Walkie-Talkie Style CB Radios: Don't Bother
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
From: RSM, CA
Walkie-Talkie Style CB Radios: Don't Bother
So I bought a brand new handheld, walkie-talkie style of CB radio figuring I didn't have time or skills to put in a full-blown unit and run antenna etc. $85, I'm good to go.
[Buzzer sound] Wrong!
On our last run of about 12 Jeeps, I was probably 10th in line, and couldn't hear anything from the first 1-3 Jeeps if there was any kind of obstacle (hills etc.) between us. I'm only talking a couple hundred yards at very most.
Guys behind me with modest units and Firestix, I could hear them responding to the front, but I never got anything. Disappointing. Plus, the speaker is barely audible even when turned up full.
This was a Cobra something or other. I don't know. Piece of crap.
[Buzzer sound] Wrong!
On our last run of about 12 Jeeps, I was probably 10th in line, and couldn't hear anything from the first 1-3 Jeeps if there was any kind of obstacle (hills etc.) between us. I'm only talking a couple hundred yards at very most.Guys behind me with modest units and Firestix, I could hear them responding to the front, but I never got anything. Disappointing. Plus, the speaker is barely audible even when turned up full.
This was a Cobra something or other. I don't know. Piece of crap.
JK Newbie
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Julian, CA
The primary limitation of a good handheld is the antenna. The CB frequency has such a large wavelength it is just about impossible to get a short, rubber-duck style antenna to work correctly. You may already know that a relatively inexpensive 1/2 watt FRS type radio will outperform a 4-watt CB handheld.... because the FRS wavelength is much happier with a short antenna.
You can certainly stay with your handheld and just use an external antenna. You can source a BNC to PL259 adapter so that your external CB antenna can attach directly to your antenna (BNC) plug. I would do that first and see if you are happy with the perfromance of the radio. It will definitely be dramatically improved - I guarantee it.
You can certainly stay with your handheld and just use an external antenna. You can source a BNC to PL259 adapter so that your external CB antenna can attach directly to your antenna (BNC) plug. I would do that first and see if you are happy with the perfromance of the radio. It will definitely be dramatically improved - I guarantee it.
JK Jedi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 8,931
Likes: 6
From: San Marcos, CA
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 1
From: Roanoke,TX
I got an emergency handheld type, with a magnetic antenna for $3 ate a garage sale
it works great (midland I think). I am going to mount something else, but it worked fine for a couple of trips
it works great (midland I think). I am going to mount something else, but it worked fine for a couple of trips
