school me on CB radios

andrewhove

New Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2008
Location
Durham
Looking at getting one to talk on the trails, avoid traffic, get weather etc.

What do I need to know?
Where can I get one?
what can I expect to pay?

thanks
 
For trail use, any CB radio should work. The important thing to remember is to get the antennae tuned to the radio. Any CB shop should be able to help. Also, don't get a CB that's hand held. A good CB with weather channel can cost anwhere from $99.00 to a couple hundred and can be found at any truck stop.
 
All good ideas. You can also get one at Big Lot's w/o weather band for like $40.00
 
wrangler00 said:
i have a cobra and for some reason i can hear people talk but people cant hear me what is wrong with it
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I have a similar problem with my radio shack CB. I can hear/pickup other people great, but unless there is a large distance between the vehicles (7+ car lengths) they can't hear me. Which basically puts trail use in any 3-5 rig sized group to crap. After talking to a few people they have suggested I get my antenna tuned. Which sounds like a logical solution, so we will see.
 
DRaider90 said:
I have a similar problem with my radio shack CB. I can hear/pickup other people great, but unless there is a large distance between the vehicles (7+ car lengths) they can't hear me. Which basically puts trail use in any 3-5 rig sized group to crap. After talking to a few people they have suggested I get my antenna tuned. Which sounds like a logical solution, so we will see.
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Also, have your mic checked.
 
Ray VanBuren said:
Also, have your mic checked.
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That was also the other idea tossed around. That maybe there was some kind of interference coming from the mic. I have a 2nd cb laying around with a busted volume control, but it doesn't have the right connector. So I may be on ebay looking for a mic soon also.
 
Also, the coaxial cable needs to be top quality. The best ones I've seen are fairly thick and usually have grey insulation.
 
Another thing to look at also, don't go out and buy an antenna over 4 ft. long. It's unnecisary and will irritate the hell out of ya. Make sure the Coax cable is not run under bumpers, inside fender wells or anywhere it can get damaged. One little nich or cut in the cable and it's done for. I have a $35 Walmart Cobra 40channel, and used it for a while. Eventually I got tired of replacing all the components. 3 broken antennas, 2 mics ( they don't like being submerged under water ). and 5 coax cables. Honestly it's more trouble than it's worth to have one, but they are nice.
 
DRaider90 said:
I have a similar problem with my radio shack CB. I can hear/pickup other people great, but unless there is a large distance between the vehicles (7+ car lengths) they can't hear me. Which basically puts trail use in any 3-5 rig sized group to crap. After talking to a few people they have suggested I get my antenna tuned. Which sounds like a logical solution, so we will see.
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Try talking with the mic 12-18 inches away from your face. Most people eat the mic and with a decent mic/radio it just overdrives the output.


Matt
 
wrangler00 said:
where can i get my antenna tuned?
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Try Millers over on 321 in Hudson. Good Guy to work with.
Not sure what his hours are on weekdays but I know his is open on Sat. till noon.
Read a little over here and you will find most of your anwsers.
www.cbradiotalk.com :beer:
 
wrangler00 said:
where can i get my antenna tuned?
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I've got an swr meter you can use if you feel like doing it yourself.

Another thing too, the back bumper is the best location for an antenna if you're trail riding but pretty horrible as far as reception/tx strength goes. Don't expect a lot of range out of a trail rig cb setup.
 
braxton357 said:
I've got an swr meter you can use if you feel like doing it yourself.
Another thing too, the back bumper is the best location for an antenna if you're trail riding but pretty horrible as far as reception/tx strength goes. Don't expect a lot of range out of a trail rig cb setup.
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i got some meters, hes got a magnetic ateena thats only 2 feet tall and its killing him bein right beside the tail gate.
 
seems these things are really hard to find in durham. Wal-mart doesn't have one. best buy and radio shack both said they stopped carrying them and the truck stop I called said the cheapest one was over 100 dollars. anyone have any more ideas
 
andrewhove said:
seems these things are really hard to find in durham. Wal-mart doesn't have one. best buy and radio shack both said they stopped carrying them and the truck stop I called said the cheapest one was over 100 dollars. anyone have any more ideas
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Do a search on this board. Maybe someone has one for sale. Or search elsewhere on the internet. You can buy them online.
 
andrewhove said:
seems these things are really hard to find in durham. Wal-mart doesn't have one. best buy and radio shack both said they stopped carrying them and the truck stop I called said the cheapest one was over 100 dollars. anyone have any more ideas
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Try Camping World in Greensboro, or any RV dealer. I have gotten several units there over the years. I think you can probably order one through 4Wheelparts.
 
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