CB Radio help

Hello everyone :-)

we are starting to think about stuff that we need to get for the rally, and remembered that we need to have a CB radio. I was hoping to get some advice on which to get (one that's easy to use!). Also do they come with the car aerial or is that bought separately? Are they easy to fit or should we get someone to fit it?

Not long to go ... we're getting excited!

Thanks

Hello,
I use a Midland 98 - 40 UK channels & 40 EU channels. Most places you buy a 'rig' can sell you a package deal with an ariel or you can buy them individually. Mine came from good old Ebay for less than £50.
Hope this helps,
Simon

It can be a bit of a pain.

There are all sorts of kits that yoh can buy but most of them are rubbish.
They know that someone buying a starter kit is pretty cluelessand sell you whatever they are trying to get rid of.

As for installations, they also vary.

Best thing is to find someone local who really understands and take advice from them.

Where are you.. there may be someone here who can help

We live in Milton Keynes, but are willing and happy to travel ... also we go to Surrey and Sussex quite a lot as family and friends are there.

A starter package can be the best way of getting set up.

4x4 CB or CB Shack are probably a couple of the best palces to go. Get a SWR meter to tune the aerial properly. Even thought the kits say the aerails come pre-tuned, that's not quiet true as they need tuning on the vehicle. Plenty of info and advice on both websites.

Wiring is easy, just needs a fused 12v power supply, or a cigarette lighter socket.

Ok, that will be me then, im about your nearest.

You do have a cb shop nearish.. just by billing.

1st thing is budget. Basic radios start at about 50 and go up to 130ish depending on spec/features.
A budget model will do everything you need for the rally. Some of the higher spec units may do it better, be easier to mount or just be prettier.
Decide if you want cheap and cheerful or top spec.

Next thing is the aerial mount. If the fl2 has a steel roof then a magnetic mount is the quickest and easiest although it can be knocked off by low branches when offroading. Again depends if this is a one off for the rally or a long term addition to the vehicle.

Next is the aerial itself. Price from 7-30 depending on what you want from it
Dont worry about meters and setup as i have everything you need

Im happy to help with advice and installation whichever route you decide to go. Just please check with me before you commit to buying anything. There are some sharks out there...


I recently did a big side by side cb test, with old,new,high and low spec radios with some surprising results.
Certain cheap brands (intec) performed very badly whilst other even cheaper brands (tti) performed better than some of the really expensive stuff. Everyone will tell you that there cb is fine, its only when you do a proper side by side test that you see the differences.

So, decide whether you want cheap or expensive. Perm or temp then get in touch and well sort something out

Hi, Yeah we aren't fussed about cosmetic as its really just for the rally. I can manage a fused line off the battery if I can work out where to punch through the firewall. I'll probably do that as we'll have a bundle of other stuff sucking from the lighter socket.

Cost low as poss as long as they'll be as easy to understand people.

I'll check out the roof and get back.

Your helps much appreciated

Ok, if quality and budget are the prime concerns then id go for the tti tcb550. That was the model that performed surprisingly well in my tests and can be had for about 50 from ebay.
Chances are thats what ill have in zero6 unless i have an unexpected windfall in which case ill have the tti2000

Also worth picking up an external speaker to mount on the dash. Cb speakers are on the base of the unit and usually end up aiming the sound into the carpet . A cheap speaker from an old car phone kit will do the job.


If the roof is steel then id get a good magmount (cheap ones are more likely to fall off and tend to do body damage as they swing about)

As much as i hate springer type aerials they are cheap and cheerful and will do the job

If you do install it yourself make sure you have the swr checked before you attempt to transmit as you can do serious damage if its wrong.

Im in kimpton, just off m1 j10 if you want to pop down to set it up

Would this kit do the job?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CB-Starter-Kit-TTI-TCB-550-Multi-Standard-CB-Radio-Mag-Antenna-/160976690776?pt=UK_ConsumerElectronics_SpecialistRadioEquipment_SM&hash=item257af55e58

Antenna looks a bit sad though. I think we need one at least 5 foot!

The H4H car mag sticker thingy seemed to stick pretty well to our roof so mag arial is the way to go.

Cb fine, aerial not so much, mag mount looks crap

Thunderpole at billing are listing the tti with a few different aerial packages.
If i were you id pop up there. Dont be tempted to buy a different radio but do try a couple of the aerials/mounts.
Basically stick them off the roof then give the areial a good swing about, as if it was being blown about by an 80mph wind or pulled about by a branch. If it stays put its fine, if it come detatched an wobbles about then not so good.

If its any use, ive never had a problem with a mag mount base over 6" i have tried a few of the smaller 3 or 4 " ones and theyve always let go