Thread: CB recommendations?

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  1. #1 CB recommendations? 
    Senior Member Grand Slam West Planner Ted_Z's Avatar
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    I need to pick up a CB for GSW. I'd like to find some thing realitively inexpensive since I don't normally use CB's. I'd also like it to be compact so I'm not taking up a bunch of leg room or even mount it inside the center console. What about hand-helds?
    -Ted Z
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  2. #2 Re: CB recommendations? 
    Senior Member Grand Slam West Planner
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    Handhelds would be fine for on trail use. Distance is not great with them, but we're in close quarters on the trail (always keep the rigs in front/back in view). Otherwise, a Cobra 75WX is a hidden unit that only has a handset in plain view.

    Other than that, you'd probably be fine with a Cobra 19 or something like that. The one you saw in my Heep (Cobra 25 LTD Classic) is probably not what you want to get. New, they run $80-120

    Mine's peaked, tweaked and modified, and I've had it for about 12 years.
    Jim Karlin
    Project Big Red Jeep
    96 ZJ, 4" inch lift (Claytons, Teraflex coils), 33" Kumho MT KL71s, Aussie in the rear
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  3. #3 Re: CB recommendations? 
    Senior Member Grand Slam West Planner Cody's Avatar
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    I have a cobra 75 WXST and it's nice and compact, but it's pretty old and beat up. I get a ton of static on it...but that might be a product of the magnetic antenna I use. I'm going to try and fine a 1/2 din sized unit and dash mount it...

    My buddy uses this one, and he has much better range than me
    http://cgi.ebay.com/COBRA-18-WX-ST-I...QQcmdZViewItem
    Resident hater of tall lifts, dana 44's, 4.0's, stingers, exo cages, and ZJ tow rigs....and the word "overlanding"
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  4. #4 Re: CB recommendations? 
    Member JBN311's Avatar
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    I just picked up a small one from RadioShack.
    Does fine for what I use it for.
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  5. #5 Re: CB recommendations? 
    Senor Member Lifetime Supporter ArloGuthroJeep's Avatar
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    x2 on 75 WX ST...have run one for 3 years now and has worked well for me. No static although I do have to turn up the squelch with the engine on (alternator noise I suspect).
    -Ryan
    '04 WJ w/6" on Clayton LA's, 242 SYE, 4.56 (locked 44a), 35" BFG MT KM2's
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  6. #6 Re: CB recommendations? 
    Senior Member grandmaster's Avatar
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    I just barely picked up a cobra (unsure of the model) at my friends brother in law pawn shop in St. George. Have only used it once and sounds really good, but i would like a bit more range. I only paid 30 bucks for the cb and antenna. Retail for the CB is $75. And im pretty sure its on cobras website in the last page of CB radios.
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  7. #7 Re: CB recommendations? 
    Senior Member Grand Slam West Planner
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    Crazy good deals can be had at pawn shops. Most of the time, the company running the shop has not a fucking clue what they have, so you can get some incredible pricing.
    Jim Karlin
    Project Big Red Jeep
    96 ZJ, 4" inch lift (Claytons, Teraflex coils), 33" Kumho MT KL71s, Aussie in the rear
    A bunch of KOR stuff
    Taurus e-fan swap (DC Controls box)

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  8. #8 Re: CB recommendations? 
    Senior Member Grand Slam West Planner Ted_Z's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by fpkites View Post
    Crazy good deals can be had at pawn shops. Most of the time, the company running the shop has not a fucking clue what they have, so you can get some incredible pricing.
    I bet. The problem is that I don't have a fucking clue about CB's either

    Right now I'm looking at the Radio Shack TRC-503 'cause its, cheap, small and readily available.
    Last edited by Ted_Z; 04-15-2008 at 02:32 PM.
    -Ted Z
    '97 Grand Cherokee Laredo w/ stuff
    '02 Grand Cherokee Limited w/ less stuff
    Quote Originally Posted by Cody View Post
    everytime someone makes a bumper with a stinger, God kills 6 baby Koala's.
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  9. #9 Re: CB recommendations? 
    Senior Member Grand Slam West Planner
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    Jot down some notes of what you see at pawn shops - I think you've got a Jumping Jack Cash down in your area, don't you?

    Also, Big Lots a few months ago had a screaming deal on a Cobra 18-ish CB. Like 20 bones or something. Take a look at their ad.
    Jim Karlin
    Project Big Red Jeep
    96 ZJ, 4" inch lift (Claytons, Teraflex coils), 33" Kumho MT KL71s, Aussie in the rear
    A bunch of KOR stuff
    Taurus e-fan swap (DC Controls box)

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  10. #10 Re: CB recommendations? 
    Senior Member grandmaster's Avatar
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    I agree, pawn shops are the way to go if you can find them there. And they usually have something there so you can test them and make sure they work.
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  11. #11 Re: CB recommendations? 
    Senior Member DJJordache's Avatar
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    Uniden 520XL got it cheap off of ebay and it works great!
    93' ZJ 4.7L STROKER, Clayton LONGARMS, 4wd conversion, 231 SYE, HPD30, 8.8, BFG 35's, 2000 manifold & injectors, Hesco fpr, Port & polish, LS1 valves, WJ Steering/brakes, KOR SliderZ & steering box brace, Clayton TB bracket and my custom trackbar, Crane ignition, B&M cooler, Tom Woods, etc....
    Quote Originally Posted by Krash80 View Post
    We're all insane here...
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  12. #12 Re: CB recommendations? 
    Member vinny4130's Avatar
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    i saw cobra 19s at a biglots store about a month ago. they were 30 or 35.
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  13. #13 Re: CB recommendations? 
    Senior Member Grand Slam West Planner PassRunnerZJ's Avatar
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    Honestly, I think it is more in the antenna and proper mounting than the radio unit. Also, find a SWR meter and get the antenna set for the radio. I used a hand held for a couple of years with a magnetic antenna from wally world, but wasn't real happy with the bulk, but it worked. Spend some money on a better antenna though. I understand that line filters are good too, I need one as I'm getting some extra static.
    '98 ZJ, 33s and an XJ drivetrain, Iron Rock Offroad 4.5" Critical Path suspension lift, D44i, custom rear bumper w/tire carrier, KOR ZJ Radiator Support
    '95 ZJ - after 208k and the fun gear swapped to the '98, now it gets setup to sell
    '01 WJ, T/C skid, K&N replacement - wife's DD
    '04 Honda Civic - my DD

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  14. #14 Re: CB recommendations? 
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    $20 unit from Wally World. Works fine but I heard they are not selling 'em around here anymore. My brother has the small (cheapest) one Radioshack sells and it is the worst cb I have ever used in my life. Half the time he talks all I hear is aweful noise and half the time when we talk to him it cuts out.
    04 Dub -- Longarms, JK44, 9" ARB's etc.
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  15. #15 Re: CB recommendations? 
    Senior Member Grand Slam West Planner Cody's Avatar
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    I used to not really care about the CB, but as I do more of these long range trips, I've found it very handy.

    Last fall we had a group of 11 vehicles, 3 of us had pretty good range so we spaced out front/middle/rear. At some times the front and back were 20-30 minutes apart, but we were able to call out and confirm important turns via CB which was critical to making good time.

    I think the antenna is a big part too, and from what I know of them, the only useful part of the antenna is the part that extends above the ground plane of the vehicle (the highest point of ground, which for us is the roof). I'd really like to find a dual CB/HAM radio and get HAM licensed. We had a couple HAM radios in the backcountry last year and I can see how those would come in handy. Crazy range.
    Resident hater of tall lifts, dana 44's, 4.0's, stingers, exo cages, and ZJ tow rigs....and the word "overlanding"
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  16. #16 Re: CB recommendations? 
    Senior Member Grand Slam West Planner
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    A HAM radio can save your life. Certification isn't that hard either - basic electronic knowledge and memorize the rules and frequencies, and you can get it. Equipment's not cheap though, at least the good stuff. Even a simple handheld HAM rig can do some amazing stuff.
    Jim Karlin
    Project Big Red Jeep
    96 ZJ, 4" inch lift (Claytons, Teraflex coils), 33" Kumho MT KL71s, Aussie in the rear
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  17. #17 Re: CB recommendations? 
    Senior Member Lifetime Supporter ZJ TINS's Avatar
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    Cody you might seriously look into antennas and antenna mountings first. A 102” whip is the best, several top brands out there. If you can’t live with that height then properly designed coils can make up for the height.
    Where you place the antenna on a vehicle is also critical. The sensitivity is affective by the vehicle metal. So if you place the ant on the rear the front signal is much stronger than the rear and visa versa.
    Ham radios run different freqs and power.
    I don’t know what distance you want but a well designed CB system can go quite far.
    At some point you might also check your SWR. If you system is out of tune you can be losing power to internal mismatches.
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  18. #18 Re: CB recommendations? 
    Senior Member Grand Slam West Planner
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    Speaking of SWR, I'll make sure to have my meter in the Heep for GSW if anybody needs assistance with a tune.
    Jim Karlin
    Project Big Red Jeep
    96 ZJ, 4" inch lift (Claytons, Teraflex coils), 33" Kumho MT KL71s, Aussie in the rear
    A bunch of KOR stuff
    Taurus e-fan swap (DC Controls box)

    GSW 2010 Pics
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  19. #19 Re: CB recommendations? 
    Senior Member Grand Slam West Planner PassRunnerZJ's Avatar
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    I too have heard good things about the new HAM radios, but unless everyone has one it makes it tough. But a good thought. If Radio Shack still made their FSR with the power in the antena base, those are great. My borther and I have a set we use and can get over two miles of clear commication, but alas...
    '98 ZJ, 33s and an XJ drivetrain, Iron Rock Offroad 4.5" Critical Path suspension lift, D44i, custom rear bumper w/tire carrier, KOR ZJ Radiator Support
    '95 ZJ - after 208k and the fun gear swapped to the '98, now it gets setup to sell
    '01 WJ, T/C skid, K&N replacement - wife's DD
    '04 Honda Civic - my DD

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  20. #20 Re: CB recommendations? 
    Senior Member Grand Slam West Planner
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    I can clear 2 miles with my CB, but you won't get that out of the box
    Jim Karlin
    Project Big Red Jeep
    96 ZJ, 4" inch lift (Claytons, Teraflex coils), 33" Kumho MT KL71s, Aussie in the rear
    A bunch of KOR stuff
    Taurus e-fan swap (DC Controls box)

    GSW 2010 Pics
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  21. #21 Re: CB recommendations? 
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    Quote Originally Posted by fpkites View Post
    I can clear 2 miles with my CB, but you won't get that out of the box
    Only 2?? I was at 470 and University one night talking to a trucker at 70 and Genessee. There was somethin funky going on there though.

    I run the cheapie unit from Wal-Mart in both the truck and the Jeep. FireStik antennas in both as well. Works good enough for me. The setup I used to have in the Jeep worked REALLY well, but the CB didn't care for the exposure to the elements all that much.
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  22. #22 Re: CB recommendations? 
    Senior Member Grand Slam West Planner
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    Dave, that would be a skip - I've definitely had those in my day.

    We did pretty good when I was catching up with you, Scott and Putz on the way home last year.
    Jim Karlin
    Project Big Red Jeep
    96 ZJ, 4" inch lift (Claytons, Teraflex coils), 33" Kumho MT KL71s, Aussie in the rear
    A bunch of KOR stuff
    Taurus e-fan swap (DC Controls box)

    GSW 2010 Pics
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  23. #23 Re: CB recommendations? 
    Senior Member Lifetime Supporter
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    Quote Originally Posted by fpkites View Post
    Dave, that would be a skip - I've definitely had those in my day.

    We did pretty good when I was catching up with you, Scott and Putz on the way home last year.
    Yeah, I was pretty sure it was a skip. I can usually get 1-2 miles range easy around town, more in the flatland west of GJ on the way to Moab.
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  24. #24 Re: CB recommendations? 
    Senior Member Grand Slam West Planner Ted_Z's Avatar
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    Update: I picked up a Uniden PRO 510XL and a magnetic antenna off ebay. $26 shipped, woot. I might invest in a better antenna at a later date but this should get me buy for now.
    -Ted Z
    '97 Grand Cherokee Laredo w/ stuff
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    everytime someone makes a bumper with a stinger, God kills 6 baby Koala's.
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  25. #25 Re: CB recommendations? 
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    That should serve you quite well on the trail. I wanna say Pam's is a 510, but it's also been peaked and tweaked. I re-ran the coax for the CB in the ZJ after 7 years. Something tells me the spots where the rubber shielding around the cable had worn off and bare wire exposed was negatively impacting my CB's performance.
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