While not as commonplace as it was in the 70's, CB radios are still widely used by off-roaders as a primary source of communication. This guide is designed to present you with valuable information about CB's, and help you determine which radio will best suit your vehicle and your needs.
CB (Citizen Band) radios were created to be a communication tool for the everyday citizen traveling in the city, on the highways, or on the trails. Due to concerns about the radios being too powerful and interfering with other transmissions, the FCC regulated CB output power to 4 watts. This important information lets us know that choosing a CB radio isn't about choosing the one with the most power, but choosing the radio that will fit the needs of the traveler and the vehicle.
CB radios are available in many shapes, sizes, and with different functionality. For off-roaders, compact CB radios are very popular, as space in the cab of an off-road vehicle is often a premium. However, when you choose a compact CB radio, you often sacrifice many functions that allow you to fine tune CB communication. You can see a good example of this difference when comparing the Cobra 29 LTD to the Cobra 75 WX ST.
The Cobra 29 LTD is a classic radio model and is probably the most common CB on the road. It is a 40-channel radio with functions that include RF gain, Delta tune, PA capability, and adjustable microphone boost.
The Cobra 75 WX ST is a compact CB radio that contains all the CB controls in the microphone, receives NOAA weather information, and can be easily detached and stowed. Both of these radios work great, but it is the needs of the user that will determine which is better. For off-road vehicles, we recommend the Cobra 75 as it has all the basic functions of a CB, allows the user to track weather on multiple day trips, and fits in the cab of any off-road vehicle.
Because CB radios are restricted to 4 watts of power, the antenna is the most important part of your CB setup. When choosing an antenna, keep in mind that the quality and length of the antenna will be the primary factors in determining your CB systems range and performance.
The two most common types of CB antennas are fiberglass top-loaded and magnetic base loaded antennas. For best performance, you want to be sure the antennas load or coil is above the roofline of your vehicle. Most off-road drivers use fiberglass CB antennas, as they are stronger and more suited for trail use. The two fiberglass CB antennas that we recommend most are the Firestik FS, and the Wilson Flex. Both antennas have adjustable tips for matching the antenna to your vehicle (see tuning your CB antenna below), while each has its own unique design. Created specifically for off-roaders who drive in areas of low clearance, the Wilson Flex is made to bend up to 180 degrees without breaking. This antenna is ideal for the serious off-roader, but due to its design, the antenna does not achieve as good of range as other fiberglass antennas, specifically the Firestik FS. The Firestik FS is a quality antenna that is manufactured with durable parts in the USA. While this CB antenna does not have the same flexibility as the Wilson, it is compatible with antenna springs that produce a similar capability. Ideal for the off-roader who wants to use the antenna on the trail and highway, this antenna will give you the best range and is flexible when paired with a spring.
Another important factor to consider when choosing a CB system is where to mount the antenna. For a CB system to function properly, the CB mount will have to be grounded to the vehicles' chassis. Grounding is extremely important, as the CB system uses the chassis of the vehicle to create a radio ground plane for sending CB signals and filtering out resistance. If your CB mount is not grounded, the excess resistance will be filtered into your radio, which will cause performance issues and can damage radios' internal components. Common mounting locations with good grounding surfaces include hood rails, doorjambs, front and rear fenders, bumpers vertical or horizontal bars, and metal roofs. Many CB mounts are made specifically for each of these locations, making installation a simple process.
Once you Once you have decided on a radio, antenna, and mount, and have installed your CB system, you will need to tune your CB antenna. Without going too in-depth, all CB antennas need to be adjusted to match each specific chassis and mounting location, as the ideal signal length from the CB to the antenna differs for every vehicle. While this process might sound complicated, it is actually quite simple. To tune your CB antenna, you will need to use an SWR meter. Many CB radios, such as the Cobra 29, have built in SWR meter, while most compact radios do not. If you have a compact radios, you can purchase an external SWR meter for around $26. Once you have the meter installed, you can test your SWR while incrementally raising or lowering the adjustable tip on your antenna until the SWR reading is as low as possible. Good SWR levels are close to 1, while bad SWR levels are over 3. For detailed instructions of how to tune your CB antenna, click here to see our CB antenna-tuning guide.
Outside of the USA, VHOutside of the USA, VHF radios are popular communication tools for off-roaders. While VHF radios have the advantage of achieving greater range while transmitting with more power, the primary disadvantages are the higher cost of the radio and antenna, along with the limited selection of antenna mounts. VHF radios are a good choice for users who do not have a tight budget and want to communicate as far as possible. CB radios are ideal for trail users who want to take advantage of the lower cost and variety of mounting options.
Pat Haggerty
Right Channel CB Radios
rightchannelradios.com
Right Channel CB Radios specializes in CB radios, CB antenna kits and accessories for o and accessories for off-road drivers. They are dedicated to helping drivers select the best equipment for their vehicle and ensuring it works properly out on the trail.
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