Which CB Radio would you buy!

[Rubimon]

I know a lot of you have CB radios from other jeeps/vehicles that you are just fine with. But if you were going out today to get a new one, which brand/model would you buy.

Also would be great if you could point out why you like one particular one over another (ie., features, quality, size) contrary to popular belief, in some situations, size does matter.:D

[Phishjeep]

Are there any handheld CBs that are worthwhile? (Not talking about the two-way sets that you see everywhere).

[nota4re]

I guess a lot may depend on the features and capabilities you may be looking for such as SSB, etc. Assuming you are looking for a good, solid, 40-channel radio, I would recommend the Cobra 75 WX ST. I've used one for years and have been quite happy with it. The two main advantages of this Cobra is that 1) it really doesn't require any mounting provision other than a mike hanger and; 2) you can easily move it from car to car. When I'm towing the Jeep to Moab, for example, I'll have the Cobra in the tow vehicle and then I'll move it to the Jeep for the trail runs.

The best thing that you can do for optimum CB performance is to tune the SWR on your antenna. I've seen people spend a lot of money on a fancy radio and completely ignore antenna tuning. These are typically the guys that are most impressed to see the range and clarity of a 75 WX ST behind a well-tuned antenna.

[JeeperTJ]

I just bought a Uniden PC 68XLC CB from Buy.com for my JK, $77 :toung: shipped is what it cost me. It's 4 watts and works nicely with the Cool Mount antenna, which I am going to tune the SWR on. It's a full featured radio, but not loaded and it weighs 3 pounds. Other options are Midland and Cobra, but most are made in China now it seems. I'm very happy with it's features and function so far. Here is my quick, cheap and adjustable mount that I came up with, Velcro on the dash...It really needs to be bolted if it is going to stay there longer term. I was considering the Arizona Rocky Road overhead radio mount, but was unsure how it would work with the freedom top. This location is really easy to view and tune the radio. Yes I still need to route the wires behind the dash...:thinking:

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/JeeperTJ/100_0272.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/JeeperTJ/100_0269.jpg

[007divegirl]

Hey guys, what are your thoughts on the handheld radios? I am looking for preferrably something that wouldn't need to stay mounted all the time. Basically for use on trail rides and long distance trips. Here is a link to one I saw on ebay....would it be any good to your knowledge? Thanks for your help.

cgi.ebay.com/Cobra-HH-ROADTRIP-Handheld-CB-Radio-with-Antenna-NEW_W0QQitemZ140084176242QQihZ004QQcategoryZ40055Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.com/Cobra-HH-ROADTRIP-Handheld-CB-Radio-with-Antenna-NEW_W0QQitemZ140084176242QQihZ004QQcategoryZ40055Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[jpzjk]

I have had a couple different CB's and can tell you that there is a big difference between a CB that has been "peaked and tuned" over a CB out of the box.

Do yourself a favor and seek out a good CB shop in your area and have them Peak and tune the radio and then tune your Antenna.

The handhelds pretty much stink (I have one for my wifes Jeep and it's not much good even with an external antenna attached). The all in one Cobra is better than the handheld but just barely in my opinion. Nether are going to be a radio that a CB shop will work on to get the best performance. I had trouble with the handset twice before I tossed that radio in the trash can.

I have a compact Cobra that was worked on by "high dessert Cb" in Hesperia Ca and it really works great. it only cost 50 bucks to purchase and another 35 bucks to tune the radio and the antenna. I get excellent trans/rec. from this low end radio and can wholehartedly reccomend going this route. Cobra C19DXIV with a Wilson "Silver Load" FLEX antenna.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-2/946629/cobra.jpg

Im not talking about "trucker style" with amps ect...just a Cb that will transmit really well on the trail without a bunch of problems. If your interested in over 5 mile range then I'd suggest getting a 2meter Ham radio.

Good luck and hope that this helps some.:cool: KI6EAX

[nota4re]

The problem with the handhelds like the one you reference is that you will really need an external antenna to "get out". The challenge with the CB band is that the wavelength is so darn long the shorty antennas just don't wok well at all. So, once you rig up a connector to the handheld the whole thing becomes a little awkward to handle. Based on your need to install/remove the CB and using it only for the trail, I think you'd be a lot happier with the 75 WX ST. It installs/removes in seconds.

[007divegirl]

Thanks for all the great advice so far.
I appreciate the feedback on the handheld, I figured it wouldn't do the job but I was hoping given it's size....Sounds like I am going to have to go bigger and better. And I will keep the tuning in mind also for later down the road...need to get the radio and figure out where to mount first.

[chvynova]

How much difference internally is a Cobra handheld and the 75 WX ST? I’ve heard numerous people having problems with shorts and the speaker with the 75 WX ST that they have just bought. I’ve also heard that people have had them for years with no problems. I guess its hit and miss.

I plan on trying out a handheld strapped to the roll bar with a 4’ external antenna and a lapel mic. If it doesn’t work well enough then I’ll get a hardwired unit and use the hand held for road trips.

[jdrogers]

From my experience the only reason to have a CB in your Jeep is to talk to the other people on the trail ride so you only need like 1/4 mile range. Any small CB will do that OK. I plan on getting the basic one that Wal-mart sells for around $35.

You can turn the squelch all the way up and the other rigs on the ride will come through but you won't have to listen the want-a-be disc jockey running a couple thousand watt linear from the hills of Arkansas.

For real communications and safety reasons I will have my Yaesu 2M/70CM amateur rig mounted in my JK with a quality antenna. 50 watts is plenty of power to get out to a repeater when necessary and no idiots broadcasting just to hear themselves.

73's

WG7R

[possumface]

just go to a few garage sales should find something for cheap :confused:

[zoomzoomjr]

I also have the Uniden PC68XL, and I have had it for 4+ years now. When previously hooked up it had a range of over 4 miles on I-95 with a $25 magnetic Radio Shack mount. I moved it from my Hyunadai (it really confused people with my 5 ft antenna), and am keeping it because I like the PA feature, that was hooked up already to my JK and I am yet to afford a nice set of 4 ft whips with a winshield base mount. I also talked to a local CB store, and the guy will rewire the face away from the main unit so that it will be pointless for anyone to take (a very very small amount of added security).

[Choppus]

If you don't get the tuning for the radio done right away, make sure you get the antenna tuned!!! It's really easy and you can do it yourself. You need an SWR meter and need to be away from trees, power lines, and big metal buildings in order to do the tuning. You hook the SWR up inbetween the antenna and the CB. You want your SWR to read closest to 0. 1 or 2 isn't bad 3 is tolerable, but anything higher can fry your CB after a while of use. You can listen to the CB as much as you want with an untuned antenna, and it won't hurt it, but when you key the mike with an untuned antenna it causes damage, and after a while it will catch up with your radio.

[rkice14]

I just ordered a Midland 1001Z from amazon.com for a little less than 25.00, free shipping. Hope it will work ok. (mostly for trail use)

[deconstructionist]

I picked up a Galaxy 979 after reaading a LOTTTTTTTTT of reviews here and elsewhere: was the size I wanted and had the blue-light(s) I wanted over the white/red/green of other brands.

I got ahead of meeeeself and bought at a truckstop or woulda got it peaked and tuned (and probablly bought through) (IIRC) GI-joes online.

http://my.project-jk.com/data/500/Rubicon_Projects_AUG_08_011.jpg

[Catzilla]

29 WX NW ST Classic CB with NOAA Weather and NightWatch®
This is the one I am currently running in my Jeep. I installed it for a 10K mile cross country trip I took this last spring. It worked well and let me catch some good tornado sightings thanks to the NOAA channels and local trucker chat (in addition to the GPS unit I have as well). It is a bit expensive new but I was lucky enough to purchase it used at a truck stop for $50.
I am sure anything that you go with will be fine.

[Catzilla]

4-6 miles is a great range

[N2MWL]

I'm using a Ranger 2970DX in the Peterbilt and have for years, its about to become my Jeep radio.... :D

[alaskabound]

I am happy with the Cobra 75 WX ST and the 4' firestik.....it is a clean easy installation.

[shannont]

I am getting ready to add the radio to my JK and this post came at the PERFECT time. Thanks guys!

[HolyJoe]

I like my Cobra 29 LTD.
Been using it for about 10 years now.
Haven't set it up in the Jeep yet.

[duqjeep2010]

I have a cobra 75 and love it! Its nice small all in handset. I had a cobra 29 but I had problems with the compass when i mounted it on top of the dash. So I ditched it for the 75. Total for everything antenna mount 4' firestick cable and cb was like $120; thanks to eb.