CB specifics

No, it's not that unusual. We always have at least a week or two in the summer where it's stupid hot. Opposite in the winter. We get a big storm or two with a bunch of snow and crazy cold temps. This past winter we got 30"+ of snow in one day. We are a place of extremes I guess. They also never know what the hell the weather is going to be. With some small mountains to the west, a large bay and the ocean to the east, the weather forecast changes fast.

 

Baltimore weather saying "Don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes. It'll change"

 

Wow, I didn't know that it could get that hot up there in that part of the globe?! And +30" snow in one day is KRAZY!!! Iowa can be that way I know that for a fact, LMAO!!!

Yeah, and Miss Mother Nature is like to us!!! LMAO!!!

 

I haven't read thru all 15 pages and I know the original intent was a nicer hard mounted set up.

I'm looking for something that is portable. Im in oklahoma so most of our area is flat and treeless (sounds nice huh lol) anyway I'm looking at this unit for an upcoming trip to the Texas Hill Country. Has anyone tried this set up? Or suggest one similar. We will be in a fairly large group and like I said, not much hills or trees. So I think the range should be fine. I wouldn't imagine I will need more than a mile, 2 at most for this trip anyway. And I can/will upgrade my antenna at a later time

Cobra HHROADTRIP 40-Channel CB Radio https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000069DOV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fWdLxbVRSQW8Q

 

I route mine out of the grommet right behind the driver's seat. I just heated up a screw driver and melted a nice hole and squeezed it though. That was with a coax that you route through the cab, and then solder the other end on. It made routing it easier.

 

Stock rubber duckies SUCK!!! If you want portable this is a very nice unit. A bit more expensive, but I recommend this one because of it is fairly unique! Plus, it has NOAA weather, which is a nice to have feature!!!

$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-75-8...qid=1469338234&sr=1-1&keywords=Midland+75-822

 

Cobra 19 and a Little Wil makes for an inexpensive non permanent setup and easy on the budget. Those floppy antennas are garbage.

 

I've just read all 15 pages and really am wondering what kind of comms set up I should be getting. I don't wheel much other than to camp. My truck is my DD. I have two midland h/h walkie talkies in my front cubby for whatever. I'm working on making my truck more expo capable. Truth is I would like to be able to send/receive communications in case needed. I.E. no cell service. Back in the service I used secure comms daily (satphones and the like). I don't have any interest in getting a HAM license right now. Maybe in the future. Just asking for a little guidance. Thankyou for all the info so far.

 

And hopefully install would not be too bad. Just to put things in perspective my Snorkel kit is still in my garage from two years ago. And I have not installed my Redline hood struts for 4 months now. Just saying.

 

Wilson mag mounts are super easy and SWR is generally spot on right out of the box. No mounts or grounds to worry about and perform better than the crappy Firestiks everyone always suggests. Then just decide on how many features you want from your radio. Full size are ideal but sometimes hard to fit in a Tacoma but it can be done.

 

I already have a 4ft firestik that was supposed to come with a CB that I bought off of another member when I bought his bumper but it never showed up. At least the bumper did. So honestly I can keep the firestik as a spare and start all brand new. I'm liking the Uniden PRO 520 (for its simplicity and size) and the

$142 Uniden Bearcat 880 CB Radio with 40 Channels and Large Easy-to-Read 7-Color LCD Display with Backlighting, Backlit Control Knobs/Buttons, NOAA Weather Alert, PA/CB Switch, and Wireless Mic Compatible

Uniden Bearcat 880 ( for its features). Bearcat may be more than I need but its only $50 more than the 520.

 

Hate to break it to you, but it sounds like you need a ham radio/license for your needs. CBs are mostly for a group keeping in contact while wheeling, but don't reach farther than a few miles (generally) which is pretty useless in an emergency situation in the middle of nowhere.

 

I have a ham license, and I plan to add VHF/UHF to the truck at some point. But, for peace of mind when in remote areas with my kids, I went with an inReach. It's not cheap and it requires a service plan, but it is exactly the right solution to my needs. In short, it gives you text messaging capability anyplace in the world with reasonable access to the sky (so, not inside a structure so much, but does work in deep valleys etc.). In addition it has an SOS button that sends a generic "I need help" text to a dedicated SAR coordination center. After initiating a call for help, you can communicate via text with the SAR center to describe the problem and they can provide updates on ETA or medical instructions. Importantly, you can cancel your SOS call if you get the situation sorted out yourself. I also use the tracking feature to log my position and provide automatic position updates to interested parties. As for messages, the most common message I send is "I'm on my way back, ETA XX:00".

DeLorme inReach SE Satellite Tracker

https://www.amazon.com/Delorme-AG-0...e=UTF8&qid=1469372734&sr=8-1&keywords=inreach

 

I have the COBRA 19 Ultra iii as my permanent mobile and it does the job very well!!! I agree with Luse, but the only thing I disagree with is that I have the older non-tunable 4ft Firestik and it has a good SWR out of box! HOWEVER, I like my 4ft Francis a bit more because it is much lighter. Probably NOT as rugged as the Firestik, but who knows until they TEST it on "low ceilings"!!! LOL!!! The Francis has a very good SWR out of box as well though so it just all depends on whatever you buy. Just know that the Francis does NOT have a "tuning lug" like most CB antennas do nowadays!!! Well, at least my Francis does not have a tuning lug other than one trimming theirs down???!!! You'd have to cut your antenna to tune the Francis, which, personally, I don't care for!!! Soooo, with that said, I don't recommend any particular name brand other than just giving my thoughts about what I have and have experience with.

Regarding CB overall, YES, I would NOT rely on CB as a safe form of comms in case of non-cell coverage situations, BUT it is better than NOT having one. My philosophy, not everyone has a CB and not everyone has a HAM so my SHTF situations is to try to prep for worst case scenarios short of setting my rig on for smoke signal use!!! CB's are much easier to deal with overall for short range trail comms. Technically, you need a license to use HAM channels, but to each their own. I can't and/or won't stop someone from using the HAM radios, I just don't condone the illegal use and again, just my humble thoughts and 2cents!!!

Also, people use the HAM radios to access off-banding channels, which I also don't condone because I worked along side with public safety radio comms and the LAST THING you want to do is inadvertantly TX on emergency channels for obvious reasons!!!!!!! Not because of possibly getting into trouble, but simply because you might be disrupting an emergency channel/situation!!! Fire dispatch (I.e. public safety agencies) DO USE non-trunking conventional channels and/or SIMPLEX radio-to-radio comms sometimes for various reasons!!! Just something to think about and take into consideration when off-banding!!! I don't agree with ALL of the comm laws, but I have to admit that their are reasons for rules/regulations for a reason for certain things and/or situations!!! Again just my humble opinion on the matter and my 2cents!!!

I hope this somewhat helps?

Btw, the

$65 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 is a nice unit. My friend has the

$40 Uniden PRO505XL 40-Channel CB Radio. Pro-Series, Compact Design. Public Address (PA) Function. Instant Emergency Channel 9, External Speaker Jack, Large Easy to Read Display. - Black

Uniden PRO505XL with the only main difference with less features!!!

 

VERY NICE!!! LOL, gonna look into this one as well!!! Thanks for that info

 

By rubber duckies? Do you mean the roof antenna they have for the car?

 

The stock antenna for the CB and/or just about any radio in general are not very efficient especially transmit!!!

 

Quick question for the CB wizards in this group.

I have a 4' firestick mounted on a Relentless Fab Hood Hinge Ditch Light bracket. The bracket is powdercoated black. Would it be crazy of me to assume the powdercoat needs to be taken off on each end for the purpose of a ground? Along with that, if the ground on that end doesn't exist because of the powdercoating would that prevent my swr meter from reading anything whatsoever when hooked up and trying to calibrate the antenna?

Ok maybe it was more than just a quick question. LOL

 

The grounding is for your antenna's ground plane!!! You need to remove the powder coating because it will act as an insulator, if you will. Your antennas lug/bolt canNOT TOUCH the bracket directly!!! Hence, the reason you will see, for example, the plastic spacer/separator for a a Firestik antenna lug/bolt assembly.

see page#6 post#105 of this thread for my example and

see page#11 post#201 of this thread for my example.