CB radios?

[GreyWulf]

Question how many Nomads out there have a CB radio?

 

[GreyWulf]

For those that do have CB radios have y'all chosen a specific Channel for Nomads only?.

 

[johnny b]

deleted...jb

 

[Moxadox]

Great question! I've been considering investing in one. Sure would be a good thing to have a Nomad Channel.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[highdesertranger]

I have one. nowadays I use it for the weather radio part more then anything. cell phones kinda killed CB's not many people use them any more. having said that I will keep mine, just cuz. highdesertranger

 

[B and C]

They are great for caravanning as you don't have to hold it or place it somewhere where you may not hear a small handhed FRS radio. Great for traffic jams too.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Answer: I don't know how many nomads out there have a CB radio.

 

[skyl4rk]

I transmit Tarzan yells once in awhile and also report the countie mounties with a captured 4 wheeler at exit 22.

 

[JohnHarrelson]

First CB was in Raleigh, NC  1967 .. a base station with 1000 amp 5-element rotating beam antenna.. Talked all over America every night except when the FCC van was spotted in our area.    Had to have a license to operate a CB radio in those days.. 

My handle while living in Raleigh was the  "Raleigh Mailman"  later when I moved west and started driving big rigs my handle became the  "Carolina Cowboy"... Every night you could hear me somewhere along the interstate singing out ...

"Kentucky Dixie X-Ray one six six three, this Carolina Cowboy wishing he was down and bound for those Carolina towns with all eighteen going round and round wanna go home, kiss Mama and eat a biscuit  or  eat a biscuit and then kiss Mama, which ever comes first don't ya know"

Most nights there were three of us drivers running the same route and we would talk it up as we drove. 
"Tail Dragger" and "Spear Chunker" where are you today?

ahhh the memories..

 

[GreyWulf]

I have 3 CB radios two cobras and a maxon when I get my rig next week I will probably install the one that has the weather radio built-in question is what's the best antenna and the cheapest to get the longest range. I seen a couple nice ones at the Pilot truck stop.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I have a handheld unit from my Alaskan mountaineering days.  I'll probably never use it, there are much better options now.

 

[JohnHarrelson]

Hi GreyWulf,
That's a tough question.. there is no doubt the best antenna for long distance is the 102" steel whip spring-mounted in the center of a reflective metal plate like the roof of a car or truck or the center of the trunk lid on a car..

But while that would give the greatest range, it also gives the worst appearance you can imagine. I'm talking down right UGLY looking.

So where do you want to mount your antenna? ... roof, trunk lid, windshield, fender, pass-glass, etc..

With pick-up campers that extend over the truck roof a lot of people mount the antenna on the front fender, using an antenna mounting bracket to prevent drilling holes in the fender and the cable is easy to run through the fire-wall and into the dashboard area.

For my personal choice if I wanted the best distance and have it look nice on a pickup truck or car I would go for a magnetic base   "Base Loaded"  metal whip model. They are usually between 20" and 28" tall.
I don't like the fiberglass models because they tend to "weather" and turn into an ugly and painful shaft that puts "splinters" in your hand or arm every time you brush up against it.  
and stay away from the "Center Loaded" style as the top part has a bad habit of vibrating loose and falling off.

I would place the magnetic base antenna in the center of the roof of your car or truck and run the cable through a door jam or window if you cannot find a way to run it into the car another way.. or if you mount the antenna on the trunk lid of a car then simply run the cable between the hinged back of the lid, through and under the back seat, then under the floor mats and mount the radio on the "Hump" in front of the front seat so it will be out of the way and readily accessible when driving..

I like the magnetic base antenna best because it can be easily removed and placed inside the vehicle when going through a car wash or/and to prevent it being stolen if you park in an area that makes you feel uncomfortable.

There are several mirror-mount models as well as windshield "ribbons"  and "pass-through" window antennas and they all work pretty good but the distance/range won't be as great.

Hope this helps,
John

 

[highdesertranger]

hey now I have a 102inch whip. are you calling my antenna ugly? highdesertranger

 

[skyl4rk]

I have a magnet mount Wilson Lil Will, and it seems to be a decent antenna for a short magnet mount.

I would like a Wilson 2000 center load but my current antenna is working fine.

If you are looking for a cheap but good radio, check out the Uniden Pro505XL for about $30. It has weather. It does not scan and doesnt have ssb. But for a general driving radio it has a good reputation.

 

[GreyWulf]

Well it's a Class B RV fiberglass top I was thinking getting one of those booster antennas. Does the 102 Whip have to be in the center of the van or can I put it on the back bumper or front bumper.

 

[JohnHarrelson]

hey now I have a 102inch whip.  are you calling my antenna ugly?  highdesertranger

hahaha.. no, heck no Ranger.. unless you have it mounted on the roof of your car   .  I used to have one on my truck many years ago but it was mounted on the bumper, not the top of the cab..

I would not mount anything that big on a fiberglass roof, the swaying action of the heavy whip as the vehicle moves forward, backward and turning will eventually tear the mounting bracket out of the roof.  If you feel that you actually need a 102" whip, you should mount it on the bumper with a "Chain Clamp" to avoid drilling holes in the bumper and to make it easy to remove if you decide to later.

Since you have a camper. I suggest using a mirror mount antenna, maybe even the trucker's model that has twin antennas, one on each side mirror. They are lightweight fiberglass and won't put much wind drag on the mirror frame.

But of course the decision is your's to make..

Best wishes,
John