Any of you all into CB Radio?

Mine is a 2004. The factory radio cd player quit taking cd's. The slot is right about 2 din high but the dash bezel comes in around 1/16". You do have to modify the dash to fit two single DIN sizes in. There is a mount the factory radio sits in that is held in the back by a rivet. drill that out and then the bolts and remove that mount. Then where that rivet connects to had to be cut out so the bottom radio will fit. If you study it carefully you can see there is a shelf like area where the back of the bottom radio will sit but the plasitc is molded above that so you cut out the plastic down to that 'shelf'. Then the normal double din mount had a small gap between so I couldn't use it, I just modified the side mounts. The only issue was the antenna. I had to remove the outside of the antenna connector and just plug the center pin in then strip the outer and wrap it around the connector and spin another nut on to hold it. Basically I made a super low profile right angle connector. You can remove another dash bracket rather than modify the antenna cable but that way I did I i can return the factory radio mount if I wanted to.

The radio is a Kenwood with Android control, it will interface with my phone and let me make calls and such or control music.
The CB is the new Uniden SSB.
I also have a fuse/relay panel under the dash going to a secondary battery installed in the factory tray from a diesel (they parallel two for starting) and a surepower voltage controller separator. So I start the truck and the alternator starts charging then when the voltage gets above 13 the combiner relay engages connecting the two batteries. The voltage sense keeps the secondary from loading the primary battery should you run the secondary down low. I've used the same J case fuses for the main circuits and mini fuses and metripack connectors as factory for all the wiring. The trailer charge wire I've connected to my secondary battery as well.

Messy because I was still working on it but the power


A little closer pic


And my 'professional' installer

 
Last edited:
Thanks EugeneNine.

My factory player ate my Jimi Bold as Love CD and wont give it back.

That's a nice install you did. I'd like something similar but I'm far behind on the tech stuff. When I do get to it I'll remember this. The dual batt is something I'll probably never need but will consider.

Thanks again.
 
The dual battery was for this as well


I just run one line to the back and another to the cab to make use of it there too.
 
1781694_462149973884455_1254589310_n.jpg

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Here is my setup for my home.
 
I had the cb disease bad in the early-mid 1970s. Had a Hy-Gain 23 channel mobile in my POV, a 23 channel Midland in my patrol car radio console and a Navaho TRC 30A base station at home running a Turner +3 mike to an Astroplane ground plane and a Wilson Y-Quad beam. Still have the little Midland hooked to a power supply out in my shop/reloading room and it still works after over 35 years. Only 23 channels but a great little radio.

"You got the Centurian, KFF-4674, the ratchet jaw cop with the bubble on top down and on the stood by."
 
My forum name here is actually a variation of my CB "handle" from the mid 70's. I had a CB in my truck and a base station at home...Cobra 85 with a D104 power mike and a Hy-Gain Super Penetrator 5/8 wave antenna.

I think that computers and cell phones have largely replaced CB radios.
 
cb radios in this area are still hugely popular here...I have had base and mobiles since the late 60's also have my ham license...both are lots of fun
 
I was into it hot and heavy but just like so many things in this crowded world it became over populated with idiots. The aggressive and profane and idiots and time checks eventually had me taking a lot of '7s (10-7 is the code name for a break or time out) in favor of the radio or 8-track. Those '7s got longer and longer until I just took it out of my truck and sold it.

It even got me a speeding ticket one time. I caught a smokey report from "The Weight Watcher". He said, "Clean and green good buddy. I'm shakin' the trees. Y'all can rake the leaves." CB talk for I'm runnin' ahead of you and makin' sure there's no smokes. You can come on along after me no problem.

Turned out The Weight Watcher was actually THE WAIT Watcher. He was a county mounty. He was WAITIN' and he was WATCHIN'. I hated gettin' the ticket but I had to admit the set up was cool. He cut me some slack in that he just charged me for 10 mph over which is a lot less that what I was doing.
 
SSB & VFO's

I used to enjoy them years ago. Started out with the 23 channel ones then advanced to 40 channel SSB. Then came the sliders (Vf0's). The SEARS SSB was an awesome radio to convert even though it was not legal.

Ran one of those in my 70 Ford truck along with a 100 watt amp and steel whip.

In the house I had a Siltronix 1011 working 11 meters but soon became wary of running extra wattage from a fixed location. Sold that and replaced it with a frequency modified SEARS 40 SSB as the base...no additional wattage. Had a Shakespear Big Stick and PDLII antennas. Replaced the PDLII with a Moonraker IV and enjoyed flatside single sideband.

I talked to many places and had a couple of walls of QSL cards. Then I became paranoid and I quit. That was now decades ago.

Today I've got two Midland CB 40 channel (not sideband) radios in a box in the basement. They were given to my youngest son a few months ago. Those are stored here and are tormenting me.
 
Back when I drove Tractor Trailer I ran a Galaxy radio and Texas Star 500 watt linear Amplifier. Radio kept me awake at night and was lots of fun!
 
So would buying a handheld cb be wise? Like do people still commonly communicate with them? I'd like to have one for SHTF scenarios and to mess with truckers on long boring trips.... [emoji41]


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I think about getting one in my truck. Not sure why and when, but it might come in handy one day...
 
In my teens for BSing with friends.
In my 30s for about 10 tewars when I was hauling produce coast to coast.
Just about to start back, along with ham, for SHTF communications.
 
bburnette252 said:
So would buying a handheld cb be wise? Like do people still commonly communicate with them? I'd like to have one for SHTF scenarios and to mess with truckers on long boring trips.... [emoji41]


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Click to expand...

You get what you pay for. A handheld is going to have limited range compared to a vehicle mounted radio, which has a more limited range than a properly set up base station. The most important part of any radio (IMO) is the antenna. If your antenna is not properly placed and not matched to your radio, you may as well be talking into a bucket.

Now, this is just my opinion, but it's kinda like buying a Taurus or a S&W. The Taurus will probably work. The S&W WILL work.

ETA: Be careful messing with truckers. We mess back. ;) And your handheld will be like a gnat compared to my velociraptor Galaxy 99. :D
 
truckemup97 said:
You get what you pay for. A handheld is going to have limited range compared to a vehicle mounted radio, which has a more limited range than a properly set up base station. The most important part of any radio (IMO) is the antenna. If your antenna is not properly placed and not matched to your radio, you may as well be talking into a bucket.

Now, this is just my opinion, but it's kinda like buying a Taurus or a S&W. The Taurus will probably work. The S&W WILL work.

ETA: Be careful messing with truckers. We mess back. ;) And your handheld will be like a gnat compared to my velociraptor Galaxy 99. :D
Click to expand...

My galaxy dx 29hp probably wouldn't even bother playing the signal coming from a handheld. My squelch is turned up a little high for that

the original point and click interface, by Smith & Wesson
 
bburnette252 said:
So would buying a handheld cb be wise? Like do people still commonly communicate with them? I'd like to have one for SHTF scenarios and to mess with truckers on long boring trips.... [emoji41]


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Click to expand...

I have the Cobra HH28 and it works well. I can get out around 10 miles in my truck with the little wil or K-30 with it. I can only get around 3-4 miles with the Cobra Telescopic retractable antenna using it as a handheld. I got the connector to hook it to the PL259's. When the power is out I hook it to my Antron 99 and can get out 20 miles or more easy. Its just a simple 40ch radio. No scan or weather or anything. Im thinking about gettin the Midland 75-822 it has some nice features for a handheld.
 
I have had one in every truck since I was 16. I don't talk too much, but it has saved me a handful of times regarding traffic and road conditions. The radios with the built in NOAA frequencies are even better. I am also a ham, but CB is still the best thing going for interstate traffic, etc. as every truck has one.
 
K1500 said:
I have had one in every truck since I was 16. I don't talk too much, but it has saved me a handful of times regarding traffic and road conditions. The radios with the built in NOAA frequencies are even better. I am also a ham, but CB is still the best thing going for interstate traffic, etc. as every truck has one.
Click to expand...


So truckers have them? Is this a requirement? How would I talk to one if I drove past one? Lol. This sounds like so much fun haha


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2001gmc said:
I have the Cobra HH28 and it works well. I can get out around 10 miles in my truck with the little wil or K-30 with it. I can only get around 3-4 miles with the Cobra Telescopic retractable antenna using it as a handheld. I got the connector to hook it to the PL259's. When the power is out I hook it to my Antron 99 and can get out 20 miles or more easy. Its just a simple 40ch radio. No scan or weather or anything. Im thinking about gettin the Midland 75-822 it has some nice features for a handheld.
Click to expand...


What does everyone think of these models and price?

-Handheld cobra roundtrip with antenna $30

-Cobra 38 wxst $25.



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bburnette252 said:
What does everyone think of these models and price?

-Handheld cobra roundtrip with antenna $30

-Cobra 38 wxst $25.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Don't know about Cobra's CB's but I just bought 2 of their new portable weather radios (one for Mother's Day) and they really are a nice portable, rechargeble unit.

I've had other weather radios but this is the first I've had that still works when down in my storm shelter.

I do have a Cobra radar detector too which alarms when around red light camera's via GPS. Good unit, also.

The radar dectector has saved my biscuits from burning too many times to count.
 
'Never had a chance to talk to the ISS, but I do have confirmed contacts with the old Russian MIR in the late 80s, and with the Juno spacecraft that did an earth fly-by back in October.
 
CW Spook said:
'Never had a chance to talk to the ISS, but I do have confirmed contacts with the old Russian MIR in the late 80s, and with the Juno spacecraft that did an earth fly-by back in October.
Click to expand...


Dang I was trying to be funny! But that's awesome.


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CW Spook said:
CB hasn't held much of an attraction, compared to this...

Click to expand...

Almost exactly like my setuo, right sown to the broadcast mic. How ya liking that MXL 990?

What's in your box? Mine is ASUS Sabretooth 990FX, AMD 8350, 32 GB of Crucial 1600 ram, 2 2GB video cards, Ultra 850 PS, 4 1TB drives...hmmm...leaving something out, I think...
 
i used to install Harris TRC/181 HF radios for the Air Force. tune it to 27195 and key the mike and nobody within miles was talking over me. the transmitter was 500 watts give or take and had a 30 foot bow tie antenna.
 
bhayles said:
Almost exactly like my setuo, right sown to the broadcast mic. How ya liking that MXL 990?

What's in your box? Mine is ASUS Sabretooth 990FX, AMD 8350, 32 GB of Crucial 1600 ram, 2 2GB video cards, Ultra 850 PS, 4 1TB drives...hmmm...leaving something out, I think...
Click to expand...

My computer is nowhere that fancy....just in i3, 8 GB RAM, 1 MB video card, a 250 GB solid-state main drive and an old 500GB Samsung for backup. Plenty of room for expansion though, if I ever need it. The Flex 6500 is basically a thin-client radio and I'm normally not over 25% CPU usage even with SmartSDR, the HRD Suite and Chrome all running. The mike is an Audio Technica AT3035, left over from my gigging days.
 
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