CB radio; whats a good, fairly inexpensive kit?

[Lambo2936 297]

Thinking of putting a CB in my F150. Any suggestions on a good reliable setup? Something portable would be cool as well, ie if truck wont run and i take another vehicle instead. Exclusively a prepper type thing, i dont have a real need for one on a regular basis.

Thanks!

[bhunted 887]

Thinking of putting a CB in my F150. Any suggestions on a good reliable setup? Something portable would be cool as well, ie if truck wont run and i take another vehicle instead. Exclusively a prepper type thing, i dont have a real need for one on a regular basis.

Thanks!

Cobras, Midland, etc. All are decent. But nobody really uses them anymore. The truck drivers barely use them. Cell phones fit most of the billets today.

 

 

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[maintenanceguy 510]

I have one in my truck.   A few of us used to use them when we were in the woods or in the marshes.  Don't really use it much any more.

 

CB sucks.  you're lucky to get a 2 mile range.   The antenna is more important than the CB.  I have a 4' Fire Stick antenna mounted on the bed right behind the rear window in a custom mount I welded up.  The Fire Sticks have more turns of wire near the top and most of the signal radiates from the top of the antenna - to get over the cab of my truck.   To get the best performance, you'll need a cheap SWR meter to tune your antenna to the radio (or buy a more expensive radio with an SWR meter built in.)

 

Any $50 walmart CB will work fine.  It is nice to have more features and better speakers if you're using it a lot but there really isn't any CB chatter in the North East.  Unless you and a few friends are off roading, you won't get to use it much.   Down south, I leave mine on when I'm on the highway.  Truckers there let each other know about road hazards, speed traps, and the best way around traffic.   Up here, silence.

 

We keep a portable hand held CB in my wife's car packed with the first aid kit.  We've used them a few times to keep in touch on road trips.   We like to go where cell phone's don't work.  The portable was powerful enough for traveling together.

[JohnnyB 4,326]

I think if the SHTF, people will drag out old CB's pretty quick! The cell phones would most likely not be working. Just buy a handheld with a rubber ducky antenna.

[10X 3,301]

"Breaker, Breaker, 1974.    C'mon back."      :-)

[bhunted 887]

"Breaker, Breaker, 1974. C'mon back." :-)

10-4 Rubber Duck! Looks like we got us a convoy!

 

 

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[GRIZ 3,369]

You can find a hand held CB that takes a magnet mount antenna, external mike, and plugs into your cigarette lighter on Amazon. That's what I use when I take long cross country trips. The radio and all the accessories will cost less than $100. The range is limited but may be all you need to get help.

[Lambo2936 297]

My thought exactly. I Won't be using it, ever, really. I have a cellphone if needed. But as previously stated by another member above (forgot who), if SHTF, you won't be getting cell service. I wouldn't be surprised if our own government shut it down in the event of martial law or something insane to prevent people from organizing. 

[maintenanceguy 510]

On a recent road trip out of cell tower range, we broke out the CB's my kids thought it was hilarious that I kept calling my wife "Mother Trucker".  She didn't see the humor in it at all.

[GRIZ 3,369]

My thought exactly. I Won't be using it, ever, really. I have a cellphone if needed. But as previously stated by another member above (forgot who), if SHTF, you won't be getting cell service. I wouldn't be surprised if our own government shut it down in the event of martial law or something insane to prevent people from organizing.

 

It does not take some nefarious government scheme to shut down cell phone towers. That was done in shore communities during Sandy. You could still make 911 calls and text but no voice phone service otherwise.

 

Nickjc is correct about antennas and the K40 is the best out there IMO. If you buy a K40 you're going over that $100 I stated but you are getting the best cb antenna. I have a K40 with a magnet mount I haven't used in years. If I needed best performance from a cb I would certainly dig it out.

[Lambo2936 297]

Thanks for the info; i'll dig around on ebay and such and look for a good deal.

[1LtCAP 4,264]

now see? on range.....my best friend drives a dump truck. he says he easily gets 8-12 miles outta his. he says the coax and antenna are more important than the brand of radio, or even the radios output.....

[Krdshrk 3,877]

Just kinda wondering - what about FRS/GMRS?  Do people really use that much?  I mostly use mine for comms while playing airsoft...

[maintenanceguy 510]

now see? on range.....my best friend drives a dump truck. he says he easily gets 8-12 miles outta his. he says the coax and antenna are more important than the brand of radio, or even the radios output.....

 

Mountain top to mountain top, I'd believe you can sometimes get 12 miles.  South Jersey is flat.  There's a lot of trees but no big buildings or other obstructions.  Typically, 2 miles is crystal clear.    If I get 3 miles, it's a good day.   You might sort of hear what the other guy is saying at 5 miles sometimes.  This is with a cheap radio but quality antenna with the whole system adjusted for maximum efficiency using a meter.  My antenna is 8' 3" high.  The guys I travel with have similar setups.

 

In the 70's my parents had CB's in all of their farm equipment.   There was a 40' tower at the farm.  They could reach 6 or 7 miles with that setup.

[Lambo2936 297]

11M can work and work well.

 

Look for something that allows SSB operation.

 

As stated antenna is key..........

 

If prepping is the solution, have wire......yes wire antenna...... 

 

Look here:

 

It can be as simple as this......  http://fldx.org/site/dipole.php

 

 

Or this....... http://www.bonanza.com/listings/Falcon-2400-Watt-11-Meter-Dipole-Cb-Radio-Base-Station-Antenna/109902409?goog_pla=1&gpid=68416460461&keyword=&goog_pla=1&pos=1o3&ad_type=pla&gclid=CMjkgMeqyM0CFQNkhgodyyMGbA

 

Set it up, test it make sure it tunes to the segment of the band you want, then keep it rolled up and away.....  for an emergency.

 

Any vehicle battery can run the radio too........for the most part make sure your leads ARE fused.......

 

So you suggest a wire flexible antenna versus a standard ridiculously long whip? Ill definitely have to do more research because im fairly clueless, haha.

[DaddyNick 408]

Ha. Brings back memories. My friends and I all put radios in our cars/trucks in high school (early 90s). We had briefings Before school on who was cutting class, which girl was hotter, which teacher was a doosh....you know.....Important stuff. Lol