Southern California Club Xterra
Southern California Club Xterra => SCCX General Discussion => Topic started by: Odinson on January 09, 2013, 03:51:51 PM
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Hey guys! I'm looking to get my CB set up for less than or around $100 - for radio, antenna & mount. Seeing good reviews for the Uniden PRO510XL 40-Channel CB Radio
( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004VXNF/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AMEAQY81R6T0Z )
Not sure if anyone has a better suggestion? Also, wondering what SCCX prefers for Antenna & mount set up! I like the idea of a side mount from the rear bumper to keep the antenna height around roof level, but not sure.
Also, I'll be testing for my HAM on 1/20 so that'll be included in the blue prints for wiring, set up etc... Thanks!
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i would recommend spending 4$ more and stepping up to the PRO520XL.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004VXNI
it adds support for external PA speaker which can be fun on the trail, and RF gain which can help to hear faint signals better.
as for antenna mounts, most seem to like the Diamond D400 series of lip mounts for the rear hatch
http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-000191
it allows you to mount your antenna almost anywhere, but most will mount it on the rear hatch.
one thing about antennas is you want them above the vehicle, the rule of thumb is to have atleast 2/3 of the antenna above the roof line so the lower your mount, the longer the antenna you should run. most people get away with a 2' or 3' firestick on a K400 mount with good results. do note that 102" whip antennas are not allowed on any club runs.
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Here's my attenna set up. I have the Firestik Mount http://www.amazon.com/FireStik-MK-204R-Adjustable-Antenna-Mini-Kit/dp/B000X39TQ0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1357782853&sr=8-3&keywords=firestik+antenna+kit
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg237/kaveh34/130BC1C4-A563-49FB-A914-50FB5CEC3ABB-6834-0000069F06443ADE.jpg)
If you're wonder if the screws hit the tailgate, when closed, they do. So ground them down flat ;D
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg237/kaveh34/1A8E50DC-4BB1-44C9-A995-21CA1DAE0FB7-6571-000006822A38C72E.jpg)
Here's my CB set up. I have the PRO520XL, and I'm very satisfied with it.
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg237/kaveh34/41dbd772.jpg)
With 3' Firestik Antenna and a medium spring
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg237/kaveh34/64F7FB3D-B58B-48CF-BA7B-B42239B555EB-6834-0000069F2D847063.jpg)
My favorite mod is my PA :P
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg237/kaveh34/1C3B7E62-897B-4122-987A-0C3DD3F5746A-15375-00000E87B5EAF447.jpg)
The whole set up was less than a $100
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Good write up with great photos Ray!
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Joey,
Try these sites for radio stuff:
Wolcott CB (http://www.walcottcb.com/)
AES Ham (http://www.aesham.com/)
Wide variety of mounts/radios/antennas...had the opportunity to order from both.
Poke around after you've looked at a few of the mounts/installs on everyone's rigs here.
Congrats on studying for the Amateur Radio License...35 questions is all that's between you and crystal clear long distance comms! ;D
Lots of operators here at SCCX now, so throw up any questions you have. Paul is THE electronics guru around here for everything that ohms you.
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I have a similar setup with a Midland 1000z mounted inside the center console, an HD spring mount, a Firestik hatch mount and 48" antenna. About half sticks out above my roofline.
Also be aware that HAM and CBs have different frequencies that they operate so you will need to route differemt antenna cables to separate antennas.
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You guys are amazing. Thank you so much for the thorough replies!!
Ray/Hevak that is basically a step by step - you rule. x2 what Randy/RB said. And the PA addition is victorious!! And the Stormtrooper sticker on the roof rack is awesome.
John/Ghost, upgraded to the 520XL. Good call.
Superslide, I've been trying to find an antenna that'll work for both and am yet unsuccessful so it probably will be a double.
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FYI: When I ran my coax front to rear, I bundled/plumbed the CB/Ham coax together and have had no problems.
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Ghost, Yea that works fine because the frequencies are far enough apart that you won't get any crosstalk.
Odinson, I don't think you will find a antenna that will cover ham bands and cb.
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The most popular amateur bands on vehicles are 2M (VHF) and 70cm (UHF). CB radio is 11 M so it's a HF frequency but just barely. Building an antenna that covers that many bands is difficult.
I have an adjustable fiberglass stick that can be adjusted for CB and 11 meter amateur radio.
It's best to go with two separate antennas. I have separate amateur radio antennas for around town and out on the trail.
I use a detachable ham radio unit.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Ham%20Radio/YaesuMounting.jpg)
And mount the brains under the driver's seat.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Ham%20Radio/HamRadioMounting.jpg)
I use a trunk lip mount on the hatch for ham.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Ham%20Radio/CometSBB7.jpg)
For CB I have a stud mount for a Firestick on my ShrockWorks rear bumper and a K40 magnetic mount. My tiny CB.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Ham%20Radio/CBRadio.jpg)
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If you're looking at $100 budget for a comm set up then buy a Wouxun handheld HAM radio and forget about the CB. You'll get so much for your money and it's about $125 at Ham Radio Outlet.
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Well if the primary use is for trail runs, I would go for cb over ham because the majority of the chatter is on cb and the radio, antenna and mount can be had for $100. Also if your going to use a handheld, you still need an external antenna to get any range within a vehicle
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I have both CB and HAM in my primary rig. I'm a member of several off road clubs and there's a large transition from CB to HAM over the last 1.5 years. I've seen CB become the secondary from of communication.
I have a both hand held HAM and mobile HAM unit in my rig. The handheld works much better than my hard mounted CB with external antenna.
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Almost any Ham will beat CB for performance, but most of the chatter for this group is still on CB. Plus on CB you can still say stuff like "breaker breaker good buddy, you got your ears on the flip flop, I got a sum-bich meltin my antenner"
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I just saw this FWIW:
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/ele/3543507958.html
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Hahahahaha! (Sniff. Sniff) God that sounds too much like a redneck trucker. Just too funny.
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The most popular amateur bands on vehicles are 2M (VHF) and 70cm (UHF). CB radio is 11 M so it's a HF frequency but just barely. Building an antenna that covers that many bands is difficult.
I have an adjustable fiberglass stick that can be adjusted for CB and 11 meter amateur radio.
It's best to go with two separate antennas. I have separate amateur radio antennas for around town and out on the trail.
I use a detachable ham radio unit....
That is a sick set up Paul!! Really like the hardware under the seat idea - seen it done with a compressor, never thought of it for the HAM set up. Awesome explanation & photos - thanks so much!
I have both CB and HAM in my primary rig. I'm a member of several off road clubs and there's a large transition from CB to HAM over the last 1.5 years. I've seen CB become the secondary from of communication.
I have a both hand held HAM and mobile HAM unit in my rig. The handheld works much better than my hard mounted CB with external antenna.
Thanks for the input BFE - HAM is definitely the more capable method. I've heard CB is more popular for runs so it is interesting / intriguing that you have seen groups switching. I also definitely want the HAM because we camp a lot, and communicating with someone who is an hour behind is much easier with a long range HAM set up.
Almost any Ham will beat CB for performance, but most of the chatter for this group is still on CB. Plus on CB you can still say stuff like "breaker breaker good buddy, you got your ears on the flip flop, I got a sum-bich meltin my antenner"
This is half the reason I want a CB, Randy - so we can talk like truckers whilst conquering trails. :P
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We now have 14 hams as members in SCCX...it's growing!
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I got bored after work and stopped at HRO, strolled out with a yaesu FTM-350AR. going to get my aprs on.
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I use a trunk lip mount on the hatch for ham.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Ham%20Radio/CometSBB7.jpg)
Hey Paul,
Can I ask what mount you used? Getting ready to make the CB set up purchase this weekend, and your setup is one of the cleanest I've seen and read up on. Thanks for all the info guys!!
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That's a Diamond K400 SNMO - a NMO mount but they make the K400 also in UHF (SO-239) and 3/8" stud.
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I posted this new addition in the General section, but it belongs here.
Inspired by Danny/Toro, this Aux CB Speaker fits nicely under the dash and sounds great.
Found it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/RoadPro-RPSP-15-Universal-Extension-Speaker/dp/B000ZIC18Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367804683&sr=8-1&keywords=Cb+speaker
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg237/kaveh34/5F6188D4-4686-428E-8C34-A805F8C6370F-1400-0000015F01A94C1D_zpsb87e6ee2.jpg)
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I posted this new addition in the General section, but it belongs here.
Inspired by Danny/Toro, this Aux CB Speaker fits nicely under the dash and sounds great.
Found it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/RoadPro-RPSP-15-Universal-Extension-Speaker/dp/B000ZIC18Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367804683&sr=8-1&keywords=Cb+speaker
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg237/kaveh34/5F6188D4-4686-428E-8C34-A805F8C6370F-1400-0000015F01A94C1D_zpsb87e6ee2.jpg)
Thanks for the heads up, Ray! I definitely am looking for the PA speaker and inside CB speaker combo 8)
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it's good to see more people getting in to ham radio.
I won't get started now but if we're ever out on the trail and we start talking about radio at lunch time...you may need 2 lunches ;D
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it's good to see more people getting in to ham radio.
I won't get started now but if we're ever out on the trail and we start talking about radio at lunch time...you may need 2 lunches ;D
Boy if that ain't the truth... ;D
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lol.. I'm not scared to admit it!