[lmturne1]

I need one and have no idea where to start, so I'm reaching out to you misfits for your guidance and inspiration.

LT

[rochmpr]

Go HAM

[gm350reratliff]

I have this one: http://www.amazon.com/Uniden-PRO520X...niden+cb+radio

I'm a CB noob as well but this radio seems to work great, cheap and fits in the center console of my 4th gen. I only really use it when I'm 4wheeling anyway. I'm probably going to get one for my 5th gen some day as well.

[CrazyNorwegian]

I use a uniden cb with a mag mount on the roof with a detachable antenna. Cb is ok, but I'd suggest investing in a ham radio. A lot of groups I go off-roading with now use only 2m ham. Much better range, 50 miles+ with the right radio, and sounds much better.

[Orbital Debris]

Originally Posted by rochmpr

Go HAM

Yep, I say HAM.
Not too much trouble to take the test, and way better distance and quality.

[wcjeep]

Cheap and expensive units all depend on a low SWR. This is way more important than how much you spend on the gear. HAM does outperform CB. Will the people you are trying to contact have HAM? Concentrate on a low SWR.


Don't forget a cell phone booster. I have service and data where no one else dreams of connecting. Cell booster are not Magic. They have their limit. They do work great.

[MeefZah]

One of the best units you can buy based on reviews on Radio Reference is the Uniden Pro 510xl. It's compact, well made, and super inexpensive ($40). It is devoid of BS features and is just a decent, reliable, cheap communications platform.

Ham may be "better" but a CB is highly useful.

In my signature link, in the folder titled "4Runner Mods", are pics of my 510xl install.

[CrazyNorwegian]

Originally Posted by wcjeep

Cheap and expensive units all depend on a low SWR. This is way more important than how much you spend on the gear. HAM does outperform CB. Will the people you are trying to contact have HAM? Concentrate on a low SWR.


Don't forget a cell phone booster. I have service and data where no one else dreams of connecting. Cell booster are not Magic. They have their limit. They do work great.

Swr doesn't have much to do with the radio you buy. It's all about the tuning. I tuned my cb antenna and probably doubled the output on an advertised pre-tuned antenna.

[Miguelon]

Go HAM and have it modded to pick up CB channels. Best of both worlds in one unit. Here is where I ended up installing mine. It fit nicely in the empty space.

[4RnR Grl]

I went with a midland. It was fairly inexpensive, small and has a weather feature. It can also be hooked up to an external speaker and act as a PA system. Install was fairly easy.


Adventures of 4RnR Grl (and build)

[Jhalko]

Read through here, Antman did two different setups with install:
ANTMAN'S Thread

I have that cobra 75, it works for the trail though otherwise is unimpressive.

[wcjeep]

Originally Posted by CrazyNorwegian

Swr doesn't have much to do with the radio you buy. It's all about the tuning. I tuned my cb antenna and probably doubled the output on an advertised pre-tuned antenna.

Tuning the antenna achieves a low SWR (Standing Wave Ratio). A low SWR reduces the signal reflection. This allows a stronger broadcast and receive. 1:1 ratio is considered perfect. Anything below 1.5 is considered acceptable. Some vehicles just take more work than others to tune. Antennas are usually different too. The previously mentioned Cobra 75 is big in the hand. If communications are intermittent it will be OK. Long term communication I would look elsewhere.

Some places will tune the CB. This increases the broadcast power. Still not as powerful as a Ham radio. I try to keep things the same on my towrig and off-road rig. Makes part swaps easier.

A SWR meter is not expensive. Highly recommend someone in your group of friends have one. Even cheap radios work great with a tuned antenna.

[flyinhawaiian01]

Ya know, its pointless to go with a ham radio, if all you are looking for is communicating on the trails with a group. More than likely, none of them will have a ham license, and even if one or two do, it becomes quite complicated to have someone relay between ham and cb.

First question I'd ask before suggesting the OP go out and study for a ham radio test, then buy a radio after he/she passes the test, would be:
What do you intend to use it for?

Next would be:
How much are you willing to spend on a radio?

Then I'd ask:
Do you expect to use your license, and radio, more than once in a blue moon?

A regular old cb setup will run you around a 100 bucks with antenna, mount and radio, whereas a ham that is capable of being used on the cb frequencies (illegally, might I add), will be around 400 bucks minimum for the rig, then another 30-40 bucks for antenna and coax.

And if you do plan on doing the ham route, be warned, that 400 dollar radio will not allow you to use it on the ham bands a technician license allows you on, so plan to get your general license (that means you take TWO tests).

Of course, you can spend a bit more, get a Yaesu FT-817ND for around $660 and that will allow you to modify it for cb, as well as use it for VHF/UHF frequencies you're allowed on as a tech license holder, and you can even modify it to be used on FRS/GMRS frequencies.

Don't get me wrong, I love being a ham, have had my license since '91, and I'm an extra class license holder, I have an Icom 706mkiig in my truck that I use for everything, and I have probably about 5 or 6 grand worth of radios and equipment laying around here, but I don't suggest anyone get a ham license unless they're truly interested in ham radio. I know a few friends who I helped get their licenses, they went out and bought some nice radios, and about 2 years in, they got bored with it and gave it up. To me that's just a waste of time and money and really doesn't do any good for the hobby.

So, my suggestion would be to get a nice cb that has just two knobs, volume and squelch, preferably from either Cobra or Uniden, install it and just have fun with your sub-100 dollar investment, knowing that if you're going wheeling with a club, chances are most everyone has a cb, and if its an established club, most likely a requirement for running trails!

[Jeff614]

Even the best high dollar CB radio is gonna be outshined by a cheapo if your not running a good antenna. The 102" whip is the gold standard but many folks don't want something that massive on their rig.

Lots use fiberglass sticks mounted in various locations with varying results. Need a very good ground. Tons of threads on different mounts.

Others, myself included use mag mounts, or permanently mounted, Wilson 5K, 1k, or K-40's. These seem to work well as they are mounted up high, on the relatively flat roof. Providing a near perfect SWR. Another plus is the coil and whip can be unscrewed from the base and replaced by a weather cap. If going the permanent route but don't want to drill a hole in your roof there's a great write up on using the hole for the "shark fin" antenna. Can also use the smaller "little wil" or k-30 but SWR won't be near as good.

FWIW I have both a peaked and tuned Connex; which is huge and I've yet to find a place to mount it, and a little midland that can double as a handheld but also connect to antenna coax (can't recall the model now). While the Connex is certainly a better performing radio, I have no issues with the Midland. Lots use the Cobra 75 as well.

Regardless of what radio you choose, do your homework on setting up your antenna and make sure to tune it with an SWR meter.

HAM's are nice also but like others have said, not everyone has one. I've recently got my license and started with a hand me down handheld Yaesu. I like it but personally couldn't give up my CB for traveling down trails and the highway.

Sorry for the disjointed response, typing on my phone sitting in my work truck.

Best of luck!
- Jeff

[AZrunner11]

I have and recommend the Midland75-822....properly tuned and its great! It is not a Ham, but clear and it goes in and out with ease.