2halfs
CA.
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Joined: 04/26/2006
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We are looking for advice on setting up our CB radio on the pick-up to use while towing a trailer behind us.
Can others please share what they are using in the way of antennas? Where the antenna sits? How high? Where you ran the antenna in from the roof of the tow vehicle to inside?....
Do you find that the CB reception is different rather you hard wire the CB or hook up with a 12 volt plug?
And what (how far) of reception do you get?
Many thanks,
Happiness in an RV is a Full Tank of Gas,
and an Empty Holding Tank!
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old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
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Joined: 03/15/2006
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back in the day when we used to fine tune our sets we had great reception. But now a days the units are so weak that you are lucky to get a mile or two out of them. they say they are to have 5 watts but only put out about 2.5 to 3.0 watts of power. we would tweak ours to put out the full 5 watts. makes a big difference.
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loggenrock
New Hampshire
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Joined: 06/28/2007
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Many will tell you the antenna is the most important part of any radio system. So getting a good antenna is important. Actually, Flying J truckstops have a pretty good selection these days - and they have an on-line store, too. As far as hard-wired vs. lighter-plug - that won't make much of a difference for a non-modified, store-bought CB. That said, you still won't get more than a couple miles range think I spoke with 1 other on my last 3 week travel last month - seems like folks don't use them much. where I DO find them helpful is when I all-of-a-sudden end up approaching a traffic tie-up - I can usually find out what is happening and maybe a way out of it! ST
2003 Roadtrek 190P Chevy 3500, and a pair of Limmers...
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2halfs
CA.
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Joined: 04/26/2006
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old guy-
Seems nothing is made as good as it used to be! About 8 years ago my parents gave us a washer and dryer made by Kenmore....they had already used it for 10 years when thay bought it new...We put another 8 years on it and gave it to friends as we bought a brand new waher and dryer, also made by Kenmore.
Since then....we have repaired the washer twice and had bought two new dryes, and today that original set my parents gave to us is still going strong.
I am only in my mid 40's of age....but I am already seeing and telling about the good ol' days when things were made better. Just like my parents had said to me.
Guess the same is with the Cb radios too.
loggenrock-
I have heard before about your antenna being a important part of your set up.
We have a 4.5 ft. whip antenna (up to 2500 watts, if this means anything)
We are looking at the best way to run the antenna wire into a 2005 Siverado Crew Cab....We do not want to drill any holes in the pick-up.
We just purchased a 5" magnetic mount for the top of the cab.....After we get this set up I guess a test drive will tell if this is a good match....Antenna still on top of the pick up when we return...Good match! LOL!
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SCVJeff
Santa Clarita, CA.
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Joined: 07/28/2006
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old guy wrote:----snip---. we would tweak ours to put out the full 5 watts. makes a big difference. Only 5W? Cummon now, it's just you and me here..... What did you reeely set them for...? 
Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350
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Brad01
NC
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Joined: 07/19/2002
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I would agree with the above posts about the antenna being the most important. Also, have a CB shop adjust the antenna for you (SWR). For factory power it is not mandatory buit it will improve your outfit. I still use mine occassionally when we travel as a group or for short ranges the little hand held walkie talkies work well. They are on a seperate channels from CBs. Good luck.
2005 Chev 2500 PU CC 4x4 SB Duramax/Allison with ARE Camper Top
2002 Keystone Hornet 32R TT w/ 1 slide
Wife: (Jane) Artsy person and Haiku Poet that loves to camp
Son: Junior at NCSU
RV Usage Pre-2006:unknown, 2006:60 nights, 2007:53 nights
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shelbyd
20min west of Rochester, NY
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Joined: 10/25/2003
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I have a k-40 by Wilson. The whip is easily removable for a car wash or whatever. Magnet really sticks. I ran the wire under the carpet and found a rubber plug under the driver's floor. Punched a hole in the plug and ran it up the back of the cab to the antenna. We have a cap so the wire is not really seen other than out the back window by me. Got a larger model truck CB with weather and adjustable swr so that setup works pretty well.
Great for a traffic tie up. Truckers generally re-route. That and a good GPS and where in business. Hardly use it, but wouldn't be without it either.
2006 Silverado 2500HD 6.0 4:10
2006 Sunline 2553
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Turbo Diesel Dude
Green Mountain, NC
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I use a Radio Shack CB with the auto Weather Channel/compass along with a magnetic roof mount. Usually a CB is only good for line of sight but there are times you can get a "bounce" from low clouds or so I've read. JMHO
charles weidman
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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i just use magentic mounts on the roof or thru the glass types myself. do not try to use a thru the glass antenna on dual pain windows however.
 I mean we are talking about short ranges here, a mile or two up and down the road, not intercontinental transmission.
bumpy
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RJsfishin
Winston Or.
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Joined: 10/16/2007
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A good antenna/installation is important too, but so is a good radio. The good radios are filtered much better than the $39 cheapies. And noise is the biggest problem nowdays. So get a good $89 Cobra Classic for starters. The higher end Radio Shack radios used to be made by Cobra, but I don't think so anymore.
Rich
'98 Flair, 454, Onan Microlite 4k, Intel PD 9155 w/ wizard, Sta-power 1500 watt Inv, 2 6v batts, ammeters, KingDome/sat, Oly Catalytic Heat, hauling 2 Bent Bikes and sometimes towing a Tracker F&S boat.
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