CB specifics

For $5-6 more I'd think that quite a few people would choose the stainless upgrade if available. That's less than the powder coat option.

 

I'd be interested in stainless. I'm looking at running a dual antenna setup, so I'd need one left one right with bottle opener on one of them.

 

What length coax did you end up going with? I was looking at 17' for a DCLB... not sure if it'll be enough.

 

I ordered an 18'. I think it should be good.

 

http://www.relentlessfabrication.co...cts/05-tacoma-bed-rail-dual-quick-fist-mounts
http://www.relentlessfabrication.com/collections/toyota/products/05-tacoma-bed-rail-hi-lift-mounts

 

I'm (somewhat) quietly waiting in the wings for a stainless version. If you build it, I think they will come. Just do it soon. AFAIK, you have the only 3rd gen no-drill option available in any form. Maybe I missed it, but if you don't have one yet I think you need a new thread for your brackets. It's starting to fill up this general CB thread and there are sure to be folks that that would buy them for rear lights, buggy whips, ham antennas, or whatever that might not venture into a "CB" thread. Maybe a group buy that has a minimum total order quantity to trigger... it seems like that would work for everyone.

[Edited to add:]
Furthermore, if you started making these for 2nd gens (*A-hem* after we all get ours, naturally) I'm sure your volume will go up.

As for the extra cost of SS, it seems that it would be cheaper than powder-coated, so that shouldn't be hard to make happen. I'd say at $40, it's right at my threshold of pain, but everyone has different budgets, needs, and desires and I'm sure you know the market.

One other thing I like about SS: If you paint it with a rattle can you don't have to worry about rust streaks and paint bubbling from minor scratches.

 

I am waiting for a stainless CB and a stainless Ham bracket with bottle opener.

 

Anybody install one of these on a rig with a canopy? I've got a 2017 DCLB and I just ordered a Leer 100R for it. It looks like it'd be out of the way....

 

I dunno...but it works pretty well

 

WileE - I should have listened to you from the get go. I need to switch out my Cobra 75WXT for a small form factor 4 watt CB for a little further reach. Are there others choices similar to a Uniden Pro 520XL?

 

Also did this re route in the parking lot at Rausch

 

Yep, it'll work with a topper.

 

I'll buy two.

 

Thanks. It's ordered.

 

BAD ASS!!! Does the OP get a free one?

 

Sounds fair to me....

 

The only radio(s) that I know of off the top of my head that is similar in size to the Uniden Pro 520XL are: (DxWxH)
Cobra 19 Ultra III -> (6 7/8 x 6 3/4 x 1 7/8)
Cobra 19 DX IV ---> (6 7/8 x 6 3/4 x 1 7/8)
Midland 1001Z ----> (6 1/2 x 4 7/8 x 1 1/2)
Uniden Pro 505XL -> (7 1/2 x 4 7/8 x 1 3/4)
Uniden Pro 510XL -> (6 3/4 x 4 1/2 x 1 3/8)
Uniden Pro 520XL -> (6 3/4 x 4 1/2 x 1 3/8... listed for size comparison)

These are about the only "mobile" CB's that I know and have some experience with that are similar in form factor (i.e. size). As far as wattage output, yeah, like I stated, all of the mobiles that I have ever TESTED with the service monitor (NOTE: I no longer have the ability to do so) had put out around 4Watts. How much is that extra 2W gonna get you? Not tooooooo much difference. My humble opinion and experience on the matter is antenna and antenna placement are also key (i.e. where is it located on the vehicle) and is the antenna tuned and/or even tunable. So, quite a few factors to take into consideration!

I do believe that yours is left-rear corner, correct? Pretty sure you got it tuned as well, assuming? Either way, I don't want to make that 100% guarantee, if you will, that the unit that you have is only outputting 2W! I'm making those statements with units that I had the actual opportunity to connect to a service monitor. Yours is not one of those, so I don't want you to automatically think that that is what is happening here? One way to verify though, if you haven't done so, is if you know someone that has a SWR meter that has wattage reading capability? Even a cheap one will get you a "ball park figure" of what the thing is outputting (i.e. wattage).

Hopefully, one of these days, I hope to meet you and quite a few others that are spread across the landscape, LOL!!!

Good luck and if you have any questions, please ask and I will do my absolute best to help out. If I don't know the answer to the question, I will do my best to get you that answer.

 

I also want to add, I have the Cobra 19 Ultra III and a 4ft whip (located behind center cab). One time, I was waiting for my sister to finish shopping at a grocery store and just BS'ing on the CB. Well, I eventually talk to this guy, asked his location, and knew pretty much exactly where he was. He was approximately 4mi relative to my location. Now, keep in mind, I'm in the city area with plenty of trees, buildings, power lines, etc and relatively flat land between us (i.e. no real elevation advantage)!!! So, CB doesn't give THAT MUCH distance, but this was pretty DAMN GOOD in my eyes!!!

Another example, I helped a friend of mine quickly put together a CB setup in the parking lot of the electronics store he bought it from, it was a Uniden PRO 505XL on a 3ft magmount whip. As we were going our separate directions on the freeway, we kept in touch and constantly giving details of where we were. Anyways, it was estimated at around 5.5-6mi we were apart from one another and NOT necessarily "line-of-sight" before the conversation just straight stopped!!! I'm thinking that if he had a slightly longer whip antenna, me hearing him would have been a little bit better as far as distance? I honestly don't think THAT much more distance, but it wouldn't have hurt?! And, again, not too bad!!!

So, just some personal experiences regarding "range" on a CB with varying landscapes.

 

Why do you think a different radio will give you better reach? The 75WXST is a 4 watt radio just like pretty much everything else out there that's legal. Do you have some indication that it's not putting out full power?

I'm asking because I'm considering this radio and I've never heard anyone imply that it had less power than other mobile units.

Note that I recognize that the antenna installation is going to be the largest factor in communication range. In this case my question is directed only at the actual radio.