CB Radio

jdr3366 said:
Sweet.

I just want to hear people talking on the road. Once I set it up, will I have to retune it? I'm thinking of placing the box under the seat or under the dash.

What about the antenna? is there a short one I can use?

I wonder how much distance and quality I would lose if I placed it in the cargo area horizontally?
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A lot off the range.
Line of sight is key.
It trying to receive signals from the front, through the cab metal, is going to kill your range.
 
jdr3366 said:
Sweet.

I just want to hear people talking on the road. Once I set it up, will I have to retune it? I'm thinking of placing the box under the seat or under the dash.

What about the antenna? is there a short one I can use?

I wonder how much distance and quality I would lose if I placed it in the cargo area horizontally?
Click to expand...
When I am on the road I use a 4' firestik. (3-5 mile range) On the trail it's a 2' firestik (about 2 mile range)
 
Firestiks are great antennas. But you do not want to mount horizontally. Drastically reduces effective radiation pattern thus reducing your overall range. Your antenna needs to be in the open as much as possible to take advantage of its full potential.
 
Just a late thought to this thread....... I got back from off-roading with a group in central California and they were all running 2 meter radios. To be legal for transmit you need to be licensed. I am in the process of getting my license because it is worth it. Everyone in the group sounded crystal clear and range was not an issue for anyone. I do love my Uniden radio but I am jumping to 2 meter just for the superior range and audio quality.
 
freighter72 said:
all running 2 meter radios.
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Interesting. Is this a hand-held device? I read that it is not for communicating with CB radios.

freighter72, please post more information and experience.

Does anybody else have experience with this?
 
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jdr3366 said:
Interesting. Is this a hand-held device? I read that it is not for communicating with CB radios.

freighter72, please post more information and experience.

Dose anybody else have experience with this?
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Its just the wave length of the signal is about 2 meters roughly.
Operates from about 144 to 148 mhz frequency i think...but please don't quote me on that.
 
I run vhf radios in all of my semi trucks, equipment, and in my pickup to keep in touch with my employees.
Because a regular two way vhf radio like I use covers something like 136 to 175 mhz, a regular truck radio will communicate with a 2 meter radio.
If you use a cb radio, or uhf radio, it will not. CB is a lot lower frequency, I'm not sure what exactly but I believe around 40 or 50 mhz, and uhf radios are a lot higher, somewhere over 400 mhz.
I'm mostly familiar with vhf, and a bit with ham, and 2 meters.
CB is all but dead in my area, almost all radios are vhf, ham, or 2 meters.
 
And you didn't hear this from me, but some models of Tad vhf radios, are easily hacked allowing the user to program in any channels they want. So say you come to a logging road, and its radio controlled, but you don't have that channel already in your radio, it takes about 20 seconds to put it in.
At least where I live its not technically legal, but most people do it. Just don't be a dick and talk on someone's private channel without permission is all. I have a private company channel, and it is mandatory for any trucks hauling from my gravel pit to have the channel to communicate, and not be a hazard. Some guys have to go to a radio shop, with a letter I give them allowing permission, and then the shop programs in my channel....its ridiculous!
Have a hacked Tad, just pop the channel in, and done.
The hack takes about 3 minutes.
 
Thanks for all the responses. I lack sophistication. So, here are my dumb questions.

Do most truckers (or anybody) still use CB radios for on the road communication?

If not, what do they use?

Depending on these answers, what is your recommendation for a relatively low cost system with the shortest antenna that will let me communicate with people on the road at a distance of 2 to 5 miles?

You can tell I'm still hung up on the antenna length.
 
jdr3366 said:
Thanks for all the responses. I lack sophistication. So, here are my dumb questions.

Do most truckers (or anybody) still use CB radios for on the road communication?

If not, what do they use?

Depending on these answers, what is your recommendation for a relatively low cost system with the shortest antenna that will let me communicate with people on the road at a distance of 2 to 5 miles?

You can tell I'm still hung up on the antenna length.
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I believe that it is somewhat regional, so can't speak for everyone. But here, 99.9% of vehicles fitted with a radio, use a vhf style.
Range is extremely dependent upon the terrain you are in.
My pickup truck radio will easily receive and transmit over 40 kms if in a relatively open and flat area. When I get into extreme mountains, or downtown in the city with tall buildings all around, then 2 kms max, could be less.
I personally use a Shakespeare 5215 about 3 feet long in total, but front fender mounted, its not a lot higher than the cab roof, and it is flexible so running into tree branches and the garage door doesn't hurt it.
Don't buy a cheap $20 antenna, spend $70 on a good one. Get a radio with good wattage to, that will increase your transmission power.
My go to radio is a Tad M10, I love them, reliable, clear sound, awesome transmitter, store up to 396 channels, and can be hacked to program it yourself. They seem to last forever, despite the vibration of trucks and equipment, and being used 12 hours a day 360 days a year.
 
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FRS-GMRS antenna mount.jpg
Don't over think about the mounting, do similar to this person, fender mounted is fine, and really easy to wire, just sneak the cable through an existing grommet in the firewall if you want to, or buy a grommet to, and drill a hole. Fuse the power wire to the radio, and try mounting it where you don't smash your knees into it every time you jump into the truck. Some idiots mount radios right where they are perfect to hit every time I get in...probably doesn't help any that I'm tall.
 
Given the frequency range, you're probably gonna have to use at least a 2 footer to get any distance. Still has to be LOS, and anything more than an inch thick will degrade signal (buildings, fences, trees, etc.). Realistically, even with a 2 footer, expect about 1.5 miles at best. Weather will probably shrink that to 1 mile, tops. Better to just get a 3-4 foot antenna if you want to get your money's worth.
 
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