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Post by 2015spree on Jul 2, 2019 23:43:12 GMT -5
Im going to be doing an 8 month solo trip in my 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 4 door long bed pulling a 33 ft 2015 KZ Spree. I was hoping to buy a CB radio tomorrow night off of Amazon and install this weekend. Ive been looking and cannot figure out what to get. I assume an antenna comes with it? How do I run the antenna wire to the outside of the truck? I would like to get something regardless of price that would provide me with weather and the most entertainment and emergency help as possible.
Any advice on what to get would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Post by lynnmor on Jul 3, 2019 8:12:29 GMT -5
A smartphone would serve you much better. A handheld CB would require no installation. I gave up on CB some years ago, just another annoyance.
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k0vwa
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 47 
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Post by k0vwa on Jul 3, 2019 8:58:26 GMT -5
Im going to be doing an 8 month solo trip in my 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 4 door long bed pulling a 33 ft 2015 KZ Spree. I was hoping to buy a CB radio tomorrow night off of Amazon and install this weekend. Ive been looking and cannot figure out what to get. I assume an antenna comes with it? How do I run the antenna wire to the outside of the truck? I would like to get something regardless of price that would provide me with weather and the most entertainment and emergency help as possible. Any advice on what to get would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! I'd recommend something that you can hide to reduce the risk of theft. Consider something like www.amazon.com/Uniden-CMX760-40-Channel-Operation-Ultra-Compact/dp/B06XJG6NYB/. Since it doesn't come with an antenna you'll have to buy one. The antenna and where it is mounted is the very most important part of the entire system. A permanent mount antenna in the center of the roof is the best location and will perform the best. It can be tricky to drill a big hole in sheet metal. If you're not comfy with that most car stereo shops will do it for you for a few shekels.
If you don't want to drill a hole, look for a gutter mount (next best) or mirror mount (3rd best). Both of these mounting options require a coax sealant tape to keep moisture out. Moisture is the death of coax. Any of these three options require coax. Note that the length is 18 feet which is around half a wavelength of the CB frequencies. You can't use a longer or shorter cable. Make sure you do not kink the cable - not even once. Also do not coil up any unused portion; no sharp bends either.
In previous lives I've used a 4' Firestick antenna with a stud mount in the roof instead of the mirror mount in that kit. Good antenna and darn near indestructible. Last resort antenna is a magnetic mount one that sticks on the roof. It's better than nothing but only just. For that one you just run the coax through the door and try to not kink or crush it.
If you get into radio, consider getting your amateur/ham radio license. You can use other frequencies and communicate worldwide - even while mobile. Since you're goining solo it's a great way to keep in touch with the world.
Good luck, be safe and have fun!
Carl
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k0vwa
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 47
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Post by k0vwa on Jul 3, 2019 9:04:15 GMT -5
A smartphone would serve you much better. A handheld CB would require no installation. I gave up on CB some years ago, just another annoyance.
You made me think "when was the last time I had a CB?" It was 1994. 
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Post by laknox on Jul 3, 2019 10:09:00 GMT -5
There's also the option of an inexpensive HAM handheld. Baofeng makes one that a buddy has. In fact, he has two of them. One, that he's had for a while, is a dual-band. He recently saw a tri-band on Amazon here: www.amazon.com/Baofeng-Tri-Band-Mirkit-Operator-Warranty/dp/B07MWCT2J1/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=baofeng+tri-band+radio&qid=1561958651&s=gateway&sprefix=baofeng+tri&sr=8-4. For $40, he was willing to take the risk. These =are= cheap units and can show up DOA, but are easily replaced. I realize that, legally, a licence should be used to Tx, but if all the OP wants to do is listen in and only Tx in a true emergency, Uncle Sugar seems to be pretty forgiving. FWIW, these radios =do= have the capability to Tx and Rx well outside normal HAM bands. My buddy had his license as a teenager but let it lapse in college. After 55 years, he studied and re-upped and is now very active in the Flagstaff and Rio Rico AZ areas. He's also a member of both RIMWATCH and SKYWARN and has been active in their drills. Lyle |
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Post by 2015spree on Jul 3, 2019 15:13:41 GMT -5
Im going to be doing an 8 month solo trip in my 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 4 door long bed pulling a 33 ft 2015 KZ Spree. I was hoping to buy a CB radio tomorrow night off of Amazon and install this weekend. Ive been looking and cannot figure out what to get. I assume an antenna comes with it? How do I run the antenna wire to the outside of the truck? I would like to get something regardless of price that would provide me with weather and the most entertainment and emergency help as possible. Any advice on what to get would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! I'd recommend something that you can hide to reduce the risk of theft. Consider something like www.amazon.com/Uniden-CMX760-40-Channel-Operation-Ultra-Compact/dp/B06XJG6NYB/. Since it doesn't come with an antenna you'll have to buy one. The antenna and where it is mounted is the very most important part of the entire system. A permanent mount antenna in the center of the roof is the best location and will perform the best. It can be tricky to drill a big hole in sheet metal. If you're not comfy with that most car stereo shops will do it for you for a few shekels.
If you don't want to drill a hole, look for a gutter mount (next best) or mirror mount (3rd best). Both of these mounting options require a coax sealant tape to keep moisture out. Moisture is the death of coax. Any of these three options require coax. Note that the length is 18 feet which is around half a wavelength of the CB frequencies. You can't use a longer or shorter cable. Make sure you do not kink the cable - not even once. Also do not coil up any unused portion; no sharp bends either.
In previous lives I've used a 4' Firestick antenna with a stud mount in the roof instead of the mirror mount in that kit. Good antenna and darn near indestructible. Last resort antenna is a magnetic mount one that sticks on the roof. It's better than nothing but only just. For that one you just run the coax through the door and try to not kink or crush it.
If you get into radio, consider getting your amateur/ham radio license. You can use other frequencies and communicate worldwide - even while mobile. Since you're goining solo it's a great way to keep in touch with the world.
Good luck, be safe and have fun!
Carl
Carl, I cannot thank you enough for this very detailed info. I do want to get my ham license. I rather get a radio that is handheld with the magnetic antenna. My problem is that I do not know enough to pick the right radio to get. I will buy off Amazon because I am limited on time before I start my trip. Any suggestions on which radio to get that is a CB radio and a HAM? |
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Post by laknox on Jul 3, 2019 16:37:29 GMT -5
My buddy actually has FOUR of the Baofeng radios, 3 dual-band and 1 tri-band. He did say they are hard to program and he much prefers to program them from his computer. He also said that the manuals are cr@p and he's watched hours of videos to learn how to do it. You =can= buy better ones that are Japanese-made, but they're about $150 vs $25 for the dual-bands. The FCC has talked about banning the sale of these due to the capability of non-HAM freqs, but haven't yet; just giving "stern warnings" not to use them. :-) With 4 of these, he's reserved one for his "bugout bag", though it's kept on a charger close-to-hand at all times.
IIRC my buddy has his General License and is working toward his Amateur Extra. Not bad for a 55 year gap and the ensuing change in tech. :-)
Lyle
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Post by Chuck on Jul 4, 2019 12:09:37 GMT -5
2015spree Cobra makes a good CB radio, i'm not sure if the make a hand held radio, the Boafeng radios are only good on UHF/VHF frequencies such as the amateur bands an not the CB band of 11 meters ... There is another option it a mount that bolts/screws into your fender  an the antennais attached with this option  an the antenna is then screwed into the mount, the antennas that can be used in this type of mount can be bought at any truck stop an are called fires ticks or big sticks ...
You will need as stated coax which shown in the above picture to connect the antenna to the radio, but aware that even thought it is shown in this picture above it will not come with the mount an have to be bought separately .... As far as the coax being coiled up as long as it is not coiled up really, really tight creating waht is call choke it wouldn't worry about it, loosely coiled is fine or just cut the coax to the length you need an put a new end on it (PL259)  to attach to the radio ...
As stated a mag mount antenna mount will most always way come with coax attached but you may have to buy the antenna .... Thus you will need to buy an antenna that fits the mag mount you buy, so you have to be careful an an make sure the antenna matches the mount ....
I believe your best bet other than amazon which I find to have higher prices on some radio gear is to call one of the amateur radio stores listed below an tell them want you have stated here ... All the people who work in the stores are amateurs an can be very helpful in setting up what you need an thus you get the mount, correct antenna for the mount along with coax an radio instead of guessing ...
The other is to seek out a local amateur radio operator an ask for help, most all are willing to help you but be aware some will kid you about CB's an tell you there is a better world out there in amateur radio LOL
It use to be easy when Radio Shack was around because they had all this kind of stuff but they are long gone... But also the local truck stops do sell CB equipment including antenna's an radios but be aware the counter people do not know anything about such, they also tend to be higher priced than any other place... Some hardware stores like ACE hardware will also sell CB antenna's but not radios, Walmart will sell CB equipment along
with radios so you also can look in their stores as well ...
Lastly as stated in these days to easier to use your cell phone than a CB, you don't even want listen to the trucker channels liike 19 any more, to much BS an it's almost XXX-rated at times ... Ask for help an your likely to be told to take a hike or something about your mother, father or sister that you don't want to here, I will say traveling with a camping friend that is not an amateur the CB is handy or in a traffic jam an which line is blocked on a major
highway but other than those it's pretty much useless any more ...
Safe Travels 
Chuck
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Post by lynnmor on Jul 4, 2019 14:00:00 GMT -5
A smartphone and some GPS units are very good at showing traffic problems. Information from smartphones is collected to determine the current speed on a highway, and that is done immediately and seamlessly with the phone users not even being aware that their information is being collected. If you ever wondered how the traffic girl on TV knows so much about backups, that is how it is done.
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Post by Edd505 on Jul 11, 2019 13:22:37 GMT -5
A smartphone and some GPS units are very good at showing traffic problems. Information from smartphones is collected to determine the current speed on a highway, and that is done immediately and seamlessly with the phone users not even being aware that their information is being collected. If you ever wondered how the traffic girl on TV knows so much about backups, that is how it is done. So does the nav system in my F350, also warns of speed traps (police most already with stops) & A/A with an avoid routing. Roads change color by traffic speed. |
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Post by laknox on Jul 12, 2019 10:23:37 GMT -5
A smartphone and some GPS units are very good at showing traffic problems. Information from smartphones is collected to determine the current speed on a highway, and that is done immediately and seamlessly with the phone users not even being aware that their information is being collected. If you ever wondered how the traffic girl on TV knows so much about backups, that is how it is done. So does the nav system in my F350, also warns of speed traps (police most already with stops) & A/A with an avoid routing. Roads change color by traffic speed. And how current is it? How much does Ford rape you to update it? For the price of an update, you can buy a new Garmin with lifetime updates, in most cases. Ludicrous. I'll never pay extra for on-board nav. Lyle |
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Post by Edd505 on Jul 12, 2019 11:56:49 GMT -5
So does the nav system in my F350, also warns of speed traps (police most already with stops) & A/A with an avoid routing. Roads change color by traffic speed. And how current is it? How much does Ford rape you to update it? For the price of an update, you can buy a new Garmin with lifetime updates, in most cases. Ludicrous. I'll never pay extra for on-board nav. Lyle used truck with the system in it. I bought the latest SD card update off Amazon for $35 and it does the rest all by it self. I know it's got current info when it says there is an AA ahead and find it with the emergency equipment. Magic to me how it works. |
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Post by laknox on Jul 12, 2019 23:28:12 GMT -5
And how current is it? How much does Ford rape you to update it? For the price of an update, you can buy a new Garmin with lifetime updates, in most cases. Ludicrous. I'll never pay extra for on-board nav. Lyle used truck with the system in it. I bought the latest SD card update off Amazon for $35 and it does the rest all by it self. I know it's got current info when it says there is an AA ahead and find it with the emergency equipment. Magic to me how it works. Amazing. Hyundai wants $249 EACH for our Sonata and Genesis Coupe to update the nav. Toyota wants about the same to update our kids' 4Runner. All are VIN-specific and don't come with Vaseline... OTOH, I get to update my Nuvi 4x a year...for free. Lyle |
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Post by Chuck on Jul 13, 2019 7:03:56 GMT -5
We have had the Garmin 770LMTHD now for two years an love it, our truck is to old the have the fancy GPS system in dash ... It has the free updates for life but takes awhile when doing the updates, but as long as they are free I can wait LOL ...
Wonder how the OP did with the CB thing 
Safe Travels
Chuck
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Post by Edd505 on Jul 13, 2019 10:28:59 GMT -5
laknox you might try Amazon for the updates on your vehicles, the SD card I got was Ford OEM. I have a Garmin with life time updates & find it is easier to use the the in dash, might be I just used it longer. It's in the truck as a backup.
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Post by nvguy on Jul 13, 2019 21:26:13 GMT -5
After finding Ford wants %150.00 to update the nav in the wife's Edge, when I ordered my truck I passed on the factory nav and got the Garmin with lifetime updates. Another advantage of the Garmin is you can move it from vehicle to vehicle.
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Post by Edd505 on Jul 14, 2019 12:52:47 GMT -5
After finding Ford wants %150.00 to update the nav in the wife's Edge, when I ordered my truck I passed on the factory nav and got the Garmin with lifetime updates. Another advantage of the Garmin is you can move it from vehicle to vehicle. A10 latest Ford Sync update, $22.50 |
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Post by laknox on Jul 15, 2019 10:30:31 GMT -5
After finding Ford wants %150.00 to update the nav in the wife's Edge, when I ordered my truck I passed on the factory nav and got the Garmin with lifetime updates. Another advantage of the Garmin is you can move it from vehicle to vehicle. A10 latest Ford Sync update, $22.50 Unless it's also updating the soft/firmware of the system, it's still too much. Lyle |
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sg
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 28
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CB Radio
Aug 11, 2019 20:30:25 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by sg on Aug 11, 2019 20:30:25 GMT -5
I used to love listening to my CB and back in the day it was a good way to get traffic up dates , speed traps , and truckers knew the best routes around traffic jams and we used to travel with other people who also had them but with cellphones and navigation I don’t have one anymore , we’ll still have one in my wife’s 06 150 but not our 350 we tow our 5th wheel with. It got to where nobody uses them anymore. On the new fords navigation updates automatically and it’s free but google maps works better with the phone plugged in to the truck. Wow how did ever find our way around back in the days before all this technology! My new truck has so much stuff on it I’ll never figure it all out lol !
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Post by laknox on Aug 12, 2019 10:11:44 GMT -5
For traffic, I have several friends that swear by Waze...
Lyle
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