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CB... is it goin out of style?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by pidro_el_pirata, Jan 10, 2011.

  1. Jan 10, 2011 at 7:55 PM
    #1
    pidro_el_pirata

    pidro_el_pirata [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm thinking of installing one. Thoughts and questions follow, please chime in on anything:

    Is it worth it?
    I don't offroad, so i'm wondering if it's worth it. It's a dying technology but at the same time I do long distance highway driving often enough that I have a handheld CB in my glovebox and it's been helpful to talk with truckers regarding accidents etc while driving out to the desert to go dirt bikin. Anyways, just wondering what your opinions are on the subject! Debate!

    The Unit
    What CBs you guys recommend? I see a lot of the Uniden 520xl and Cobra 19DXIV being mentioned. Of the two I like that the Uniden doesn't reset the channel every time you power off. I don't like that neither of them have a red display. I redid the LEDs, switches, and indicators in my cab to match my radio so it's all red now.

    Making it Fit
    How big are they? I know everybody has them in the ash tray location but I have a large hole from where I removed the stock radio and replaced it with my aftermarket deck that is half the height. This way i get to keep my ash tray for my coins :) But, i'd have to build some kind of spacer for that area. I can live with that though.

    The Mic and Antenna
    Like I said I wouldn't be using it very much so I also appreciate that those units have a removable microphone, so i could store it in the glove box and maintain a clean interior look until I needed it. I'd match it with either a magnetic mount antenna on the top [read: removable, matches my frequency of use] like a K40 or Little Wilson, or with one of those 4' Firesticks mounted with a fold-down mechanism at one of my tie down points in the bed, so I could lay it down out of the way to get my fabric bed cover on when I want to. Which is better, the mag mount or the firestick?


    Any advice or real-world experience to point me with?? Thanks guys :D



    edit: I have extensively searched for, read through, and bookmarked all the CB threads. Trust me, i know they're there. I'm looking for new information.
     
  2. Jan 10, 2011 at 7:57 PM
    #2
    paintdiddy

    paintdiddy Machine gun shits

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    I believe there I a cb thread.use the search button
     
  3. Jan 10, 2011 at 7:59 PM
    #3
    ColtsTRD

    ColtsTRD Well-Known Member

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    I rock a CB...And I don't wheel all that much anymore. I gotta 4' Wilson Antenna and a Cobra CB
     
  4. Jan 10, 2011 at 7:59 PM
    #4
    Unknown

    Unknown He who angers you conquers you

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    Pedro, I dont think you will need it
     
  5. Jan 10, 2011 at 8:30 PM
    #5
    pidro_el_pirata

    pidro_el_pirata [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yea, i know i dont need it. But i want it! Haha.

    California drivers: is it legal to have a CHP scanner in the car?
     
  6. Jan 10, 2011 at 8:33 PM
    #6
    DSully72

    DSully72 2WD Problems

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    im getting one too at some point... im also hooking up a PA speaker to it. im putting the compact cobra where my ashtray is.
     
  7. Jan 10, 2011 at 8:33 PM
    #7
    Unknown

    Unknown He who angers you conquers you

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  8. Jan 10, 2011 at 8:35 PM
    #8
    Blue

    Blue You're my boy blue

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    i rock a cb and pa
     
  9. Jan 10, 2011 at 8:36 PM
    #9
    pidro_el_pirata

    pidro_el_pirata [OP] Well-Known Member

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  10. Jan 10, 2011 at 8:36 PM
    #10
    Unknown

    Unknown He who angers you conquers you

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    Same here, But i rarely use my PA.
     
  11. Jan 10, 2011 at 8:36 PM
    #11
    DSully72

    DSully72 2WD Problems

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    i want a good weather resistant pa speaker. any suggestions? and whats the deal on tuning the antenna? my dad had a cb in his old frontier and he never tuned it. but he had one of those small through glass ones which is what i want.
     
  12. Jan 10, 2011 at 8:38 PM
    #12
    Blue

    Blue You're my boy blue

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    i have a cheap $10 PA speaker thats not very loud but its weather resistant
     
  13. Jan 10, 2011 at 8:39 PM
    #13
    pidro_el_pirata

    pidro_el_pirata [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Explained: http://www.rightchannelradios.com/pages/cb-antenna-tuning-and-swr-explained-pv-c0-58.html
    How-To: http://www.rightchannelradios.com/pages/cb-antenna-tuning-guide-pv-c0-61.html

    I wasnt kidding when I said I've read all the threads on the subject haha.


    When you guys say "PA" you're talking about an external speaker, so you can amplify yourself and have it heard outside the car, like the cops when they're pulling people over? Or do you just mean to hear your CB outside?
     
  14. Jan 10, 2011 at 8:41 PM
    #14
    Blue

    Blue You're my boy blue

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    like the cops
     
  15. Jan 10, 2011 at 8:44 PM
    #15
    pidro_el_pirata

    pidro_el_pirata [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Whats the point? Wheeling? Any use outside of 4x4?
     
  16. Jan 10, 2011 at 8:45 PM
    #16
    Blue

    Blue You're my boy blue

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    most of its for shits and giggles. i sometimes use it when some one is spotting me and its raining/snowing like hell and i dont want to put the windows down
     
  17. Jan 10, 2011 at 8:50 PM
    #17
    pidro_el_pirata

    pidro_el_pirata [OP] Well-Known Member

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    You can see the spot I want to fill underneath my radio. It looks like it has a face plate but it's actually just a really good-looking piece of spray-painted cardboard :cool:

    [​IMG]


    And, since this is just turning into a BS thread anyways, here's my display with the lights off :D Very proud of the red. The green lights on the gear indicator, clock, airbag indicator, and a/c switch are not accessible. Everything else has been turned red.

    [​IMG]
     
  18. Jan 10, 2011 at 8:55 PM
    #18
    Ridgerunner

    Ridgerunner Well-Known Member

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    2001 with; cat-back side-swept twin exhaust, elbow mod, Westin bullbar with Hella 450 driving lights, Snugtop XTR camper shell, TRD off-road 2x4-black beauty.
    OP I see a radio hobby in your future:D
    1. cb went "out of style" in the late 70s. Now it is used for its intended purpose-communication.
    2. Even if your "need" for one is small-using one for the hobby of it is a good thing too-nothing wrong with it.
    3. If you get one-do it right...tune that antenna to the radio...make a solid ground connection etc. search this forum under "CB" we have good info
    4. Far as I know, police scanners are allowed in Cali-I have one in my truck and YES the CHP freqs are plugged in:D especially the ones for the Sacramento area when we go visit son in Folsom...you know I love those long stretches. Just don't get involved in any police or fire business with it.
     
  19. Jan 10, 2011 at 8:55 PM
    #19
    Mudman

    Mudman Well-Known Member

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    Im in the process of putting mines in. I got a Cobra 29, it's pretty bulky. But the 5ft Firestik with quick release and HD spring look pretty ridiculous! lol
     
  20. Jan 10, 2011 at 8:57 PM
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    Blue

    Blue You're my boy blue

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