CB radio

Has anyone installed a NGP (No ground plane) CB radio in their PC?  If so, how well does it work and how/ where did you install it?

I have no idea in answering you question but it raises another. I wasn’t aware CB’s were still used by the masses? Is there a resurgence in the use of CB radios and if so has range been improved?  I still see some mobile ham radio set ups now and then but even that seem rare.

Joseph,
We have our CB with us all the time.  It is a great source of information for backed-up traffic.  When we notice a traffic jam we turn it on and the truckers are very informative as to what is going on and how to avoid it.

Sorry Thomas, ours is a mobile unit and is grounded.

Joseph,
We have our CB with us all the time.  It is a great source of information for backed-up traffic.  When we notice a traffic jam we turn it on and the truckers are very informative as to what is going on and how to avoid it.

Sorry Thomas, ours is a mobile unit and is grounded.

Is your cb radio handheld? I’m definitely out of the know as I still have the cb I bought in the ‘70’s.

If you have a decent sized truck stop near you that carries CB radios,  you might want to check with them.  They might be able to answer your question.
Gary

Is your cb radio handheld?

Yes, we use a Midland 75-822 handheld cb.  It gets stored in the glove box when not in use.  We also use a removable firestik antenna.  It too is taken off and stored once we are parked.  We simply use our cb for traffic situations.  It has saved us many times in being tied up in traffic for hours.

Our gps has a detour function so once we find out exactly where the problem is and how far the traffic is backed up we then can determine from the gps if it is worth taking the next exit and avoiding the situation.  Also, the truckers will give directions for a detour as well.

Thanks to everyone for your feedback. We have used the CB in our other rv for many years and has been a valuable assistant to avoid traffic accident traffic jams and detour routes by listening to the truckers helping each other to avoid the hold-ups and delays.  We also have a GPS which directs detours but the GPS not always puts you in the best route. BARRY-SUE,  how Is your antenna hooked-up and how is the cable routed? Thanks again for the replies.

I used an existing bolt and nut plus had to drill a hole in the lip of the fender (this was the hardest part of the job, not physically but mentally) for a second bolt and nut (everything is stainless steel).  The cable runs across the top of the firewall, into the passenger fender and through an existing unused grommet into passenger compartment.  I used a 9 foot cable but if I had to do it again I might go with an 18 foot cable for a little more slack once I got into the PC.  

Here is the part for tthe antenna mount that I used

Kalibur KVAN Stainless Steel Hood Channel Antenna Mount

http://www.amazon.com/Kalibur-Stainless-Channel-Mobile-Antenna/dp/B000WD3MHI/ref=sr_1_fkmr3_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374260663&sr=8-1-
fkmr3&keywords=cb+van+hood+mount

We have used this for almost 5 years and over 30,000 miles with no issues.

Barry-Sue,  thank you for the reply and photo. I do believe you have solved my problem (drilling through the roof or fender). What kind of transmission strength do you get, great-good-fair ? Thanks again.

Thomas,

Hard to say—we think it is very good.  We live 4 miles from the freeway and are able to hear transmissions from the truckers.  Don’t know how you would rate that but we have never had a problem getting the information on a traffic situation.

Barry-Sue
Thank you for your replies.  Happy Trails.!

Barry-Sue, interesting and surprised.