65 replies to this topic

[IainStallard]

Right, knowing nothing about CB radios, I'd like to ask for some advice.

In August, we have a convoy of 4 cars going for a trip around Europe and have decided to invest in radios to keep in touch throughout the trip, however, we are unsure on what to look for.

Does anybody have any suggestions on what to buy? Preferably as cheap as possible

Cheers :)

[Tamworthbay]

I have been on the lookout for one for a while, when I asked on here there were a few people very clued up on it. I can't remember the details but there are different bands for the uk and the continent so make sure any radio you get does both. New ones seemed to start around £80 on eBay. I having been looking for a cheap second hand one for ages and have had no luck.

[Twincam]

Auto jumbles you can generally pick pick one up, I then bought a magnetic aerial from maplin.

I was told years ago to NEVER power it up without an aerial connected (just advice)

[Jordie]

Midland with both uk and eu channels

[Badboytunes]

Get walkie talkies........ That's what we use...

[Mini 360]

Get walkie talkies........ That's what we use...

Snap.  Never that far from folk I convoy with (always within sight) and got a twin pack for £20.  Range of 3 miles, worked perfectly!

[ukcooper]

Have a look on this place http://www.cb-shack.co.uk

As Tamworthbay said there are different bands across euroland.

Main points are length of aerial - longer = better

Aerial mount - roof type magnetic or gutter type ( note if you use a gutter type the screws have to touch bear metal )

Mic - try not to get the ones where you can change the channel built into the mic, as it a pain when it changes channel when you pick them up.

Extra speakers , for cb only as if you have music on you can not hear the cb but you can wire them in the car speakers but when some one speaks it scares the hell out of ya.

Licences - uk you no longer need one, but not sure about euroland.

For weekend use don't spend a fortune on the cb unit as they all work quite well.

Edited by ukcooper, 12 January 2014 - 05:23 PM.

[jb93]

10, 4 rubber duck

[IainStallard]

The only reason I was looking at in car CD radios is the charging of handheld ones, seeing as we won't be able to charge them at many places

[Twincam]

I bought a set of walkie talkies from Maplin, used for a L2B run a few years back. Year later came back to use them (charge them every two months if left idle) and when talking the batteries used to die on me. Couldn't be bothered wasting money on a new set as they cost me £59 as it is.

CB all the way.

[ibrooks]

The EU band is legal in the UK but the UK band isn't legal on the continent so if you are touring make sure the sets you get are either 40channel to cover both or on the EU20. I've never had a problem with gutter mount antenna screws not touching bare metal - the co-ax should provide the earth and then it'll use the car body as the ground plane (assuming negative earth car).

 

Never key them up with no antenna connected - has been mentioned and is good advice.

 

Get a SWR meter between you and learn how to use it as a properly tuned antenna will massively increase the range. Don't get the cheapo mag-mount antenna from Maplins - it's rubbish.

 

Check the rules on using them on the continent. I don't think you need a license but make sure as the antenna makes it obvious (and makes a Mini look like a radio controlled car). I know there's no rule against using a hand-held mike in the UK so you could only be pulled up for "dangerous driving" or "driving without due-care and attention" but I'm not sure of the current state of play on the continent.

 

Iain

[rusty30]

Can't go wrong with this. Had mine a couple of years now.

http://www.thunderpo...pack-m-120.html

[Badboytunes]

Ive never had issues with batteries on a walkie talkie, even when used all day. But will agree that CB radio is easier to use if hard wired in.

[IainStallard]

Ive never had issues with batteries on a walkie talkie, even when used all day. But will agree that CB radio is easier to use if hard wired in.

If it was just a day or two, then I would agree on walkie talkies, but seeing as we are going for 2 weeks, I am heading towards a cb radio I think

[Will16]

Must.......resist......."Convoy" references........