In the market for a CB.. ANY THOUGHTS?

[Jersey_Devil]

I'm in the market for a cb and was thinking bout getting a used cobra or ge.... Any thoughts or opinions? Do I need a speaker for any cb I buy? Can I get a Window antenna and stick it to the body or should I get a different kind of antenna? Should I just buy a new cobra? I found them on ebay around 100-200...is that a good price? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[ZMagic97]

The big question that will really set you up correctly is, "what are you going to use your CB for?"

If you plan on using it just for group rides, a basic $50-$75 CB with basic functions will work well for you with a magnetic mount antenna.

If you want an all-around use for longer ranges, a Firestik Firefly with a tunable tip and a bit of a better radio are a better fit.

That being said, I have a Uniden PC68LTW and very happy with it. Little more than basic and offers weather updates for when I'm far off the road near Arizona washes which have many trails run through them and can be a big hazard. I have a mag mount antenna by the spare tire, but want a better SWR so I'll be mounting a Firefly near my tail light and have it just above the roof so I can still get it my garage.

Here's some good info on antennas: Here is where you should mount your CB and HAM antennas on your Jeep

[Jersey_Devil]

The big question that will really set you up correctly is, "what are you going to use your CB for?"

If you plan on using it just for group rides, a basic $50-$75 CB with basic functions will work well for you with a magnetic mount antenna.

If you want an all-around use for longer ranges, a Firestik Firefly with a tunable tip and a bit of a better radio are a better fit.

That being said, I have a Uniden PC68LTW and very happy with it. Little more than basic and offers weather updates for when I'm far off the road near Arizona washes which have many trails run through them and can be a big hazard. I have a mag mount antenna by the spare tire, but want a better SWR so I'll be mounting a Firefly near my tail light and have it just above the roof so I can still get it my garage.

Here's some good info on antennas: Here is where you should mount your CB and HAM antennas on your Jeep

Thanks for the info... That's a lot of info on that thread! Is this the one u have? http://www.amazon.com/Uniden-PC68LTW...Uniden+PC68LTW (hope that link works)

[ZMagic97]

Thanks for the info... That's a lot of info on that thread! Is this the one u have? http://www.amazon.com/Uniden-PC68LTW...Uniden+PC68LTW (hope that link works)

Yes, that is the exact one.

[robsjeep9]

For trail use I have the Uniden pro 520 comes with PA speaker I use a 4' Wilson antenna and very happy with my set up under $100

[Jersey_Devil]

Yes, that is the exact one.

They recommended I buy a certain antenna and cigarette lighter adapter for it... Did u see that on the page? Should I just get that stuff they recommended?

[Jersey_Devil]

For trail use I have the Uniden pro 520 comes with PA speaker I use a 4' Wilson antenna and very happy with my set up under $100

Under $100 that sounds good... The whole setup in that link up there comes out to 101

[M4M]

Uniden PRO 520xl with a Firestick Firefly antenna. I mount my CB and ham antennas on Mopar windshield A-pillar brackets (CB on driver side with a quick disconnect, ham simply threads on/off). I remove the radio antenna when the ham's is installed. This location puts them close to the largest metal surface on the Jeep, the hood.

[ZMagic97]

They recommended I buy a certain antenna and cigarette lighter adapter for it... Did u see that on the page? Should I just get that stuff they recommended?

If you plan on just using the antenna for trails run and will not have it mounted full time it'll work well. However, I wouldn't get it if you want to have it on full time. I have a mag mount full time and will be switching to a different one for better reception.

[Rooster76]

CB's are limited to 4 watts by the FCC, and because of that the antenna is what will really boost your performance the best. A windshield antenna isn't going to give you very good performance. It might be good enough but it's not going to be great.


below from--> CB Help

If your not going to use it much I would say go with the Midland 75-822. It will work good enough and it just plugs into a cigerette lighter vs running a wire to the battery. With this set up you could also get a magnet antenna and stick it on your hood and then you wouldn't have to do a huge install for something you only use every so often.

WHAT YOU NEED FOR A CB
Your going to have to spend around $150 to get into the game. You will need

• CB RADIO -$40+ All are limited to 4 watts by the FCC so it is really all about if you want the features
• Antenna - $20+ This will give you the most difference in range and performance
• Antenna Mount - $10
• Antenna Cable - $20 It's best to get this in 18' or 9'
• Antenna Stud Mount $6
• SWR Meter - $20 You have to tune your antenna for it to work and not damage your radio. Also crucial is to remember to get a 3' or so piece of coax to be able to hook it up. Some come with it some don't.
• Wire and connections to run the power wires $10
• Not totally necessary but a good to have would be a multimeter to check the continuity with the ohm setting $10

Uniden 520 XL
I would recommend the Uniden 520 XL in most cases after digging through about every post on CB's I can find. It is everything you need and no extras. Fry's seems to have them the cheapest.

-small,cheap, tough, simple and works good with a good antenna setup.
There is also a 510 XL for about 10-15 dollars less. You loose the R/F gain, an automatic noise limiter, and the ability to make it into a PA system (if you install a horn).





Cobra 75 WX ST
As far as handhelds the Cobra 75 is a good option and is super popular . The speaker on it is a bit weak. You really need to get an external speaker for this one. It doesn't have a PA option, and the squelch and volume are a bit hard to use. You will have to mount a small body piece in addition to having the hand held. It has a ton of cool features like:
-scanning thru channels
- Having 2 channels broadcast
- 4 memory channels
- Its small and easy to store.
-You can change the channel with the handset
-Weather Channels

It is a bit more risky being that all the components are in the hand held so you need to make sure not to drop it.
Attachment 309890




Midland 75-822
The Midland 75-822 seems like a pretty good hand held that you can plug into an antenna. It isn't as popular as the Cobra. It plugs into the cigarette lighter vs the battery like the other ones. This power technically isn't as good but works. It seems like a good option for someone who just wants to use it on the trails and maybe use a magnet antenna, then keep it tucked away most of the time. I have heard it only takes about 15 seconds to make it into a walkie talkie if you want to spot someone. This one can easily be moved from a jeep to another car if need be, where as the Cobra has that extra box needed. It comes with a clip instead of a button on the back.
Attachment 309910
Attachment 309913


MOUNT
Technically a hood mount would be the best. After looking under my 2012 I cannot see how I could get that to work even with drilling.

The Arizona Rocky Road Antenna mount is probably the best rear mount, ie high up and not in-between the tire and window, not next to metal. I have seen someone mount theirs near the top of the 3rd break light which would work good too. You just need to account for the rear wiper blade on the hard top.
Attachment 309898

The cooltech ultramount (shown below) is nice because then the Coax doesn't get bent all the time with opening the rear gate. It can wear it out.

FireFly Antenna
The antenna makes all the difference in CB's, that are limited to 4 Watts. You want to make sure you get it grounded well. Then you need to tune them with a SWR meter. In theory you want them to be as high as possible and have 1/3 above the roof.

After a ton of research I think the FireStik FireFly (not to be confused with there other models) is the best Jeep Antenna overall. Very flexable, Light weight, More top wound than than the more popular Firestick II. It will have FL in the name if it is a firefly. Here is one on a cooltech ultramount



MY NO DRILL MOUNT
The L braces should be on the outside of the 3/8" clamp on this picture for a much tighter fit.



I posted this before but It seems that it will go with the topic


This mount will work with the new 2011/2012 hardtop that uses the footman loop. I copied this idea from someone who copied the idea(LINK-> So where have you been mounting the CB's? ). I got everything that I needed to do this mount for a Uniden 520 at Home Depot for about $10. This should work with almost any CB if it is not too deep. It works with the 2012 hardtop. It leaves the back of the radio about 2" to the windshield. I might have to get a right angle adapter for the antenna cable.

The insulated clamps are in a box in the nuts and bolts row. 3/8" is the size you want. It is best to put the L brase on the outside of the clamp instead of being sandwiched in there. It will give you a much tighter fit and won't scratch the paint.

The 1" corner brace was in the row with hinges and gate locks. It is the perfect size. You can also put one or both of the L braces facing in to move the mount or get it to work better.

I had some 1/2" size 10 bolts lying around so I used them. As a bonus they are brass so they will not rust. You need 4 of them and washers and nuts. They were the right size to fit very snug through the corner brace.

I put a strip of "rubber foam weather seal" right on the top back of the radio where it touches the windshield panel. It is the stuff you can put around your doors at home to stop drafts. I forgot to take a picture of it. I think it will remove any noise or abrasion to the panel.
Attachment 316015

I did a write up of how I ran the wire and grounded the mount here -->Remove Sub Box to Ground and Run Antenna Coax - 2DR 2012

I would also check out for how to run the power LINK--< Project-JK.com - Jeep JK Wrangler Resource » Affordable Jeep JK Wrangler CB Radio SolutionMidland Model-1001Z

I did a bit of a write up here --> Remove Sub Box to Ground and Run Antenna Coax - 2DR 2012

Running the antenna coax up the roll bar worked out really well.

Good Luck