First time CB: Need opinions and direction on this set up!

[Jason Shelby]

As a truck driver, I'll just say find a good CB Shop (Chuck's just south of I-40, Exit 126 in TN is the best in my area) and spend a few dollars to have them peak and tune, add a talk back, and set the SWRs. Also if you live in a area where it gets cold and ice forms of stuff going down the road, buy a Steel antenna (like a Wilson 1000), because the fiberglass will freeze and crack. I have a Wilson I have been running for 10 years with no problems.


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[805RADO]

As a truck driver, I'll just say find a good CB Shop (Chuck's just south of I-40, Exit 126 in TN is the best in my area) and spend a few dollars to have them peak and tune, add a talk back, and set the SWRs. Also if you live in a area where it gets cold and ice forms of stuff going down the road, buy a Steel antenna (like a Wilson 1000), because the fiberglass will freeze and crack. I have a Wilson I have been running for 10 years with no problems.


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oh i didnt even think about that! I currently live in Truckee CA. It is already snowing here! maybe steel it the way to go?

 

[Jason Shelby]

It will be way better over the long run.


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[Coolhand]

With CB you are much better off with a great antenna and a cheap radio than an expensive radio with a cheap antenna. For mag mount antennas you can't beat the tried and true Wilson 1000 or 5000, they are 5.5' tall though. Wilson also makes the Lil wil which is 3' tall but the build quality of those is not the same and neither is the performance. Same goes for the 4' Wilson 500. For a shorter antenna the K30 (not a Wilson product) by K40 is a better choice in my humble opinion.

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[805RADO]

With CB you are much better off with a great antenna and a cheap radio than an expensive radio with a cheap antenna. For mag mount antennas you can't beat the tried and true Wilson 1000 or 5000, they are 5.5' tall though. Wilson also makes the Lil wil which is 3' tall but the build quality of those is not the same and neither is the performance. Same goes for the 4' Wilson 500. For a shorter antenna the K30 (not a Wilson product) by K40 is a better choice in my humble opinion.

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How do those mag mounts with the Long antennas do on freeway driving? I think I’d rather be able to leave it on full time.


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[Coolhand]

They do just fine. I have done over 90mph with 0 problems.

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[Coolhand]

The only reason I mention the height is because with a lifted rig it's going to hit everything. Never bothered me but your milage may vary.

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[805RADO]

Ya, that why I originally was looking at. 3 ft fire stick mounted to the alternate antenna ditch with a spring?


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[Jason Shelby]

With CB you are much better off with a great antenna and a cheap radio than an expensive radio with a cheap antenna. For mag mount antennas you can't beat the tried and true Wilson 1000 or 5000, they are 5.5' tall though. Wilson also makes the Lil wil which is 3' tall but the build quality of those is not the same and neither is the performance. Same goes for the 4' Wilson 500. For a shorter antenna the K30 (not a Wilson product) by K40 is a better choice in my humble opinion.

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I've had my Wilson 1000 forever, on my semi truck, with a Cobra 148 made in 1993, love my Wilson!


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[Jason Shelby]

The only reason I mention the height is because with a lifted rig it's going to hit everything. Never bothered me but your milage may vary.

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When I get to that stage in my Overland built I'm probably just going to mount it on the swing out tire rack on my bumper.


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[Coolhand]

I've had my Wilson 1000 forever, on my semi truck, with a Cobra 148 made in 1993, love my Wilson!


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Is that a Philippines or Malaysia radio. I have a Philippines and the receive on it is amazing.

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[Jason Shelby]

Idk? Never looked


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[Coolhand]

Those older 148gtl bring in some good coin, the new Chinese ones are just crap. That radio you have is a great SSB radio.

Sorry for the highjack.

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[Jason Shelby]

Those older 148gtl bring in some good coin, the new Chinese ones are just crap. That radio you have is a great SSB radio.

Sorry for the highjack.

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SSB radio?


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[Coolhand]

SSB radio?


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SSB or Single Side band is a mode of operation for some CB Radios. Most common CBs are AM and limited to 4watts, your 148gtl is a SSB radio which can transmit and receive on upper and lower sidebands or AM. The benefits are that a regular AM CB is limited to 4 watts legally but on SSB you can run 12 watts legally. There are other benefits but I won't get into that here.

Here is a good review on your radio... http://www.cbradiomagazine.com/Radio Reviews/Cobra 148 GTL/Cobra 148 GTL.html

He has a ton of information on his site.

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[Coolhand]

Here it a great old article about SSB, still relevant today.

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[Jason Shelby]

SSB or Single Side band is a mode of operation for some CB Radios. Most common CBs are AM and limited to 4watts, your 148gtl is a SSB radio which can transmit and receive on upper and lower sidebands or AM. The benefits are that a regular AM CB is limited to 4 watts legally but on SSB you can run 12 watts legally. There are other benefits but I won't get into that here.

Here is a good review on your radio... http://www.cbradiomagazine.com/Radio Reviews/Cobra 148 GTL/Cobra 148 GTL.html

He has a ton of information on his site.

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Thanks, I knew about the upper and lower bands, just never heard that term, didn't know about the 12 watts thing though, I read that article.


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[Coolhand]

With the right setup a CB can reach out and touch someone. I am a Lic. HAM and I still carry a CB.

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[Jason Shelby]

With the right setup a CB can reach out and touch someone. I am a Lic. HAM and I still carry a CB.

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I can usually talk several miles on mine any given day


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[805RADO]

So I just ordered everything I think I need for my CB set up, I should be getting everything in about a week. Ill be making a video on the learning curve and things I might have been able to do better. Im first going to try and mount the antenna in the opposite ditch of the stock antenna. If that doesn't work, ill be aiming for either the front left quarter panel near the hood or somewhere on the truck bed? We will see...