Breaker! Breaker! Here’s Everything You Need to Get into CB Radio

We certainly don’t see as many CB radios as we used to, but they’re still being used the world over. You can join in on the fun with just a few inexpensive products. First, a few basics from Fleetwood Digital Products: Citizens Band radio is short-distance communication commonly used by truckers and state officials. You can only contact those in a 40- to 100-mile radius, depending on the antenna, radio, and atmospheric conditions. There are 40 channels, and Channel 19 is best to connect with others, though if you’re interested in making small talk, move to a less used channel. Channel 9 is commonly used by emergency services; you should only use it for legitimate distress messages.

As for installation, it’s a simple project, according to CB World Informer. First, mount the radio where it can be easily accessed. Next, find a spot for the antenna. The best place is usually on the center of the roof, but you should perform a CB radio setup to find the perfect spot using an SWR meter. (Find instructions for that here.) Then just connect the coaxial cable from the radio to the antenna, connect your mic, and connect the power.

Speaking of power, all of these radios come with a 12-volt power wire. According to RightChannelRadios, there are four ways to connect them. You can attach them to a cigarette lighter converter, or, if you have a knowledge of electronics, you can tap into an existing wire. You can also attach them directly to the battery or use a fuse tapper.

Fleetwood suggests you should consider what you want the radio for when deciding the price you want to spend: “If you are using the radio for fun between friends, don’t spend more than $100. If you are setting up a radio communications system for work, spend a little extra for a reliable machine.”

If you need a little help with the lingo, we have you covered there, too. Over!

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