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CaptJD's avatar
CaptJD
Explorer
Jan 31, 2021

GPS / CB Choices

I need a GPS and a decent CB radio... So I need advice.

This past week I drove from CA to AR and back in 5 days. CA to AR was done in a rental car and AR to CA was done in a small Class C motorhome. Along the way, weather got really scary at few locations and at those moments I wished I had a CB to talk to truckers who're coming from W towards where i was and ask them the road conditions etc...

I was looking at few Trucking GPS models and also GPS models for RVers and couldn't decide which one of them will be more beneficial for me.

Also who installs CB radios to trucks? I stopped at least 5-6 Love's Truck Stops and few other Flying J locations and asked people selling CB equipment but none of them had an idea who does that kind of job around Central/Northern California areas....

Also I was wondering ill it be a good idea to use an iPad mini with a really nice GPS app instead of buying a dedicated GPS like Garmin models etc., ?

What to do, what to do???
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  • He said he wants to talk with truck drivers and other motorists. I've never seen any truck drivers use GMRS.
  • My Samsung S8 makes a great GPS; I use Google Maps exclusively.

    A CB might be a good idea but I wonder if truckers still use it. I just bought a GMRS (Baofeng brand) handheld radio for talking to other off-roaders. CB is only allowed 4 watts to transmit while GMRS is allowed up to 50 watts. BTW my new GMRS is 5 watts, already has the CB beat in power. Get a handheld and nothing needs to be installed. I understand truckers use channel 7 GMRS.
  • I'm sure any body shop can install a radio, call around.
  • For a CB stick to Uniden or Cobra. The Cobra 19 DX is a simple and compact unit. If you want a few more features the Cobra 25 LTD would be a nice upgrade.
    For CB antennas stick with K40 (which used to have a life time warranty) or Wilson.
  • Community Alumni's avatar
    Community Alumni
    In Fresno there was The Red Monkey but I think they are closed. I think there was one at Kline's but that has moved too.

    I do remember seeing the sign for CB Repair along Highway 99 at the old truck stops not the Flying J or Loves as they were not there yet, I think that was on the north side of Fresno at Kline's.

    There is Walcott Radio, Walcott Radio, that is online. There are still some radio shops in Fresno and Merced that are more commercial but they may do an install for you.

    JimR
  • One word for a GPS, Garmin. You don't need the most modern, fancy one but buy one with the traffic and lifetime map updates.

    For a Chicken Band radio, do not get the all in one mike,radio. Cobra is a good brand and you can install yourself. Watch some uTubes and do a little reading and you can figure it out. Otherwise look around some of the larger truck stops. There is usually a cb shop close by
  • Did you google cb radio and your city for nearby cb dealers/installers?
  • I use my iPad mini and sometimes tie into my truck’s screen. Works great both ways.

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