Best CB To Purchase

[dozer1]

For a deuce with hardtop or a cucv, I want to recommend a high end magnet mount right in the middle of the roof. Something like a K-40 or Wilson product. As good of a ground plane as you can get and simpler to set and keep working. The difference of performance between one of these and a 102" whip located in the middle of the roof would be hard to measure. (I know theoretically the 102" whip should out perform it) They are just so long they are kind of a pain.

 

[Billy Bobbed]

I run dual CB antennas they work great.I bought the cable made for a dual antenna set up.

 

[Welder Sam]

Im divided on what type of ant to run. I like the 102 and it could be mounted on bedside and tied in a military style but ive had good results out of mirror mounted duals.

 

[Cleptomaniac]

I have a 102 on one side of the 1009 and a military whip on the other side. The military whip is for looks and makes a great flag pole

 

[quickfarms]

Can a military antenna such as an AB-15 base and MS-116, MS-117, MS-118 mast sections be used with a CB?

 

[ssdvc]

WOW ! Great info, thank you !!

I want a back up to my cell phone and an alternate means of communication and the mil radios look great, but are expensive and you can't really use them (well you can, if you like living dangerously).

I also want to utilize the milspec antenna, as I have two mounts on my CUCV. Which one could be used for a CB?

 

[nk14zp]

Im divided on what type of ant to run. I like the 102 and it could be mounted on bedside and tied in a military style but ive had good results out of mirror mounted duals.

Here is a pic of my 102" on the bobbed deuce.

 

[Cleptomaniac]

If your going to use it like mine the "flag" mount needs to be on the right side of the vehicle.
The mill antenna is not supposed to be used for cb but I have been told you can....
I opted to stay under the radar and use all civi equipment.

 

[JAYHAWK 1962]

I use a cobra 148 gtl ssb. Always works well for me. Would it be possible to use a tunable military antenna like the mx 6707 series for the cb radios?

 

[Westex]

I use a cobra 148 gtl ssb. Always works well for me. Would it be possible to use a tunable military antenna like the mx 6707 series for the cb radios?

Yes, there is a previous post on tuning the base to cb use on this site. I'm computer challenged, but it would be there under this forum under military radios......I kind of remember doing the same search about spring of 2010 and there is a detailed explanation of how to retune the base of the military antenna to run cb frequency.

 

[123mack]

The AB-15 base and its associated mast sections would be fine, as long as the length is correct.

 

[JAYHAWK 1962]

Thanks

 

[quickfarms]

MS-116, MS-117, MS-118 mast sections are 39.3" long (1 meter)

Will this legnth work or does it need to be 102"?

 

[Fudge0514]

CB radio isn't bad... Ham radio is much better. I do have both installed in my Ranger and in my HUMMER. Even under austere conditions the Ham will reach further and sound better than the CB under optimal conditions. Getting your technician license will allow pretty much full use on the VHF/UHF spectrum (allows for crystal clear comms up to about 25 miles line of sight). The technician license is very easy to study for and get. Even the upgrade to the general ticket is quite easy, and this will allow most portions of the HF bands as well as everything you can get on the technician license.


As for what I use:
For the CB I am using a Cobra 29 WXNWBT in one, and a 29 WXNWST in the other. For the ham I use a Yaesu FT-8800R which does UHF and VHF.

For home use I have another Yaesu FT-8800R for VHF/UHF and a Yaesu FT-890 for HF. I also installed an Icom IC-2200H for VHF in my garage for when I'm working in there.

Another thing, the antenna choice is something you really need to plan out. Find a good antenna that will work on the freq's you intend to use, and mount it in a good spot if you can. This will really be the most important piece of your equipment, so if you want to be heard focus on this.

You can receive using a coat hangar, but if you want to transmit and be heard, you need a good antenna setup.

 

[srodocker]

on a vehicle whats the best spot? i was thinking of mounting behind my cab. a 102" whip but maybe have it on my mirror bracket and tie to down towards the back? or can i mount it on the bed and bend it back?

 

[Fudge0514]

on a vehicle whats the best spot? i was thinking of mounting behind my cab. a 102" whip but maybe have it on my mirror bracket and tie to down towards the back? or can i mount it on the bed and bend it back?

Generally, smack dab middle of your roof. But that's if you have a steel roof, and if it happens to be the largest, flat, horizontal surface on the vehicle. it gives you a solid ground plane.

 

[srodocker]

hrm that wont work out for mine..hrm

 

[dozer1]

Here is a link to some CB antenna basics that I found with a google search. Jeep Horizons :: CB Antenna Basics This is a great hobby in itself. Do some googling on it and learn the science behind it. Not trying to be an a-hole here but it is way better to base your antenna choice on the science then just wanting the truck to look like Johnny Bigriggers.

 

[m38mike]

MS-116, MS-117, MS-118 mast sections are 39.3" long (1 meter)

Will this legnth work or does it need to be 102"?

I've got a CB installed in my M38 and I use a military antenna and it works great! The AB-15 or the MP-65B are the best bases to use because the fitting on the bottom is a perfect match to a typical CB coax cable. Going up from the base you want 2 long antenna sections and 1 short one. That is what gives you the correct length for good CB transmission. Almost anything will work if you just want to receive.

The MS-116, 117 or 118 are each 39 inches. Those are the long sections. The short ones are AB-21, 22, 23 or 24, which are about 22 inches. I use a MP-65B, MS-116, MS-117, and AB-24 for my antenna. I wanted a strong base spring, and a stiff antenna mast. If you look at my avatar, it's mounted on the left rear corner on an MP-50 mount. If you want a really flexible setup then use the AB-15, AB-21, MS-117, and MS-118. If you're going through trees this might be a good way to go.

When I did the SWR check on this setup, I got an SWR of 1.3. That's a really clean signal. I also did a power check to another CB a mile away. I found I got a slightly stronger signal when the antenna broadcast over the jeep, than when the antenna was broadcasting directly away from the jeep. That's because the jeep provided a better ground plane for the signal. But the difference was so small that I really don't think it matters much.

What I really like about it is that it looks like it belongs on the jeep. I've got a 102 inch whip on my civilian jeep and it will out perform the military antenna by a little bit, again not much difference, not enough to notice. Fudge0514 said it right, a good antenna, well mounted, is the best thing you can do to get good comms.

 

[Westech]

Now this is something I have a little knowledge on, just some, not all. I personally run a Cobra 19 ultra, it was $35 at walmart, and it fits nicely between the seat and center console in my burban, no drilling holes required. Its nice to start with, but it is limited. I also have it set up so I can plug it in to the power point, instead of running and splicing into the wiring. Now for an Antenna, I started with a 27" fiberglass whip from Radio Shack, comes with the magnetic mount and 16' of coaxial. That worked well for the first 10 mins, and with 1800 miles on it, and nothing but static and bits and pieces here and there, that went out the door. So I ended up with a 102" Stainless Steel 1/4 wave whip from Radio Shack. I used the mount from the 27" and rigged it to fit, then stuck it between the back rails on the roof rack so it would not fall off. It dose not stand straight up, but it has that layed back look, which shortens the overall height, about 15 feet or so when its straight up. Its not the perfect set up, and I have to fiddle with it from time to time, but it works well going up and down 75 and 95. I can pick up guys on the east coast of FL form time to time. Average distance I get is about 10 miles I would say, maybe more. I dont use mine really, but for traffic, the po po, and for something different from the radio, 24 hours of driving straight you tend to hear the same crap on the raido. Its not my Ideal set up, but its working for now until I can get another pickup. If you wanna go all out, you could get one of those Cobra 29 LTD BT 40 Channels, with Duel 102" whips. Thats what I am going to end up with one day here soon.

A "102" is 102 inches long (1/4 wave).. that comes out to 8.5 feet.. not 15. Just saying....