CB Radio help?
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: bryan/college station
CB Radio help?
theo i think you win the cb discussion. youve reached out there. as for the gun control, it sucks. you can get sued for just about anything now days. if you just injure someone breaking in your house, they can sue you. just makes me sick..
still livin in texas
still livin in texas
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,628
Likes: 0
From: Baileyton, TN
CB Radio help?
About radio. I have the commercial version of the Family Radio system, with license. I get to use vhf radios through a pretty good repeater system. There are clubs dedicated to it. Family Radio can be pretty good too. I have used a dish to pull in conversations from the top of Pike's Peak, aiming at distant towns. I have never tried dish transmitting with them though, I am not sure how to adjust the SWR of a dish. 
Theo
Theo
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, OH
CB Radio help?
The biggest problem with CBs is yuou have to get your antenna matched to the radio or you WILL not can WILL blow it up. If you're not sure how to do it, take it to a cb shop to be tuned. I had a 23 channel realistic cb-phone that got me in trouble.... (pushin close to 8 watts). On 11 volts (bad battery) I could talk to people 65 miles away.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,414
Likes: 1,018
From: Central KY
CB Radio help?
I ran various CB radios and antennas for years, and never even knew a SWR meter existed. I never saw any radios blow up or get toasted. I think it is rare to actually have problems just because you didn't get the antenna matched perfectly. Your signal may be weak, but it's unlikely that you'll damage anything.
Now days, I have an amateur radio license and I've learned all about SWR and antenna matching. My setup is more efficient now because I match the antennas up properly. But in my personal experience, CBs are only good within a very small radius of your location if you stick with 4-watt legal power. So for safety while traveling, a good cell phone or a different type of communication via radio waves would be a little more useful.
Out of every setup I've ever tried with a CB on a truck (which has been a lot), the most efficient setup I've ever seen is a Cobra model 25 radio matched with a Wilson 500 magnetic mount antenna on the roof. I guarantee a Wilson mag. mount on your trucks roof will outperform any "permanently mounted" antenna you can stick on the truck anywhere else.
Right now I'm running a very expensive RadioShack CB radio with a Wilson Silver Load Flex antenna mounted to the toolbox and grounded, and performance is less than satisfactory compared to the previous setup I had.
Now days, I have an amateur radio license and I've learned all about SWR and antenna matching. My setup is more efficient now because I match the antennas up properly. But in my personal experience, CBs are only good within a very small radius of your location if you stick with 4-watt legal power. So for safety while traveling, a good cell phone or a different type of communication via radio waves would be a little more useful.
Out of every setup I've ever tried with a CB on a truck (which has been a lot), the most efficient setup I've ever seen is a Cobra model 25 radio matched with a Wilson 500 magnetic mount antenna on the roof. I guarantee a Wilson mag. mount on your trucks roof will outperform any "permanently mounted" antenna you can stick on the truck anywhere else.
Right now I'm running a very expensive RadioShack CB radio with a Wilson Silver Load Flex antenna mounted to the toolbox and grounded, and performance is less than satisfactory compared to the previous setup I had.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
CB Radio help?
I currently use a Cobra 40 channel handheld that puts out the 4 watt legal maximum. I matched it with a mirror mounted center load whip antenna. It has been all that I need to use while traveling. The range is sufficent to keep me aware of the road conditions in my area. I really do not need to know whats what in Hi., Aus., or other global localities. CBs were for local use. If you feel the need to span the globe get a HAM license and radio. Please leave the CB freq. to the people who need them.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,123
Likes: 2
From: Fort Smith
CB Radio help?
I run a Cobra25 in my X with a Wilson 1000 magnet mount on the roof with a quick release to pop on/off (parking decks, etc). The Cobra has lowers and a super mod chip. Deadkeys about 2.3 watts and swings 32 watts. I have to use a mag mount instead of a bumper mount because of the reflection off the rear hatch - SWR was over 2.8 - now is 1.2 middle and low...
I've had numerous radios from Cobras to Galaxies to Rangers to Superstars. Each had their respective good/bad points, but the best I have found for the average person who just wants a CB in their vehicle are the Cobra models. For the money involved, you cannot beat it. The Superstar3900 will walk all over it barefoot to barefoot and have better ears, but it also runs about $375 just for the radio. As far as an antenna goes - get a 5x5 Francis, a mount for it, and 18 feet of coax. Good to go...
I've had numerous radios from Cobras to Galaxies to Rangers to Superstars. Each had their respective good/bad points, but the best I have found for the average person who just wants a CB in their vehicle are the Cobra models. For the money involved, you cannot beat it. The Superstar3900 will walk all over it barefoot to barefoot and have better ears, but it also runs about $375 just for the radio. As far as an antenna goes - get a 5x5 Francis, a mount for it, and 18 feet of coax. Good to go...
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
CB Radio help?
right now i have a cobra 21ltd model that i paid 20 bucks for from a friend connected to 4 foot dual whips that i got from radio shack. its worked good for me since i hooked it up back in february. this setup has been the best that ive used. i had a window mount antenna then a 3 foot magnet mount whip antenna, ot my 4 foot dual whips and they are the best. i havent had a problem yet.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
CB Radio help?
I'm running a Uniden PC68XL and it is GREAT. Had it a little over 3 years now and it is still like brand new. Run a Wilson 1000 mag mount with it, put my hands in it the first day I got, and it has been swinging 70 watts since. I live in CT, and have talked to almost every state including hawaii, Texas, Cali, etc. Have also talked with Jamaca, Pourto Rica, Germeny, Canada, and a few more I can't think of off hand right now. So, my reccomendation would be to get the PC68 XL, bring it to your local radio guy to tune it up, for educational purposes only of course, and enjoy it for many years to come......Have Fun. If your ever on channel 24, try a shout out for Eastern CT (handle) 122.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 2
From: Conway Arkansas
CB Radio help?
Originally posted by Jmatteau
I'm running a Uniden PC68XL and it is GREAT. Had it a little over 3 years now and it is still like brand new. Run a Wilson 1000 mag mount with it, put my hands in it the first day I got, and it has been swinging 70 watts since. I live in CT, and have talked to almost every state including hawaii, Texas, Cali, etc. Have also talked with Jamaca, Pourto Rica, Germeny, Canada, and a few more I can't think of off hand right now. So, my reccomendation would be to get the PC68 XL, bring it to your local radio guy to tune it up, for educational purposes only of course, and enjoy it for many years to come......Have Fun. If your ever on channel 24, try a shout out for Eastern CT (handle) 122.
I'm running a Uniden PC68XL and it is GREAT. Had it a little over 3 years now and it is still like brand new. Run a Wilson 1000 mag mount with it, put my hands in it the first day I got, and it has been swinging 70 watts since. I live in CT, and have talked to almost every state including hawaii, Texas, Cali, etc. Have also talked with Jamaca, Pourto Rica, Germeny, Canada, and a few more I can't think of off hand right now. So, my reccomendation would be to get the PC68 XL, bring it to your local radio guy to tune it up, for educational purposes only of course, and enjoy it for many years to come......Have Fun. If your ever on channel 24, try a shout out for Eastern CT (handle) 122.
I think I paid 90 bucks for mine, and had my dad peak and tune it... But it talked great w/o it also