CB radio questions

chris

cltdba
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Sep 28, 2009
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Concord, NC
I want to mount the CB in the dash in place of my cd player. Do they make CBs that will do that? I would wire it into speakers in cab. Don't want to use the speaker in the CB of course. Whats the best place to get something like this?
 
the cobra 18 will fit in the DIN spot. I mounted one just below the CD player in my old toyota. Most have a plug for an external speaker, but its kinda like a headphone jack (I think).
Not the best picture, but:
 
the cobra 18 will fit in the DIN spot. I mounted one just below the CD player in my old toyota. Most have a plug for an external speaker, but its kinda like a headphone jack (I think).
Not the best picture, but:

If I am not mistaken the Cobra 18 is purposely made for Din/enclosure mounting. Even has the speaker and mic connection on the front. Would be a lot easier to grab a Cobra 18 than doing a bunch of custom fab work.
 
That is ecactly what i am looking for. Cobra 18 it is! thanks! I won't even need an external speaker with that one.
 
those Wilson mag-mounts are probably the best for reception, but for off-road use and a decent compromise, its hard to beat a 4' Firestick.
 
If I am not mistaken the Cobra 18 is purposely made for Din/enclosure mounting. Even has the speaker and mic connection on the front. Would be a lot easier to grab a Cobra 18 than doing a bunch of custom fab work.

I dont know about designed to be a DIN mount...It came with all the normal bracketry for mounting it, and you can see in the pic the external speaker jack is not present on the front. It was on the back for mine. It does fit, BUT I had to do some careful modding of the CD rail mounts and dash bezel. There was actually very little left of the rail mount once it was done, just enough to get a couple screws in to hold it firmly to the under side of the CD player. Actually it was so close to the ducting that I had to use a 90* coax fitting on the antenna wire. I think what held it in place best was being jammed against the ducting and the dash bezel....haha. That Mo'Fo wasnt going anywhere though. Good luck man!
The actual model number is Cobra 18 wx st40 :beer:
 
The cb speaker output isnt going to power your speakers, but you can get an external cb speaker for <$15 at any truck stop. I cut the dash in my xj to install the cb above the cd player, but never put it in as I've never really seen anyone use them on the trail other than for someone to chat with the guy in front of them. Never used the one in my bronco either. Would rather just listen to music.
 
The amount of use you will get out of your CB on the trails is based on a few key things:

1.)How many people you are wheeling with.

2.)How many people in your group are using CBs

3.)What kind/quality CBs you have in your group

If only 2 people in your group have CBs (out of say 6) and they are crappy wal-mart knock offs you probably won't be using them much. I have first hand experience with this.

I was actually surprised on my last weekend long trip at URE how much use we got out of the CBs. I was a larger group and we split into 2 smaller groups as we did Rocky Mount Loop, to Saw Mill, and then to Wolfs Den and down Falls Dam. My little group of 3 was ahead of the big group and I was able to radio back from time to time to see what was going on. Even at one point we had just finished Saw Mill and were debating doing Falls Dam. Radioed to the big group and they JUST had started doing Saw Mill from RML. So we were able to decide to go ahead and run the trail. But the biggest advantage is using CBs between the front and trail gunner to keep the group together etc.
 
For some reason, music really breaks my concentration when wheeling. I tried it for a while, but couldn't stand it. So I pulled the amp and subs out and leave the radio off. Figured I'd put the CB in just in case I needed it. I've seen several events where they recommended or even required a CB so I'd be ready for those too.

I'm gonna order the cobra 18 from amazon for 63 bucks. I have a $25 rewards certificate from using my amazon CC so that'll cover some of the cost. Just got done wiring my lights. Hate to think about running any more wire. :(
 
I have 1 of each... the Lil' Will on the tow rig & actually K40 on the Moss. I also have mounts & quick disco power in both, so the CB is interchangeable.

The only time mine gets used is for larger groups & larger events... the rest of the time is for chitchat. The only time you'll miss it is when it's needed and NOT available! (kinda like a fire extinguisher :lol:)
 
I'm looking at these two antennas. I would mount it on my rear bumper. Likely on the passenger side since I have so many wires going up driver side already. Also thought about horizontal mounting to my roof rack. Which one would be best?

Firestik:

http://www.amazon.com/FireStik-KW4-...6?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1257952974&sr=1-6

Lil Wil:
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Wil-Wi...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1257952249&sr=8-2

Vertical on the roof rack would be the best, so the antenna can use the roof as a good ground plane, next best would be something vertical on the hood. I would only put it on the bumper if it was tall enough to clear the roof.

Duane
 
I have 1 of each... the Lil' Will on the tow rig & actually K40 on the Moss. I also have mounts & quick disco power in both, so the CB is interchangeable.
The only time mine gets used is for larger groups & larger events... the rest of the time is for chitchat. The only time you'll miss it is when it's needed and NOT available! (kinda like a fire extinguisher :lol:)

Hows the reception with the K40? Where is it mounted?
 
Hows the reception with the K40? Where is it mounted?

Excellent reception from the K40, but transmission is where it's at! :D Either buying or borrowing an SWR meter to set the Standing Wave is crucial to transmission & longevity... Tim King fine tuned mine several years ago.

Sitting on top of a HD spring (firestick broke because of rigid mounting) mounted on a bracket just above the tailgate (largest horz. sheetmetal is the hood, so mounting it there that ain't gonna happen :lol: ) with zero issues since
 
caverdave, good to see you are still around!
 
I have a magnet roof mount, so when I hit the woods, I can move it to the bumper. I have a cobra 25 that is peaked at like 30 watts, so recpetion is no issue
 
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