM
Is there any licence required for operating one of these things?
Not anymore.
Title: Re: CB radio recomendations
Post by: S-FLY on February 25, 2009, 03:23:44 PM
There are no licenses required to operate CB.  Also, on the trails any cheapo radio will be fine.  As for antenna's, I prefer the K40 magnetic.
Title: Re: CB radio recomendations
Post by: SwampSinger on February 25, 2009, 03:24:46 PM
I would go with a Uniden Pro 520XL... nice, compact and works very well...

if the one that buddy has for $60 works well ... go get it.
Title: Re: CB radio recomendations
Post by: NUXJR on February 25, 2009, 03:42:58 PM
I would go with a Uniden Pro 520XL... nice, compact and works very well...

if the one that buddy has for $60 works well ... go get it.

DIDDO!!!  This is the one I ran in my XJ :'(.  Worked great ;).
Title: Re: CB radio recomendations
Post by: dac on February 25, 2009, 10:22:28 PM
where can you get a swr calibration meter for antenna tuning in the south end of town and what would the cost be, roughly?
Title: Re: CB radio recomendations
Post by: NUXJR on February 26, 2009, 12:08:02 AM
where can you get a swr calibration meter for antenna tuning in the south end of town and what would the cost be, roughly?

Vinman had one for sale a while back.  Pretty cheap too ;D.
Title: Re: CB radio recomendations
Post by: S-FLY on February 26, 2009, 10:20:25 AM
where can you get a swr calibration meter for antenna tuning in the south end of town and what would the cost be, roughly?

Radio Shack (The Source) used to have them.  Not sure if the source is still open though.
Title: Re: CB radio recomendations
Post by: calltrex on March 02, 2009, 11:36:49 AM
i like the cobra 18wXSTII

ive bought 3 of them now.  good CB with front firing speaker
Title: Re: CB radio recomendations
Post by: dac on March 02, 2009, 12:07:34 PM
I contemplated the cobra 18....  I ended up getting the 19DXIV for $70 from flying J they have the 18wxstii for $80.  I bought a length of 1/8" x 1" x4' flat steel from canadian tire and bent it to hook on the windsheild frame loop in the front and lays on the roll bar/sound bar.  It's sturdy enough for the radio and is out of the way.  Maybe next weekend if I get ambitious I'll take some pictures.
Title: Re: CB radio recomendations
Post by: dac on March 13, 2009, 11:02:17 PM
so I've got my antenna tuned, both channels 1 and 40 are below 2, it works well, but I had to take the antenna ground off to get a lower swr.  Has anyone else experienced this?
Title: Re: CB radio recomendations
Post by: fug on March 14, 2009, 09:35:06 AM
Yep... had to do the same.  I believe its because my mount allows the antenna to be grounded or something.  I do not use the ground wire on the antenna and my CB works fairly well.