Great video.... One of my biggest frustrations is finding a path to run a direct connection from the battery to the underside of the dash in modern mini-vans. There's so much crap under there you're afraid to drill through the firewall out of fear of damaging a ribbon cable under the mat. I finally gave in and took my Sienna to the dealer and said here..... find a route for this #8 zip-wire and don't mess anything up! Cost me $120.00 but at least nothing got damaged! I have a fuse at the positive terminal and used a fused Anderson Power Pole distribution block for the ham rigs and CB. Cigarette lighter plugs are typically 10 amp and most 50-65 watt VHF/UHF ham rigs require 15-20 amps. Battery direct is the best way to go.
Make sure you are using some form of nonconducting dielectric grease on the antenna connector threads to protect against water. Water will cause your SWR to increase as well as signal loss.
Halfway through vid and stopped to tell you this is a great first vid. Thank you. I don't need it but I did 20 years ago lol. Most radios I have had take a 3A inline fuse. I am "looking at" a radio a friend keeps blowing fuses in, and think since it's a "power" cb with high and low it needs a 10A fuse but can't find the schematic for it and the online manual does not mention it. The fuse it keeps blowing is 3A even on low. It is a Connex CX 3300 HD if you or anyone may have an answer. I will simply hand it back to him tomorrow if I don't figure it out because thats when I go back to work. I would still be interested in knowing regardless and thanks for the cool video.
Keep CB radios alive and well for anyone who's reading my post because CB radios have always been a social means of communicating. F**K cellphones, f***k internet chat rooms, facebook or the two-way radio system as a mean of socializing. We need more and more people buying CB radios to keep the trendy culture alive and well because they are not obsolete and shouldn't be obsolete.
+Brenda Jenkins CB of today isn't what it was back in the "glory days" of the late 60's through late 80's. Back i n the day, it was our Twitter and Facebook. I met many fine people some I'm still in touch with today some 35 years after most pulled the plug for the last time! I remember when Radio Shack carried 6-10 models of CB's and they stocked everything you needed including mobile and base antennas. Now days it's come down to online sales or truck stops. CB still has a place in the trucking and off-road industry but how often do you wee a CB antenna on a car? Very rare.
Good video, I been OTR for over 40 years, one rule of thumb, get a used radio, but always a new Mike. Just don't like putting my mouth up to somebody else's spit. I like a SSB capable radio but that's just me. Holler at me "Stumblefoot" or 505 on 36 LSB
Here's my question,. how do I read the Tx Power side of the meter in my radio? I've always used older setups, like 23 channel units. I've had it before where whenever I hit the PTT switch TX power was pegged, then with a different antenna I've seen that hover around 2, other times it's hovered around 4. Is that output Watts, or a rough estimate thereof? Current setup is a Transonic MCB-22 with a magmount, Tx power hits 4 for a dead carrier. All of my other units have been old Midlands. What is that gauge telling me when I press the PTT switch?
I have a TRC-412 and WCB10 radio. These are the only 2 CB radios that I own and I am a ham radio operator (whose call-sign is W3AGF) and I was wondering how do you properly tune the radio? There are no external speaker plugs on it.
Kweli Nzito You get a jumper coax that's a short version of the antenna coax. It goes from the back of the radio to the back of the linear. The antenna coax then plugs to the back of the linear and out to antenna. The power source for the linear is very important and should be wired directly to the fuse box or battery in some cases. I recommend getting a c.b. shop to run the power and make the short coax for you.
I have a cobra 24ldt and a cobra magnet Antena, I have it here on my table indoors, not in a tin lined building, and it's hooked up to a 12v car battery, my brother can here me over his cb upstairs, and I can barley hear him, a few words and static, I'm sure I need to adjust something and yes my squelch it set, do I need to mess with the Antena, there's a screw that holds the Antena in the base, do I need to adjust the hight of it?
That antenna uses the car for ground. Stick it on the fridge and you may do a little better. On top preferably. Use a big metal something or other and put it on top of it. For what you're doing that's the best advice I can give that may help.
Hi Pokie, my handle is Snuffy, after The newspaper cartoon character Snuffy Smith, I have a Cobra 29 in my personal pickup and try to talk on it daily, If more people would key up and give someone else a hollar we could keep this hobby going, if you ever find yourself around Richburg SC , holler at old snuffy, anyhow be safe out there, snuffy is gone........
I got a old Robyn radio from the 70s still in the packaging for 20 dollars but haven’t got to talk to anyone yet no one is ever on it’s sad that they are not using cbs like they used to
I am not really a rookie but I have a question. I have a connex 3300 Hp with a ranger NC mic and a Wilson 1000 magnet mount. I want to put a booster on it like I had years ago on a cobra 25 and it really got out and loud and clear, so will a 100 watt booster do me any good or will this connex get out there on its own, and the mic with it, is it a decent mic? Thank you
i had a lot of cb radio"s and the best of them all was a GALAXY saturn 2 mobile it had am,fm, and upper and lower side band it is a 10 meter radio converted to C B bands and it could go from 25.61 to 28.30 that means it has a lot of extra channels and i would take it over any cobra 29 any day of the week !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
larrybear1959 My first radio was a cobra 25 (phillipines) I had lowers added because my company channel was Low 31. You can't get those kits anymore. Its a shame because that radio drowned in a flood.
Great vid ! Been into cb for years I've had great setups base and mobiles ! I don't really care for those road king mica I find they are kinda pitch sounding :/ I prefer the ranger sra 198 or the astatic 636L as far as mics !
oh and for those who think that their stock radio goes from 4 watts to say 30-40 watts..You got taken by the golden screwdriver tec..What you see on a power meter doesnt mean squat..If you get a super clean 20 watts and on freq,you will do better,reach further than your average 100 watts..You need to see a bird meter,freq analyzer and a oscilloscope to see whats gettin out and wahts wasted via splatter..Ever hear another radio that sounds garbled up on a different channel but comming through on your radio,splatter/dirty wasted power..
Couple questions from a former CB'er (1969-1987) returning on a limited basis. 1) Why do most CB'ers speak with a thick Southern accent no matter what region of the country they're from? 2) What's the point of that annoying echo effect? Southern speak and echo chamber is deterrent to ineligibility. I'm a licensed ham who's been using CB to get road condition reports from truckers to pass along through the local 2m & 70cm repeaters. This worked out so well last winter that I'm setting up a LEGAL power base station. What works for me? I have two vintage 1980's GE 3-5811B's . Great audio in and out and the range is about as good as any legal limit CB on the market today. It's the antenna that makes the difference! Made in JAPAN.... not CHINA!
brad if you can answer this ..Why do most CB'ers speak with a thick Southern accent no matter what region of the country they're from? Then you can answer your own question...
Well brad i hear ya but i still wonder myself why many truckers have a down south accent when they live in ny for example.. Just one of those weird wonderful things wha!! come back...
+Craig Noftall I can tell you that CB tends to have sort of a social hierarchy based on how well you "fit in". If there are indeed many truckers using a false southern accent, they are trying to gain respect in the CB world by being what they think they are supposed to be. In other words, they are afraid to be themselves. I personally don't subscribe to such a thing. It's silly. I would rather be myself and if that makes me a lone wolf, then so be it.
I just Bought A Cobra 85 Home Base CB Radio From 1975 1976 Vintage for 10 Bucks. Bought a K40 Antanna. Because it was Missing the Antenna. Can't Pick up Anything. Anybody Know?
Ground, ground, ground, ground, ground. Did I mention ground? After insuring you are WELL GROUNDED everywhere that needs a ground, get your antenna ground in the ground as deep as you can and preferably keep it moist in the summer (the ground). Next, buy a cheap SWR meter. Learn how to use it OR mess up your radio because your antenna was not "tuned" to the radio. If you keyed up like Pokey said, without the antenna hooked up you could have blown your final transistor. A badly tuned antenna can do that also. Lastly, you paid 10 bucks. Was it working? If you don't know then whoever you bought it from probably burned up the final transistor. If you can desolder and solder you can fix that yourself but if you cant, take it to someone who can. I'm not a repairman but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn express last night. :)
Throw it out the window, spend a few dollars, find a good CB shop somewhere and get yourself a REAL radio. Then, and only then, you may be able to play with the big boys.
I had one years ago. Is this the Green Robyn 23 channel tube type with a dc/ac plug? Very nice and powerful radio. I had mine mounted in my pickup on the floor by the shift. I priced one last year in nmint condition from the CB shop across the interstate from the Iowa 80 TS. This guy wanted $500.00 for his.
Thanks for the info, I live in the inter city and in a high rise, would it be worth the trouble? I very interested in cb radios. Also could you recommend a home station
push on it and screw it. push on it and screw it!!! LOl!!!! Just put a coathanger out the window and crank er up! Breaker breaker let er rip tater chip! Im glad we have an expert here, HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!
On ham you have strict rules, CB does not have strict rules or as strict. Ham you need a license, CB you don't. Also HAM there is no truckers like CB Radio.
most truckers are going to ham radio because there is only trash on the cb now 11 meters was part of the ham band at one time we as hams did not want it because its the wild west on there
Ham is a joke as well just listening to people talking about stuff they know nothing about. Cb is the best bet and maybe people should start, CB Clubs and clean up the CB Radio. Like it used to be, Now you have racist arrogant truckers. Maybe the truckers on there should act there age as well and set examples they use CB Most if they don't grow up then CB will be dead some one has to set example at some point I am starting a CB Club in the Windsor area so yea. Also if your hanging around 19 its always been wild try going to another channel people often are not as bad as some people claim when on different channels I met a lot of nice people on a CB. Also the odd guy i liked and talked to came from Channel 19.
originalyummer dear pokie now, i am cb rookie, i have a realistic 40 channel emergency citizens band 2-way cb radio, that is the exact same as in this photo ( on this link) www.google.ca/search?q=realistic+40+channel+emergency+citizens+band&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=IJmPVfbUEM3TgwS18IDgCQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=643#imgrc=5Jw-K4kS7oi8LM%3A now i am wondering for a rookie is this an ok starter radio. ok now thank you for your time and i hope to hear back from you
Kathyrn Evans hi Kathryn. That link showed several styles of realistic cbs. I had one years ago that I picked up at a yard sale. The mic looked like an old telephone. It seemed to work pretty good until it started smoking. Haha. If you go with that suggest you take it to a cb shop so they can give it a look and tune it. Otherwise you might find yourself without one in a situation when you really need it. The hand held kind don't get out very far. Magnet mount antennas are ok in a car but can scratch your paint and sometimes they don't hold and slide off. With anything you buy, new or used, I suggest taking it to a cb shop. I use Chuck's in Tennessee I-40 exit 126 on the south side of interstate about 1/2 mile on right in the old trailer. Good parking there
+Kathyrn Evans the 40 channel emergency radio doesn't work that great.. it was made to be used for emergency quick use only! if you really want to use a cb, get a decent mobile radio and decent antenna.. spend the time and tune it and youll be good to go
Great video....
One of my biggest frustrations is finding a path to run a direct connection from the battery to the underside of the dash in modern mini-vans. There's so much crap under there you're afraid to drill through the firewall out of fear of damaging a ribbon cable under the mat.
I finally gave in and took my Sienna to the dealer and said here..... find a route for this #8 zip-wire and don't mess anything up! Cost me $120.00 but at least nothing got damaged! I have a fuse at the positive terminal and used a fused Anderson Power Pole distribution block for the ham rigs and CB. Cigarette lighter plugs are typically 10 amp and most 50-65 watt VHF/UHF ham rigs require 15-20 amps. Battery direct is the best way to go.
Hi Pokey thanks for the vid. Gonna put a CB in my car. Hope we can bring back Cb for cheap and reliable communication for fun And emergencies
IT IS VERY GOOD TO SOME PERSONS BELOG TO FCC RULE S MADE IT TUTORIAL FOR CB RADIO!!! GONGRATULATIONS from Greece.
Welcome to the CB hobby. Check out some of my videos on CB skip shooting from a 1992 Chevy Silverado in Colorado Springs. 73's from the Rockies
Make sure you are using some form of nonconducting dielectric grease on the antenna connector threads to protect against water. Water will cause your SWR to increase as well as signal loss.
Richie Brown yep yep. I never do, but that's a good idea
Halfway through vid and stopped to tell you this is a great first vid. Thank you. I don't need it but I did 20 years ago lol. Most radios I have had take a 3A inline fuse. I am "looking at" a radio a friend keeps blowing fuses in, and think since it's a "power" cb with high and low it needs a 10A fuse but can't find the schematic for it and the online manual does not mention it. The fuse it keeps blowing is 3A even on low. It is a Connex CX 3300 HD if you or anyone may have an answer. I will simply hand it back to him tomorrow if I don't figure it out because thats when I go back to work. I would still be interested in knowing regardless and thanks for the cool video.
I'm back on the CB good buddies!
Keep CB radios alive and well for anyone who's reading my post because CB radios have always been a social means of communicating. F**K cellphones, f***k internet chat rooms, facebook or the two-way radio system as a mean of socializing.
We need more and more people buying CB radios to keep the trendy culture alive and well because they are not obsolete and shouldn't be obsolete.
im 20 when i turned 16 i put one in my truck before i put the key in
+Brenda Jenkins
CB of today isn't what it was back in the "glory days" of the late 60's through late 80's. Back i n the day, it was our Twitter and Facebook. I met many fine people some I'm still in touch with today some 35 years after most pulled the plug for the last time! I remember when Radio Shack carried 6-10 models of CB's and they stocked everything you needed including mobile and base antennas. Now days it's come down to online sales or truck stops. CB still has a place in the trucking and off-road industry but how often do you wee a CB antenna on a car? Very rare.
Good video, I been OTR for over 40 years, one rule of thumb, get a used radio, but always a new Mike. Just don't like putting my mouth up to somebody else's spit. I like a SSB capable radio but that's just me. Holler at me "Stumblefoot" or 505 on 36 LSB
Did the cat hair come with the rig : )
Just getting started with a home and mobile units. Thanks or the BS free video.
Hey there, Poky. I used to work in the Memphis shop for Vitran. Then they had me traveling all over repairing dock plates. Where are you out of?
nice vid. thanks for posting. see you around the cb!
johnny alonso yw. just hollar for Pokey.
excellent video
Here's my question,. how do I read the Tx Power side of the meter in my radio? I've always used older setups, like 23 channel units. I've had it before where whenever I hit the PTT switch TX power was pegged, then with a different antenna I've seen that hover around 2, other times it's hovered around 4. Is that output Watts, or a rough estimate thereof? Current setup is a Transonic MCB-22 with a magmount, Tx power hits 4 for a dead carrier. All of my other units have been old Midlands. What is that gauge telling me when I press the PTT switch?
You're welcome. Thanks for watching!!
I have a TRC-412 and WCB10 radio. These are the only 2 CB radios that I own and I am a ham radio operator (whose call-sign is W3AGF) and I was wondering how do you properly tune the radio? There are no external speaker plugs on it.
How is a linear amp hooked up? Do most CB radios accommodate linear amp hookups? Thanks
Kweli Nzito You get a jumper coax that's a short version of the antenna coax. It goes from the back of the radio to the back of the linear. The antenna coax then plugs to the back of the linear and out to antenna. The power source for the linear is very important and should be wired directly to the fuse box or battery in some cases. I recommend getting a c.b. shop to run the power and make the short coax for you.
so... what are the finals? is that in the radio? Or the mic?
MultiCesna206, the finals are in the radio and have power to boost transmission thru the antenna when you're talking
No bullshit approach, I like it. This is a lesson to all the wankers out there.
Mic's can be wired to or for any model CB Radio.
true....but a rookie or dummy needs a "plug n play"
Hi ~ Five ~ You ~ Rock ! !
I have a cobra 24ldt and a cobra magnet Antena, I have it here on my table indoors, not in a tin lined building, and it's hooked up to a 12v car battery, my brother can here me over his cb upstairs, and I can barley hear him, a few words and static, I'm sure I need to adjust something and yes my squelch it set, do I need to mess with the Antena, there's a screw that holds the Antena in the base, do I need to adjust the hight of it?
That antenna uses the car for ground. Stick it on the fridge and you may do a little better. On top preferably. Use a big metal something or other and put it on top of it. For what you're doing that's the best advice I can give that may help.
Hi Pokie, my handle is Snuffy, after The newspaper cartoon character Snuffy Smith, I have a Cobra 29 in my personal pickup and try to talk on it daily, If more people would key up and give someone else a hollar we could keep this hobby going, if you ever find yourself around Richburg SC , holler at old snuffy, anyhow be safe out there, snuffy is gone........
Can you use these for am newstalk radio stations? Could you use these as a radio, period?
Not many more affordable home base's any more like when I was younger. I just ordered Uniden PC78LTX along with a Pyramid power supply.
I got a old Robyn radio from the 70s still in the packaging for 20 dollars but haven’t got to talk to anyone yet no one is ever on it’s sad that they are not using cbs like they used to
I am not really a rookie but I have a question. I have a connex 3300 Hp with a ranger NC mic and a Wilson 1000 magnet mount. I want to put a booster on it like I had years ago on a cobra 25 and it really got out and loud and clear, so will a 100 watt booster do me any good or will this connex get out there on its own, and the mic with it, is it a decent mic?
Thank you
go watch videos by fine tune cb on youtube..The radios he tunes and sell are for the most part under a 100 watts and can cover across country...
Anything over 4 watts is against the law here in Canada.
that's good there.
@@eastsidebeastkidx2444 is it enforced?
i had a lot of cb radio"s and the best of them all was a GALAXY saturn 2 mobile it had am,fm, and upper and lower side band it is a 10 meter radio converted to C B bands and it could go from 25.61 to 28.30 that means it has a lot of extra
channels and i would take it over any cobra 29 any day of the week !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
larrybear1959 My first radio was a cobra 25 (phillipines) I had lowers added because my company channel was Low 31. You can't get those kits anymore. Its a shame because that radio drowned in a flood.
Hi Pokey like the video :o)
Here's a tip for you use eyelets on the end of the Wire .
Great vid ! Been into cb for years I've had great setups base and mobiles ! I don't really care for those road king mica I find they are kinda pitch sounding :/ I prefer the ranger sra 198 or the astatic 636L as far as mics !
m35a2lover yes your right asatic 636L--- awesome
oh and for those who think that their stock radio goes from 4 watts to say 30-40 watts..You got taken by the golden screwdriver tec..What you see on a power meter doesnt mean squat..If you get a super clean 20 watts and on freq,you will do better,reach further than your average 100 watts..You need to see a bird meter,freq analyzer and a oscilloscope to see whats gettin out and wahts wasted via splatter..Ever hear another radio that sounds garbled up on a different channel but comming through on your radio,splatter/dirty wasted power..
Couple questions from a former CB'er (1969-1987) returning on a limited basis.
1) Why do most CB'ers speak with a thick Southern accent no matter what region of the country they're from?
2) What's the point of that annoying echo effect? Southern speak and echo chamber is deterrent to ineligibility.
I'm a licensed ham who's been using CB to get road condition reports from truckers to pass along through the local 2m & 70cm repeaters. This worked out so well last winter that I'm setting up a LEGAL power base station.
What works for me? I have two vintage 1980's GE 3-5811B's . Great audio in and out and the range is about as good as any legal limit CB on the market today. It's the antenna that makes the difference! Made in JAPAN.... not CHINA!
Why do hams think they are better than everybody?
brad if you can answer this ..Why do most CB'ers speak with a thick Southern accent no matter what region of the country they're from? Then you can answer your own question...
+Craig Noftall It's hard to give an answer to an unsubstantiated question.
Well brad i hear ya but i still wonder myself why many truckers have a down south accent when they live in ny for example..
Just one of those weird wonderful things wha!! come back...
+Craig Noftall I can tell you that CB tends to have sort of a social hierarchy based on how well you "fit in". If there are indeed many truckers using a false southern accent, they are trying to gain respect in the CB world by being what they think they are supposed to be. In other words, they are afraid to be themselves. I personally don't subscribe to such a thing. It's silly. I would rather be myself and if that makes me a lone wolf, then so be it.
I just Bought A Cobra 85 Home Base CB Radio From 1975 1976 Vintage for 10 Bucks. Bought a K40 Antanna. Because it was Missing the Antenna. Can't Pick up Anything. Anybody Know?
Ground, ground, ground, ground, ground. Did I mention ground? After insuring you are WELL GROUNDED everywhere that needs a ground, get your antenna ground in the ground as deep as you can and preferably keep it moist in the summer (the ground). Next, buy a cheap SWR meter. Learn how to use it OR mess up your radio because your antenna was not "tuned" to the radio. If you keyed up like Pokey said, without the antenna hooked up you could have blown your final transistor. A badly tuned antenna can do that also. Lastly, you paid 10 bucks. Was it working? If you don't know then whoever you bought it from probably burned up the final transistor. If you can desolder and solder you can fix that yourself but if you cant, take it to someone who can. I'm not a repairman but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn express last night. :)
thanks for the video
I have a cobra 40 plus but my signal meter doesn’t show anything can someone help
Throw it out the window, spend a few dollars, find a good CB shop somewhere and get yourself a REAL radio. Then, and only then, you may be able to play with the big boys.
I recently got a Robyn lb-23a from the 70s New inbox and have got it going I have been chatting with everyone thanks for the help though
I had one years ago. Is this the Green Robyn 23 channel tube type with a dc/ac plug? Very nice and powerful radio. I had mine mounted in my pickup on the floor by the shift. I priced one last year in nmint condition from the CB shop across the interstate from the Iowa 80 TS. This guy wanted $500.00 for his.
No I don’t think it is the when you were talking about it only has a hook up for DC and his mobile and yes it is 23 channel
where do you buy a cb radio at
Matt Hill buy them at a truck stop like pilot flying j petro loves or a mom and pop or online
you go girl lol
go away techies!!!! this video is for rookies and dummies. you're not impressing anyone.
Thanks for the info, I live in the inter city and in a high rise, would it be worth the trouble? I very interested in cb radios. Also could you recommend a home station
If get cb antenna matcher it more easy shortcut you can do lower swr's.
I looked everywhere for the dynamite lool
Yay!
10-4 on all that. 21
Hows central
i love some of the feed back to some of this all i can say is dumb not you originalyummer some of the king pin cb guys making some dumb ass remarks
push on it and screw it. push on it and screw it!!! LOl!!!! Just put a coathanger out the window and crank er up! Breaker breaker let er rip tater chip! Im glad we have an expert here, HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!
Hey
where's Gumby ?
Hi Cb'ers! Lol
i can talk world wide with 80 meters as a ham
On ham you have strict rules, CB does not have strict rules or as strict. Ham you need a license, CB you don't. Also HAM there is no truckers like CB Radio.
most truckers are going to ham radio because there is only trash on the cb now 11 meters was part of the ham band at one time we as hams did not want it because its the wild west on there
Ham is a joke as well just listening to people talking about stuff they know nothing about. Cb is the best bet and maybe people should start, CB Clubs and clean up the CB Radio. Like it used to be, Now you have racist arrogant truckers. Maybe the truckers on there should act there age as well and set examples they use CB Most if they don't grow up then CB will be dead some one has to set example at some point I am starting a CB Club in the Windsor area so yea. Also if your hanging around 19 its always been wild try going to another channel people often are not as bad as some people claim when on different channels I met a lot of nice people on a CB. Also the odd guy i liked and talked to came from Channel 19.
your mad you could not pass the ham test your happy to use a cb because you don't have to be smart to trash talk
who me i dont trash talk at all but you sound like a jerk why would I wanna go on ham to talk to you?
UA-cam s u c k s
Haaaaaaaaa
You drivers are going to be more Broke when you Stop Driving.
Run away while you still can! Get a real Career. Don't waste your life!
ham radio is better than cb radio
If you actually have a valid use for a radio, CB is better. If all you want to do is be a ham, then ham radio is better.
MultiCesna206, the finals are in the radio and have power to boost transmission thru the antenna when you're talking
originalyummer dear pokie
now, i am cb rookie, i have a realistic 40 channel emergency citizens band 2-way cb radio, that is the exact same as in this photo ( on this link) www.google.ca/search?q=realistic+40+channel+emergency+citizens+band&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=IJmPVfbUEM3TgwS18IDgCQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=643#imgrc=5Jw-K4kS7oi8LM%3A
now i am wondering for a rookie is this an ok starter radio.
ok now thank you for your time and i hope to hear back from you
Kathyrn Evans hi Kathryn. That link showed several styles of realistic cbs. I had one years ago that I picked up at a yard sale. The mic looked like an old telephone. It seemed to work pretty good until it started smoking. Haha. If you go with that suggest you take it to a cb shop so they can give it a look and tune it. Otherwise you might find yourself without one in a situation when you really need it. The hand held kind don't get out very far. Magnet mount antennas are ok in a car but can scratch your paint and sometimes they don't hold and slide off. With anything you buy, new or used, I suggest taking it to a cb shop. I use Chuck's in Tennessee I-40 exit 126 on the south side of interstate about 1/2 mile on right in the old trailer. Good parking there
+Kathyrn Evans the 40 channel emergency radio doesn't work that great.. it was made to be used for emergency quick use only!
if you really want to use a cb, get a decent mobile radio and decent antenna.. spend the time and tune it and youll be good to go