Handheld CB Radio and Antenna Recommendation

[prerunner1982]

That sounds really great. Is that the mobile adapter version that you are talking about?

Midland 75-822 Handheld 40-Channel Cb Radio With Weather/All-Hazard Monitor & Mobile Adapter : Amazon.ca: Electronics

Yes, but the radio comes with all of the adapters. Don't buy from that link it's almost $100 more expensive than direct from Midland.
75-822 Portable/Mobile CB Radio | Midland Radio (midlandusa.com)

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[prerunner1982]

For what it's worth GMRS in Canada appears to be license free.

 

[LittleDog]

I also recommend the Midland 75. It's a great light use/first CB. You can even "upgrade" it to a permanent CB, by adding an external antenna.

If you buy a more full-featured radio later, this one is small enough to keep in the jeep as a loaner, or for spotters or travel companions.

It can be used with the 12V socket, six regular AA batteries, or eight NiMH rechargeables. If you use the NiMH, it is a separate pack that comes with a cable, and you can use the AC plug in the jeep to charge them.

If you use the 12V adapter, it comes with an external antenna plug for better range:

You can use temporary clamp mount like this, if you dont want to leave the antenna on all the time:

If you only use the included rubber ducky antenna with the 12V adapter, cover up the antenna pin connection in the adapter if you get weird interference.

I wouldn't recommend a Firestik unless you have a permanent, and sturdy, mount; they are surprisingly heavy.

If using an external antenna, remember to get an SWR meter too!


Note: I am not affiliated with Midland, nor do I own any stock in them.

 

[dave12345]

Yes, but the radio comes with all of the adapters. Don't buy from that link it's almost $100 more expensive than direct from Midland.
75-822 Portable/Mobile CB Radio | Midland Radio (midlandusa.com)

Thanks for the heads up, I'll look elsewhere! :D

 

[dave12345]

I also recommend the Midland 75. It's a great light use/first CB. You can even "upgrade" it to a permanent CB, by adding an external antenna.

If you buy a more full-featured radio later, this one is small enough to keep in the jeep as a loaner, or for spotters or travel companions.

It can be used with the 12V socket, six regular AA batteries, or eight NiMH rechargeables. If you use the NiMH, it is a separate pack that comes with a cable, and you can use the AC plug in the jeep to charge them.

If you use the 12V adapter, it comes with an external antenna plug for better range:

You can use temporary clamp mount like this, if you dont want to leave the antenna on all the time:

If you only use the included rubber ducky antenna with the 12V adapter, cover up the antenna pin connection in the adapter if you get weird interference.

I wouldn't recommend a Firestik unless you have a permanent, and sturdy, mount; they are surprisingly heavy.

If using an external antenna, remember to get an SWR meter too!


Note: I am not affiliated with Midland, nor do I own any stock in them.

Wow, that is a lot of useful information, thanks so much for taking the time to explain this to me, buddy! Now, I feel a little less noob and I think I'll definetly start with that Midland unit! It feels so much more clear now.

One more question for you if I may ask : what do you use for antenna on your hood when you plug it in the 12V adapter?

 

[LittleDog]

I used either a 3' rigid, but not as thick and heavy as a Firestik antenna, or a wire center-load wire antenna with the Mopar cowl lighting mounts initially, but later moved it farther down the hood using this:

https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadrat...-cb-antenna-kit-jeep-wrangler-jl-gladiator-jt

But only because I added another antenna to the cowl. That kit routed the antenna cable under the body, which I liked, but it isn't necessary.

Lots of people seem to use the Terraflex tailgate mount.

Check out the many ways that people here ran the wires if you do go with a mounted antenna.

Make sure the SWR meter you get comes with a short jumper cable, as they cheap out on them now. When I put a CB in my buddy's car yesterday, the meter didn't come with one, so I had to pull the one out of my jeep to test it.

Just to warn you, lots of new knowledge to acquire once you start playing with radios, and I am by no means an expert. Look online for some tutorials. You can end up spending a lot of time and/or money getting things to work the way you want, but it's mostly fun.

 

[Wkaz]

I have a Quad-Band HAM radio, CB and several GMRS handhelds.

The GMRS radios are by far the most valuable. The blister pack ones (Midland, Motorola...) from retail stores are bad. Wouxun and others from a radio supplier are vastly superior.

https://www.buytwowayradios.com/consumer/gmrs-radios.html

Wouxun KG-805G GMRS`

Love my kg-805s

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