Obtaining a CB...

Several people suggested I get hold of a CB (mainly for off-road days, I assume). This is something else that I know nothing about!

Where do they typically get mounted in a Disco? I seem to have a space just behind the sunroof switches which looks like it was designed to house something, but just has a 6" square plastic blanking plate over it. Is that designed for a CB? surely not.

Also, how much do they cost, roughly and what should I look out for?

How about this, for example?

Thunderpole Starter Pack - Maxon CM10 | CB Radio | THUNDERPOLE

Would that serve me well? Is it a good deal, money-wise?

I've got one of those Maxon. & it's a good rig with good range But it doesn't have a scan function. So you have to manually scan thru the channels 1 at a time.


Though I notice from that Link that they are sold out and are offering the Intek CB in it's place.

with regardsto mounting Mine in the 200 is mounted to the side of the centre console in the Passenger footwell on 300's in the centre of the overhead console seems to be the preferred location. the space you're on about normally has the sunroof controls But if you don't have sun roofs then the cb will go there. But not the Maxon it's too big. you need the mini cb's for that.

redhand said:

I've got one of those Maxon. & it's a good rig with good range But it doesn't have a scan function. So you have to manually scan thru the channels 1 at a time.


Though I notice from that Link that they are sold out and are offering the Intek CB in it's place.

Click to expand...

What normally happens on an off-road day? Do people broadcast on random frequencies (i.e. will it be a pain to not have a scan function) or do people settle on just one frequency for the day (i.e. not having a scan function isn't the end of the world)?

I assume the scan function is definitely useful when on the road, regardless.

As for the web page, when I look at it I see that the Maxon is back in stock...

redhand said:

with regardsto mounting Mine in the 200 is mounted to the side of the centre console in the Passenger footwell on 300's in the centre of the overhead console seems to be the preferred location. the space you're on about normally has the sunroof controls But if you don't have sun roofs then the cb will go there. But not the Maxon it's too big. you need the mini cb's for that.

Click to expand...

Ah, OK... to up in the overhead console is preferred by most, but (a) i have sunroof controls and (b) it'll be in full view of anyone looking through my windscreen!

So, mounting it to the side of the centre console is best for me I guess. Would I just self-tappingly screw it into the plastic?

have a look at....

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f8/how-fit-c-b-aerial-land-rover-discovery-61.html

Installing a CB Radio into a Land Rover Discovery - The Land Rover Blog

or if you really want to hack it about...

The Mad Hat Man said:

have a look at....


Installing a CB Radio into a Land Rover Discovery - The Land Rover Blog

Click to expand...

That's where mine is but on Passenger side. Aerial is on lightbar and coax runs behind snorkel under bonnet and into passenger footwell via a convenient grommet.

when you say "convenient grommet", did you make a hole or use an existing one?

Also, how is yours wired in? cigarette lighter socket or hardwired? If i buy one with a cigarette lighter plug on it, presumably I can just cut that off and hard wire it someday, right?

Also...

What normally happens on an off-road day? Do people broadcast on random frequencies (i.e. will it be a pain to not have a scan function) or do people settle on just one frequency for the day (i.e. not having a scan function isn't the end of the world)?

I assume the scan function is definitely useful when on the road, regardless.

So, mounting it to the side of the centre console is best for me I guess. Would I just self-tappingly screw it into the plastic?

fishsponge said:

when you say "convenient grommet", did you make a hole or use an existing one?

Also, how is yours wired in? cigarette lighter socket or hardwired? If i buy one with a cigarette lighter plug on it, presumably I can just cut that off and hard wire it someday, right?

Also...

What normally happens on an off-road day? Do people broadcast on random frequencies (i.e. will it be a pain to not have a scan function) or do people settle on just one frequency for the day (i.e. not having a scan function isn't the end of the world)?

I assume the scan function is definitely useful when on the road, regardless.

So, mounting it to the side of the centre console is best for me I guess. Would I just self-tappingly screw it into the plastic?

Click to expand...

sorry to highjack but i was thinking of wiring mine to the interior light, would this work with a in line fuse ???

I have mounted mine above this sunvisor in the little storage pocket but its only thin, just had to lossen the screws abit

fishsponge said:

when you say "convenient grommet", did you make a hole or use an existing one?

Click to expand...

existing ole. of course you need to remove coax plug and resolder afterwards.

Also, how is yours wired in? cigarette lighter socket or hardwired? If i buy one with a cigarette lighter plug on it, presumably I can just cut that off and hard wire it someday, right?

Click to expand...

Hard wired to the ignition switched live from the electric windows loom. behind the switch panel on the centre console.

Also...

What normally happens on an off-road day? Do people broadcast on random frequencies (i.e. will it be a pain to not have a scan function) or do people settle on just one frequency for the day (i.e. not having a scan function isn't the end of the world)?

Click to expand...

usually a prearranged channel or channels if more than one group is out.

I assume the scan function is definitely useful when on the road, regardless.

Click to expand...

Yes

So, mounting it to the side of the centre console is best for me I guess. Would I just self-tappingly screw it into the plastic?

Click to expand...

I've used double sided carpet tape and self tappers. but pop rivets or small bolts would do just as well.

Thanks for the info... I'm know very little about wiring so will probably ask someone else to do that for me, but if I buy one with a cigarette lighter plug on the end, presumably I can use it like that forever, or eventually cut the plug off the end and hardwire it in.

I think i'll give cb4x4 a ring in a second... so many manufacturers, so many features to care about, so many ways of getting to the same end goal...!

V8Jay said:

sorry to highjack but i was thinking of wiring mine to the interior light, would this work with a in line fuse ???

I have mounted mine above this sunvisor in the little storage pocket but its only thin, just had to lossen the screws abit

Click to expand...

Yep make sure ya don't wire it to the door switch side of things though or it'll only work when ya open the door :doh:

And it'll be permanently live so don't leave it on overnight ??

OK, so after a call to the very helpful 4x4cb.com I think i've settled for this...

Package Deals & Starter Packs - 4x4 Packages - BasicPLUS Offroader : 4x4 - Danita 3000 Multi Package Deal

...with a "small springer" aerial and a mount of some kind.

Regarding aerials, the small (86cm/34") aerial gives around 3-4 miles range in normal terrain whereas the large (155cm/61") aerial gives around 6. What am I likely to need at the usual off-road sites in and around Cambridgeshire? Nobody is likely to be more than 3-4 miles away, but does the terrain get in the way much?

As for mounts, I'm leaning towards a gutter mount at the moment, which would presumably ideally go on the left (so your aerial doesn't whack the windscreens of oncoming trucks on the road). Sound sensible?

I have one of those Thunderpole starter kits, seems ok

Mounted mine above the sunvisor on the drivers side in the map pocket

If you have a lightbar mount it on there I have the larger springer mainly cos they look better. but also better range if you are laning and need to get hold of the other group

I had mine on a gutter mount but was advised to move it to get a better SWR. Its now on the middle of my lightbar which is much better as it doesnt get caught as much on bushes/trees whilst laning

lightbar sounds like a good idea... how would that be earthed though? I don't know how well the light bar is earthed, you see, as I didn't put it on.

Also, does a 155cm/61" bendy aerial not wobble all over the place at 70mph on the motorway with a sidewind? Or on a single carriageway at 60mph with a sidewind and lorries coming in the opposite direction?

As for mounting it to the light bar, assuming it can be earthed, which of the mounts half way down this page would be best? Presumably the bullbar/rollcage mount...

Tuskenraider said:

I had mine on a gutter mount but was advised to move it to get a better SWR. Its now on the middle of my lightbar which is much better as it doesnt get caught as much on bushes/trees whilst laning

Click to expand...

Why would you get better SWR on the lightbar instead of the gutter? Surely the gutter is earthed better than the lightbar because it's welded to the main bodywork?

I am not an expert but something to do with the signal getting reflected off the roof IIRC

I linked the earth to an earth on one of the lights which all go back to the battery

good thinking...

Tuskenraider said:

I have one of those Thunderpole starter kits, seems ok

Mounted mine above the sunvisor on the drivers side in the map pocket

Click to expand...

Thats how I have just done mine, all wired in took the feed off the sunroof live wire