What's a good/cheap radio to use?

[JonBishop]

Jus looking for something that's good for wheeling, nothing fancy really haha jus to talk to the vehicles on the trail, an a small entena haha I hate those big long ones haha anyone kno of any kind? Would like to get something before the 25th run

 

[M22KLARS]

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=CB&hl=en&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1152&bih=777&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=14599385828646119991&sa=X&ei=tsCyTtawEOqTiAKtp5Vm&ved=0CJQBEPICMAQ4Cg

Here's a nice little radio that will fit in your dash above or below any aftermarket single din radio/cd player.

I would go with a firestick antenna. Most of us are running them with little to no problems.

You could also just pick up a handheld radio... Those work nicely for limited trail use.

 

[JonBishop]

Well I'll be looking into them looking in my hummer where to mount it now lolThank you

 

[alrock]

Do you want a permanent mount antenna or a magnetic mount? Same for the radio - permanent or one you plug in each time?

 

[Portager]

The problem with most CB radios is finding a place to mount the box. There isn't much room in a 3 or 3T (in my case) and I didn't want to T to look $#!++y inside, so I went with the Cobra 75 WX :link: . All the controls, microphone and speaker are built into the head and there is a very small box that gets buried inside the dash. Then I got a 3' Firestick II FS series antenna :link: . The 3' antenna is short enough you will still be able to go through drive throughs and park in most garages. Then I used the Firestick molded mount :link: which I put on the drivers side opposite the radio OEM antenna. A coax antenna cable :link: and finally a shock spring mount :link: .

 

[JonBishop]

I'm thinking jus putting a permanent one in so I jus have it all time so I don't have to remove it or nothing

 

[Portager]

:huh:The Cobra 75 is a permanent radio. It is just easier to install.

 

[MUTAINT]

I love my 75 WX ST Compact/Remote Mount CB Radio with SoundTracker® and NOAA Weather. Easy to stash the little box under the space between the steering column and the crash bar. Great little unit that is reasonably priced.

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

Ive heard great things about teh Cobra 75 from my friends that wheel:thumbs:

 

[alrock]

I would go Cobra 75 for a permanent radio that you don't want to be obtrusive. I went with a full size 29 in the top center of my dash. I had the 75 before but I prefer the performance of the full size one and the placement doesn't bother me.

I had the 75 mounted right where you see this box, with the control unit under the dash.

For an antenna, I went with this affordable 2' whip: :link:

I installed it using two Firestik L mounts though other options are available. The mount stays there all of the time and I use wrenches to remove the antenna before/after wheeling. The mount isn't really in my way as my hi-lift is mounted right next to it. Ironically (as LagunaH1 and I found out) the hi-lift seems to really help the antenna tuning.

 

[M22KLARS]

That is a bad ass radio Alex... If I ever step up to a big dog that's the one I want.

 

[Hans3T]

Cobra 75wx -- it is a self-contained unit and works great on the trail/highway without taking up much of the valuable cabin space. I love mine. If you need something strictly for trail communication, it should definitely be on your list to investigate. Best thing is it is under $100.

 

[JonBishop]

what do i all need for a hook up? lol im looking at both the cobra 75 and the cobra 18, i dont know what i like better haha but the 75 is nice

 

[alrock]

You need the radio, an antenna, an antenna mount and an antenna cable. First, you need to figure out where to install the antenna. Top spots on the H3 are driver's fender, like cbetts and Portager have; spare tire mount like F5 (and I used to have) and roof or roof rack. Each location will dictate the type of mount and type/length of the antenna. They also dictate cable length. Anything towards the rear get the 18' cable.

It is very important that your antenna mount has a good ground. You'll get this with the fender and the roof installations. With the rear gate you need to run an additional ground strap, which isn't a big deal. I ran the cable through the door, under the plastic and carpet along the driver's side, to the radio control unit (for the 75) under the dash. F5 says there's a good ground screw under the plastic by the subwoofer (if equipped). I just drilled a hole in the body for my ground.

If you think you may get a roof rack at some point I would just get a magnetic mount antenna for now and wait and to a permanent install after the roof rack. Something like: http://www.walcottcb.com/wilson-little-wil-magnet-mount-cb-radio-antenna-p-395.html

I think the easiest permanent is the spare tire mount. For that I would recommend Firestik L bracket, 4' Firestik II, 18' cable. Mount and cable: Firestik kit: MK-64A8A Check out the Firestik II site for good info.

You can also hold off and borrow my Midland handheld for that trip and we can walk you through the install. I don't have a mag mount antenna for it yet so the range is short but it works for the trails.

Here's my spare tire mount install. I recommend getting a quick disconnect to make it easier to install and remove the antenna.

Before you use the radio, be sure to tune it with an SWR meter. You can permanently damage the radio if you don't do this. If you're not sure what this means, don't use the radio until you work with someone that can help you. You can still do the install, just don't use the radio.

 

[JonBishop]

that was very helpful thank you very much, ill check on all of that and see, i know my uncle has installed one before so maybe ill give him a call but i like the placement i never wouldve thought the spare tire mount, thank you for your help

 

[alrock]

Installing radio power:

• Run positive straight to battery or use an "Add A Fuse" that you can get at an auto parts store and wire to fuse box. (In fuse box you have choice of always on functions, like hazard lights or ignition controlled items, like your wipers. I like always on for the CB).
• Run the ground to the existing ground screw behind plastic kick plate by driver's left foot.
• To get the wires through the firewall use either an existing grommet or drill a new hole (and use a grommet to keep wires from fraying). In this pic I drilled a new hole. To use an existing grommet, cut a small hole in one of the existing gaskets through which wires are running and put your wires through that hole. Either way, seal with silicone when finished

Antenna cable

• Be sure cable does not get pinched, cut or scraped anywhere
• Keep cable away from power sources that may cause interference, like power cables for stereo amplifiers
• For rear door: run cable through positive air vent in rear door, then through cable run between door and body, then under cargo area plastic (covering subwoofer), along floor, under carpet to front

Ground strap (when necessary)

• Keep run as short as possible
• Use as large of gauge cable as possible
• Scrape away paint at ground source to maximize connection

"Specialty" tools

• Multimeter to test conductivity, ground, etc.
• SWR meter to tune antenna

To make my spare tire mount, I took that Firestik mount and drilled an extra hole in the center. Also, AirDoc has a good mount that can be used there.

I originally did a lame antenna and ground strap install, seen here

 

[JonBishop]

im excited to try this out, i love doing lil projects, as soon as i get everything ill be putting it all in, thank you for your guidance threw the process an ill definetly use this to refer back too, still up in the air on which Cobra to get tho lol im so difficult i swear :huh:

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

Post up some pics after its/ during its done:cheers:

 

[cbetts]

Don't panic if you do not have one for the Cleghorn run. I usually carry two spares for people to use.

 

[Mb30sdl]

Good and cheap don't belong in same sentence.:giggle:

 

[JonBishop]

Cool thank you cbetts, i might need to I'll let you kno Well I should've said "a cheap CB that will work on the trail" haha But I think I'm gonna go ahead an get a permanent setup I'm kinda liking the cobra 18wxst2.... Idk we'll see tho

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

Good and cheap don't belong in same sentence.:giggle:

Depends on the kinda person you are. For me, depends on the mood i am in:thumbs::giggle:

 

[cbetts]

FWIW- I am still running my $35 WalMart Cobra. I found that the most important part of the radio is the antenna. I am sure you will get some good ideas when you look at other rigs on the trail run.

 

[Hans3T]

Good and cheap don't belong in same sentence.

You have obviously never dined at a Waffle House, sir. :giggle:

 

[Steve #1]

The cobra 19 is good, cheep, and small. If you don't have a roof window you can mount it above the rear view mirror.