I assume you are directing this at me (the op)? I have done some research and realize that dash mounts are a better option... But for as little as I would use it I was trying to get some real world feedback from people who have used some of these options to see if it was a viable option!

I can read any manufactures "specs" and make a choice BUT if they were all true then these handhelds are good up to 4 miles!! I think we all know that's not true or at least common. Just doing some "research" with the people that have used this style with similar uses in mind since I have no experience with these.

All that being said since you did take time I post on here I would like to know your suggestion for a CB. What do you use in your jeep and how often do you use it, what's the terrain like where you use it?

 

Thanks! I am debating if I'm going through the effort of running and permanently mounting an antenna... Then that may change my whole outlook on what to run. just not sure what's worth it. As for a hardtop, I don't have one. Soft top only for me.

 

Personally, I do not run a CB any longer. I found them to be a poor choice for comms when there are much more robust systems out there.

That being said, for most folks out there, it's both better than nothing and one that will interface with most other four wheelers. I think the Cobra 29 series is hard to beat, but it's big and kinda ugly in my opinion. You have the professional names like Galaxy, which are really good radios, but overkill and even bigger than the Cobra. I tried the Cobra all in one (75dx or something like that) and wasn't impressed.... I also see a lot of them fail, probably from dust and vibration... so not so good in our application. I have found the Uniden's to be a fair compromise between performance and size, price is good as well. I've run both the 510 and 520 and would recommend either.

So.... you have my recommendation, which I don't often give as I'd rather look at merit vs brand.

Anyways... the problem with the walkie talkie type is both power and antenna. You could rectify the antenna problem with an antenna mounted on the outside of the Jeep... stick with 4' or more and get that as high as possible on a good ground plane. Best place I can recommend on an average Jeep is the cowl. Rear bumper/carrier is a poor choice, as would be the roof. Don't worry about 18 feet of cable, cut to length... trust me, the problems associated with coiling it up are worse than a improperly matched length of wire. Those suggestions are worthwhile no matter the CB you get. You'll want clean power directly from the battery as well.

I also find the walkie talkie type to be cumbersome and hard to operate when under stress and driving. You'll also get more volume out of a dash unit.

To your other questions... I run a HAM rig in my car. Many of the guys I wheel with run this type of setup. The terrain is normally the desert in the Southwest. I often talk back to camp for parts, etc. while wheeling ten miles away in deep canyons. These radios are clean talking FM rigs.... nothing like CB, which often can't reach around a turn in a canyon, 1/4 mile away.

The low end HAM rigs that are suitable for our uses are about the same price as a good CB setup, yet excel in every way. The problem is one of the chicken and egg.... all your buddies probably use CB.

 

Thanks for the info! I'm not sold on anything yet just doing some homework... Don't want to spend money to realize I wasted it and spend more to fix the issue!

 

The handheld Baofeng hams are now $30 each on Amazon. Works better than the "best" cb I have ever installed. Spend a little time, get a license, encourage your trail mates to do the same. You will be happy you did.

 

Glad to hear you are looking at all your options and aren't in a hurry. You'll make better choices that way.

Stick to the MURS channels and you don't have to worry about a license... well, that radio I believe puts out five watts where as the reg states a max of two, so technically it shouldn't be used, but if one stuck to those five channels, no one would ever notice.

And I concur, using this handheld at five watts and no external antenna (outside the car), one would realize better comms than the best CB and correctly sized antenna (108"). You'd still have my issue with operatability, but a hand mic would solve that. Volume might be an issue.

Also... one thing on these little cheap chi-com handhelds. They are great! I have played with the Baofeng and have owned a Wouxun. Both great radios and I continually kick myself for replacing the $100 Wouxun with a $500 Yaesu.

 

I thought I read somewhere that technically you are not supposed to be on the MURS channels with those radios. It seems like there is a fair amount of traffic on the race channels by unlicensed folks though, so maybe there is an exception there?

I have a earbud/ throat mike with my little radio and it solves the volume and operability issues you mentioned above. battery life is really good too- like two days with pretty steady use.

 

The race radio issue you bring up is real and there isn't an exception that I know about. They are using the Business Band and it does require a licence.... that being said, the MURS channels aren't kosher for this radio for the reason I stated above and again, you should see no issue if you stick to those five. You could lower the output to two, but the radio would still not be type accepted for those freqs.

 

I am not sure that I want to get into it this in depth. I truly have very little use for it other than some event require you have a CB. I stopped a local truck stop today to see what options they had it didn't help much there was choices for antennas cables and accessories but I didn't see one base unit. My overall goal is to spend as little as possible and still have something that will get the job done during group trail runs.

 

Ok so I think I've narrowed it down to either a cobra 19 dx IV or a Uniden pro 510xl. I think for the price it's a better fit for what I want it for.

Now the next question is I stopped at a local truck stop to see what they had for antennas and stuff. I know I've read a ton about firesticks but they didn't sell them. They did have 2 others that I think may work... I Wilson flex or a super tiger. What can you guys tell me about either of these?? Plus I know 18' coax and ground, ground, ground!!