I am looking at a cb for christmas I dont want something outrageous...something just cheap and that works good.
Im also going to need a whip, probably a 4 footer..what would you guys recommend?
pics and links would be great!

 

Cobra 29 Ltd classic. Is the CB I've run for years, most CB radios don't hold up to the vibrations and banging around while trail riding., I've always found the cobra radio and a Wilson 1000 to be a great combo. Any truck stop would have these. Around 200 bucks for CB and ant.

 

My cobra 19 is great, I would also recommend a firestik whip and a firestik SS-204A mount. These can all be found on amazon. Here's a photo showing how I mounted the whip, I put the firestik mount right behind my taillight and then ran the coax cable behind the trim above the doors to the cb which I mounted below my glovebox. I'll get a picture of where I have it mounted in the morning

 

heres links to the products i was recommending:

Firestik mount:
Cobra Radio:
Firestik Whip:
you would also need a spring for the whip:
you will also need coax cable, which you can get from amazon as well or just buy some at your local radio shack, which is where you can get the speaker and wire to set up a PA system.

 

thanks for the links and info!

 

X2 on the cobra 19. If you're on a budget and need a decent radio for the trails then the 19 is the best choice. Firestick and Wilson make really good antennas, you'll never go wrong. Just get a tunable antenna, it'll make your life easier haha

 

if i get a tuneable antenna do you have to get a spring? im not sure if i am a fan of how they look and I have seen some that didnt have springs

 

No, a spring isn't required. Also get yourself an SWR meter.

 

But a spring can save your antenna from breaking by giving it another point to flex if it gets hung up in low hanging branches on the trails...that's if you opt for a fiberglass whip. A stainless whip will flex for days.

 

What he said ^. Your best bet is to get a tunable antenna like a fire stik with the screw adjustment or a k40 with the pin in the top. Something that isn't "trim to tune". That will make the adjustment easier. Then pick up an swr meter at radio shack or somewhere. You need to tune your antenna to your radio. This will give you your best performance and help prevent damage to your radio. Also, a thinner antenna will allow easier fley if the antenna hits something as opposed to the thick (common on fire stiks) ones. The spring on the bottom will provide protection from impacts, but may require additional effort to get tuned properly, because the add length to your antenna.

 

firesticks arent adjustable. a wilson fiberglass whip has an adjustable tip.

the firestick mount is great its what i use. any cobra system will work fine.
i only have a 2ft whip with an adjustable tip. i use it for trails and daily driving. if im road tripping i can put a 5 ft tip on to make a total of 7ft for more range

 

i have the cobra classic...

im just trying to figure out where to put it.

 

and also when you wire your antenna... use 18 ft total. thats the optimum amount of cable. and dont coil the slack it creats resistance, use the stuff method or random ball. sounds dumb but it makes a difference

 

i mounted mine on the roof bar/windshield support beam. works great!

 

Unien Pro-520XL >>http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2572006
These are great little cheap radios, talk well and are tough, Just replace the mic with a good one like RK-56.
http://www.wearecb.com/store/turnert...ng-p-2633.html
Next is the mount.
I like the Ball mount.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2062088
I would use a spring on the mount.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2062089
102" steel whip antenna though some off road events hate them its hard to beat and tough as nails and since the tip of the antenna radiates most of the
energy its also higher than a 48" etc so you can get out farther and receive better.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2102428
If your XJ is like mine and has noisy wires.
Add this your list.
Ferrite Choke, put it on your power wire to the CB, form a loop and put it on the line where you have wire circling the choke.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2103222

One more tip, do not coil up your extra Coax and tie it together this creates a
magnetic choke in the coax and screws up your radiating power and your receive.


Then you just need some Coax.

I've used CB's for 20+ years and I prefer a Galaxy radio like my DX-66 but you wanted affordable. I've used the Uniden Pro series in a pinch alot too and I quit buying gimmicks and added features that you typically never use.