CB questions from a total novice

Following on from Kirkynuts posting in the Tong thread where he suggested CBs for us 'no mate' types attending the event.

I've been thinking about a CB for a while, but I run two 4x4 vehicles and if I have a cb in one, I'm gonna want one in the other. If you've got the wiring and antenna set up on each vehicle is it easy to 'hot swap' a radio around or would it be a ball ache?

Anyone recommend a cheap starter set (really cheap to justify perhaps buying two)?

Are there alternatives, like handhelds - and are they any cop compared to an installed radio?

Thanks in advance CB guru types!

i too would be interested in a starter CB setup for mine so would be keen to hear of any recommendations. i dont wanna steal the thread but a quick question i have is where do people run the wire for the aerial and where does it go through the body to get to the aerial outside?

I bought my cb from ebay, was £49, i was so chuffed with it that i bought a second one.
the cost to set up my cb system was as follows

cb unit - £49
coaxal cable, 5 metre - £12
black 5 foot stinger ariel - £18
dash fitting plate - £15

i dont mind about the body work, so i drilled a hole in the roof to mount the cb,

this is it fitted in the dash

Daft question time,

A standard radio sized CB unit will normally slot into the space under the radio with no real cutting? Ive had the bottomn half of my dash off before, and whilst sitting there and slurping tea, looking at the mess of wires, it did briefly cross my mind that the space looked almost radio sized. I have also looked at the compact CB unit on the thunderpole website and i think it will fit in the gap at the side of the clock - where thats useless cubby hole is. Any body have one of these?

There is a chap flogging CB areial mounts on Fleabay - hes based in stoke and they look pretty good. His mount on the spare wheel bracket with the mount at the top or at the side. I'm thinking this will be the way forward, but i do have plans for getting a pair and using the top mount for the whippy and the side mount one to fasten a work light or "tw@t" lamp too - we all get them, the numpty who thinks that my rear bumper is so good for looking at his reflection in. If they do, give the "tw@t" a flash!!!:evil: Just need to be careful it aint the fuzz :whistle: Utimately a complete set of tractor ploughing lights would be ideal, you can give them a free instant sun tan, but that would mean upping the battery and alternator for maximum effect

I'm hoping that because i've been a good boy this year santa might leave me the set up for Xmas - cb rig and the mounting brackets :laugh:

Garry wrote: I bought my cb from ebay, was £49, i was so chuffed with it that i bought a second one.
the cost to set up my cb system was as follows

cb unit - £49
coaxal cable, 5 metre - £12
black 5 foot stinger ariel - £18
dash fitting plate - £15

i dont mind about the body work, so i drilled a hole in the roof to mount the cb,

this is it fitted in the dash

That is a nice looking setup, I wouldnt mind going for something similar. Where did you get all the equipment from?

When you put the wire through the bodywork, what did you use to seal it so that water doesnt get in?

I"ve always gone for the small Midland units and I have mine mounted in the passenger footwell. Best bet for the aerial is to bite the bullet and drill a hole in the roof near the back then run the cable inside the headlining. The aerial mount has a rubber gromit that seals the hole but I always put a bit of silicon sealant on aswell. I use a 12v plug/socket off a radio controlled car for quick disconnection of the power as I don't like to leave mine in the car when its parked outside my house.

You definately need a CB for laning to keep in touch and warn of any problems found by the lead vehicle.