CB in a Class A

Just remember all CB's are about the same power, regulated and peaked out at wattage. There is a huge world of illegal upgrades for them however with amps and such so just be warned. We just use a simple midland we bought for $25 bucks on amazon.

We have three. The 70s Teaberry works great, on the built in antenna.
We have one of the concealed units with all the controls in the handset. Haven't mounted it, yet, in 5 years, There is a dandy place to put it inside the dash and only the handset on a clip somewhere. Don't know how well it works.
The handhelds aren't worh much at all. You can hear traffic but rarely talk, as to ask about the traffic. The little antenna that you put on the hood or wherever there is some metal helps a little but it still isn't much.
I'm reluctant to put holes in the body but I've seen several sticks near the Driver and understand good radios work well. Five watts with 4 actually making it to the antenna is the legal limit. Most Truckers are running way more though. Out west you can see and hear them but can't talk to them three miles down the road. I had one in a 79 Mustang with a full whip and it would reach way out there and receive just as well.
Where you going to put one on a MH though? The CBs are mostly silent now except near a city or a flock? of trucks. Then there is a lot of trash talk just like always. We use it sometimes, like near Indy or when we see traffic ahead coming to a stop etc other wise it is off. It can save you several hous in traffic, around Atlanta and in Florida but you have to put up with trash talk.

Save our money.

Bob

I used a cb when I was in the military traveling from Va to Fl every other weekend. It saved me from being stuck in stopped traffic, not to mention the police. I have a cb in the motor home with the weather channel. It is nice to be forewarned of accidents or other traffic problems.

What channels are used most often and for what purpose.

X2 what wny pat said. Yes you can have CBs on fuel delivery trucks but they use FM Business band for dispatch not CB. If you want ot hear Real fould language you can go to Manhattan or buy a CB. Now, from a 2.4 million miler I'd recommend a Cobra 21 GTL. Cheap and reliable. Yes, it has saved my bacon more than once including E of Bakersfield when the fog was thick as pea soup and some kid welded a car to the rear of a tractor trailer in front of me.

Any suggestions: Top end Cobra, or close to it.

In days of old when CBers were bold and the FCC still trying to regulate there were two top companies, CObra and Johnson, Radio Shack also had good radios, (Their top radio was about equal to Cobra/Johnson #2) and I still have one of those... Next to my Cobra. I like 'em both.

Cobra is still out there, Have not heard from Johnson in a long time, RS now sells Cobra if I recall correctly.

You should pay better attention to the antenna, this is where you get the biggest bang for your buck.

Assuming a fiberglass MH you need either a very special antenna I may some day build (I have the plans and have used one in the past) or a NO GROUND PLANE antenna.. These can work well.. The Firestick is one of the more popular.

You want it mounted high and center if you can but on most motor homes that is not practical So as high as you can without going over 13'6" (Antennas taller than that have a way of becoming shorter than that all of a sudden).

And either have someone who knows how set it up for you or "Tune" it if you know how.. I'm one of those folks who designs and builds some of my own so I know how.

artguys wrote:
GlennLever it's obvious you were a regional driver and really didn't need one, but to make a blanket judgement is unwarranted.

Sorry I offended, Thought the original poster was looking for suggestions on CBs in MH. I was just offering my opinion as you have offered yours.

All is good, Merry Christmas

GlennLever wrote:

wny_pat wrote:

GlennLever wrote:

Doug156 wrote:
I am thinking about putting a CB radio in my Class A. Any suggestions? How do the portable ones work?

Thanks

CB radios add to clutter and on the road make more noise then they are worth

And they can save your life! Just ask any old time truck driver out there. But you have to be listening to it.

Cell phones have a longer range.

I am a past big truck driver

Yes, it is true, "Cell phones have longer range."
IF you know what number to call, and IF there is service where you are at the moment. Regardless of what the providers want their customers to believe, there is a great deal of land, and miles of roads and highways where there is NO cell service, especially in the Western United States!
CB is a tool, just like Amateur Radio is. I have a CB for the motorhome, and one for the truck, that I will be installing this spring. Both have the weather channels. Many 4x4 clubs REQUIRE a CB radio when traveling on their trail rides. If you have no radio, you don't go!
The 2-meter amateur radio is already in the motorhome, and there will be an all-band all-mode radio in the truck soon as well.

CBs are a useful tool. If the chatter is unwanted they can be turned off. For Long Haulers, and this includes recreational users, they can be a social tool sometimes necessary for staying alert. GlennLever it's obvious you were a regional driver and really didn't need one, but to make a blanket judgement is unwarranted.