Help with CB radio
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JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 347
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From: DirtyJerZ
Help with CB radio
Never owned one b4, but looking to get on for the JKU.
Don't need anything top of the line just a reliable one to use on trail rides etc...
Looking for recommendations....and mounting ideas!
Thanks!!
Don't need anything top of the line just a reliable one to use on trail rides etc...
Looking for recommendations....and mounting ideas!
Thanks!!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
From: Clarksburg Maryland
There is a CB section on the site. You should post this here if this doesn't automatically get moved. Much more likely to get responses there. I went with the Cobra 75 WXST or something to that affect. Small, doesn't take up alot of room and does the job. It's the all in the mike CB radio. You can google it and take a look. Alot of guys have this CB as well as others.
JK Junkie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 4
From: Cheyenne, WY
JK Freak
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 571
Likes: 1
From: Seattle
I bought the Midland handheld that comes with a direct plug in kit. It's very small and just hangs from my rear view mirror.
Very small and easy to mount and can be unplugged from your exterior antenna to use as a handheld walkie talkie. Useful for spotting. Comes with 2 battery packs 1xAA 1x recharagable.
Very small and easy to mount and can be unplugged from your exterior antenna to use as a handheld walkie talkie. Useful for spotting. Comes with 2 battery packs 1xAA 1x recharagable.
JK Freak
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland, Florida
Don't eat green bananas without frying them first!
Seriously, I've been using a the Cobra 75 WX ST bought as a package from CoolTechLLC for over a year and a half. It required the least modification to mount. Only a hole for the plug in the kick plate under the glove box and a slot in the rubber grommet in the tail gate. The all-in-one kit included the mike mount, gate mount antenna (4'), wire and CB. The only thing else I needed was an SWR meter to tune the antenna. I got the OPEK SWR-2T from a trucker supply site. Works great.
Cool Tech LLC. CB All-in-One Kit
I use it on the trail but mostly for checking traffic/accidents on the interstate with truckers. It's saved me hours on I-4 between Tampa and Lakeland. If installed correctly, it has good range (about 5 miles) and ok sound quality without an external speaker. The 75 also has a weather radio channels.
Cool Tech LLC. CB All-in-One Kit
I use it on the trail but mostly for checking traffic/accidents on the interstate with truckers. It's saved me hours on I-4 between Tampa and Lakeland. If installed correctly, it has good range (about 5 miles) and ok sound quality without an external speaker. The 75 also has a weather radio channels.
JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 723
Likes: 2
From: Murrieta, CA
Seriously, I've been using a the Cobra 75 WX ST bought as a package from CoolTechLLC for over a year and a half. It required the least modification to mount. Only a hole for the plug in the kick plate under the glove box and a slot in the rubber grommet in the tail gate. The all-in-one kit included the mike mount, gate mount antenna (4'), wire and CB. The only thing else I needed was an SWR meter to tune the antenna. I got the OPEK SWR-2T from a trucker supply site. Works great.
Cool Tech LLC. CB All-in-One Kit
I use it on the trail but mostly for checking traffic/accidents on the interstate with truckers. It's saved me hours on I-4 between Tampa and Lakeland. If installed correctly, it has good range (about 5 miles) and ok sound quality without an external speaker. The 75 also has a weather radio channels.
Cool Tech LLC. CB All-in-One Kit
I use it on the trail but mostly for checking traffic/accidents on the interstate with truckers. It's saved me hours on I-4 between Tampa and Lakeland. If installed correctly, it has good range (about 5 miles) and ok sound quality without an external speaker. The 75 also has a weather radio channels.
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JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 168
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From: Fairfax, VA
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 419
Likes: 2
From: Indy
My cut and paste job from my previous post
I did a ton of research on CB's and this would be my top choices depending on what your going for.
Uniden 520 XL
I would recommend the Uniden 520 XL 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).
Attachment 309889
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
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=4ASM0MDrMvE#t=98s
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
Gear Keeper" is an option for holding the Mic. I found a video with one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6gGzpE7vbc&feature=player_detailpage#t=54s This one shows it retracting better but only in this small part.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=e3gmD04IA-c#t=289s
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 --> https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-w...2012-a-231369/
Running the antenna coax up the roll bar worked out really well.
Good Luck
Uniden 520 XL
I would recommend the Uniden 520 XL 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).
Attachment 309889
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
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=4ASM0MDrMvE#t=98s
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
Gear Keeper" is an option for holding the Mic. I found a video with one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6gGzpE7vbc&feature=player_detailpage#t=54s This one shows it retracting better but only in this small part.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=e3gmD04IA-c#t=289s
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 -->https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-w...2012-a-231369/
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 -->https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-w...2012-a-231369/
I did a bit of a write up here --> https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-w...2012-a-231369/
Running the antenna coax up the roll bar worked out really well.
Good Luck
