Since I got my 5 I’ve been thinking of getting back into CB radio and putting a set in the car for when I’m out and about. I haven’t been on the CB scene for 30 years (back when it was illegal and much more fun!) however, I’ve noticed that a number of groups seem to use 2-way radios when out on runs so if possible I’d like to be able to use the same piece of kit. My question therefore is, what do people tend to use? If little handheld sets do these work on the same frequency range as CBs or would I have to buy a separate handset?
A few of us in the South East have got CB’s and found them a real bonus when out and about…and so much better than walkie talkies…
C&NW some of use CB on the runs, much more useful than hand held, as the rang on the handheld is more or less line of site.
I use Binatone terrain 550. I know some people prefer the 750 and 950 which are rated for a better range but I really can’t fault the 550.
It seems to me that CB would be better and could be used when out and about generally. Have looked at a few complete ‘starter’ kits which have a decent radio unit and come with aerial and mag mount. Something to think about for the summer…
It seems to me that CB would be better and could be used when out and about generally. Have looked at a few complete ‘starter’ kits which have a decent radio unit and come with aerial and mag mount. Something to think about for the summer…
I’ve just installed a CB Radio in my 5 today. I bought a TTI TCB-660 from Maplins which they’re doing for £54.99 (£10 off) at the moment. I didn’t need the aerial or mount as I already had that from my old off-roading days.
I bought one as I started going to meets and runs with a bunch of others (including Rising Sun above) who all seem to have CBs.
Dave, what’s the TTI like? I saw one on ebay and it looked pretty good. Would be interested to know what you think.
Dave, what’s the TTI like? I saw one on ebay and it looked pretty good. Would be interested to know what you think.
Looks like I will have to dig my old CB out of the garage and try to fit it in my 5 ,sounds like it could be fun .don’t know where I’m going to put the aerial, magnet on the bodywork that’s a big no , any ideas? over and out.
I was actually thinking of a mag mount. If you’re worried about marks you can always put a piece of thin material between the mount and the bodywork. I certainly don’t want to be putting a fixed aerial on the car. I guess if you have style bars you could possibly fix a mounting bracket to that but not the most practical solution. At least with a mag mount you can simply pull off when not needed.
I was just wondering, as it’s now illegal to use mobile phones in a car, unless fitted with a hands free kit, what the law says about CB radio? Has CB techknowledge moved on and modern sets are hands free as well? Just a thought. Don’t want to get pulled by the Fuzz (-;
I wouldn’t say it was a good idea to use a cb while mobile but its not illegal
I did a search on this when I first started looking at CBs. The basic situation appears to be that as the police use radios in their cars it would be very difficult to make it illegal to use the same sort of thing in a private car. However, you can still be stopped and fined for driving without due care and attention so need to be careful how and when you use it.
As a group we have been using them for over a year and have had no problems so far. There is no fiddling to do with the unit, just using the microphone.
There used to be a cb aerial that would also be used for normal radio too.
There used to be a cb aerial that would also be used for normal radio too.
Do you still need a licence to use one, In the good old days you had to have one, 10 pounds a year it used to cost you.
You no longer need a license to use a cb I remember having to have the license as well not that a lot of the kit I owned it really covered :)
Might have to go and see if I can find it in the garage it must all still be in there somewhere