Deciding on a Road trip cb radio

[jordoncloutier]

Hello ,

I live up in Alberta , Canada . I am planning a road trip down to Nevada and southern California next year . I plan on installing a cb radio into my car to monitor highway / interstate conditions . Locally on marketplace I have found a brand new unopened Cobra 18 WX STII that I can grab for $40 .

I wanted to see others opinions on this radio . Is this a good deal ? Are these radios known to be junk ?

I've also been considering The Anytone 500M from aliexpress .

As for an antenna Ill probably just run a simple Mag mount K40 or Lil Will.

Thoughts ?

Thanks

 

[jwt873]

The Anytone 500M is marketed as a 10 meter ham radio that's designed to be easily converted for CB use. Since they're so easy to modify, they are also considered to be CB radios.

These radios aren't type accepted by the FCC and many have been declared illegal to import.

There's a list here QTH.COM: FCC information regarding Illegal CB Radios The 500M isn't on it, but it is an old list. It most likely is now.

While the chances are extremely slim, you might have problems trying to get the radio across the border.

 

[slowmover]

Get an Anytone or RadiOddity version.

Need better antenna though. Wilson 5000 or SIRIO 5000.

Inexpensive AM radio with integrated NRC and best quality antenna.

.

 

[jordoncloutier]

The Anytone 500M is marketed as a 10 meter ham radio that's designed to be easily converted for CB use. Since they're so easy to modify, they are also considered to be CB radios.

These radios aren't type accepted by the FCC and many have been declared illegal to import.

There's a list here QTH.COM: FCC information regarding Illegal CB Radios The 500M isn't on it, but it is an old list. It most likely is now.

While the chances are extremely slim, you might have problems trying to get the radio across the border.

I'm honestly not too worried about the FCC enforcing anything or anyone with "illegal" import radios . There is always lots of talk about FCC this and FCC that ... when in reality they don't care about anybody in their car with a import radio that doesn't quite meet the fcc specs . I'm sure they have bigger fish to fry

There has been a couple good YouTube reviews on the radio . might look more into it

 

[mmckenna]

Thoughts ?

I wouldn't invest a lot of money in this. CB is pretty quiet in most areas. You might hear some traffic if you stick to the interstate highway systems, but not a lot. If you are driving from Alberta to Nevada/Southern California, you'll really do yourself a disservice by staying on the interstates. Much better scenery on the smaller highways.

I ran CB for years, through the Western Provinces, Western USA, etc. The amount of users have really dropped off. Last long trip I did from California out to Texas and back was a few years ago. After that trip, I never put the CB back in.

Not saying you shouldn't try it, you may have better luck than me, but I personally wouldn't invest too much money for one road trip. Try the $40 radio, if it works well, then invest in better for your next trip.

Your money, your choice, just my thoughts...

 

[slowmover]

No point to having a radio that’s obsolete when for what’s still a low price the new type will increase distant signal capture (NRC).

Same for antenna. In this case, get the best.

— This is then a good, inexpensive radio rig always ready to use in the future. Store all of it in except antenna whip in a Harbor Freight Apache 2800 transport case.


CB isn’t passive. One wants chat he’ll have to be the one trying to get the ball rolling.

— Road incident with mile marker and direction of travel is standard fare. Gators, breakdowns, construction, etc.

Skip can be aggravating, so NRC cleaning that up is the way to get past.

Road Atlas + GPS + Radio is how to make sense of — and create — one’s own diversion routes when desired. And/or relay that to others.

It’s not a toy.

.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

A bit pricey, but I would recommend this radio because it has SSB mode and you are more likely to hear some activity on the upper channels used for SSB:

MC-KINLEY-ASC (12/24V) - AM-SSB-transceivers - CB-Radios - Group President Electronics USA

CB Radio - AM SSB transceivers - MC KINLEY ASC (12/24V)

president-electronics.us

Your antenna is going to be critical; An NMO mount NMO-27 drilled into the roof is the best antenna to use, But it you are renting or otherwise using a magnetic mount, they don't tune very well due to having a poor RF ground. You can use some metal duct tape to improve the situation , just be careful removing it or paint might come off. White cars can be worst.

 

[slowmover]

A bit pricey, but I would recommend this radio because it has SSB mode and you are more likely to hear some activity on the upper channels used for SSB:

MC-KINLEY-ASC (12/24V) - AM-SSB-transceivers - CB-Radios - Group President Electronics USA

CB Radio - AM SSB transceivers - MC KINLEY ASC (12/24V)

president-electronics.us

Your antenna is going to be critical; An NMO mount NMO-27 drilled into the roof is the best antenna to use, But it you are renting or otherwise using a magnetic mount, they don't tune very well due to having a poor RF ground. You can use some metal duct tape to improve the situation , just be careful removing it or paint might come off. White cars can be worst.

Mag Mount SIRIO 5000 is surprisingly good (though I agree with permanent-mount premise).

Anytone Ares at same price will handily outperform McKinley. (Size increase, though). I used Velcro strap for years to keep radio on center armrest lid.

.

 

[K6EEN]

I think the Cobra 18 and K-40 / Lil' Wil (same Chinese antenna, both companies owned by Road Pro brands now, different blister package and silk screening on the coil) is a fine way to start, not too much investment. Don't be surprised if you don't hear much on the radio, I'll go 300 to 400 miles hearing nothing on Ch. 19 in good weather here in the desert southwest. If you're coming down I-5 try Ch. 17 which is the "north/south" channel in the upper northwest of the U.S. Folks who travel on I-5 regularly can chime in here and give better advice on when to stay on Ch. 19 and when to use Ch. 17.

Leave the squelch turned off and lower the volume so the unsquelched channel hiss doesn't bother you too much, you'll hear a lot more traffic this way than if you leave the squelch engaged. I used a set-up like this for 5,000 to 10,000 miles --- Midland 1001LWX basic AM 40-ch radio on sale for $50, Lil' Wil mag mount. Eventually upgraded to a Uniden 980 SSB rig and a 102 inch whip so I could amuse myself with skip on Ch. 38 LSB when the road conditions were good and Ch. 19 was dead quiet.

I also paid a 2-way radio shop to run a fused power cable to the battery through the firewall of the truck, so I could use Anderson PowerPole crimp-on connectors to power the radio. The cigarette lighter plug, though rated at 8 to 10 amps at 12 volts being pleanty for a 4 watt CB radio, kept falling out of the socket and powering off the radio, which was super annoying.

 

[slowmover]

Lil Wil and low end radio one won’t hear for beans even on a busy road. My fly & drive rig used to be a Uniden 880 & Wil. Plus a BC15 speaker.

Forgot to add that with transport case, add a dipole antenna, ready-made or DIY. Radio now ready for most anything given a little rope to hoist the dipole. Move to the larger 3800 case and add an external speaker plus some supply & SWR meter.

This would then constitute a YES in answer to: Do you have a CB?

(Look up cheapest/smallest 120V power supply, too).

.

 

[bearcatrp]

Not much talking on cb for awhile. My trip to Colorado, which took 2 days, only heard chat on 18 twice. I use a President Randy handheld on my dash while traveling. Not worth the money to spend big bucks on cb these days. But it’s a good back up communication if you’re in an area with no cell service and you’re having problems.

 

[oldradioguy2010]

Buy a $50.00 Cb and a cheap antenna.
Use a cigarette liter plug.
Easy, Cheesy.
You won't hear or talk much.
It isn't there like the old days.

Truckers use cell and laptops now.
I don't want to be a buzz kill, this is the real world.

DW
So.cal

 

[smittie]

Hello ,

I live up in Alberta , Canada . I am planning a road trip down to Nevada and southern California next year . I plan on installing a cb radio into my car to monitor highway / interstate conditions . Locally on marketplace I have found a brand new unopened Cobra 18 WX STII that I can grab for $40 .

I wanted to see others opinions on this radio . Is this a good deal ? Are these radios known to be junk ?

I've also been considering The Anytone 500M from aliexpress .

As for an antenna Ill probably just run a simple Mag mount K40 or Lil Will.

Thoughts ?

Thanks

If you're looking to talk to people while you're on the road you might have better luck with a GMRS set up than CB. I run both. I talk to people on GMRS all the time. I have a base station at the house which is very close to an Interstate. Directions, best place to eat, requests for help. I hear it pretty often.

Just two cents.

 

[GadgetGeek]

Mag Mount SIRIO 5000 is surprisingly good (though I agree with permanent-mount premise).

I use a Sirio 5000 mag mount antenna on my small suv with an Anytone 6666. This is a great combo for local and dx.

 

[alcahuete]

Unless you plan on selling your equipment when you get back home, investing in any high-priced CB equipment is going to be a complete waste of money. Just go with your original plan. There are those here who are going to suggest expensive radios, DSP, expensive antennas, etc., but the reality is that CB is dead. It is nothing like it used to be. Nowhere close.

You're much better off with Waze, Google Maps, and local AM radio. For example, I was just on the 15 last week from the LA area to Las Vegas. Heavy, heavy truck traffic. There was a big accident. Waze and Google Maps took me right around it. Not a peep on CB. Nothing. There was actually talk about it on one of the ham repeaters, of all places.

 

[oldradioguy2010]

BTW.
Selling your stuff after relates to a loss if you find someone to buy you out.

 

[slowmover]

I just finished a 400-mile drive. Great Plains and near prairie. Rural.

Not one minute in 6:12 was without voices heard on AM-19.

Most of you are running obsolete gear nor do you have the proper mobile antenna system to hear what can be heard.

Whether in discussing the West Mountain Radio CLEARSPEECH DSP Speaker or with the latest Qixiang circuit board (same type DSP), I’ve tried to emphasize this:

There’s a whole other level of performance you’ve been missing.

The OP will do as he will. But his chances of success today or several years from now won’t change. The right gear is the whole game.

CItizen Band is akin to seatbelts or a pistol carried. It may not matter until you need it.

And radio use isn’t passive.

1). It requires speaking up and learning what works in terms of gaining information or offering help.

2). One must train his ears to decipher the context of what’s heard be it Near or Far, Advancing or Receding, Local, or Skip.

3). This isn’t 1993 or 1973. Why would they determine what’s important today? Today has its own challenges. Some aren’t obvious. This isn’t a toy, nor is it installed for entertainment.

CB today is for The Few.

I guarantee that there are many men at that level with the concerns you ought to also have about cost, risk and general welfare while on the road.

But these many men aren’t in one place. There’s one or a few among the hundreds or thousands nearby in that moment.

You can’t hear them, or they, you, then that dirt-cheap radio rig has the value of used toilet paper.

— Radio is used to jointly Define, and then to Solve. Think that through.


A). Antenna matters most: Tallest

B). Radio needs DSP (integrated NRC).

That covered, the rest is less important.

— Clean power & best TX/RX for a given mobile rig: www.k0bg.com


The opinions of the 99% regarding their obsolete gear or poor practice being “experience” has no weight against what’s actually possible.

.

 

[Ensnared]

The Anytone 500M is marketed as a 10 meter ham radio that's designed to be easily converted for CB use. Since they're so easy to modify, they are also considered to be CB radios.

These radios aren't type accepted by the FCC and many have been declared illegal to import.

There's a list here QTH.COM: FCC information regarding Illegal CB Radios The 500M isn't on it, but it is an old list. It most likely is now.

While the chances are extremely slim, you might have problems trying to get the radio across the border.

I own this great radio. If you buy this, there is another menu that is not in the instructions. It is called the service menu. Prior to making these modifications, I was not getting out that well. Afterward, this little radio is one of my favorites. I particularly love the loud audio external speaker. I was quite disappointment with the flimsy microphone that came with it.

So, I bought a 4-pin Astatic and had the microphone plug from the Anytone put on the end.

I always carry a spare radio. In my trunk, I have a Cobra Classic 29, peaked out with talk-back. I bought this at a Joplin, MO truck stop parking lot for $35. It stomps!

 

[jordoncloutier]

thank you everyone for all of the great information ! , I have decided to ditch the CB radio idea and go with a VHF/UHF mobile setup . I'm looking at a Anytone 779UV . I'm hearing that GMRS is the "new cb radio" these days and there is lots of highway/interstate usage in the USA . plus up here in Canada most truckers use the LADD and RR channels on VHF .

 

[Ensnared]

thank you everyone for all of the great information ! , I have decided to ditch the CB radio idea and go with a VHF/UHF mobile setup . I'm looking at a Anytone 779UV . I'm hearing that GMRS is the "new cb radio" these days and there is lots of highway/interstate usage in the USA . plus up here in Canada most truckers use the LADD and RR channels on VHF .

God, I hope that GMRS does not become the new CB.

GMRS means FCC license. FCC license means "good behavior." FCC means hefty fines and/or warnings for aberrant behavior.

I don't want Charlie breathing down my neck. I don't want the Federal government breathing down my neck for any reason.

For me, I am interested in FM CB, or even better, P25 CB. Let me emphasize one thing about this interest in P25 CB. It is in the category of "make believe."

I prefer the no-man's-land of CB where aberrant behavior is expected. To me, this shows a little slice of the attitude of real people, good and bad. People can be themselves. Having said this, I wish they made a skip-choke.

Now, I have shared "my" opinion. I am quite certain many won't agree with me. Oh, well.

I do have a question. Is there a specific GMRS frequency/channel for highway travel, like channel 19?