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Help me choose a cb setup.

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by Nixinus, Jun 2, 2013.

  1. Jun 2, 2013 at 1:16 PM
    #1
    Nixinus

    Nixinus [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I am new to cb radios but used to have my ham radio license. Unfortunately it lapsed and I would like to install a cb with pa in my truck. So far this is what I am considering:

    Cobra 19
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00083KUVS/ref=redir_mdp_mobile

    PA
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002KO63X2/ref=pd_aw_sim_e_3?pi=SL500_SS115

    Firestick 4ft with spring and mounted behind the truck with a tailgate mount http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/ba...2-bamf-2nd-gen-tailgate-cb-antenna-mount.html.

    Here are the restrictions:

    Under $100,
    Must be able to mount with bestop supertop,
    Must be able to mount with a tailgate reinforcement plate.

    That last requirement makes me doubt the tailgate mount will work. Any other options that I have? Thanks fellow enthusiasts, help me choose the best setup for someone looking mostly for a pa but the occasional cb use!
     
  2. Jun 2, 2013 at 1:18 PM
    #2
    Monster Coma

    Monster Coma Well-Known Member

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    Cobra 75wxst. on sale at Amazon right now for less than $75
     
  3. Jun 2, 2013 at 1:32 PM
    #3
    Nixinus

    Nixinus [OP] Well-Known Member

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    That is a nice unit but since I need the whole setup its out of my price range for what I need at the moment.
     
  4. Jun 2, 2013 at 1:37 PM
    #4
    Monster Coma

    Monster Coma Well-Known Member

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    Buy the 75, an 18' coaxial cable, and a 3' firestik. Its right at $100, save and buy the mount later.
     
  5. Jun 2, 2013 at 1:41 PM
    #5
    Monster Coma

    Monster Coma Well-Known Member

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  6. Jun 2, 2013 at 7:18 PM
    #6
    Nixinus

    Nixinus [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks ^^^
     
  7. Jun 2, 2013 at 7:27 PM
    #7
    LUSETACO

    LUSETACO Here for the Taco Pron

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    Yes
    Cobra 19 - $40
    Little Wil - $35
    Total = $75

    Best cheap set-up I would recommend.
     
  8. Jun 4, 2013 at 4:15 AM
    #8
    Frogsauce

    Frogsauce Well-Known Member

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  9. Jun 5, 2013 at 9:33 PM
    #9
    Nixinus

    Nixinus [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ok, here's what I have for now thanks to birthday gifts:

    -Bamf tailgate mount (to clear the bestop)
    -Cobra 75

    I'm thinking about going with a 3' firestick with heavy duty spring and quick disconnect for this mounting application. Any opinions from experience out there?

    Also, any brand of cable you would recommend?
     
  10. Jun 6, 2013 at 5:23 AM
    #10
    Frogsauce

    Frogsauce Well-Known Member

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    If you want to talk farther and are mounting on the tailgate, you may want to consider a taller antenna. General rule of thumb is to have at least 3/4 of the antenna above the cab. 1/2 is acceptable though.

    I have no specific recommendations, but don't skimp on the cable quality or you may have resistance and interference issues. Belden, Firestik, Wilson are all reputable cable makers, but I have not compared them.

    RG8X will work for you and is not very expensive.
     
  11. Jun 6, 2013 at 5:37 AM
    #11
    LUSETACO

    LUSETACO Here for the Taco Pron

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    I'm not sure why everyone has such a hard on for Firestiks. There are far better antennas out there. Like Frogsauce said, better to go with a 4 footer to get over the top of the truck. I would recommend a Francis if you're dead set on a fiberglass whip.

    http://www.francisantennaonline.com/francis_antenna_4_foot_hot_rod_cb_antenna.html

    If you wheel a lot a Wilson flex is a good choice also, although not the best performer.
     
  12. Jun 6, 2013 at 6:57 AM
    #12
    maineah

    maineah Well-Known Member

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    The most effective antenna would be 108" tall any thing else is a compromise. The short antennas are wound with wire to make them electrically 108" In the case of a shorter antenna the longer one would be the best choice. Build quality does enter into the mix also as they have better weather and abuse resistance.
     
  13. Jun 6, 2013 at 11:08 AM
    #13
    Frogsauce

    Frogsauce Well-Known Member

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    Yes, an MFJ 9' whip is great for range. (Isn't 102" what is commonly used in CB though?)

    But you would have a 9' antenna swinging around the trees. Tie it down, and it loses a lot of it's range.

    Since you said occasional CB use, I don't recommend a 9 footer.

    Edit: Actually, for what most guys on this site use a CB for, a 108" would be overkill.
     
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2013
  14. Jun 6, 2013 at 11:11 AM
    #14
    Manwithoutaplan

    Manwithoutaplan the full Monty

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    Just get a Ham CB are worthless.
     
  15. Jun 6, 2013 at 11:18 AM
    #15
    Frogsauce

    Frogsauce Well-Known Member

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    He said he wants to use CB. Not HAM. Legally, you're not supposed to use a HAM on CB freq's.

    Also, I'm sure he doesn't want to take a written test for the AR license to use his radio occasionally.

    I know they say don't feed a troll... but others need to know this before they invest in HAM, only to find out their wheelin trip buddies are all on CB (and <1 mile away).
     
  16. Jun 6, 2013 at 11:23 AM
    #16
    Manwithoutaplan

    Manwithoutaplan the full Monty

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    I very much agree on what you said. But he will learn that CB are worthless and eventually go to Ham once he has used a cb.
     
  17. Jun 6, 2013 at 7:36 PM
    #17
    LUSETACO

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    CB's are far from worthless. Although antiquated, I use mine on a daily basis and it proves to be quite usefull. Not everyone has a desire to get a ham license.
     
  18. Jun 6, 2013 at 7:48 PM
    #18
    Nixinus

    Nixinus [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I was a licensed ham radio operator but found the equipment expensive and overkill for what I needed. I would be using the cb for occasional trips but I was mainly aiming to put a PA setup in my truck for trackday events.

    I know what you are saying though. A cb is worthless if I was planning to use it to connect with randoms on a daily basis. For that I still have my ham radio handheld.
     
  19. Jun 6, 2013 at 8:00 PM
    #19
    BUZZCUT

    BUZZCUT Well-Known Member

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    I have a Galaxy 959 along with twin 5' firesticks mounted on my toolbox. SWR 1.2 on channel 1 and 1.4 on channel 40. I may tweak it a bit but works great. Galaxy makes great radios I swear by them. I just use my radio for distance driving to break up the boredom along with road info.
     
  20. Jun 7, 2013 at 5:00 AM
    #20
    maineah

    maineah Well-Known Member

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    11 meters divided by 4 would be a 1/4 wave antenna at 108.25" that is a starting point. If you add a spring to a 102" whip you will end up with around 108" all of this would have to be tuned of course. This is all ways a problem when you are dealing with HF antennas they are big. The lowest ham band is 160 meters so a 1/4 wave antenna would be about 6,300"! I would not expect people to use a 108" whip (all though we did as kids it was cool) my point is that any thing other then that on 11 meters is a compromise so if you are determined to have the best signal you can the long whip is the winner even when you are talking about a fiberglass whip when you are only talking 4 watts you need the best antenna you can get. I use an antenna I can tune from inside my truck it too is a compromise because it has to be. I TX on any ham band between 10 and 80 meters mobile so a 1/4 wave whip is totally out of the question.
     
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