I know theres been a few posts but didn't want to hi-jack any posts so I am posting this.

First off I like others around here have had trouble locating a spot to mount a CB radio. Some decided to mount behind the seat, some ontop of the dash, some under the dash, some in the cubby next to the column, some even on the ceiling of the cab.

For me I have ruled all of theses locations out. First I didn't want to mount behind the seat as it would negate the purpose as you couldn't get to the controls easily. Second I didn't want it ontop of the dash screaming to everyone "hey steal me", I also didn't want it under the dash as I already have a under dash switch mounted for my KC driving lights. This limits space to mount and I have a third passenger quite a bit so for me under the dash mounting as well as floor mounting is out of the question as it will get kicked in theses two positions. I also cant use the cubby as my truck is dealer A/C and the cubby was used for my A/C controls. Celing was a idea for me that I quickly got away from.

So I have been looking at all in one receiver/transceivers and I found two. Both seem to be about the same and reviews point to both having troubles.

One is the Midland 75-822 40Ch radio and the other is a Cobra 75WXST radio.

This post is not just to inform people of this option but to maybe get a little more research for me and others.

First off I am looking for feed back on theses radios. Ive seen so many reviews it seems both of them are not worthy of a 4.5 of 5 star rating with the common problems they seem to have.

Another thing is I wanted to ask thoses that have used mainly the Cobra 75WXST if it was used with an external speaker and if any speaker could be used. I know one can purchase a speaker ready to go but I was kind of wondering if one could repurpose a 5x9 speaker under the dash pad to have a headphone jack end and function as the speaker for the CB.

Another thing is about antennas, Hope this part can help more people than just me because I have done reading for the last few days on this, since I got my truck completed to this stage I am now looking at the CB stage. I originally planned on using two antennas, shorter the better as they would be mounted on the top of the roll bar/bedbars that I will be installing at a later date. I was looking at Firestik as that is who I would use for antennas, down side is their adjustable antennas come no shorter than 3ft and having 3ft above the cab of my truck just seems excessive for clearance especially with a fiberglass antenna. I could relocate the antenna down some but I rather have all of my antenna mounted above the cab of the truck.

So if anyone wants to chime in and point some things out that would be great. I find myself leaning towards the Cobra brand radio even though I much rather have the Cobra 25 NW even though it doesn't have the weather feature like the 75 I am leaning towards does.

Another thing is I am looking for ideas, I currently have a camper installed on my truck, has ladder racks front and rear that wrap down the side with some screws already present. I am looking for ideas that one could mount an antenna using holes already present in this case. I spent half a day today in my spare time looking at mounts and haven't found anything that doesn't require customizing.

 

I don't have personal experience with those type CB's. But an old man I hunted with used the Cobra version and it talked out pretty good. He never seemed to have any issues with it.

I use an 8' steel whip on all my setups, so I'll be no help on which short antenna to use.

As far as a mount for it goes, my dad had a bullnose that he mounted an antenna on the bed rail using one of the ball-type antenna mounts with a piece of plexi-glass cut to go underneath it to isolate it from the body. I always use the same type mount on an L-bracket to my toolbox

 

I think twins on the headache rack would be the way to go.
The best would be the center of the roof....ground plane..etc....

 

I can't answer any of your questions but I can tell you I have owned and used a few Cobra 75WXST's, I used them often when I was heavily involved in the 4WD scene. Great radio, no complaints.

 

Thanks for the replies. I have a camper with a ladder rack atop it. Ive decided to use the mirror clamps that comes with the dual antenna kits and clamp it directly to the small square tubing for the ladder rack. This would put the antenna 100% above the cab of the truck as well as fairly in the center of the truck front to rear between the cab and the bed.

Down side is firestik makes a 3ft antenna and id like to use theirs as it has the tuning tip. Down side is my antenna would be 3 ft above the cab and im concerned about clearance especially with a fiberglass antenna.

 

The following it I am looking at purchasing.

x2 Firestik 3ft Firefly Antennas in White
x1 Firestik K9A Dual coax cable
x2 Firestik SS3M Medium duty springs
x2 Firestik SS134A mounts

I am updating this as I found proper mounts that would work for my application. Thing is though I am currently not making the purchase as the above is costing me $105.07 after tax. I know that's a good deal as Firestik alone wants $129 for their dual antenna kit that comes with everthing above minus the Firefly antenna (you get the Firestik II) and the springs and the mounts I selected above they come with no springs and the mirror mounts.

I probably will make the purchase but at this time of the year for me I don't know if I can justify a $105.07 purchase and still have to get the CB radio which is another $75 and then purchase a SWR meter to tune everything. Might hold off till I get my tax return if I can wait that long.

 

Looks like a neat toy, but you have to ask yourself.
How far do you really need to transmit ?

*The external speaker should have 4-8 ohms impedance and be able to
handle at least 4 watts.

https://www.cobra.com/sites/default/...%20WX%20ST.pdf

 

If you could find one AMC had as an option a AM/FM/CB radio that installed in the dash

taken from here
https://www.google.com/search?q=am+f...mzySFkTGmaM%3A
Dave ----

 

Not sure on that. Main reason of having this is for the NOAA weather feature. Once I move the area I will be living in and driving around the roads easily get washed over with the smallest of rains. The second reason of having is for the highway function, location of cops, traffic, road debris, etc.

Based off the reviews, this guy was very vague but he stated his had a line of sight range of 11 miles. I figured in my application if that would be the same for my antenna set up it would probably be closer to 6 miles maybe even 5 miles as some of the roads I would be driving on is hilly or completely flanked by trees. Theres some highway I can drive on that is flat level highway though that would be my longests transmit distance.

 

I used to run a pair of 3' fire sticks on a 2005 Volvo 670 with a cobra 29 LTD after I replaced the stock coax I got about 5-6 miles
I have never seen a 75 in action so I can't speak for it.

they don't like the autotruck washes, I when through a few before I learned

 

Were the firestiks tuned or just thrown on?

 

tuned 1.2:1 SWR on channel 19
I didn't trust the built in SWR so I picked up a Truckers Series Rpswr-2 fairly cheap and it confirmed the SWR the radio had

the Rpswr also has a 10/100 watt meter which is nice but my radio is still stock

 

Ah ok, just wondering. Cause the way how theses antennas would be mounted they would have 95% if not 100% of the antenna above the cab of the truck. That with the fact that there will be two antennas it would make the range more eliptic than just with a single.

I am just curious on the range how ever, I know these radios are supposed to be 4 watts like all the other Cobra radios so if they are the same they should perform the same range wise with a properly setup antenna.

 

yeah where mine where mounted on the mirrors on a double sleeper cab & a 53' trailer behind me

FCC says 4W dead-key .... and up to I think it was 12W modulation but it might be 16W
I would have to look it up again

 

It says 4.0Watts @ 13.8V on the pdf for the 75, I wonder if the wattage would be higher if the voltage is higher as my truck idles at 14.2V.

In any case, its one of those things where I will gladly go with another brand but I need a radio with weather alerts in this style as I am limited on space. I would do the radio one but I looked on Ebay and didn't find a single Ford or AMC factory radio.

Only goal of mine is real simple, if I can find out of cops or wrecks ahead, washed out roads, and weather reports I would be happy. If I can also pick up good enough that I can hear all the funny bs that goes on, on the radio I would be even happier.