CB Radio, looking to add one

Yes there are hundreds of threads and so many opinions on brands or ideas and what not. I know this because I have searched and searched

I am looking to add a CB Radio now. I know maybe 15% about them. My grandparents have HAM radio license, a huge tower, and obviously a lot of equipment. I remember he had a CB in his truck as well.

Well now that I am "growing up" I actually use my truck for a lot more stuff, I don't consider myself a "prepper" but I do like being prepared.

Regardless, what is a good middle of the road CB radio? Any specific antennas you prefer, your favorite mounting locations for the antenna, unit, mic, everything.

 

Uniden xl 500 is what I have with a 3 foot firestick. Works well for me but I only use it when wheeling and i am always close to the other drivers during that time.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cb-specifics.434871/

 

I have a Uniden Bearcat 980ssb with dual 4 foot firestik's. I love the radio, never gave me problems, it also has the weather station which helps a lot. The dual firestiks are amazing, although i recommend getting a spring for it because its not the most flexible antenna. And for around $100 you cant beat that kinda quality

 

Unless you plan to use it all the time, just get yourself a middle of the road CB that is nice and compact enough to fit somewhere neat in your truck, buy yourself a firestik and a good mount, or a Wilson for your roof, get a good SWR and call it a day.

For what its worth I run a Cobra 75 handheld which is fine for what it is. It mounts to a disconnect on the side of my shift console so it can be disconnected if need be. I had a firestik with a Relentless fab hood mount which worked great. Now I have an old military CB antenna mounted in the truck bed. Most of the time it sees no use and I listen to the occasional weather NOAA broadcast on a rainy day...

 

Uniden PC 78Elite in center console


with a Firestick

 

I used a Uniden and a 102 whip in my Dodge D50 back in the 80s. Reality is a CB has about a 2 mile range and is pretty much extinct as a communication device these days. Unless you are using it to talk to people you are wheeling with, save your money. Its just a static making device now.

 

I installed a Cobra C75 W SX. Totally hidden when not in use - works great in the field.

 

If you have experience with ham why would you want a cb? The quality and capability of amateur radio is far superior to cb.

 

More people use CB for trailing than HAM... Plus in MA I believe you need a license to operate HAM legally.

 

I run the following setup hooked up to a tailgate mount. I suggest getting a BAMF mount if you're going to run with a tailgate setup.

$70 Uniden PRO520XL Pro Series 40-Channel CB Radio. Compact Design. ANL Switch and PA/CB Switch. 7 Watts of Audio Output and Instant Emergency Channel 9. - Black

Uniden PRO520XL

$16 Roadpro RP-108C 2-3/4" CB Extension Speaker with Swivel Bracket

Roadpro RP-108C 2-3/4" CB Extension Speaker with Swivel Bracket
4ft Black Firefly

FireStick FIRESTIK K4-8R18 FIRE-Ring 18`Foot Coax with Stud and SS-3H Spring

FIRESTIK K4-8R18 FIRE-RING 18`FOOT COAX WITH STUD AND SS-3H SPRING

FireStik K-1A Push-n-Twist quick disconnect

FireStik K-1A Push-n-Twist quick disconnect

It does everything I want it to do except make sure you properly ground the antenna. Buy a tuner to help tune the antenna properly and I have been able to talk on my CB with truckers 1-2 miles away.
I mounted mine to the passengerside center/floor console cover. Ran the antenna out from under the driverside seat grommet. I also ran a PA speaker out the front of the truck too for fun....

 

I just ordered a Uniden 520ProXL. Im going to be installing it in the indent in the armrest console, for stealth purposes. I will also be picking up a 4ft firestik and fire ring 18ft cable. Mounting the antenna off of the tailgate.

 

Sweet

 

Just remember that the paint is normally non-conductive on these antenna mounts and the bed isn't grounded. At least mine wasn't, I have a wire running from the bracket (sanded down by where the antenna grounds out) to the frame.

Don't ground through the tail light grounds either.. you'll get feedback noise when you brake haha

 

I'm in the same boat. Really looking for trail use only and who ever locally I can convince to install one as well.

 

This my combo in the cart for 119$ exactly shipped! I just need to hit the purchase button

 

You are right you need a license, but it's a relatively easy test, no more Morse code requirement, and is good for ten years. The northeast is very active with amateur radio in fact the repeater network here would allow is to talk between Boston and Portsmouth where I live, no cb will do that. My Kenwood TM-281 was only $119 and provides 65w of transmit power.