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Does anyone know of anyplace in the Phoenix Metro Area of where I might be able to purchase a CB Radio and have it installed. I could do it my self, but I would rather let someone who knows what cords they are yanking on and splicing together do it. (and my mechanic/father is over 1,000 miles away in Washington State.)
There's a place on 32nd Street just south of Bell Rd. that's been there for about 25 years at least -- Bronco One.
They installed a CB in my tractor in 1978 -- I've had no other dealings with them since, but they must be doing something right to have been there for so long! Bob
Bronco One sounds good -- in addition, (just about) every truckstop in America has a CB shop -- the installers tend to be very knowledgeable.
Mark
Moderator Bob,
How much did they charge for installation? (if you remember). Either way, once I have enough spare change I'll go and visit them.
Hi!
I was just wondering how much would cost a basic CB radio (installation included) just for roadtrip purposes. As you know, cell phones are definitly not sufficient especially when you go up north in secluded areas.
Gen:-)
Gen,
Unless you really need an installed radio -- I would suggest getting one of the hand-held models -- they all come with a removable antenna (usually magnet mounted). The "Cobra HH Road Trip" model also includes a five-band weather radio and costs about $USD 100.00
It is a good radio and has the advantage of being able to move it to different vehicles easily.
Mark
I just purchased my CB yesterday at Fry's Electronics in Tempe, Arizona (they do have a website: www.outpost.com). It is a Midland 75-850 Handheld 40 channel/All-Hazard/weather radio with a "rubber duck" antenna, and a nice little car adapter kit that allows me to use my vehicle's battery as well as a magnetic mount 3' Antenna (which I have proudly ploped on the back of my '91 Chevrolet Lumina!). It cost me $108 for the radio (which Midland sells on thier site for $159.00), and a antenna that I purchase at Radio Shack for about $34.00. It's nice, and I am now just trying to get used to CB radio. The only thing I have done is announced a traffic jam on I-10 in downtown phone, and thats about it. For those who care in the Phoenix Area, my handle will be "Cascadia", callsign KBLM85201 (thats what the FCC wants). I am going to be on channel 19 most of the time, unless there are anyone out there who uses another channel in the PHX area.
Sorry, Brad, I didn't see this post until just now. Looks like it's a moot point now, though. Bob
Brad,
Congrats on the purchase. I have been using CB radios for over thirty years. These days, almost no one does a station identification with the FCC call letters. I still remember mine (from when a license was actually required) KABC-4291, but I haven't used those call letters in a long, long time.
Depending upon the vehicle I am in, the usual call sign is "ROADTRIPAMERICA" but I have also been heard on the box with my personal call sign: "Silver Squid."
Enjoy!
What area are you in and what channel do you usually tune into?
Brad,
Continental US and Canada is my backyard -- the office for RTA is located in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Channel 19 is the primary channel for interstate travel on east and west routes. 14 is ofen used for N & South routes
I usually monitor 19, 9 and 12 when on the road.
What kind of range do you get on your CB? I swear my handheld gets about 30 miles only when hooked up in my car, 7 when running off batteries and the little rubber duck antenna.
Generally CB radios receive on a sight-line basis which is usually about 30 miles. That being said, there are ways to increase both the gain and transmit capability of transceivers. In addition, both single-side band and normal CBs can operate on skip frequencies. On numerous times I have spoken with other operators well over 2000 miles away.
But if you find you are able to receive and transmit within the 25-50 mile window -- I would say the radio is operating at near peak performance.
mark
Listen to Live Lincoln Nebraska CB radio channel 19 right over your computer's speakers here:
http://lincolncb.tripod.com
listener discretion is advised
If it's anything like channel 19 in Phoenix, which can be very very PG-13 to R rated transmissions. Cursing, bad language, etc., its all on there. Perhaps there would be less if the FCC required licenses like they did along time ago for CB?
Brad,
One of these days I will get the article I wrote about CB's published on this site -- maybe next week. But in the interim, clearing up a mis-conception -- CBers were never "licensed" at one time they were "registered" and upon registration were issued an "official" FCC call sign. I can still recall my FCC call sign issued in 1976.
As far as the blue-language goes -- you can find trash-talkers on the amateur bands too. There is insufficient $$ in FCC's enforcement bureau to stop bad radio manners. It has to be self-policing that works.
Oky, I knew there was some sort of Governmental Red Tape that had to be completed, but mistakingly understood it was a license rather than a registration.
As far as self-policing, thats difficult with the anonymity of the CB (its even more so than the Internet).
What I think would work is getting more intellegent people on the radio that actually use it for what its ment for. That would mean more people not traditionally seen as CB-er's (truckers, etc.) getting on board, which is not a bad idea. It would be nice to know that when I call for help on channel 9, someone with a little sense is listening!
Brad,
It turns out that you are operating near one of the most active REACT chapters in the country. REACT members are trained volunteers who monitor channel 9 and have been instrumental in saving countless lives over the years. You won't know they are there, until you need them.
Since you are a responsible CBer maybe you should consider joining the REACT organization and help bring about those changes?
with the same name, REACT, online, and it said they wanted $300 or so bucks for a lifetime membership. Ouch! Do you know the local group's website?
I found the website, and got the address for Superstition REACT, Inc. (C320). I will contact them.