Need help choosing a CB/Antenna combo

[David_S4]

I'm looking to get a CB setup for my car, unfortunately I'm very new to this and don't know a whole lot about these radios. I've read all the FAQ's and stickies, but I still think I'm better off asking for some more expert advice.


I was looking to order something from Canada, however I'm not sure I'll get anything as tuned as something from Sparky's. Does Sparky's ship to Canada? I checked the site but saw nothing about international shipping... If they don't, where's the best Canadian retailer?

My budget isn't really an issue, I'll pay what it takes to get a somewhat decent setup, but I'd like to keep it around $300 all said and done, so let's say $200 USD before shipping/tax, which should be fine, right?



I was looking at the Cobra 75WXST simply because it is small and will be able to be hidden, as my car is very small and space is unfortunately an issue. If this is a weak unit though, I have no problem finding somewhere to mount a full sized mobile unit. What are your opinions on the Cobra? Would I expect noticeably better performance from a full sized unit, and if so, what would you recommend?

As far as antennas go, I'd like something that will stay on through high speeds. I use my car to its full potential if you catch my drift, and I'd rather not have it blow off or anything. I'd like to avoid drilling holes, but if the performance is better or it really is the only way to know that it will stay on at 250+ km/h (on the track, of course. I don't plan on removing it for track days), I would be willing to drill some holes. I'm also looking at trunk mounting it, so no roof mounting. Furthermore, I'd like the antenna to be as short as feasibly possible, I'd like to avoid any added attention What would you recommend?


EDIT: Also, SWR... I don't quite understand it fully, if I get something from Sparky's, will it be taken care of for me? Or do I need to get a meter and figure it out based on my exact car?



Sorry for so many questions, but I really want to do this right the first time

Thanks,
David

[RoadWarrior/RW]

Hang on big guy, let me find the web sites of the places I bought my stuff around Toronto, they ship pretty much everywhere, I'll be back in couple of minutes

Chris

[RoadWarrior/RW]

Here you go David:

cb radios dealer canada cobra uniden maxon galaxy ranger midland microphones speakers brackets power cord knobs connex power transistors drivers finals diode - Durham Radio Sales and Service Canada

From them I bought the

75822 Mini 40 Channel CB With Cigarette Lighter Adapter - Durham Radio Sales and Service Canada

and

W5000MAG Wilson Black Magnetic Mount CB Antenna Canada

Also bought the

W1000SL Short Whip for Wilson 1000/5000 Antennas - Durham Radio Sales and Service Canada

Been using them for over 3 years,

Let me know if you need more help.

Chris in Toronto

EDIT: also http://radioworld.ca/index.php?cPath=6

[David_S4]

Thanks a bunch Chris! I was looking at both of those sites, however I didn't see anything about tuning and peaking and whatever else it is that Sparky's does that everyone always says is essentially a must for maximum performance

Do you know if either of them offer similar services?


Thanks again Chris,
David

[thx1138]

You will need to check the SWR on your radio once you install the antenna.

SWR is simply measure that shows if have any power being reflected back into the radio from a mismatched antenna (bad thing). Ideally all the RF power created by the CB when you transmit is radiated by the antenna. If you have a bad SWR ie a mismatch, some of the RF power is dissipated in the CB radio. If the mismatch is minimal you lose a little bit of your transmit power. If the SWR is really bad, you can burn out the final stage in your CB when you transmit

Marginal SWR is 2:1, Pretty good SWR is 1.5:1, nice swr is 1.2:1 or less.

Note your SWR is different on different frequencies. You will want to check the SWR on a few channels (like 1, 19 and 40). Try to get channel 19 as close to 1:1 without making the other too bad.

[RoadWarrior/RW]

Thanks a bunch Chris! I was looking at both of those sites, however I didn't see anything about tuning and peaking and whatever else it is that Sparky's does that everyone always says is essentially a must for maximum performance

Do you know if either of them offer similar services?


Thanks again Chris,
David

This is a freaking controversial issue, lots of forum members disagree with me, ok, bought the CB radio and the Wilson 5000 (which comes with a freaking long metal whip) from Durham Radio, they are in Whitby, Ontario, east (on 401) from Toronto before GM in Oshawa, so I bought this stuff in Jan 2006, with the original whip I drove about 2-3 months, it worked GREAT and NO, repeat, NO any kind of SWR adjustment, they told me that NO adjustment is needed when using the original whip BUT when I bought that short load (lots of low clearance garages and loading docks with my job, the original whip was too long for my needs) they told me that I MUST do a one-time SWR adjustment for the short load, did it just once with their own SWR tester, about $10 for a 2-min test and adjustment, and that's it.

I drive a lot, about 80,000 kms/year, Ontario, Quebec and US, my CB/Wilson antenna combination works super great, teams up greatly with my STI

Feel free to ask me any questions you like, in the forum or in private.

BTW, no such store close to you?

The original Wilson whip is 62" long, no idea how they manage to ship it out, give them a call, toll-free number, and talk to them about all your needs, nice people over there.

Keep in touch David.
Chris

[David_S4]

Thanks thx1138, I'll order a cheap SWR device with whatever else I order.

Chris: I'll probably give them a call tomorrow if I'm not too busy, I'm having a tough time figuring out if a "full sized" mobile unit will be a lot better than the tiny Cobra 75WXST or not, so they would probably know

I don't know of anywhere nearby that deals with CB radios other than some amateur clubs, so I might be able to persuade one of them to set up my SWR for me, but there's definitely nowhere nearby that I can find that actually sells this gear

I'll also need a short antenna, so hopefully I can figure out a good setup on the phone with Durham tomorrow


Thanks again, you guys are very helpful!

[RoadWarrior/RW]

Durham Radio Toll free number, David, so ask them anything you want, CB, antenna, short load, SWR, shipping to NS, everything, very professional people, lots of truckers park their big rigs near the store to get some new gear, they
sell only brand-new stuff, nothing used, also ask them to send you, if you decide to order from them, their free catalog, best of luck David and keep in touch.

Chris

[srtga]

MEM-TEC uses a Cobra 75WXST and a lil' wil.

He's like Mr-T (No time fo' jibba-jabba) so if it wasn't a solid setup he wouldn't run it.

Maybe he'll chime in...

[haansgruber]

I recommend a SSB (Single Sideband) Radio. When the sunspot cycle increases in the next few years (we're on the way up now from march 2008) you'll be glad you did. There is going to be lots of DX and skip will be plentiful starting very soon!

I also recommend Copper Electronics (search online). Decent selection of radios & equipment. Reasonable prices. Excellent service.

I hope this helps

haans