Thanks Jack, WalMart has a 4amp Cobra for $80, is that a good idea, and what
is this stuff about the 7 channels for weather or what ever, what do you
mean? da -=dr=-
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----- Original Message -----
From: <jacka2@...>
To: <toyota-campers@...>
Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2001 11:56 AM
Subject: [toyota-campers] Buying the right CB radio.
I'm in the radio communications business. I design and
manufacture base com antennas. I've used all sorts of radios in
my vehicles including GMRS, Ham, and CB. I travel all over the
country, for my business. Here is what I have found works best
on the road.
CB is still the best choice for travel. Even more useful
than your cell phone. Channel #13 is the one used by most
RV'ers, according to the That said,
we heard no other RVs on the whole trip to Fla. But were
able to keep in touch between units quite well.
Don't buy a cheap radio, (Radio Shack comes to mind here).
Over all, Cobras seem to hold up the best and put out the
best signal. Around 4 watts on the later ones. Cheap Radios
do not hold up well in the extreme temp swings of a closed
truck. Expect a range of 2 to 3 mile between units. Less
when the band is noisy from skip. If you want more range
you will need an illegal amp, of at least 25 watts. Many
of the truckes use them. I don't.
Try to buy a radio with 7 weather channels. 3 channels
will work, but there may be times you won't hear (and that
will happen when you need it the most). By hearing what was
ahead of me I was able to duck into a rest stop and sleep
through some very bad storms on the way home.
Antennas need a ground. If your machine is glass, your
best bet is the metal mirror tube on the doors. Or drill
the hole in the fender and mount directly to the cab body.
If your unit is metal ("Spam Can") you can mount anywhere.
Drilling holes in these old units is OK, as even if you
sell it, the next owner will need an antenna too. Do a
nice clean job, and remember, longer is better, as far as
CB antennas go. Glass/window "stick Um on's " work
poorly at CB frequencies (27 Mh). Tuning the antenna for
best match is fine, if you have the equipment. If not don't
worry about it. Most will work, right out of the box.
The worst part about CB radios is finding a place to make
a mount in the small cab of our Toyotas. That's another
reason to buy a good radio first time, as you only want
to put it in, once.
Jack.
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