WHAT IS THE BEST CB RADIO and ANTENNA TO BUY?

[OttoVolcomSMB]

I might try to get my cb hooked up today. And I remembered about this awesome old video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAPRrdgY ... ata_player

[OttoVolcomSMB]

I forgot to ask.. Where do you run the antenna wire? Trough the ph canvas window zipper? I was thinking about that any comments yay/nay? I have a magnetic antenna.

[jage]

Originally Posted by OttoVolcomSMB

I might try to get my cb hooked up today. And I remembered about this awesome old video.

I see your Convoy and raise you The White Knight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh66kDox4R0

[charlie56]

Originally Posted by OttoVolcomSMB

I forgot to ask.. Where do you run the antenna wire? Trough the ph canvas window zipper? I was thinking about that any comments yay/nay? I have a magnetic antenna.

For my 2m radio, the installation is a permanent thru the roof using an NMO connector. The antenna is centered over the cab exactly over the dome light. Yup, had to drill a hole. The Coax runs concealed above the headliner.

Th CB is temporary. I am actually using a Ham HF screwdriver antenna tuned to 11 meters mounted to the Aluminus storage box. The coax just goes out under the rear door seal. The radio will go back in the box and stowed away as soon as this weekend's trip to Death Valley is over.

Take a look at this thread as well
http://sportsmobileforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=7945

[BIGVANS]

Call some specialty CB shops and see what they recommend. Not many shops in the OC but there is one with a good reputation in Modesto, CA (10-4 Communications - www.ten-four.com)
As far as your question, one antenna with a reputation for being “The Best” is a Wilson 1000. Remember the antenna choice is completely dependent on your vehicle setup and your requirements for the CB. A lot of radio shops I’ve spoken with are starting to drop CB’s and focusing on HAM stuff.

[Angel]

I will be getting a Cobra 18 WXSTII CB. It is the only one that has the speaker in front and will fit in the single din under my radio. The overhead area above the driver and passenger is only 6 inches deep in my SMB. Thank you for all your info.

Angel

[daveb]

Angel, you might want to give 10-4 communication in Modesto. I bought my radio and new Wilson 1000 10m antenna from them. They do good work and have done most of the work on my van. Just to clear things up, it was CellularSteve where we had a fairly long distant transmission, but it was across the desert. My radio is a 10 meter radio but also runs the 11 meter band; it just transmits at 50 watts. Most CB's only put out 5 watts. Throw in a few hills or skip and a 5 watt radio can't transmit very far. I can transmit above and below the CB frequencies and get super long distances (several states) when the skip conditions are good but it's not legal and most people don't have those type capabilities on their radios anyway.

[charlie56]

Just my 2 cents worth. You sure you want to go CB?
At last weekend's group trip to Death Valley, CB was absolute worthless, FRS (a little better) carried 100 - 200 yards. 2m Ham went for miles. At Barker Ranch I was talking to a ham in Inyo-Kern (43 miles) and a couple of Hams up at Striped Butte at the same time. Crystal clear reception using 2m FM. Put a 50w mobile unit in that big rig and talk others into getting a license. With APRS (a mode of Ham Radio) I could "watch" other hams on my laptop as they drove up the canyons.

[daveb]

I have to agree with Charlie so if you are looking at an alternative to a sat phone for assistance don't rely on a CB. They work OK when running in a pack close to each other but the skip noise often kills the distance especially if trees or mountains are between you and who you are in contact with. Where the CB is nice is that more SMBers have those as compared to ham radios and on a busy highway you usually can get someone but have to listen to the BS as well.

[Angel]

Daveb,

Thanks for clearing up the 50 mi communication. Stereo john is doing the purchasing and installing for me so the radio, CB and TV will all work together with the antennas he is installing. You always seem to have the best and know where to get it . Thanks for the info.

Angel