Choosing a CB Radio

[Nismo86]

I have no idea which one I want, they both sound like winners but I still cannot decide...

How come those of you who knew about the midland I'm talking about didn't get it? Cause it also able to used as a handhead one which is very cool, trying to get an idea why more picked corba over the midland when they seem pretty much the same besides midland being able to be portable.

[NismoCC]

heh.. yea I know what you mean.

It all comes down to what you are gonna use it for. I use mine alot on the road, the traffic and weather info is really nice. Plus, I have about 14 miles of line of sight communication in the event I need it. My Fiance and I like to do a lot of exploring, and many times, I can't find others to go along. So this is something to consider.

With the Cobra, you will have to invest in an antenna ($25-$75). If only for trail group comm use, the Midland may be the best for the $$.

[Nismo86]

Which do you think will get more range? And out of the antennas on amazon, which is the best? I didn't see the wilson 2000 on there. I'd like to just mount it in the back of my bed in the unlti-track system, I don't want to stick one on my roof, and I'd like to be able to unscrew it when not in use.

[NismoCC]

Originally Posted by Nismo86

Which do you think will get more range? And out of the antennas on amazon, which is the best? I didn't see the wilson 2000 on there. I'd like to just mount it in the back of my bed in the unlti-track system, I don't want to stick one on my roof, and I'd like to be able to unscrew it when not in use.

Well, again, there are lots of factors to that as I noted in one of my posts. If you set it up with the same antenna as I did, in the same location, you should get about the same as me (~14 miles line of sight).

I also just looked up the specs on the two radios to get a power input/output comparison. They are both identical. The Cobra is slightly more sensitive, which means you would be able to pick up degraded signals slightly better.

The Cobra does have a feature called SoundTracker that significantly impoves the signal quality both in and out by reducing the noise to signal ratio. I am not sure if the Midland has a comparitive feature.

So as for range, I think it's a toss up. That will come down to the installation.

As for antennas, this is a major deciding factor when it comes to performance. If you want max performance, you need to do a roof mount. First off, let me tell you what I did. I have the Wilson Lil' Wil magnet mount with a 36in whip. What I like about this is, I can leave the magnet mount on the roof, and just take the whip off when I am not using it (or planning on going to the airport where clearance is an issue). Then when I need it, just screw it back in, and it doesn't need to be tuned. If you go with a fiberglass antenna mounted in the bed, you will have to re-tune the antenna each time your put it back on. This is a pain... Plus, antennas work off your vehicle. They need a ground plane to project the signal. On the roof it has the entire steel roof to use as the gound plane, and it is higher up. The bed will not provide this. Projection will also only occur in the direction of the ground plan with respect to the antenna. So if you mount it on the drivers side bed rail, with the top of the antenna above the roof of your truck, you will have projection off to the passenger side/front, but none to the drivers side/front, and almost zero to the rear.

So let me ask you now, what do you want from it? How do you plan to use it?

[Nismo86]

I think i'll mostly be using just when wheeling, and tuning into weather channels if im not fimiliar with the area. I don't think I would use it much as a portable but given that I could use it as one it'd be good to have. The corba seems more of what i'd use, its smaller and better looking. Now about that antenna that goes ontop of the roof, will it dent and scratch the roof? I mean it is a magnet right?

[NismoCC]

I have never had a magnet mount scratch or dent any vehicle I have ever used them on. That being said, the magnet doesn't scratch the paint, it is usually the person putting it on or taking it off. A couple of rules to follow so this doesn't happen:

- Never ever slide the magnet across the paint (no brainer)
- Clean the spot very well at which you are going to install the magnet
- If you want to remove the magnet, peel it off (remember no sliding)

Also the magnets have a sort of slick plastic film over the bottom which is designed to prevent scratching. The magnet is aslo VERY POWERFUL, so when installing be ready for it to stick, and keep your fingers out of the way! It will pull its self down to the metal very fast from about 5 in away.

...pics coming soon...

[Nismo86]

Yeah I'd like to see some pics to get an idea of what it looks like and how you mounted it

[NismoCC]

As promised...

3rd pic from the left is under the driver side dash. The module is mounted to the beam directly under the steering wheel. At the time of the pic I had not yet drilled the holes, thus the plastic ties holding it to the beam. I left it this way for about 1 month before drilling (just didn't get around to it), and technically you could leave it this way for good. By doing this I did found out that some small rubber strips were needed between the module and the beam to prevent a rattle that was present on dirt roads and trails. When it came time to drill, it was very easy since the metal isn't very thick.

[NismoCC]

note: Some pics are take under the hood to show the routing of the power wire and ground.

[NismoCC]

More of under the hood stuff. The black wire is ground, red it hot. The small looming is what I used to protect the wires. I routed them the same path as the OEM wiring bundle. Also, notice the pic taken behind the drivers side rear seat. Behind this fabric is a vent for fresh air. The antenna cable is routed through here, then under the carpet and back/front door sills all the way to the module under the dash. Thus no drilling...