CB Radios

Does anyone have a CB Radio in their rigs?

I want to see your setups.

I want to put mine back in mine but not sure how and where to mount it.

 

This is what I have:

$90 Midland 75-822 Handheld CB Radio & Mobile CB Radio – Walkie Talkie with 40 Channels, NOAA Weather Alerts, Long Range, Compatible with CB Antennas

https://www.amazon.com/Midland-75-822-Channel-CB-Way-Radio/dp/B00000K2YR

It’s a handheld. I hook it up to a Lil Wilson mag mount:

$57 Wilson 305-38 300 Watt Little Wil Magnet Mount Antenna, 36" Whip Base Load Antenna AM|FM Ready, Black

https://www.amazon.com/WILSON-305-38-300-Watt-Little-Antenna/dp/B001AAT94W

I didn’t want to semi-permanently mount and install a CB and antenna, so I figured a more portable setup would do. I’ve only used CBs when off-roading in a group and on long road trips. I’m not sure where I’d mount one in a Tundra if I were inclined to go that route, though.

 

I use a magnet mounted antenna with an old radio shack cb and external speaker, I put the cb in the center console.
Works great and no one can see the radio, even when I tow my travel trailer.

 

Being the dirty old truck driver that i am, i do have a CB. Not yet currently in my pickup. It among all other things, has been "slightly modified". I havent decided on mounting location but its between, inside center console or on the outside skirting of the center on passenger side. This is the only pic i have of it.

 

No, no one runs CB's anymore, we all run HAM Radios better distance and usability over CB unless you are into talking to truckers... and meeting up at truck stops

 

Here is my set-up, unfortunately just as the poster ☝️ said, it’s kind of useless now days. I used it on my last road trip, and it only came to life a couple times. I don’t even think truck drivers use them now

 

I've got a Uniden Bearcat SSB 980 mounted in my 07 center console with Firestik antenna mounted out front for best reception and minimal VSWR. SSB, Single Side Band, CB gives you more options. Not sure if you can mount a CB in the "2nd" Gen center consoles. Taking my Ham radio test in February so the Uniden will be complemented with a Ham radio too...

 

I run a big peaked and tuned Cobra 29 Classic in my big truck. Not made the move to put a CB in my Tundra yet. CBs are very handy and a REAL trucker will have a CB. A lot of your bigger companies prohibit CBs in the big truck. CBs are very useful to communicate to other truckers about road hazards, etc.

 

I've got a Galaxy DX 33HML mounted to the sunglass holder thingy in my 16 DC.

 

I had a CB back in the late '70's. Surprised to hear that people still use them.

 

I had them in all my old 70s model pickups and couldn’t wait to put it in this newer ride. I love having a CB - best traffic report when you hit a back up on the highway. Also good for smokies

 

10-4 good buddy!

 

What ham radio @papasmurf do you recommend to use? Don’t want to mount a radio just want to communicate with other drivers when we are all in a group and don’t have phone service.

 

Ok so CB’s are a waste let’s start there... but a ham handheald is a good start or base station but that’s more perm and expensive... I run a kenwood ta-281a for base station it’s only single channel because generally we stay on a primary channel and don’t need to monitor a second channel, also it’s 65watt base over normal 50watt like most dual and single channel ham radios... so w a good antenna and mount I have crazy good distance w it! I also have a beaufang handheald which works great for most situations it’s a 8watt i believe and I paid 40$ for a kit that has radio, battery, extra battery, two antennas, A charger and car charger ... so I’d say start there.. as an option I can provide a Amazon link if you would like? Start w handheld and move to a base station later when you are ready and the handheld becomes a backup and good for spotting etc

 

BaoFeng Walkie Talkie UV-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio with one more 1800mAh UV5R Battery one Car Charge one Hand Mic. and one TIDRADIO NA-771 Antenna ham radio https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0772FYKK8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_y01FCb6RB79AC

There is the link


And oh it’s 5w max but also comes w ear peace and handheld for it as well.

 

I have a Kenwood 281 in the taco, and a

$40 UV-5R 8Watt Ham Radio Handheld Long Range UHF/VHF Radio with 2 Rechargeable Battery, Portable Radio for Adults with Earpiece, GV-771 Antenna, Programming Cable (3rd Gen)

UV-5R as well as the cheaper one (UV3?). Highly reccomend the 5R with a magnetic antenna for a non-permanent solution for trail stuff. I use mine in Glamis and it works great. Only downside to the 281 is its single band (VHF)

 

I have an FT-8800 in the truck with a remote head setup. I use my Boefeng 9+ to crossband (into the 8800 on the 440Mhz band and out on 2 meters) into it to extend range while out wandering from the truck. Most repeaters that are out there are on 2meter bands so it works great for both the crossband. CB radios may be plentiful, but you are only as good at getting out as the set up.

Don't forget, when operating on the amateur radio frequencies, you must be licensed. It is much easier than you think. Just go to QRZ.com and look for the practice tests. Take the technician test a few times to get some exposure to the test and the ham requirements and you will easily pass an exam session with the local ham club. You will have to google that for your area.

Tim
NH2BV

 

Or don’t take the test... and operate in public open channels and tell ham nerds to try and find you through triangulation while doing 80mph through a desert... good luck nerds!!!




Btw I’m a navy comms operator so clearly I have knowledge and experience w mobile comms for almost 20 years of service .... I’m just soooo tired of hearing ham guys press on off-road guys about getting ham license’s when we use vhf minimum range radios sold commercially ...

 

@papasmurf thats all i want To use it for off road and distances we loose service i have no need to operate on open roads. Does the test cost money or what’s it about?

 

What frequency can you use with just a tech licence? Long time cb'er time to move up. About the only thing I know about is the Stryker 10m. I'm assuming that's a ham license?

 

Except that you're "breaking the law". And there are people out there with literally nothing else to do but hunt you down. Yes they can, and do. Seen it myself. Its a sport for them. A hobby. They keep track of "kills"...

Now before you go all nutz with the keyboard, stop I get it. I'm licensed but also I'm not a snob about it. I think generally you'll find most causal ham's feel the same. Don't abuse it, don't walk on others, don't be a dick, etc. And you'll be fine. But do understand you're operating illegally.

BTW: Baofeng just came out with an 8w version of the UV-5R. And also BTW, these UV-5Rs can physically do GMRS/FRS/MURS out of the box. Just make sure you limit the transmit power to the "legal" levels ifnwhen you decide to use 'em "illegally" on those freqs...

MIRKIT Radio Baofeng UV5R MK5 8 Watt Max Power 2024 VHF/UHF 144-148/420-450mhz with Neck Strap Lanyard Ham Radio Operator for Your 2 Way Radio & 1800 mAh Li-Ion Baofeng Battery, Software

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F6NRMMC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

This is all Chinese talk lol

 

Rather buy a damn walkie talky hahahah

 

Good vid covering the "issue". Good general info too. His vids are a great place to start to learn about this stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA7Elhfu9kQ

 

Oh really? If so, I'm totally in!! Is it a true 8W though?
I have a UV82-HP which is "rated" at 8w but in reality isn't.

Amazon Review of UV82HP:
Unit does not perform to expectations/specifications. Has additional odd behavior. Advertised as a high power version of the

$136 UV-82 Ham Radio 144-148/420-450Mhz 2 Way Radio with FTDI Programming Cable Long Range Dual Band Two-Way Radio Walkie Talkie (5 Pack-Black)

UV-82, the manual claims that the power output is 8 watts VHF, and 7 watts UHF. Tested two units. The first had a power output of 5 watts VHF, and 4 watts UHF on both medium and high power settings. Contacted seller who advised that testing must be done with a dummy load. Purchased and retested dummy load with same results. Purchased second unit in case of fluke. Second unit tested at about 4 watts VHF, and about 3.5 watts UHF. Tested both units with full battery. Additional issues: Internal power supply does not appear to be regulated causing power output to be proportional to battery state of charge. When reading the battery voltage on unit, some noise gets introduced into any audio output which may be occuring at that time. Exhibits odd behavior on Low power as well: power output is specified 1 watt until the backlight times out, which seems to correlate with a drop in output to 0.75 watts. For comparison a Pofung UV82 also recently purchased via Amazon outputs about 5 watts VHF, and 4.25 watts UHF on high power setting.

 

^^Seems so! Disclaimer: no clue on how much we can trust the source of the vid, but sure looks encouraging...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTXb1RlmnqU

 

Trust me I totally get the breaking the law part ... I’m not too worried about the FCC and people who have a hardon for busting guys for illegal ham use when I regularly carry concealed in places that are frowned upon by law... my point is yes I’m aware of Ham guys who have a thing for finding guys like me.... we don’t step on people have good comms discipline and stay away from things like GMRS etc.. so I risk it... and I may actually have a license just won’t mention my call sign because reasons

 

We're totally on the same page @papasmurf. Just commenting for the 'general audience'. You understand

@DividedSky One comment on expected vs actual. These radios are counterfeited more than paper money (the Chinese ripping off their own? Whodu'thunk it?). It could be you've got one of those counterfeits, or it could be its real and overrated. Who knows. But if you're looking to pick up one of these new 8w UV-5Rs, get the Mirkit version. They're a legit US distributor that guarantees authentic stuff. Best as I can tell, anyway.

 

Oh... and btw, KM6WCK QSL QSL