CB Recommendations??

Lummpus · 06-03-2009, 09:52 AM

I think in the next few days I'm planning on buying a CB. I was wondering if there's any I should stay away from? Any that I should consider over others? This will be my first CB. I have had some of the truck drivers at work recommend a few but their all to big. I want something I can fit under my stereo. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Yotatech!

chili · 06-03-2009, 10:58 AM

Uniden works for the fire dept. I am on and we like it, never any problems and it is small, would fit/look nice. The Pro 520 is cheep but good, mind you not great, money talks

turborich · 06-03-2009, 11:32 AM

It all depends on the features you want. They all put out 4 watts of power. You really can't beat a cobra as it seems to be the standard for most truck drivers. Uniden uses the same boards in many of their CB's as cobra & may even be the same company, not sure? They are fine radio's too. It's all about the features & size.

ozziesironmanoffroad · 06-03-2009, 12:15 PM

get a cobra and hook up a linear amp to it... lol. ....put it under your seat so cops dont see it... shhh.
kidding, you have to have a HUGE antenna for those to work properly, when i had one in my truck, it turned my steel antenna bright red and thus fried my CB. i gave it back to the guy who sold it to me, lol.

olharleyman · 06-03-2009, 12:17 PM

Corba 29 LTD would be one of the first I would look into and yes Uniden and Corba are one in the same. The 29 is bigger then your ashtray but if you want a radio that can grow with your use thats the one. They have it with night vision so at night if you do a lot of night driveing the controls are easyily viewable. The Uniden PC 76 is basicily the same radio and both sound cost around $120 bucks and if you get it tuned and peaked it will do around 15-20 watts output plus you can get them to add upper and lower side band and a 10k slide if you want.

ozziesironmanoffroad · 06-03-2009, 12:23 PM

and every watt is a mile, roughly... right?

toyNG · 06-03-2009, 12:33 PM

Are you dead set on putting it under the radio? Some people put it in their ashtray spot. Just throwing that out there in case you didn't know.

Lummpus · 06-03-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozziesironmanoffroad

get a cobra and hook up a linear amp to it... lol. ....put it under your seat so cops dont see it... shhh.
kidding, you have to have a HUGE antenna for those to work properly, when i had one in my truck, it turned my steel antenna bright red and thus fried my CB. i gave it back to the guy who sold it to me, lol.

Yeah i think I'll stay away from the linear amps i don't need that much power..lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by olharleyman

Corba 29 LTD would be one of the first I would look into and yes Uniden and Corba are one in the same. The 29 is bigger then your ashtray but if you want a radio that can grow with your use thats the one. They have it with night vision so at night if you do a lot of night driveing the controls are easyily viewable. The Uniden PC 76 is basicily the same radio and both sound cost around $120 bucks and if you get it tuned and peaked it will do around 15-20 watts output plus you can get them to add upper and lower side band and a 10k slide if you want.

A little bigger then the ash tray is fine I'm planning on mounting it under my stereo so it can be up to the size of a single din stereo. I just need something so I can communicate with my friends while out wheeling also it would be nice to have in an emergency.

Lummpus · 06-03-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyNG

Are you dead set on putting it under the radio? Some people put it in their ashtray spot. Just throwing that out there in case you didn't know.

If I find one that I like that will fit there I might go that route. I kinda like having my cubby hole under the radio for my ipod. If I mount one under the radio i will have to move the ipod to the center console having the ipod is a must it doesn't skip while wheelin...lol

Lummpus · 06-03-2009, 12:50 PM

One more question. I know mounting the antenna in the center of the vehicle is the best also the higher it is above the body of the vehicle works the best. but with having a 4runner that's not much of a option. I don't want a magnet antenna and I don't wanna drill into my roof. I have seen door jam mounts on the back but wouldn't it be more affective to do a hood or fender mount to keep the antenna closer to the radio? Do you guys think a duel antenna setup one on each side of the hood would be the best setup?

space-junk · 06-03-2009, 12:55 PM

check out the Cobra 19 Ultra III... the same one that i have... get a dremmel and cut away a lil bit of the backing behind the ashtray and it will slide right in...

plus, the best part of the deal is that it was 35 bucks at walmart!!
used it on the trail a couple weeks ago and it works flawlessly...

Lummpus · 06-03-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by space-junk

check out the Cobra 19 Ultra III... the same one that i have... get a dremmel and cut away a lil bit of the backing behind the ashtray and it will slide right in...

plus, the best part of the deal is that it was 35 bucks at walmart!!
used it on the trail a couple weeks ago and it works flawlessly...

I like that price! do you have any pics of how it look in there?

turborich · 06-03-2009, 01:15 PM

http://www.yotatech.com/f116/got-my-...inside-183480/

Here you go, He did a great job on his whole set up.

space-junk · 06-03-2009, 01:23 PM

ja, looks just like the one in the abve link, only i didnt need to cut the whole backing out of the ashtray... i just cut a small rectangle out of the back so i could run the antenna wire and power thru... also, because of the cobra 19's size, you can just unscrew the rails for the ashtray (one screw in the middle of the top after the astray is taken out) and slide it in... its tight enough that you dont need any support because the pressure of the ashtray walls keeps it in check...

thats the whole reason that i bought the small cb... i love the expandability of the full bodied cbs, but with a girlfriend in the truck and mounting locations scarce i didnt wanna take out her knee room...

**Tofer** · 06-03-2009, 01:30 PM

I have

mounted in the ashtry
with one of these on the dash so i can hear

http://www.pacetronics.com/prodpage....t_Selected=856

Lummpus · 06-03-2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turborich

http://www.yotatech.com/f116/got-my-...inside-183480/

Here you go, He did a great job on his whole set up.

Yeah I saw that thread. it looks great. I might do a little different on the antenna though.

I'm still debating on whether or not I want to do a ashtray mount

Lummpus · 06-03-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tofer

I have

mounted in the ashtry

What model is that and how is the range?

Merlin · 06-03-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lummpus

I have seen door jam mounts on the back but wouldn't it be more affective to do a hood or fender mount to keep the antenna closer to the radio? Do you guys think a duel antenna setup one on each side of the hood would be the best setup?

depending on how big/tall an antenna you want to run, you could go with a bumper mount (either through the bumper itself, or on a simple mount attached to the frame or bumper). as long as the loading coil on a loaded ant. is above your roofline, you should be okay. that would be a pretty strong mounting point as well, so you shouldn't have to worry about breaking the mount.

you can do just fine with a single ant. mounted to the rear bumper, unless you absolutely have to have a hood or fender mount.

the extra wiring and tuning involved with running duals, as well as spacing issues (they will probably be too close together) and unequal radiation patterns due to the dual antennas in close proximity will probably cause you more headaches than they're worth (unless you just want that trucker look).

generally, the only time you'd really run duals is if you're trying to run a backdoor array for maximum transmission in a single direction (and even then, some only run one hot and one reflector). you'd generally do this for shooting skip or at keydowns, this would be totally impractical for a trail rig or daily driver (you would hit everything with them and be replacing two antennas instead of only one).

Lummpus · 06-03-2009, 05:05 PM

Cool, thanks merlin. I think I'll just go with the door jam mount for now on the rear door till I get my new bumper. Like the one lovetharunner used in this tread.
http://www.yotatech.com/f116/got-my-...inside-183480/
after i get that i'll move it to the bumper. So should I run a ground wire from the frame to the mount or do you think it will ground ok on the body?

**Tofer** · 06-03-2009, 09:52 PM

its a Cobra 20XTR. it has been discontinued but you may still be able to find it. non tuned with a just a 10 dollar antenna i am able to get about 3 miles clearly. works for me... plus its blue

Lummpus · 06-03-2009, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tofer

its a Cobra 20XTR. it has been discontinued but you may still be able to find it. non tuned with a just a 10 dollar antenna i am able to get about 3 miles clearly. works for me... plus its blue

The blue is what I like about it also. 3 miles isn't to bad with a cheap antenna.

94runnerfan · 06-03-2009, 10:36 PM

I would check out garage sales, and Craigslist, people give away good CB's constantly I have picked up about 6 of them , a couple of which are cobras and nice radios for free, from random people and garage sales, and my neighbor gave me a few just because I had a huge antenna on my truck, and he wanted to get rid of them. As far as antenna I wouldn't skimp to much. I ran an old cobra 29 LTD my dad had laying in the garage from the 80's. I ran it through a 102" fiberglass whip mounted on the side of the truck behind the cab in my old truck and I could talk across town not sure how many miles, but Spokane is a good size town. Now I run it through I think a 48" firestick mounted on the side of the hood in my new truck, and I can hear maybe 50' to the passenger side of the truck and not really much at all to the driver side. Admittedly a 102" whip is overkill, and might be a pain if you drive under low trees, but I guess the point is the antenna makes a big difference my $0.02. they can be found used cheap

Lummpus · 06-03-2009, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94runnerfan

I would check out garage sales, and Craigslist, people give away good CB's constantly I have picked up about 6 of them , a couple of which are cobras and nice radios for free, from random people and garage sales, and my neighbor gave me a few just because I had a huge antenna on my truck, and he wanted to get rid of them. As far as antenna I wouldn't skimp to much. I ran an old cobra 29 LTD my dad had laying in the garage from the 80's. I ran it through a 102" fiberglass whip mounted on the side of the truck behind the cab in my old truck and I could talk across town not sure how many miles, but Spokane is a good size town. Now I run it through I think a 48" firestick mounted on the side of the hood in my new truck, and I can hear maybe 50' to the passenger side of the truck and not really much at all to the driver side. Admittedly a 102" whip is overkill, and might be a pain if you drive under low trees, but I guess the point is the antenna makes a big difference my $0.02. they can be found used cheap

I've been checking out Craigslist and ebay haven't found that unbelievable deal yet but i'm not in a huge hurry or anything. I'm planning getting a good antenna. sounds like you have a few sitting around you could always throw one of those my way

...LOL.

Just Learning · 06-04-2009, 07:14 AM

when my family go out we use the garmin rhino 120 and have no problem whats is the difference, even driving on the interstate we still can talk??

94runnerfan · 06-04-2009, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lummpus

I've been checking out Craigslist and ebay haven't found that unbelievable deal yet but i'm not in a huge hurry or anything. I'm planning getting a good antenna. sounds like you have a few sitting around you could always throw one of those my way

...LOL.

To bad you didn't send this to me a week ago I was planning on getting rid, of the 102", but I decided to get another truck to put it on instead

. Most of the radios I talked my freinds into putting in there cars a while back, otherwise I would definantly send one of. I am down to 2 cobras raadios, 2 antennas, and 1 mike haha got to fix that. Craigslist and ebay are good, but chances are if somebody took the time to list them they realize they are worth something, but you can find some on the cheap. Garage sales are my favorite rought, becasue people usually just want them out of there garage. If you are going to put a CB in your truck keep an eye out for a PA speaker on the cheap way to much fun.

06-03-2009, 10:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
chili Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: northern california Posts: 19	Uniden works for the fire dept. I am on and we like it, never any problems and it is small, would fit/look nice. The Pro 520 is cheep but good, mind you not great, money talks __________________ 1996 t100 sr5 4x4 etd. cab

06-03-2009, 12:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
ozziesironmanoffroad Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Spring Valley, CA Posts: 5,676	get a cobra and hook up a linear amp to it... lol. ....put it under your seat so cops dont see it... shhh. kidding, you have to have a HUGE antenna for those to work properly, when i had one in my truck, it turned my steel antenna bright red and thus fried my CB. i gave it back to the guy who sold it to me, lol. __________________ The 22r series engines are made from the fires of hell, and will fight tooth and nail to not be sent back. 1988 Toyota P/U 4x4 22re, 1200 miles on the rebuild engine builder .268 cam pioneer CD deck 31x10.50x15 BFG A/T BAJA 100W lights on prerunner bumper KC Daylighters 100W rancho rs5000 MUD IS A VALID PAINT JOB! If not living life to the fullest, why live it? my trucks official buildup thread

06-03-2009, 12:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
olharleyman Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 3,291	Corba 29 LTD would be one of the first I would look into and yes Uniden and Corba are one in the same. The 29 is bigger then your ashtray but if you want a radio that can grow with your use thats the one. They have it with night vision so at night if you do a lot of night driveing the controls are easyily viewable. The Uniden PC 76 is basicily the same radio and both sound cost around $120 bucks and if you get it tuned and peaked it will do around 15-20 watts output plus you can get them to add upper and lower side band and a 10k slide if you want. __________________ 1990 4 runner 5 Speed Pro Comp Stage II 4" Lift 6" coils rear Aussie Locker front 5.29's Front And Rear 35 x 12.5 x 15 MT's Micky Thompson Classic II Wheels Super Charged 3.4 on the way 1993 SAS 4runner 22re 5 speed 4" front 5"rear 5.29's 35 x 12.5 BFG KM'S Dick cepek DC 1's 88 stock 4runner 3.0 auto for now 1955 Harley Davidson Springer Stock 1955 Hardtail Frame 4 Speed Kick Start Only 1998 Harley Custom Dresser 107 rwhp 139 ft.lbs.trq.

06-03-2009, 12:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
ozziesironmanoffroad Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Spring Valley, CA Posts: 5,676	and every watt is a mile, roughly... right? __________________ The 22r series engines are made from the fires of hell, and will fight tooth and nail to not be sent back. 1988 Toyota P/U 4x4 22re, 1200 miles on the rebuild engine builder .268 cam pioneer CD deck 31x10.50x15 BFG A/T BAJA 100W lights on prerunner bumper KC Daylighters 100W rancho rs5000 MUD IS A VALID PAINT JOB! If not living life to the fullest, why live it? my trucks official buildup thread

06-03-2009, 12:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
toyNG Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Redlands, CA Posts: 563	Are you dead set on putting it under the radio? Some people put it in their ashtray spot. Just throwing that out there in case you didn't know. __________________ 1986 pickup 4x4 SR5, 5-spd, 33x10.5 BFG KM1 muds, 2" body lift, front and rear lockrights, 4.88s, 4.7 t-case with Dave'z twin stick, BudBuilt crossmember with 1" drivetrain lift, Downey grille guard and skid plate, TG sliders Still needed: rear bumper (Marlin, TG, or Dave'z)

06-03-2009, 11:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
turborich Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV. Posts: 281	It all depends on the features you want. They all put out 4 watts of power. You really can't beat a cobra as it seems to be the standard for most truck drivers. Uniden uses the same boards in many of their CB's as cobra & may even be the same company, not sure? They are fine radio's too. It's all about the features & size.

06-03-2009, 12:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
Lummpus Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Gladstone,Or Posts: 167	One more question. I know mounting the antenna in the center of the vehicle is the best also the higher it is above the body of the vehicle works the best. but with having a 4runner that's not much of a option. I don't want a magnet antenna and I don't wanna drill into my roof. I have seen door jam mounts on the back but wouldn't it be more affective to do a hood or fender mount to keep the antenna closer to the radio? Do you guys think a duel antenna setup one on each side of the hood would be the best setup? __________________ '91 4Runner SR5 3.0 V6, 2 15" JL subs 1800watt Kenwood mono block, 400 watt JBL 4 channel amp, Sony mids and highs for now. Pioneer head unit with Ipod control If it isn't dirty it isn't fun!! Names Will for those that wanna know

06-03-2009, 01:15 PM	#13 (permalink)
turborich Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV. Posts: 281	http://www.yotatech.com/f116/got-my-...inside-183480/ Here you go, He did a great job on his whole set up.

06-03-2009, 01:30 PM	#15 (permalink)
Tofer Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tacoma WA. Posts: 6,908	I have mounted in the ashtry with one of these on the dash so i can hear http://www.pacetronics.com/prodpage....t_Selected=856 __________________ 94 4runenr: all the good stuff....... 89 4runner: 3.0, Auto, 5.29 lockright f/r. 31x10.5 wildcountry ATs. 81 2wd pickup: 22R \| 5-sp \| long bed \|Civic SI seats \| LockRight \| Hella 500s pacific-crawlers.com For all your Trail-gear and HID lighting Solutions Needs check out yotaworks.com Online store coming soon :)

06-03-2009, 05:05 PM	#19 (permalink)
Lummpus Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Gladstone,Or Posts: 167	Cool, thanks merlin. I think I'll just go with the door jam mount for now on the rear door till I get my new bumper. Like the one lovetharunner used in this tread. http://www.yotatech.com/f116/got-my-...inside-183480/ after i get that i'll move it to the bumper. So should I run a ground wire from the frame to the mount or do you think it will ground ok on the body? __________________ '91 4Runner SR5 3.0 V6, 2 15" JL subs 1800watt Kenwood mono block, 400 watt JBL 4 channel amp, Sony mids and highs for now. Pioneer head unit with Ipod control If it isn't dirty it isn't fun!! Names Will for those that wanna know

06-03-2009, 09:52 PM	#20 (permalink)
Tofer Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tacoma WA. Posts: 6,908	its a Cobra 20XTR. it has been discontinued but you may still be able to find it. non tuned with a just a 10 dollar antenna i am able to get about 3 miles clearly. works for me... plus its blue __________________ 94 4runenr: all the good stuff....... 89 4runner: 3.0, Auto, 5.29 lockright f/r. 31x10.5 wildcountry ATs. 81 2wd pickup: 22R \| 5-sp \| long bed \|Civic SI seats \| LockRight \| Hella 500s pacific-crawlers.com For all your Trail-gear and HID lighting Solutions Needs check out yotaworks.com Online store coming soon :)

06-03-2009, 10:36 PM	#22 (permalink)
94runnerfan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Spokane Posts: 83	I would check out garage sales, and Craigslist, people give away good CB's constantly I have picked up about 6 of them , a couple of which are cobras and nice radios for free, from random people and garage sales, and my neighbor gave me a few just because I had a huge antenna on my truck, and he wanted to get rid of them. As far as antenna I wouldn't skimp to much. I ran an old cobra 29 LTD my dad had laying in the garage from the 80's. I ran it through a 102" fiberglass whip mounted on the side of the truck behind the cab in my old truck and I could talk across town not sure how many miles, but Spokane is a good size town. Now I run it through I think a 48" firestick mounted on the side of the hood in my new truck, and I can hear maybe 50' to the passenger side of the truck and not really much at all to the driver side. Admittedly a 102" whip is overkill, and might be a pain if you drive under low trees, but I guess the point is the antenna makes a big difference my $0.02. they can be found used cheap __________________ 94 4runner de-chromed and mall rated soon to be built:http://www.yotatech.com/f116/4-3runn.../#post51132044

06-04-2009, 07:14 AM	#24 (permalink)
Just Learning Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Evans Colorado Posts: 683	when my family go out we use the garmin rhino 120 and have no problem whats is the difference, even driving on the interstate we still can talk??

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Tire recommendations...	ozzfan1JC	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	5	01-06-2005 06:29 PM
LCD Recommendations	Cebby	Computer Talk	9	11-18-2004 10:22 PM
PDA recommendations	TDiddy	Off Topic Talk	13	11-17-2003 07:37 AM
atf recommendations please	dallas tacoma	Maintenance & Repair Archives	9	09-22-2003 10:41 AM
recommendations?	tigers	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	3	06-27-2003 09:43 PM