I'm debating getting one. I would hardly use it, and only on group trips. Figure it'd be way easier then calling and texting while wheeling. Wanted to know how hard they are to hook up, and if I really needed to mount an antenna on my jeep to have one. Also, would want a smaller, non expensive one that still worked within a few mile radius. Any ideas?

 

Yes you would need an antenna. You could go with a magnet mounted antenna but they reception isn't as great as with a permanent mounted antenna. Radio shack has an inexpensive CB and so does Cobra for around $50. It only takes a little electrical know how to set everything up properly so you don't get any kind of engine noise through the speakers. All in all it would take a few hours and maybe $100 total for everything you need.

 

Check craigslist as well. There was a guy in my area selling a Cobra 29 for 30 bucks. Looked to be in pretty good condition.

You'd be surprised at how useful a cb can be. Read up on the install, its not hard, pretty much just a power wire and then your antenna wire. Get yourself an external speaker, that way if you have someone outside spotting you can talk to them without putting your head outside of the rig.

 

found my brand new cobra 29 at a garage sale for 5 bux. just needed the mic repaired. easy fix.

then i got a 9ft whip antenna and mounted that to my rear bumper. i tuck it into my roof rack when not in use. surprisingly, it doesn't smack the back of the jeep as much as i thought it would.

i used a magnet mount at first, but the tree branches kept knocking it off.

to install, just bolt up the mounting bracket and you have a ground and a red positive wire. just use a spade connector on the end of the power wire and insert that into a constant power in the fuse box. there are small holes that a female spade fits into.

good for hiway info from the truckers too.

 

X2 on the external speaker/ PA . I use mine all the time. . . I get bored at red lights and most people just can't figure out where that voice is coming from. Lol very handy on the trail also.

 

I got the cheap Cobra 29 at Walmart and it works great. I think I paid $45 for it. Took me about an hour to install. I have the magnetic 3' antenna that works ok. I will be purchasing a 6' and mounting it this spring to replace the magnetic one. Yes, listening to the truckers is fun and helpful if you need traffic info.

 

I can get a cobra model 19dx with external speaker for $60. No antenna tho. Is that a good deal? What else would I need? I don't like the idea of another antenna sticking out. What are my options?

 

you have no choice but to have another antenna to use a CB. There are shorter alternatives you can get but youll lose range. If youre only using it for the trails I dont see a problem using a short antenna but if there is an emergency and you have no cell service youll wish you had a full length antenna. Thats just my preference and opinion.

 

Nice Galaxy about to end on Ebay right now. Has the echo and roger beep and all that cool crap.

 

I drive a truck, and I've used CB's for 20+ years.
If your going to leave the radio stock, I would suggest a little Uniden like this one.

Or

Either one will talk great, I would add a good microphone and no one can tell the difference in audio quality between these sub $50 unidens and a $100+ Cobra.
If you want a Cobra the Cobra 25 is a great choice for a clean design, again I suggest a good noise canceling microphone.
Like the RK56

Antennas, I prefer a Stainless Steel 102" Whip for use on Pickups and Jeeps, remember that height is everything when transmitting so everything else being equal the 102" antenna will reach farther than a short Wilson, or Fiberglass Firestick if for nothing else than the fact its higher up.

SWR, Standing Wave Resistance, this how hard the signal has to push to radiate through the antenna, perfect tune is 1.1 and anything above 2.0 is harmful to the radio and damage the final transistors over time if used in a state of high SWR, it also limits your effective range of the radio.

Good Luck with your choices.
For the record one of the best radios I've ever owned is a Galaxy DX66 I have talked over 20 miles on it ground wave, but its not a "Legal" CB radio and puts out over 40watts of power, where a legally on CB bands its max is dead key of 4 watts.

 

Unidens like that are 4 pins like the Cobras?

 

Yes they are 4 pin. Same pinout as the Cobra 25/29 remember that the Cobra 148 uses a 5 pin so always look at the connector even if the package says Cobra.

 

Roger that!

 

X2 on the road king mic. I love mine. I did have to have the shop re solder the outside where the cord goes.