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CB Radios

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CB Radios
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jafo

Old Time Jeeper
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Location
Blue Springs, Missouri
Vehicle(s)
1979 CJ7. 304 V8 3 speed.
Ok. Educate me on cb's. I want to eventually install a cb radio in the Jeep. So what is a user freindly dependable cb and antenna? What is the difference between an 8' antenna and a 4' besides the length? I don't mind spending a few hundred dollars on the system. Are there cb/scanner combos?

What do you have?
 
I would suggest not putting too much money into a C.B. radio as dust and vibration can be pretty tough on them. As far as the antenna goes, do not get a whip type as when they can swing around and could hit someone in the face or eyes. I once saw a guy get cut just below the eye with one. I use a four footer glass one as it is just used for trail use and close communication. Some guys have a ham radio for more capability. I did get a lot of help by adding an external speaker as even the expensive radios have cheap speakers. not sure about the scanner stuff.
 
I've been using a GE 40 channel CB for over twenty years, it's held up pretty good. It's nothing fancy, pretty small in size and fits under the dash nicely. 4 foot fiberglass antenna mounted to the stop for the swing away spare tire carrier. What's important is to have the antenna trimmed or tuned to the radio. Should'nt cost much at a radio shop, only takes about a 3 minutes. Or, you could buy your own meter and trim the antenna yourself.
 
CB's don't have much range(couple miles at best, less in the hills).
Look into either 2 or 10 meter radios.
The longer ant=better transmit & receive over farther distance.
73's


K6MTY,
LG
 
Lumpy Grits said:
CB's don't have much range(couple miles at best, less in the hills).
Look into either 2 or 10 meter radios.
The longer ant=better transmit & receive over farther distance.
73's


K6MTY,
LG
Click to expand...


CB= 5 watts max legal power out, My Icom 706mkIIg has 100 watts out legal.
you will need a license but its easy as pie.

KD7VUG
 
jafo said:
Ok. Educate me on cb's. I want to eventually install a cb radio in the Jeep. So what is a user freindly dependable cb and antenna? What is the difference between an 8' antenna and a 4' besides the length? I don't mind spending a few hundred dollars on the system. Are there cb/scanner combos?

What do you have?
Click to expand...


CB Radios and the antenna systems are all about "Line of sight" meaning If you were on a Mountain top and the vehicle you were talking to was 30-100 miles away and the terrain between both was unobstructed chances are the radio would talk fine over that distance........add trees, buildings , obstructions and static from other competing radio waves and the talking distance becomes tramatically shorter................Antenna tip height is important.......although there are some negatives as mentioned to the 102" stainless whips ........but in a co-phased arrangement they will out perform the shorter coil loaded antenna's.

By the best CB radio you can afford.............the 2 & 10 meter Amateur bands are also quite popular in some geographic areas where repeaters are available.
 
hello can I make a post?
 
Don't rule out FRS radios.


LG
 
Having been in public safety communications for many years, there are some mistakes that most people make. CB radios with whip antennas must be mounted as high as possible, if the whip is next to the steel body, much of your power and ability to receive will be lost. Mount it as high as possible. Those antenna mounts that fit on the bumper, etc are :dung:. I'm using an old-fashioned ball mount on the LR panel, mounted as high as possible, that way the VSWR is very low and the majority of the radiated power is used, not absorbed by the steel body. Any radio can be made more reliable for outdoor use by opening it up and applying a few coats of MFP varnish, or electronic waterproofing spray to both sides of the PC board. We routinely did this for marine units and never had a failure caused by water spray.
 
Thanks for the info. My jeep came with one of this stainless whip antennas. It came off as I keep the jeep in the garage. Going to a radio shop near by and see what they have. Thanks for the info.
 
When you set the SWR(tune the ant). Do it in an open field with no metal for at least 500' and with the engine running.
You want a reading below 3:1. Closer to 1:1 is the best.
Not hard to do-
How to Tune a CB Antenna | CB World

My Dad taught me to use boiled Linseed oil to 'waterproof' circuit panels and connections when building radios.

LG
 
Last edited:
I'm amazed at the versatility Jeep owners have. I have a long way to go. I got to get my head to stop spinning first. I didn't realize there was this much to a simple CB radio.
 
Having the antenna 'matched' to the radio, applies to all versions of 2-way comms.
High SWR(above 3:1 in a CB)will damage the radio's TX circuit.
LG
 
jafo said:
Thanks for the info. My jeep came with one of this stainless whip antennas. It came off as I keep the jeep in the garage. Going to a radio shop near by and see what they have. Thanks for the info.
Click to expand...

Since you keep it garaged, you could consider a quick disconnect setup. I just unscrew mine to clear the garage door. Also there are springs you can buy for low hanging branches and rock overhangs plus when you forget to unscrew it as you drive in to the garage. The fiberglass antennas are forgiving for that.
 
Lumpy Grits said:
I run a 102" 'whip' ant. They are easy to 'fold' over and you can buy a clip for this.
Click to expand...
So do I. Being cheap, I use a short bungee cord to hold it down when I drive in/out of the garage.
 
I just use a section of 550 cord-LOL
LG
 
Last edited:
I use both anti, 4' fire stick and a 102" whip.... Depends on the outing. The 102" is used mostly for bird hunting. I add a flag to the top to help find the jeep after getting out and chasing those birds that prefer to run instead of flying on the Ca. deserts. 4' is what most clubs limit on their club runs.
 
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