Who's got CB?

[Boaz]

i might try that out, Im gonna hit up the local pawn shops today looking for a nice CB set up.

 

[Iowa4Runner]

On the interstates, a CB can be better than a radar detector. If a cop is around the truckers will be talking all about it. You also get to hear funny stories about how truckers get written up for the dumbest things like not having reflective tape on the back of their mudflaps...

 

[clubsurfwa1]

Ha

Do you yankee boys even know how to go off-road haha??

 

[Hitman]

Well 04s first post clearly states what is the most commenly used comms method in the US for Offroad, as he is from the land downunder.

Maybe I'm not the only one with a reading comprehension problem

Look, if you want to turn every thread into a pissing match, I'll be more than happy to oblige.

I'm not debating what his first post said or meant. I simply said that I don't drive off-road or use a CB. I'm an on-roader who uses cell phones and parks at shopping malls:

Have fun in the mud, goober

 

[Hitman]

Re: Ha

Do you yankee boys even know how to go off-road haha??

Nope. Most of the roads around here are paved.

I might find a dirt or gravel road once in a blue moon though...

 

[bulldog-yota]

Look, if you want to turn every thread into a pissing match, I'll be more than happy to oblige.

I'm not debating what his first post said or meant. I simply said that I don't drive off-road or use a CB. I'm an on-roader who uses cell phones and parks at shopping malls:

Have fun in the mud, goober

Nah no prob here. I just pointed to the first thread. Seems you missed my which should have come out as a :

Besides these days a 4Runner gets more beat up in malls than on trails :

 

[scottiac]

IM interested in a CB set up in my 4 R. Has anyone used the "cell Phone" look alike antennas? I like the looks of them better than the magnet or the fiberglass antennas.

If you go to firestik.com, they have a wealth of technical articles about just about anything you might need to know...

For instance:
http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/on-glass.htm

To say they're uncomplimentary of that approach (the cell phone looking gizmos) is perhaps an understatement.

 

[Expat]

I'm intending to purcahse the Cobra 75WX. (Although I am still thinking of a unit that has SSB too)

I'm curious about a few things.

Mounting the antenna on the rear bumper should reduce the effectiveness compared to the front fender?

A taller antenna is better? (nevermind convenience issues)

1/4 wave vs 5/8 wave? Is 5/8 wave better off road? From what I gather this seems correct. 1/4 wave better around built up areas correct?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

I've emailed a few people about this and read the articles at Firestick etc but just want to confirm with those of you in the know here.

Thanks.

Cheers
Mark

 

[jharris2]

It's been years since I fooled with CB.
What channel are the truckers on ?
Has everyone gone to ssb ?

Truckers are still on channel 19.

I find that the CB is a great way to learn about road conditions and radar locations. It's really helpful to know about wrecks, construction, and other problems up ahead.

And one night, traveling on I-40 from Tulsa to Little Rock, the truckers kept me updated on a drunk that was driving much faster than the traffic and nearly rear-ended a truck carrying a load of steel. Fortunately he got off the highway before he came up on me, but I was only about a half mile ahead of him when he took the exit.

So it can be used for safety as well.

 

[scottiac]

I'm intending to purcahse the Cobra 75WX. (Although I am still thinking of a unit that has SSB too)

Mounting the antenna on the rear bumper should reduce the effectiveness compared to the front fender?

A taller antenna is better? (nevermind convenience issues)

1/4 wave vs 5/8 wave? Is 5/8 wave better off road? From what I gather this seems correct. 1/4 wave better around built up areas correct?

Antenna works best dead center of your roof, but yes, the fender would be better than the bumper, mostly because it has a better "sight line" to signal (not blocked by the back of your truck)

This is from a pure signal point of view. Back bumper is more convenient from a "not in my way" point of view. Mine is on the front bumper on a spring mount, and it's somewhere between distracting and entertaining when going offroad...

Taller is better simply because of "sight lines" again, for the most part. If you go with a rear bumper mount, a 3' isn't even going to get any exposure over the top of your vehicle. Up front, that's probably adequate.

1/4 vs 5/8 is above my pay grade... can't help ya there. The ham radio folks are much more into the 1/4 vs 5/8 debates...

The only comment on SSB is whether any of the people you will be travelling with have it. And if not, is it worth the extra expense? Purely personal preference at that point. I was going to get one with it, but finally decided I'd never use it, so didn't bother.

 

[Expat]

Taller is better simply because of "sight lines" again, for the most part. If you go with a rear bumper mount, a 3' isn't even going to get any exposure over the top of your vehicle. Up front, that's probably adequate.



The only comment on SSB is whether any of the people you will be travelling with have it. And if not, is it worth the extra expense? Purely personal preference at that point. I was going to get one with it, but finally decided I'd never use it, so didn't bother.

I wonder how my reception would be with a 7ft rear mount? Would also be useful in the dunes for indicating to others that I'm there:awais:

As far as SSB, the only time I really wish I had it was when I was in dunes by myself and got stuck. My am cb just could not pick up anyone, that's why I was wondering if anyone else uses SSB.

Thanks for your reply scott.

Looking forward to DV end of this month.

 

[dareames]

I haven't used a CB since my college days, but if I remember correctly, the maximum height of a CB antenna is 102 inches. Actually, that's what all CB antennas are, it's just that most have a coil of wire that adds up to 102". I had a 102" whip on the back of my '83 Tercel in college (what a sight!). Another key for good reception is having a good ground for your antenna.

 

[Only4Gold]

I've traveled the interstates and backroads with a cell phone for a good while now, but added a handheld CB to my communications capability in the 4R late in 2004; have enjoyed it a lot, as it has given me more communications with the outside world, when I need it, or when I want it. Have learned of several highway incidents or bad conditions in advance on the CB. For the small price, it's a nice tool to have onboard.