cb radio

[plowking_90]

what is a good resonably cheap cb radio

[Toolmaster]

Midland, Cobra, Radio Shack, ........................
Check local pawn shops for a used one.
Truckstops have them some times.
Find a local CB shop for a good one !  
I have owned CB's starting back in the 70's, and have had all kinds.
To make it talk better, Take it to a CB shop and Have it peaked out.
Pick a good antenna and have the SWR's set after it is installed.
Coax cable should be in 9', 12' or 15' (dividable by 3)

Firestick makes a good antenna.
Try to find one with MIC GAIN controle in your price range.
How much you looking to spend ?     I'll do some searching
 

[plowking_90]

anywhere from $50-100 i have a radioshack cb but im not to sure about it

[plowking_90]

im pretty sure this is the one i have or its close to it

[Toolmaster]

Have it checked out at a CB shop. They can tell you if it works. The local shop charges me
$25 to check out and peak if needed.  Prices may differ where you live.
Decide where you want the antenna mounted and run your cables then if the radio is ok
have them set the SWR's.

SWR---  Haveing them set properly will have a effect on how well you can hear and talk.

[smitty77]

anywhere from $50-100 i have a radioshack cb but im not to sure about it

The Uniden PC78 is a nice solid radio.  I think even Wally-Mart sells them for around $80.

Spend good money on an antenna.  When stock, these radios only put out 4 watts (FCC law), and probably no more than 20 when "peaked out".  The antenna and it's mounting location on your truck will make the most difference, and will make getting a low SWR easier.  For SWR, lower is better, with a ratio less than 1.5-to-1 being optimum.  And if you want to do "twin sticks", don't just wire them in with a T-connector.  You need a matched length of coax between your T and each antenna to get any shot at a low SWR.  Beyond that, consider a noise filter for the radio's power to keep ignition noise out of the radio.

Seeing you're in Connecticut, check out Big Buffalos Hide in Norwich.  He sells CB equipment and tunes radios and carries all kinds of good antennas that put the ones at Radio Shack to shame.  Cash only though.  If you want his number (call before you go, he has funny hours), send me a message and I'll get it to you.  If you need any help, feel free to ask.  I've dabbled a little in CB, but am an experienced Ham radio operator.  In that hobby the antenna is everything.

Smitty

[plowking_90]

i plan on running a  T with two 4 foot wips on the inside of the bed

[smitty77]

i plan on running a  T with two 4 foot wips on the inside of the bed

Before doing anything, check out this page:
http://www.signalengineering.com/ultimate/co_phasing.html

It's geared toward big antennas, but the principles apply for whips as well.  The antenna spacing is a fixed variable, the bed is only so wide, so don't worry too much about that.  The important stuff is at the bottom - coax types (impedance is important) and lengths.  I see lots of pickups and big rigs running random coax - you may as well flush the money spent of the second antenna down the shitter - your not seeing the signal gain if you mickey mouse it.  My current parts truck has a cb mounted with two coax feeds running into the same connector in the back of the radio.  I bet that radio couldn't be heard more than a half mile away.

As for the antenna locations, you'll see some funky SWRs if you mount them too close to the cab.  If you can devise a decent looking mount that gets the whip above the roof you'll be better off.  I have a small whip on my work truck right behind the cab, and while it looks sharp, I can't get the SWR below 2.5-to-1, and performance suffers as a result.  The best location is the middle of the roof, then a hood mount, and last behind the bed.  I think they also sell glass-mount antennas, which may be a better option for you.  Contrary to popular belief, they makes ones where glass drilling is NOT required.  They work using a dielectric tape to conduct your signal trough the glass.

You can put as much effort into this as you like.  A rushed job will work, but not as well as you'd like (maybe a couple of miles on the highway).  A loud signal requires some planning.  And get an SWR meter!  Don't rely on the little dinky ones of some CBs.  I picked mine up at RadShack for about $35.  Then rent it to your friends to help them get some extra punch out of their signal.

[dumbucket1]

just curious, what will you use a cb for in a pickup? Im a truck driver and don't even use them.

[Redneckchevy]

I use my cb any where from 2-5 times a day...Gets boring in rush hour traffic....That and the trucks come with em so why not use em....I also got one in my pickup truck...Just for looks....I like my truck on the trashy side...Cb..Hood scoop...Naked lady mud flaps lol

[dumbucket1]

I dont bother with them, too many trash talkers out there. Good old burned cd's keep me entertained.

[85MudMonster]

I just hooked up a Cobra I got from Wally World today. Picked it up for $35, it's the Cobra 19 Ultra III, hooked up a PA speaker to it as well, just for gits and shiggles. Anyway, It works really good, I went to RadioShack and got a 64" whip for it as well.