Actually, I'm not a ham operator--my Technician class licensed (WB6MPD) expired back in the 70s. Serving over a quarter of a century as a radio maintenance tech and supervisor in USAF, retiring at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, having a ham license became too much of a busman's holiday. Spend your money "tweaking" your CB radio. You're wasting it, but maybe that doesn't bother you.

 

Either you have some incredible hand-held radios, or you should spend money on a decent cable and antenna install and not waste it on "tweaking" your radio. All coax and antennas are not made the same--even if the SWR is stupendous. In fact, some of the worst coaxial cable will give the best SWR readings. And if you don't understand why that is, and why that does not indicate that you will have good reception and transmission, you should bone up on antenna and cable theory. BTW: Want to know where to buy the worst coax? Start with your local Radio Shack or CB shop.

 

So now I'm the "HAM police?......oh well....

 

Yes they are to an extent. As far as mobiles are concerned they have pretty much turned it over to the local police. But as far as guys on CBs in their homes running big power, antennas, or running out of band, if they get enough complaints, they will zero in on them sooner or later.

 

I originally had a Cobra 19DX and it worked only fair. When it started changing channels on it's own I decided to replace it with a Uniden 510XL. I bought it from clays radio shop (www.claysradioshop.com) and decided to have the "performance" tune up done on it for $25.00.

I was surprised at the difference! The little Uniden has very clear audio and I'm easily able to talk to truckers that give me good signal reports out to about five miles using a 3 foot firestik on the tire rack.

I also use an RK56 microphone on it because I like to drive with my window down and it cancels out the noise.

I highly recommend the little Uniden radios over the Cobra.

 

Hmmmm.....Ham comes from pigs......... ayup! I guess you are!

 

Yes the uniden 510 and 520 are nice radios, Sparkys sells them peaked and tuned. You can add a power mic and a Everhardt TSM 4 Super foot antenna and you will have a very nice set up for your JK. The uniden for its little size is the best bang for your buck, IMO.