Cobra cb's
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Cobra cb's
Can you guys tell me the difference (besides the obvious)between a cb mounted in your dash such as the new cobra that has all the controls in the handset and a handheld unit? They both seem to have the same features except one is about 50 bucks cheaper. Is it just the power supply? Same range? Thanks.
More Turbo
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From: Alexandria, KY USA
The power supply is bigger in a mobile unit vs. handheld. Although CBs are only allowed 4 watts by law. Also, the mobile antenna will get out alot further than the built-in handheld antenna. But, you can get an adaptor to hook external antennas to most handheld CBs which will improve the range drastically. I have an older set of Realistic handheld CBs, one of which is in my car. Normally, they will get out about 5 miles max. The one in my car is hooked to a Wilson 1000 magnet mount on the trunk. It will get out almost 10 miles, depending on the weather and amount of radio traffic at the time.
Bluehawk
Bluehawk
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From: Baileyton, TN
There are three types of CB radio that I know of. There may be more, but.....
Type one, is the large rectangular box, of varying sizes, that has a PL259 receptacle on the back, along with either a power lead in, or a receptacle for the power lead. All of it's controls are on the faceplate, or most on the faceplate and some on the microphone, and it mounts semi permanently in a vehicle
Type two, is a power supply, and amp, in a plain box, usually shiny, that attaches to a power lead, and an antenna. Coming from that box is a thick coiled cable that attaches the microphone to it. On the microphone sit all of the controls for the radio.
Type three is the handset type of transceiver, having the power supply, (batteries) and the radio together, in a portable package.
The limitations of the built in antenna of the hand held, is to limit the range of the unit, but the advantage of having in your pocket makes them a good buy.
I have both type one, and type three radios, and use them to communicate with each other.
Theo
Type one, is the large rectangular box, of varying sizes, that has a PL259 receptacle on the back, along with either a power lead in, or a receptacle for the power lead. All of it's controls are on the faceplate, or most on the faceplate and some on the microphone, and it mounts semi permanently in a vehicle
Type two, is a power supply, and amp, in a plain box, usually shiny, that attaches to a power lead, and an antenna. Coming from that box is a thick coiled cable that attaches the microphone to it. On the microphone sit all of the controls for the radio.
Type three is the handset type of transceiver, having the power supply, (batteries) and the radio together, in a portable package.
The limitations of the built in antenna of the hand held, is to limit the range of the unit, but the advantage of having in your pocket makes them a good buy.
I have both type one, and type three radios, and use them to communicate with each other.
Theo
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Theo, are you familiar with the Cobra I am looking at?. It is a type two(I think) with all the controls in the handset itself. Has been making the rounds because the mounting box is so small. I Really like this one but as I said it is twice as much as the handheld unit.
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From: Baileyton, TN
The type two is a very good sort of system, the mounting box is permanently mounted out of the way, and the handset attaches to that. Onto the mounting box goes the antenna lead, and a power cord. They are a very good system because they will fit anywhere - a car that has not got room for the big black box has to have space for that one, because the microphone is not much larger than a standard one. I have used such a one in both an RV, and sports car, and they work very well. The range is the same as the big box [type one] but they usually cannot be enhanced with any tweaks.... so the big box may be a better buy, if it will fit anywhere.
I am intending to get one of the Cobra type two rigs in the near future for the '02 - the interior of that does not lend itself to a big black box hanging from something.
Theo
I am intending to get one of the Cobra type two rigs in the near future for the '02 - the interior of that does not lend itself to a big black box hanging from something.
Theo
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I have the Cobra all-in-one (type 2) model. It hides under the dash and the mic disconnects so the power box is unseen. We installed a "hidden" antenna adaptor that attaches to the stereo antenna.
The range is not great doing it this way, as I have learned. It was a great idea, no one knows we have the CB, but here in the mountains the range sucks anyway. We are going to get a better antenna for it.
Otherwise it's great, the soundtracker and weather channels are a bonus. No holes to drill in the dash either, and no visible theft temptation.
The range is not great doing it this way, as I have learned. It was a great idea, no one knows we have the CB, but here in the mountains the range sucks anyway. We are going to get a better antenna for it.
Otherwise it's great, the soundtracker and weather channels are a bonus. No holes to drill in the dash either, and no visible theft temptation.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
I used to have a Realistic CB-Phone 23 that would talk ~45 miles on a clear day, with >10 volts input power......... I had a GOOD radioshack 4 foot 5/8 wave antenna and it was matched perfectly for the vehicle and radio. I had a 1:1 ratio on all 23 channels. It was kind cool because it was east to make my mother mad with.
Senior User
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From: Paso Robles, CA (Central Coast)
Okay, the "all-in-one" mic is not a handheld, which I think many of you are thinking it is. http://www.cobra.com/index.php?page=...21ef98ebb1.jpg
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Alexandria, KY USA
Right, I think the all-in-one would be the same as a regular CB. It would be considered a remote CB. The handheld I was talking about is like a walkie talkie. But, like Theo said, with the all-in-one, there are not alot of upgrades that can be done.
Bluehawk
Bluehawk
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From: Baileyton, TN
Originally posted by cow_boy104
Okay, the "all-in-one" mic is not a handheld, which I think many of you are thinking it is. http://www.cobra.com/index.php?page=...21ef98ebb1.jpg
Okay, the "all-in-one" mic is not a handheld, which I think many of you are thinking it is. http://www.cobra.com/index.php?page=...21ef98ebb1.jpg
I still need to get another though, thanks for the link..
Theo