Oh hell, you can do that wicked easy. The radio I linked is $60, but I'm sure you can find a cheaper one. Antennas run from $20 and up, but you can definitely find a cost-effective one.

 

What do you think I should get

 

also check your local truck stop! i'm going pick up a small cobra cb for $50 tomorrow!!!

 

I have found better luck if you get one with a Mic Gain ***. I would dump the extra scratch for that one any day of the week. A good radio can be had for about 60 bucks like mentioned above. For an antenna you want at least 70% of it above the ground plane of the rig whether that be the roof line or a rack. Some guys say 2/3rds of it has to be above. I prefer all of it to be above. CB's are all equally powerful if they come from a manufacturer because they are regulated by the FCC for power, but you can have them tweaked as well for more power. If your going to be using the CB for trail use and close talking I would Highly advise you to not mess with a powered up/tweaked CB because they can over power other CB's and be very hard to hear. I'm my opinion they suck unless your a truck driver or need to reach out a ways. That's just my opinion though. I run a simple Cobra 40 channel CB with a "GOOD" quality Coax and a small 3' K40 1/4wave fiberglass whip. You want the best quality Coax you can afford, antennas are cheap for "trail antennas" If you get a K40 they warranty them for life if they break you just pay shipping. OK...I am going to stop talking now, feel free to ask any questions

CB= $60
Antenna= $20
Coax= $20-50
Bracket= $20

 

I hate to sound like a newb but coax? Is that the mic

 

Coax is the cable that connects your antenna to your CB radio.

If I'm not mistaken, there's both regular coax (similar to what you'd use for your cable TV), and another type that's two sheathed wires in a single cable.

 

Ok thanks a lot for the help. Will figure out what in gunna do and update but one more thing. Metal or fiberglass antenna? Radio shack has a 9 footer metal for the price of a 3 foot fiberglass

 

The 9-foot will give you better reception, and should be flexible enough to bend over and secure to the vehicle if you don't want a 9-foot whip bobbing back and forth on the vehicle. The fiberglass will be much more compact, though.

 

Your local Radio Shack or Motorola service center should have RG-58 (Coax) in stock.

 

Would it be possible to mount the 9 footer so I could flip up when I need it and fold down when I don't?

 

I love my CB on all jeep runs, it lets others know what is happening at the front or rear of the group. If the lead jeep gets to far ahead you just radio to then to hold up. You can also notify of hazards for those in the rear.

I mounted my antenna on my taillight cage as in the pic.

 

I just picked up a Cobra CB at the good ol' Walmart for under 40. It's compact and will fit nicely where my old electronic compass was (i have a limited). Now I just need to decide how big of a whip i should get

 

DB I would have ripped that thing off if it were on my XJ! Those 102" whips as know in the CB world are super for reception, but fail on trails because they whip all over the freaking place. Allot of clubs dont allow them for this reason. Go with a fiberglass one, they will hold up to the trees and stuff as long as you have a spring. Get a spring I dont care where you mount the antenna I've seen them break in all places on the XJ,s except mine on the roof has lasted so far, which is completely weird because it should have been ripped apart a long time ago since I hit trees with it daily on my commute

 

Get one with at least 2/3 or 70% above the ground plane...or top of the vehicle. Which means if your mount is 2' bellow the top of the cab then get one that's at least 5' long.

 

This is the cb the I have
http://www.jeepin.com/features/cobra75/index.asp
and I mounted the gray box under the center console. In the third pic of the write, it shows a tear drop shaped switch. I mounted mine underneath right there, then have the cord to attach to the cb come out from underneath.