Installed CB Radio/Antenna

[808TRDRunner]

Have any of you ever used a handheld CB? I was thinking about getting one of those for the meantime. ($25 right now on C.L.) Then later when I have time and money to do an in-dash one (I would have to get a new stereo too, so that means more $$), I can loan the handheld to a friend when on the trail. I figure the handheld would have at least enough range to communicate on the trails. That way no matter who I go with, I can use the CB.

Good thought?

IIRC, a handheld usually has @500 milliwatts. Whereas a regular rig has 4 watts. There are some handhelds that have a little higher wattage, but you still can't compare to a full power rig.

EDIT: There are full power handhelds. Your only drawback would be the smaller antenna.

 

[ric]

Have any of you ever used a handheld CB? I was thinking about getting one of those for the meantime. ($25 right now on C.L.) Then later when I have time and money to do an in-dash one (I would have to get a new stereo too, so that means more $$), I can loan the handheld to a friend when on the trail. I figure the handheld would have at least enough range to communicate on the trails. That way no matter who I go with, I can use the CB.

Good thought?

a Handheld is at best "ok" for trail use, most have a very long antenna which will make it hard to use in a vehicle, and as 808TRDRunner said not very much power, meaning not much range at all, IF you can find one cheap enough (no more than $10) a buddy of mine had one, but he paid like $50 for it, it does work on the trail, maybe he will let you try it out, before ya spend any cash

 

[shootmymime]

REMEMBER! if you guys want one i will have 1 for sale, i got 2 messages on ebay saying they were both sent out today, and i will expect to see them on friday or monday

 

[4runner32]

Jordan Petry-- could you post a pic of what you screwed the antenna to? i like that setup.... i was just gonna get a magnet antenna but like that way
thanks

 

[Jordan Petry]

Jordan Petry-- could you post a pic of what you screwed the antenna to? i like that setup.... i was just gonna get a magnet antenna but like that way
thanks

Yea no problem...the only issue with the location of that antenna is that in order to open the hatch you have to loosen the allen bolts and lay the antenna back about 30 degrees. Other then that, it barely moves with this setup, I love it.

The rest of my CB pictures can be found here, http://s255.photobucket.com/albums/... Toyota 4Runner Limited 4x4/CB Radio/?start=0

 

[Ron Helmuth]

good shots from all

thanks Jordan and snowrunner and ric for the multitude of shots of the mounting.

I am still on the fence about this one. I would want the mic attachment to come in on the passenger side rather than the drivers side.

That antenna placement looks good Jordan but I would not be able to stand having to mess with it just to open the rear hatch. I realize each mounting point has its own strengths and weaknesses.

I see CBs all the time for $25 or so on Amazon. Not a great amount of money needs to be spent that is for sure....


I have 2 of those handheld models-that I carry around-they are utterly useless unless you are right on the interstate highway.

 

[Jordan Petry]

Re: good shots from all

thanks Jordan and snowrunner and ric for the multitude of shots of the mounting.

I am still on the fence about this one. I would want the mic attachment to come in on the passenger side rather than the drivers side.

That antenna placement looks good Jordan but I would not be able to stand having to mess with it just to open the rear hatch. I realize each mounting point has its own strengths and weaknesses.

I see CBs all the time for $25 or so on Amazon. Not a great amount of money needs to be spent that is for sure....


I have 2 of those handheld models-that I carry around-they are utterly useless unless you are right on the interstate highway.

Yea the location is okay, the best and most functional place would have been dead center in the roof but I would cringe every time I drove under anything, also it would look like crap. I'm installing the coax today and I'm excited to go out and test it later on! Ron, the antennas are relatively cheap, you can make your own for even less but I decided not to go that route. Good luck, any more questions just ask.

 

[4runner32]

yeah thanks for the pics and info Jordan Petry

 

[Jordan Petry]

I know that some of you guys are gonna call BS on this one but I installed the coax today and I honest to god got a 3-4 mile range out of the radio! I was sitting in my driveway facing south while a truck driver was driving north, he told me what exit he got off on and I typed in the intersection on Google maps and its about 3.5 miles away. He got off and then I lost him. I'm thinking that since the ground plane is in front of the antenna, I may get an even farther range in front of me. Can't wait to test it out on the highway! I set in the car for a couple hours listening and chatting with some of the truckers, most were nice but some had a very dirty mouth, lol. I'm loving this thing so far, its gonna make for some good entertainment! :bigok:

 

[4runner32]

I and I honest to god got a 3-4 mile range out of the radio! :bigok:

what the typical range you can get on the highway??

 

[sn0wrunner]

I know that some of you guys are gonna call BS on this one but I installed the coax today and I honest to god got a 3-4 mile range out of the radio!

I dont doubt it!

Im excited to use mine. Im stuck at school and dont drive much so I havn't had a real chance to use it yet!

 

[808TRDRunner]

I know that some of you guys are gonna call BS on this one but I installed the coax today and I honest to god got a 3-4 mile range out of the radio! I was sitting in my driveway facing south while a truck driver was driving north, he told me what exit he got off on and I typed in the intersection on Google maps and its about 3.5 miles away. He got off and then I lost him. I'm thinking that since the ground plane is in front of the antenna, I may get an even farther range in front of me. Can't wait to test it out on the highway! I set in the car for a couple hours listening and chatting with some of the truckers, most were nice but some had a very dirty mouth, lol. I'm loving this thing so far, its gonna make for some good entertainment! :bigok:

I don't doubt it. If there is alot of sunspot activity, that will also increase your range. Back in the day I could talk to New Zealand and Australia from my base station in Honolulu.

 

[shootmymime]

i got a buddy who gave my me antennas and he has a few hundred watts running in his big rig back in the day, and he would cary containers from mexico boarder up north around california and talk over the west coast, he said he would take back home (here in kansas city) and talk to people in Hawaii so it is amazing how far you can talk!

 

[Pikeman]

<-- trucker.. average off the shelf CB =2-5 miles and given certain atmospheric conditions you get skip and talking to someone in another state is not uncommon but the guy next to you may not hear you. Yes some of the truckers have foul mouths and ramble on and on, and they are also the ones running the amps and noone can talk over them.

 

[Jordan Petry]

How do you come to acquire one of these amps? Btw I was talking to an FJ Cruiser today about 5 miles away, he sounded just like he was right next to me. I'm super impressed so far.

 

[Pikeman]

Okay modifying a CB to have a larger output then factory is almost always against the law. This is regulated by the FCC. That being said if you have any truck stops in your area you are almost gauranteed to have a CB trucker store. You will have to go in and ask them in person for such items or to Tweak and Peak your radio. they will not answer those types of questions over the phone. I highly recommend that if you are getting 5 miles that it is more than adequate for the trail and to leave alone.

 

[Jordan Petry]

Okay modifying a CB to have a larger output then factory is almost always against the law. This is regulated by the FCC. That being said if you have any truck stops in your area you are almost gauranteed to have a CB trucker store. You will have to go in and ask them in person for such items or to Tweak and Peak your radio. they will not answer those types of questions over the phone. I highly recommend that if you are getting 5 miles that it is more than adequate for the trail and to leave alone.

I'm definitely satisfied with 5 miles, but if someone can make it 10 for $25 it's worth it! I talked to my digital electronics teacher and he said that he has a couple linear amps lyin' around his house I could try and make work. Are the laws really enforced? From everything I've read the FCC couldn't care less until you start messing with drive throughs, etc. I might stop by a trucker stop and see what they say.

 

[Pikeman]

I can tell you that generally if you end up around 50 watts output more then likely you will not be messed, however I have seen monitoring cars on the road, to mainly bust the guys running 300-3000 watts. So while they don't always care or try to track down people with more power then allowed, there is always the small possibility. I have known guys pushing 3000 watts and you will see antennas rated for that power. If they have it all keyed up at peak power the antennas will start to glow and that much power can actually destroy other CB's near you.

 

[shootmymime]

I GOT MY CB TODAY! I RIGGED IT UP ON MY CAR SITTING IN THE GARAGE AND IM VERY PLEASED WITH IT THUS FAR! FOR ONLY $57 IN EVERYTHING I THINK THIS IS A GREAT DEAL!

SORRY FOR CAPS im just so excited

 

[shootmymime]

IT WILL HOLD!