LandySurf

LandySurf

Active Member
CB Radio - Help and Advice? Also where you've installed?

Hi Everyone, Hope you're all good!! :)
Just a couple of quick questions regarding an installation of a CB Radio in my Defender 90.

1) Is there a good start up kit / package any of you purchased either on eBay or in any other shops online that contain everything I need to get started? ( i've seen there are starter packages on eBay but it's hard to know what's good...... if you could point me in the direction of anything you've got that would be great.....

2) If ( and this would be a huge help if you could ) any of you have any photos / or advice of where you put the CB inside the cab this would be really useful... i've seen some people put it up on the dash, others behind the cubby... but any pictures would be amazing just to give me some inspiration of where to put it etc...

You guys are fab as always and any help / advice would be great!
Thanks in advance!! :)
 
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I can't help on the best kit as my system is bits and pieces I've had over the last 30+ years. As for mounting I'm in the process of putting mine into a console I've built under the cab roof between the passenger and driver.
The reasons are.
We both can use it,
The controls are visible by both of us.
Shorter coax length.
It's other wise wasted space.
 
http://www.thunderpole.co.uk/cb-radio.html
Is worth checking out. I have a hand held one so no pictures. The reason I went for a hand held was It can easily be taken out . Good for when crossing into Morocco where they are not legal but good for communicating with each other in the desert. I don't leave mine in the Defender all the time. You will need a booster speaker as with the noise of the Defender its difficult to hear it. Can also be carried around when you want to be out of the vehicle like on off roading events.
The main problem you will have is deciding where to mount the aerial as the defender is made from Alloy. It will have to be earthed. I had my aerial mounted on the roof rack earthed to the chassis. The bigger the aerial the better the reception. And size does matter.
 
Not got a pic but I've mounted mine on the lower dash on the right of the main fuse box on a TD5 anyway. Its out the way, pretty easy to see as well. Got an aux cable that runs down there so I can connect to the head unit.

Though I always thought I good spot would be inside the cubby box mounted on the slanted part
 
mikescuba said:
http://www.thunderpole.co.uk/cb-radio.html
Is worth checking out. I have a hand held one so no pictures. The reason I went for a hand held was It can easily be taken out . Good for when crossing into Morocco where they are not legal but good for communicating with each other in the desert. I don't leave mine in the Defender all the time. You will need a booster speaker as with the noise of the Defender its difficult to hear it. Can also be carried around when you want to be out of the vehicle like on off roading events.
The main problem you will have is deciding where to mount the aerial as the defender is made from Alloy. It will have to be earthed. I had my aerial mounted on the roof rack earthed to the chassis. The bigger the aerial the better the reception. And size does matter.
Click to expand...

Not strictly true, Antenna length does matter. But the length needs to be matched to the wavelength of the frequency in use. An antenna of optimum length will aid in achieving planning ranges. The Ae doesn't need to be earthed as long as the set is. The coax carries +ve in the core and -ve around the outer.
 
I use mine so infrequently I have just put a cigar lighter adapter on it and take it out for the months that I don't use it :(
 
Hey Everyone - thanks for the response so far regarding the installation of the CB - it's hard to try and think of a good place - i'm about to put a full length dog guard in - so don't know if there is going to be enough space on the back of the cubby box to fit it - not my preferred option any way - as it's out the way really. Ideally would like to see it somewhere in front of me... I'm wondering if i placed it on the main dashboard in front of me - that you would see horrible wires from the front of the car or whether it could be wired in neatly.... but then if you did this, suppose you've got the coily lead from the mic hanging down.... tough one! I'm thinking on the side of the centre console, so technically in the front seat passengers footwell to where their right leg would be - it's out the way for me - and i can still see it.....
 
I trialled my CB there and found it a pita. When I was alone in the car made for difficult adjustment, which is why I settled on the same spot but drivers side.

That said its held on with HD velcro so I remove it when not in use or I unplug the microphone for extra space
 
H/D Velcro patch on top of the unit, stuck onto the fuse cover behind gearstick with a quick release power connector looped into the fuse board. Aerial is on the passenger side
 

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Mine is installed at the back of the roof, it does need to be earthed unlike the earlier posting. As long as you get a CB antenna you will be fine.

If you do use the roof ensure you have a good earth to the roof which will involve rubbing back the paint to bare metal, earthing it and the painting over what you have done so it does not corrode. Get the antenna tuned and it will be ok.

This is a good write up http://www.4x4cb.com/public/page.cfm?CatID=787 I have nothing to do with these chaps but I had a quick google for you.

I have a sprung loaded 5/8th antenna and it works well for 10 miles ish with the legal limit of a CB.

One point to note is that CB's are really good these days and they have been legalised for all sorts of goodies now AM/FM/SSB. No doubt a shop may want to sell you an expensive one. Mine was not expensive. Get an external speaker as Mike suggested it will make you life easier.
 
Thank you all so much for your replies.....
SpaceDawg, Slomofo, Bankz5152, Marmaduke, Pillar, Mikescuba, TheQ - all of your replies have been extremely helpful!!!!!
That's placement of the aerial sorted... perfect!!
If anyone has any other suggestions on where to put the actual radio and microphone and pictures for some inspiration that would be perfect
Really appreciate the response guys... Thank you!!
 
:) no worries! So you dont want it on the lower dash, cubby box (in or behind), how about in a roof console? Bit more work but may look nice and keeps it out the way
 
Pillar said:
Not strictly true, Antenna length does matter. But the length needs to be matched to the wavelength of the frequency in use. An antenna of optimum length will aid in achieving planning ranges. The Ae doesn't need to be earthed as long as the set is. The coax carries +ve in the core and -ve around the outer.
Click to expand...

Sorry this is bugging me a little, why do you think a ground plane antenna does not need the ground plane to be earthed on the car?
 
LandySurf said:
CB Radio - Help and Advice? Also where you've installed?

Hi Everyone, Hope you're all good!! :)
Just a couple of quick questions regarding an installation of a CB Radio in my Defender 90.

1) Is there a good start up kit / package any of you purchased either on eBay or in any other shops online that contain everything I need to get started? ( i've seen there are starter packages on eBay but it's hard to know what's good...... if you could point me in the direction of anything you've got that would be great.....

2) If ( and this would be a huge help if you could ) any of you have any photos / or advice of where you put the CB inside the cab this would be really useful... i've seen some people put it up on the dash, others behind the cubby... but any pictures would be amazing just to give me some inspiration of where to put it etc...

You guys are fab as always and any help / advice would be great!
Thanks in advance!! :)
Click to expand...
Mate I've got an old cubby box designed for a cb etc from my ex mountain rescue vehicle with a slot for a cb and a c player good to go yours for 50 quid. It's metal and very sturdy with lots of pre existing switches.
 
Coffeelandy said:
Mate I've got an old cubby box designed for a cb etc from my ex mountain rescue vehicle with a slot for a cb and a c player good to go yours for 50 quid. It's metal and very sturdy with lots of pre existing switches.
Click to expand...

Hey CoffeeLandy - have you!?! Goodness that could be really useful!!! Is there any chance i could see some pictures of it maybe?? Thanks so much, really like the idea of an incorporated unit like that.......

PS - thanks to everyone above for all your replies on the topic - appreciate it!
 
Wow it's great to hear that CB radio is still being used, l feared it had died a death years ago!
How popular is it and did l read right that you can now legally use AM?
 
LandySurf said:
Hey CoffeeLandy - have you!?! Goodness that could be really useful!!! Is there any chance i could see some pictures of it maybe?? Thanks so much, really like the idea of an incorporated unit like that.......

PS - thanks to everyone above for all your replies on the topic - appreciate it!
Click to expand...
Hold on I'll get some pics to you.
 
lightning said:
Wow it's great to hear that CB radio is still being used, l feared it had died a death years ago!
How popular is it and did l read right that you can now legally use AM?
Click to expand...

Hi,

Not only is it legal to use AM now you can also use SSB, the laws were changes a little while ago 2014. Not many people are aware of this, but there are some new radios about with SSB.
 
Hey Everyone, i know i put this up on another post...

But does anyone know who could fit one for me? I'm on the outskirts of Oxford but i don't mind driving wherever to get it fitted!

Any thoughts??
 
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