CB Handheld comparisons

[wallmanjim]

Good Morning,

I am considering portable CB radio,s for a caravan from MN to WY and back.

What would have the best range car to car with stock antennas.

I am considering the Midland 75-822, the Midland 75-875 or the Cobra HH 38 WXST. I already have
A scanner antenna as well as a 2 meter antenna.

I know I would get much more range with a mag mount antenna, but want to stay away from that.

Range of a mile or 2 would be great.

Thank You for your help.

Jim

 

[wallmanjim]

Sorry. Did not know how to edit my post. I am also considering the cobra Road Trip,

Thank You,

Jim

 

[mrweather]

That kind of range will be a real challenge using the stock antennas on those handheld CB's. You may be better off getting a couple of bubble-pack GMRS handhelds.

 

[PACNWDude]

+1 on the FRS/GMRS radios. I tried using the old style Radio Shack handheld CB radios a number of years back for car caravan use. This was the one that used 8 AA batteries if you did not plug it into vehicle power. That rubber duck antenna only worked about a mile at best.

Using vehicle power and a magnet mount antenna got me a few miles though. Now that relic CB sits on my desk, just for testing CB radio installations if nobody else is on within range.

 

[wallmanjim]

Thanks Guys

Thankyou for taking the time to answer my posts. I will go to the GMRS/FRS Forum to get ideas.

 

[wallmanjim]

Well I broke down

Got 2 75-822's and 2 L I L Will .

 

[W8RMH]

With handheld CBs you will be lucky to get 500 feet.

 

[JayMojave]

Hello wallmanjim: Please let us know how the 75-822's and little will antennas worked out for you.

Jay in the Mojvae

 

[wallmanjim]

I will. Radios and antennas arrived today. Hope to install mine tomorrow

 

[johnls7424]

Like others said handheld CB radios have little to no range at all. Literly line of sight even with a 3 foot gain antenna. A bubble pack Walmart GMRS/FRS 1 watt radio that's in UHF band may suit you better then that.

 

[KD8DVR]

CB is the worst you can use inside a car. The signal would be absorbed. I attempted. Once. to use a handheld CB to monitor interstate traffic. Never again. Range was measured in tens of feet.

The 500 mW FRS radios (you cannot use the higher power GMRS frequencies without a license) will work much better. Still about a quarter mile; but effective for a caravan.