CB Radio's

mcbadwish · Dec 31, 2010

Was wondering what you guys are running for cb's in your trail rigs? I have been looking at those galaxy 959's. And probably going to run a stainless whip.

KarlVP · Dec 31, 2010

I run cheap CB's that I find on ebay.

This is only because I can't seem to keep one alive for very long. They either get wet or full of sand/dust.

Ty. · Dec 31, 2010

Cheap Uniden. I cut some radiator hose, and tucked it in above it to keep the rain, and mud off.

Good enough for me.

Bodaciouscj7 · Dec 31, 2010

Ive always run cobra 29ltd's with a 48 inch firestick.

DO NOT RUN A STAINLESS WHIP. When the get to whipping around on the trail they can hit and injure onlookers.

TrikeKid · Dec 31, 2010

I'll be picking up a Uniden 510XL when I can, Every one I've played with has whooped the hell out of the high dollar Cobras my dad has in his work truck. Hell, he's got extra Cobras sitting around and went and bought a 510 for his pickup and my mom's car instead. Big power from a small package and they're under $50 bucks.

t1h5ta3 · Dec 31, 2010

tow rig

wheeler

pokey · Dec 31, 2010

Bodaciouscj7 said:
Ive always run cobra 29ltd's with a 48 inch firestick.

DO NOT RUN A STAINLESS WHIP. When the get to whipping around on the trail they can hit and injure onlookers.

We dont even allow them in our club unless their tied down.

Jim1 · Dec 31, 2010

Cobra 75WXST

zuk88 · Dec 31, 2010

Yeah the long wips suck and can hurt people and can even wip the driver too.After a few years mine broke while side hilling at Rim rock.I run a Midland cb,works good.

mcbadwish · Jan 1, 2011

Thats probably a good call on the whip I wont run it. And as far as being in the woods does it matter if the cb is over 4 watts or not?

boardbysled · Jan 1, 2011

KarlVP said:
I run cheap CB's that I find on ebay.

This is only because I can't seem to keep one alive for very long. They either get wet or full of sand/dust.

This.

Ty. said:
Cheap Uniden. I cut some radiator hose, and tucked it in above it to keep the rain, and mud off.

Good enough for me.

And this. The Unidens seen to last a little longer and get out a little better.

chainsaw · Jan 1, 2011

Ive got a uniden 510 and a 102" stainless whip. Works great. Use good coax and roind the radio directly to the battery for best results.

Lamar · Jan 1, 2011

mcbadwish said:
Thats probably a good call on the whip I wont run it. And as far as being in the woods does it matter if the cb is over 4 watts or not?

Dear mcbadwish;
Heck no! Hook that puppy up to a 50 watt linear amp and blow everyone's doors off! People will be able to hear you throughout the state my friend! Of course, you still won't be able to hear THEM responding to you, but life goes that way.

Actually, by fed law all CBs are limited to 4 watts maximum output. In all honesty, there's no advantage to using an *amped up* CB radio unless you are talking to someone else that has an amped up CB as well. Why? Because even though YOU are able to transmit further, most of the people at the receiving end of your transmissions cannot contact you because their power output is only 4 watts.
Your friend;
LAMAR

mcbadwish · Jan 1, 2011

Yeah I realize its not really legal to run over 4watts without a license but most of the group I wheel with dosent have cb's yet so we were all thinking about getting the 10m cb's the galaxy 959 is rated to 40watts I think. Im leaning towards the cheaper uniden now like you guys said no sense putting a nice cb in and swamping it.

TigTorch · Jan 2, 2011

I have two Uniden 520XL's. They're cheep 60 bucks and have been reliable.

The key thing to remember is that a vehicle is a HORRIBLE platform for a radio station. There is a ton of radio interference from wiring, ignition and mostly the electronic fuel pump. All the installation tips you read about on the net like using exactly 19 feet of co-ax, a power wire straight to the battery ect, are all just a waste of time because a vehicle makes so much RF noise anyways.

Any sort of noise canceling features are good to have, you'll probably have them switched on most of the time.

travisyota83 · Jan 3, 2011

i run a uniden 510 with an 102" whip and 18 feet of coax. i have better ears than most anyone else and usually have more luck reaching out. if you run a 102" run the 18 foot coax its the magic number for 102". and run power directly off your battery. and dont forget GOOD GROUNDS.

run the coax and the power like that and it will work better than if you dont. but yes vehicles do suck for radios.

if your lookin for a sweet radio and a knowledgeable builder i suggest going here
http://www.radioactiveradios.com/