CB radio - we advise which kit and antenna to buy
CB radio can be extremely useful on the go. This avoids traffic jams or repairs. See how to choose the right equipment and not throw money away.
In order for the choice and purchase of CB radio to be successful, one should first of all treat the statements of Internet users in various forums with a certain distrust. There, the product is often praised by sales representatives of certain brands. Looking through the comments, let's look for entries like "I have a problem with ..., I can not install ...", etc.
Show you know CB radio
When looking for a device in a store, try to give the impression that you are familiar with the topic of CB. Then the seller will not try to squeeze out the outdated equipment that is in stock. It is better to buy branded radios (see below) - the risk of running into crap is much lower.
See also: Buying a car radio - a guide
It is best to contact a company that assembles CB kits. After that, you can count on radio and antenna tuning, as well as warranty service.
It is worth asking the users of the Central Bank themselves, in which service you can count on professional service.
CB radio prices vary widely. We will get the cheapest sets for PLN 150. There are more than a thousand zlotys on the top shelf.
What features should a CB radio have?
The most important feature that CB radio call lovers pay attention to is ASQ, i.e. automatic noise reduction. Thanks to him, you do not have to constantly turn the knob to set the threshold from which the radio stops buzzing. It's important to make sure ASQ refers to a function and not a name.
A convenient solution is the channel and ASQ buttons located on the microphone body, called a pear in CB jargon. In large cities where there are many CB transmitters, RF gain will come in handy, i.e. the short antenna prevents interference, eliminating unnecessary remote calls.
CB radio for demanding
Sellers stress that more and more people want to install a CB radio so that it is not visible and does not disfigure the car. Manufacturers have found a way to do this. For the more demanding, there is a general radio. In this case, the display is mounted separately, for example, under the hatch instead of an ashtray, the base is in an inconspicuous place, and the microphone is removed, for example, from the armrest.
See also: DVD player and LCD monitor in the car - a buyer's guide
Another interesting solution is a novelty on the market - a radio with a microphone, speaker, display and control buttons in a light bulb. The base, on the other hand, has a second speaker and can be placed between the console and the seat due to its small size or hidden. It all depends on the creativity of the installer.
You have to pay for such a radio from PLN 450 to 600. Added to this is the cost of assembly. To make the kit complete, the antenna is placed in place of the radio antenna and we have an excellent and above all invisible CB kit.
The antenna is the basis
The antenna is a very important element of the CB kit. The longer the better, but it's hard to imagine a car with a five-meter antenna. Therefore, manufacturers use coils at the antenna input to shorten it. The radiator is farther away.
Antennas can be classified according to the way they are installed. The best and giving the greatest range (this is a solution for true CB lovers) is to mount the antenna in the roof of the car by making a hole, or installing it in the hole after the radio antenna.
Then we use the radio antenna glued to the glass. Although the performance of the CB will be very good, not necessarily the audio system.
Another possibility is handles mounted on handrails, gutters or the trunk lid. The advantages are relatively trouble-free assembly and disassembly. Disadvantages: traces after disassembly and very frequent detuning of the radio due to loss of "weight".
Antenna with a magnetic base - just does not mean good
The most popular solution is an antenna with a magnetic base. The advantages include quick assembly and disassembly and, of course, the price. The cheapest, unbranded and almost non-repairable antennas can be bought for less than 50 PLN. They should be mounted in the middle of the roof - this is where the reception is best.
Unfortunately, this purchase has its downsides. It happens that the antenna cable wears off the varnish, and its base damages the roof. True, you can use a sticker under the antenna, but unfortunately this worsens the range.
A gust of wind passing by a truck can knock the antenna off the roof. At best, you will break the cable and lose the antenna. At worst, it can remain on the hose and damage the body or glass of the car.
Also remember to hide the antenna in the trunk when parking. Otherwise, we risk stealing it. Meanwhile, good magenta antennas can cost up to PLN 300.
See also: Alarm, GPS or cane - we protect the car from theft
Another proposal - aesthetic and used in exclusive cars - is an antenna glued to the windshield. It's just that even an experienced and experienced installer will set it up for a long time.
The last type is the aforementioned antenna, installed instead of a radio antenna, supporting car audio, CB and even GSM. Its cost is in the range of 150-300 zł. In addition, there is the installation price, which largely depends on the brand of the car.
Think about what the CB radio is supposed to be used for.
When choosing a specific CB kit, you need to consider how you will use the radio. If we only need it to exchange information about highway patrols, traffic jams and accidents, a short short-range antenna is enough. The shortest antennas on the market are 31 cm long.
If we like to listen and talk to a wider group of CB users, we buy minimum meter antenna. The longest ones are used by those who need KB for work and enthusiasts. These antennas are two meters long and require special mounts to mount them. So it is better if a professional installs them in the car.
CB user - remember the culture
“The culture on the air leaves much to be desired,” admits Andrzej Rogalski from the Białystok company Alar, which sells CB radios. - Many people refrain from buying CB because of the obscene words spoken by other users. This is annoying, especially when traveling with children.
See also: Handsfree Kits - Buyer's Guide
- Permanent comments, etc. driving to a destination by stationary CB users, often under the influence of alcohol,” one of the drivers from Białystok tells us. - Stationary walkie-talkies have a range of up to several tens of kilometers and everyone has to listen to comments and advice of dubious quality. For example, information about the route to Warsaw is widely known even by those who are going to Lublin and who are not at all interested in it.
What's worse even radios with RF amplification can't handle this situation. Mobile phones mention that in the past, users of stationary NEs and TIRs were the elite and role models for the rest - they did not interfere with each other.
Many CB radio users also believe that in Poland, as in all of Europe, trucks should move to channel 28, and cars should leave channel 19 in FM modulation.
Examples of branded products:
- The president,
– Domain,
- Cobra,
- Intek,
- TTI,
- Sanker,
- Midland.
Petr Valchak
