View Full Version : Looking to buy a CB
Dragline
05-07-2008, 22:01
And need suggestions on what to get???? Looking at a Cobra 75 WX tweaked, any comments?
I got that cobra model. it is nice because you don't have to worry about mounting the big CB box in your jeep. everything can be mounted behind the dash and I just split a fuse box to power it. Works great, no issues and very easy to install.
Rabies99
05-07-2008, 22:09
I have that model and really like it. Its small enough to hide to keep out of view from prying eyes. Have mine stuffed under the dash on the passenger side, with the mike hidden behind the glove box when not in use. The only thing I don't like is the speaker isn't especially loud, hard to hear especially if your hearing is as screwed up as mine. It has a connection for an external speaker, but I haven't got around to hooking one up yet.
I have the 29ltd and I like it. It was a gift but the only complants are that it does not scan, it does not have weather and it is a little big, but I used velcrow(sp) and put it on the back of my center console and it fits good there.
I have a 75 and I like it. Had the same problem with volume though. I plugged the external speaker plug into a speaker on the drivers side dash. Works good, BUT, you have to use a 4 OHM speaker to get volume out of it.
I have that model and really like it. Its small enough to hide to keep out of view from prying eyes. Have mine stuffed under the dash on the passenger side, with the mike hidden behind the glove box when not in use. The only thing I don't like is the speaker isn't especially loud, hard to hear especially if your hearing is as screwed up as mine. It has a connection for an external speaker, but I haven't got around to hooking one up yet.
I went to Radio shack and bought a speaker which I mounted above the center of the front window on that hook. I just used cable ties to mount the speaker bracket. The external speaker makes a big difference and I have not tried it without the external speaker, but I would imagine it would be tough to hear.
dirTJeep
05-07-2008, 23:08
You can't go wrong with a CB set up. I've owned Cobrra's low end models and thay worked great. I'mk now using an Unidend and it has been good. The main thing to do when installing a CB is to set the antenna. Either go to a shop or buy(find a friend with) a SWR meter. They're cheap and come with intsructions, and will prolong the life of the radio.
Hitechredneck
05-08-2008, 06:19
To save you a little bit of searching i want to point this "kit" out to ya. http://www.stu-offroad.com/cb/cb1/cb-1.htm they put it together to take the guess work out of what works best together. Also comes with a swr meter so you dont have to go hunting for one that work right. hope this helps.
Dragline
05-08-2008, 06:21
Thanks for all the input, I like the idea of being able to hide the Cobra 75 under the dash. Has anyone had there's tuned like this? Saw this on ebay - http://cgi.ebay.com/Cobra-75-WX-ST-Super-Compact-CB-Radio-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ130220182363QQihZ003QQcategoryZ40055QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem This radio will be removed from the box BRAND NEW and the transmitter will be aligned for increased power and modulation. Peak output power reaching 18 Watts with loud audio. (18 Watts of peak power, AM carrier power goes up from 3W to a full 4W). ***Alignments and tuning will not be harmful to the radio. No levels will be higher than what the radio can handle.
Never heard of a company doing that. Shoot the dude an email that is supposedly going to do the work, he has a huge page up about his military career.
All radio work will be performed by:
http://www.bellscb.com/images/screwdriver.GIF (http://www.bellscb.com/screwdriver.htm)
theyeti1775
05-08-2008, 08:49
Just remember careful how you ask. FCC frowns on 'high power cbs'.
Supposed to only transmit I think at max 5 watts according to their rules.
Don't specifically say a wattage when you are asking, tell them a distance. i.e. My friend says he talks to truckers down in Florida all the time, I want that capablity.
I know two guys local to me that have had work done on their CB's that if they transmit at full power while in a Jeep-voy with you it will blast you off the station.
Rabies99
05-08-2008, 13:55
You MIGHT get some gain out of this but it is not worth it. If you are on a trailrun and are relatively close, your CB might blow out the receivers on your buddies rigs. Think how happy they will be.
Not to mention...
FCC frowns on 'high power cbs'.
Don't be surprised after testing your overpowered CB, a funny looking FCC van with antennas all over comes cruising your neighborhood, right before they confiscate your equipment and hand you a fine.
Dragline
05-08-2008, 20:32
Never heard of a company doing that. Shoot the dude an email that is supposedly going to do the work, he has a huge page up about his military career.
All radio work will be performed by:
http://www.bellscb.com/images/screwdriver.GIF (http://www.bellscb.com/screwdriver.htm)
I just sent Screwdriver an email and asked the questions that Rabies99 and Yeti brought up. Let ya know when I get a response.
Dragline
05-08-2008, 20:34
To save you a little bit of searching i want to point this "kit" out to ya. http://www.stu-offroad.com/cb/cb1/cb-1.htm they put it together to take the guess work out of what works best together. Also comes with a swr meter so you dont have to go hunting for one that work right. hope this helps.
Thanks for point out this kit/link Hiteck... Good info...
Dragline
05-09-2008, 06:21
Jeepers and Cobra mods
#1 You MIGHT get some gain out of this but it is not worth it. If you are on a trail run and are relatively close, your CB might blow out the receivers on your buddies rigs. Think how happy they will be.
#1. The tune-up is only to 18 Watts peak, still 4 watts carrier. It takes about 1000+ Watts to do damage to a nearby receiver.
#2 Don't be surprised after testing your overpowered CB, a funny looking FCC van with antennas all over comes cruising your neighborhood, right before they confiscate your equipment and hand you a fine.#2. That's just old fashioned and funny. Don't be silly. :D
#3 FCC frowns on 'high power cbs'. Supposed to only transmit I think at max 5 watts according to their rules.
#3. The FCC Limits us to an AM carrier of 4 Watts and an SSB signal of 12 Watts. The radio still has a carrier of 4 Watts. It just has some audio punch that's understandable and not soft and under modulated. I do admit , YES, the FCC doesn't like us to peak radios.
The thing to keep in mind is that it is a simple tune-up to give improved range and audio clarity. No major extreme radio damaging mods and no major big power to blow anyone away, but they might say "hey John, how come your radio is so much clearer than Bill?"
Screwdriver
ET2 (SS) USN
Looks like I will be ordering one...
03Sahara
05-09-2008, 10:31
jeep outfitters haas a nicw kit also
Rabies99
05-09-2008, 12:06
Jeepers and Cobra mods
#1 You MIGHT get some gain out of this but it is not worth it. If you are on a trail run and are relatively close, your CB might blow out the receivers on your buddies rigs. Think how happy they will be.
#1. The tune-up is only to 18 Watts peak, still 4 watts carrier. It takes about 1000+ Watts to do damage to a nearby receiver.
#2 Don't be surprised after testing your overpowered CB, a funny looking FCC van with antennas all over comes cruising your neighborhood, right before they confiscate your equipment and hand you a fine.#2. That's just old fashioned and funny. Don't be silly. :D
#3 FCC frowns on 'high power cbs'. Supposed to only transmit I think at max 5 watts according to their rules.
#3. The FCC Limits us to an AM carrier of 4 Watts and an SSB signal of 12 Watts. The radio still has a carrier of 4 Watts. It just has some audio punch that's understandable and not soft and under modulated. I do admit , YES, the FCC doesn't like us to peak radios.
The thing to keep in mind is that it is a simple tune-up to give improved range and audio clarity. No major extreme radio damaging mods and no major big power to blow anyone away, but they might say "hey John, how come your radio is so much clearer than Bill?"
Screwdriver
ET2 (SS) USN
Looks like I will be ordering one...
1) It is pretty unlikely to blow a modern receiver, but it can happen on those with older equipment and equipment this questionable modding will bleed over to.
2) Old Fashioned? I'll be sure to tell that to the FCC in regards to the equipment of mine they seized a few years ago. If you are anywhere near a military base, they are even more testy about the airwaves. Ask me how I know. The FCC can also seize all equipment, not just the equipment at fault. What I did was NOT, and ruled not, intentional like this will be considered, but my equipment is still gone.
3) Total crap. "YES, the FCC doesn't like us to peak radios." and it is ILLEGAL and they can screw with you about it.
What he claims he is doing, is really hard to prove or disprove he actually did anything at all. My bet is he doesn't do anything to the radio and charge you more for it. Oh, and the fact it will void any warranty on the radio if he did do anything.
IMHO, It is some snake oil. If you believe it, I have a bridge in the Sahara I can sell you.
Peaking and tuning a CB radio does work, but is illegal as stated above in this forum. All you need to see that the work is done is a watt meter that shows the amount of power the radio puts out. A lot of truck stops around the country that have cb shops can and will "peak" a radio. For trail rides, my opinion is that you don't need the work done anyway. Cobra 29 cbs work well being peaked and tuned and if you have deep pockets, check out the Galaxy radios that can have the cb channels installed into an already high power radio........For trail rides though, I stay with a small Uniden 510 with a matched antenna that works great as is out of the box. The 510 is small enough that it is easy to mount. Here is a link of a 510 mounted that works and looks great. http://www.sleeoffroad.com/technical/tz_uniden.htm
Here is a pic of the Uniden 510 that is mounted in my Jeep. I didn't got too fancy with the mounting, but the passenger seat clears the radio when the seat is slid forward to access the back and it works great..........
Dragline
05-11-2008, 07:55
Here is a pic of the Uniden 510 that is mounted in my Jeep. I didn't got too fancy with the mounting, but the passenger seat clears the radio when the seat is slid forward to access the back and it works great..........
Nice install, are you running an external speaker? It is sweet the way the mounted the 510 in the FZJ in your link. I want to mount the CB out of sight so I don't have to remove it when parked, but still have easy access to the controls. Thanks...
Nope, don't have an external speaker, partly due to where the radio's mounted and the little Uniden is plenty loud. The external is not a big deal, though if you need one, it's just as easy as plugging in a`set of headphones to an Ipod.:) Wouldn't even buy one until you see you need it. If you do get one quality makes a huge difference with sound....You probably won't like the smallest, cheapest one Good luck and post what you end up with!
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