Topic: CB Radio... Do I need one?

[slazyks]

I have noticed a lot of jeeps with cb's on them. I know very little about them.  Is a cb something that is necessary?  Is it a safety issue?  Do tow trucks monitor them?  I called a place here in southern California for pricing and it's very reasonable including the install.  I just don't want to drop a few hundred bucks on something that is a novelty.

[chardrc]

they are very nice for communicating with other people in your group on the trail if you are wheeling in a group.

[slazyks]

they are very nice for communicating with other people in your group on the trail if you are wheeling in a group.

So they are pretty much only for groups? 

[slazyks]

Well I just found out the Angeles Verdes (green angels) monitor Chanel 9.  If only I had a cb in my truck maybe I wouldn't have had to spend the night in the middle on nowhere waiting for a tow 3 years ago.

I guess I will get one...my wife's gonna be pissed.

[sharpxmen]

Well I just found out the Angeles Verdes (green angels) monitor Chanel 9.  If only I had a cb in my truck maybe I wouldn't have had to spend the night in the middle on nowhere waiting for a tow 3 years ago.

I guess I will get one...my wife's gonna be pissed.

they will only hear you if you're in range.

[slazyks]

they will only hear you if you're in range.

I know it will be different depending on terrain but what's the average range of a cb with say a three foot antenna?  Baja and southern ca desert and mountain terrain.

[sharpxmen]

I know it will be different depending on terrain but what's the average range of a cb with say a three foot antenna?  Baja and southern ca desert and mountain terrain.

http://www.nat-com.org/cbfaq.htm

[Jeffy]

You can get a decent CB for cheap.  You don't need a high $$$ setup.

I like this CB http://www.uniden.com/cb-radios/compact-professional-mobile-cb-radio/invt/pro520xlg/.  It's small and has all the major controls you need.  Nothing fancy and not worth stealing.  Then you need a 18ft cable.  IIRC, that's the correct length needed.  They come pre-cut for specific lengths needed for the signal to be correct.  A cheap L bracket and the antenna.  Get a fiberglass for graphite antenna.  Also consider were you mount it.  The antenna should be taller then your roof BUT not much more.  Firestick is a good company although you might want a spring on it.  I've seen them shatter.  I have an older K40.  I don't think they're in business any longer.  You'll also need to tune your CB.  Many CB shops will do this for you if you buy from them.  Otherwise RS sells a cheap tuner.

Also, make sure you wire the CB directly to the battery so and not to cause any interference.  I wouldn't rely on Channel 9 saving you though.  There is an organization that is supposed to monitor it but CB is line of sight and very limited in range.  Police don't monitor it.  Neither does Fire Rescue.  If you're on a high peak you can get a lot further though.  If I'm on the tallest peak out here, I can get about 75-100 mile range.

If you want range then look into 2M Amateur Band.  Not as useful in groups unless they're HAM as well but you do get range and people are usually always monitoring the local repeaters.

[grumpygy]

This the k40 you are using.  http://www.livecbradio.com/k40-antenna.htm

Got one like it from the 80's.

And they are still made.

[neale_rs]

Just a side comment:

A 4x4 club here in Monterrey bought the rights from the government to a specific VHF frequency and made it available to all 4x4 enthusiasts in Mexico. This was done because the range is much better than with a CB.  Nobody else can legally use this frequency (hard to enforce but nobody else really knows about it anyway). So many Jeepers have single-frequency VHF radios here and can always contact other Jeepers, who, in general, can be trusted more than the general public who might be on CBs.  It's probably not something you will need to worry about, but here you would not want to publicly announce on a CB that you are stuck by the side of the road, you would be setting yourself up for real "highway robbery."

[slazyks]

Yea I've been robbed in guerro, Jalisco and Oaxaca. I haven't been robbed in Baja Norte or Baja sur yet. Maybe my next trip....









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[slazyks]

http://www.nat-com.org/cbfaq.htm

Awesome link thank you

[Jeffy]

This the k40 you are using.  http://www.livecbradio.com/k40-antenna.htm

Got one like it from the 80's.

And they are still made.

Hmm, did some searching and found them.  This is the newer top load fiberglass.  I like them since they're smaller and flexible compared to the Firestik.

http://www.k40antennas.com/fiberglass.html

[aka-justin]

I bought one for the occasion I'm wheeling with another person or group that is using one. It’s way easier than try to get cell signal and calling. Family radios work good too.

It's probably not something you will need to worry about, but here you would not want to publicly announce on a CB that you are stuck by the side of the road, you would be setting yourself up for real "highway robbery."

I agree, don't think anyone would want to announce emergencies on public radios - cb, vhf, ham.

They're very easy to connect - 2 wires for power and an antenna, and plentiful on craigslist. Reading a few FAQ's can make anyone confident. I'm all about getting my hands on my jeep, no matter how easy or difficult - part of the fun to me. To each his own though. 

http://www.nat-com.org/cbfaq.htm

http://support.radioshack.com/support_tutorials/communications/cfq-rdio030.htm
http://www.4x4cb.com/public/page.cfm?Page=795

[Tr00b]

I have literally a stack of CB radios I got from truck drivers at work, but they are all full sized ones. i don't see where I could mount one without mega creativity... Where would you stick a full sized radio in a TJ anyway?