sweet........will do then. The 4ft will prolly be the choice for me. I might also go for the blue or the white. Just to be different.

 

They have a red, white and blue one I think

 

not all together right?

 

I believe so...hang on...for instance:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...778259081&rd=1

 

yes a 3-4 foot antennae will be fine. Stick with black also. it looks better IMO!

 

And now, a little disclaimer:
It's not only annoying to flood a band with more than 4 watts, it's also illegal. I do truly hate the FCC for a lot of things. Yes Janet Jackson has boobies, get over it. No one was scarred for life. But the limit of 4 watts is more than enough for our purpose and overpowering it like that can really screw up other people trying to use other bands...very uncool. Also my understanding is that you can only effectively use 2 antenna's (cophasing I think it's called) if you have at least 6' in between (I've also heard 9'..not sure) which isn't possible on our Rangers so I'm not sure how that's working but I'm an uber-newbie on communications.

I love my 29 ltd...nothing beats nightwatch.

EDIT: I see the post of altered but I'll leave this here anyway :)

 

I have managed to break not one, but THREE antenna's offroading, the most recent one a more expensive and very nice Wilson. (Yes, I do have a full-gonzo style offroad, so sue me, lol...)

I'm going back to crap, lol. Mainly because I generally do NOT need any distance for what I use it for.

However I fully agree that a better antenna improves performance more than a better radio. Certain radios may resist nearby interference from other stations on adjacent channels better (selectivity), and my have better noise immunity or suppression ("ANL" -- automatic noise limiting) or special speech compressor circuits to optimize modulation. But often, for general use, such features may be not worth what they cost.

It really depends on what you want and what you're willing to spend. Cobra hands down has the reputation, and for a reason. Some (or all, don't know) of those units are built by Ranger Communications for Cobra and they make some ham gear that ain't bad either.

Uniden is a reliable "cheap" brand. Radio Shack stuff works fine, but won't get you any compliments on your mod, lol. I'm pretty pragmatic about it and I've got some decent gear for my "real" radio work, so an inexpensive CB is fine by me. But, buy what you can afford that has what you want and use the heck out of it. You'll enjoy whatever you get that way, lol.

I've been north of Philadelphia at a funeral for a guy I worked with who is MY age (50) and just suddenly died. Weird. No way I could have won the "race", lol. I also finally had to go to bed last night, so I couldn't keep up than either. Old guy -- you know how it is...or you will one day anyway!

 

FWIW: I use a 10-15 y/o RS handheld. I have two of them, both work fine except I only have +12VDC adapters for one. They have held up very well over the years of abuse. Personally I don't need a CB for much other than convoys w/ friends and family and meets w/ you guys.. so maybe 0.005% of the time. Therefore I can't see the value in spending much money on CB setups.. unless perhaps for looks or convenience (of having something of decent quality pre-wired into the truck).

Me, I'd find the nearest pawn shop. The shops in my area always have CB radios in stock..

 

I just use mine for trailriding and sometimes I check the weather on the WX band. Also whenever traffic starts getting bad around town, you can talk to the truckers and see what the deal is. be prepared for the boomhauer answers though..

"Yeahman,Itellyouwhatman. Thatdangol'Internetman. Youjustgoonthereandpointandclick. TalkaboutWWWdotcom. An'lotsanekkidchicksonthereman. Clickclickclickclickclick. Itsrealeasyman. Lifeslikeadang olrubik's cube. Manyoumoveallthecolorsaroundandwhenyougetonesideyo umessuptheothersidemang. "

 

I actually don't get much in the line of trucker talk these days. Maybe it's because I just don't hear them on account of my cheap radio or antenna, but it just feels like CB isn't quite as popular anymore.

On my way home from Centralia last October I did leave it on though, mostly to help myself stay awake. I did hear some interesting things while on I84. From what I could tell, some guy was basically trying to pick a chick up over the radio.. Neither sounded all that high on the IQ ladder, if you know what I mean.. Unfortunately I/they went out of range before the conversation really heated up..

 

nice XJ OR4x4 ~ I had a '93 XJ with a shortie k40 rubber whip when they were available and even talked skip on it! Wilson's are great and handle power. Firesticks are 5/8th waves and very decent too. for all kinds of radio info you guys should see www.thequackshack.com They are very helpful setting me up right now. be glad the airwaves are quiet right now (most channels). it used to be a sh#tstorm and unusable before.

 

i got a radioshack cb, it was only like 50 bux and i wanted something small, which it accomplished, and i got an 8 ft whip also at radio shack for only 15 bux, and another lil bit for mounting bracket, it works perfect though when ur w/ people w/o much distance, but overall range im not sure but im not thinkin its too great