c.b options

[jeffp88xj]

i've been out of the c.b world for a few years now. can someone suggest whats the best c.b 's and antenna's on the market are now? i would want to use this with an amp or modulator and would want a pretty simple install in my 88 xj. i used to own a ranger 2950 jumped out for c.b channels but i'm not sure of the latest technology

[Jerry Bransford]

First, an external amplifier is totally illegal. For an antenna, both Firestik and Wilson make very good antennas. Stick with nothing taller than 4' and you won't have any problems getting through a tech inspection for an offroad event since most have banned taller antennas for safety reasons. For a good basic CB, Uniden's 510XL and 520XL are both very good. Midland is good too. Though Cobra is popular, I'm not a real fan of that brand.

[BostonWrangler]

Unidens are nice. I have picked up a couple nice PC76XLs on ebay. A lot of times the used radios have already been tuned up.

[Scrambler82]

:cool:

Uniden and Wilson are my favorites.

The add on amp, I am not condoning it but if you happen to get one, make sure you use it responsibly.

Don't use it to talk over someone else even if they are a$$es, or use it just to talk to the guy in the next vehicle just to say "See how loud I am".
The extra power can come in handy if you need help and are too far away from everyone else to get help.

The point here is, as Jerry as so many times brought up and rightly so, "most people with extra power abuse it and cause more problems than it's worth".

That said, Determine what you need the CB for, taking on the hy-way or just to talk to the next 4x4 on a trail run. If you just want a trail rig then you don't need all the bells and whistles so why pay more for something you don't need.
If I were you I would look for a higher priced CB and have it tuned up by a Good Shop, (where that is I don't know). Get one that has a Mic Gain Knob, for transmitting and a Receive Gain Knob, for receiving.
An add on that would help to increase your output but not add extra power or cost too much would be a Power Mic. Astastic makes a great noise canceling Mic called the Red Devil, I have one and it works great. Only thing is to set your Mic Gain Knob low and your Mic Control on the Mic itself set low.

Also, add an external, noise-canceling speaker to your list of things to have for the CB.

If this is confusing ask more questions.

Later,