CJ1 Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 After my Discovery has passed its MOT I will be getting a CD Radio, I would like one that is not going to fall apart fast, and got a budget of about £30, I have looked through Ebay and have come across a lot of Midland CD radios in budget. I know this is purely everyones opinions and won't take what is said as gospel but I am a newby when it comes to CD Radio's. My other half is buying me one as an anniversary present lol. We always buy something useful for each other for our wedding anniversary. I look forward to your replies. And thank you for your help in advance. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
axlechorus Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 Are you after a CB or CD radio as you mix between the two in your post/title? If it's a CB radio then I would use a President Teddy available for around £50 at the lower end of the CB market we have one and it works very well and the automatic squelch control is a good feature! Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ1 Posted August 6, 2014 Author Share Posted August 6, 2014 Sorry that was auto correct changing it from cb to cd. It is a cb radio that I am after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ1 Posted August 6, 2014 Author Share Posted August 6, 2014 My other half has just surprised me with this CB Radio. Hope it's a good one. What a great anniversary present I don't know much about CB Radio's so I am continuing this thread in hopes that everyone who knows everything I don't will help and hopefully this will help people in the future. Now I have a working CB Radio, what is the best aerial to get? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 I notice you have it powered up, don't transmit without an aerial connected or you may knacker it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ1 Posted August 6, 2014 Author Share Posted August 6, 2014 I haven't received it yet. The pictures are from the advert it was bought from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 Fair eough 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 I would go for a simple, inexpensive antenna such as: http://www.thunderpole.co.uk/medium-cb-antennas/thunderpole-mini-orbitor.html or http://www.thunderpole.co.uk/large-cb-antennas/thunderpole-orbitor.html The latter being a longer version of the former. The longer one will give you a little more range - but since our use is generally close quarters, there is little advantage in going big / expensive. You will need a mount and cable too: http://www.thunderpole.co.uk/cb-antenna-mounts.html When you assemble it, cover all the plugs and sockets on the outside of the vehicle with thick grease to help prevent water ingress. If you use a body mount, make sure there is a good connection to the bodywork!!! Scrape some of the paint off on the inside and again cover it in grease. I would fill the interior of the plug that screws in to the radio too as they are also a trap for condensation leading to corrosion. If you can, run the power connections directly to the battery (via the built in fuse). These things will give you the best range and longevity out of the radio. Remember that mag-mounts will not work on a Defender as the body is Aluminium! Sounds obvious - but I've seen lots of people fall for it! I see your Avatar is a Disco - so you can ignore this! I use a mag-mount on my RR which is convenient for car washes. Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ1 Posted August 6, 2014 Author Share Posted August 6, 2014 Thank you Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ1 Posted August 6, 2014 Author Share Posted August 6, 2014 After talking to loads of people across the world and looked at all there aerials, I found the one I would like. But no one seems to be able to tell me where it can be bought from. Do you know where I can buy this aerial from? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Speak to Jim at http://www.4x4cb.com/public/menu.cfm?Category=420&Browse=Products he'll identify the aerial and tell you if they are still available or what would be an equivalent. He is very helpful and a CB enthusiast as well as a shop owner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 I would still go for a simple wire antenna as enclosed loading coils often suffer damage from hitting trees etc or water ingress. I love antennas (I'm a Radio Amateur) but have learned the hard way that the simple antennas last the best. The shiny antenna pictured will probably work better initially - but not long term. You can buy the wing nut type base adaptors here: http://www.thunderpole.co.uk/mounting-accessories.html So you can adapt any antenna to mount this way. Then use any standard through body mount. They also sell what's known as an 'easy-over' (a play on words?). My Amateur antenna has one built in. It's very easy to fold flat by forcing it - but if it hits a tree etc, it will just bend at the joint and fold flat by itself. You just lift it up and it re-locks vertically. Most of these antennas are pre-tuned to give a reasonable SWR figure. If you add a base adaptor, you need to cut the same length off the end of the antenna. So, if your adaptor increases the height of your antenna by 50mm, cut 50mm off the end of the wire. Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanuki Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 After talking to loads of people across the world and looked at all there aerials, I found the one I would like. But no one seems to be able to tell me where it can be bought from. Do you know where I can buy this aerial from? Cheers 10600406_714647618570495_3655659128870130593_n.jpg That style was (and still is) made by the Italian "Sirio" company. See http://www.sirioantenne.it/docs_download.php?file=Id-417_10-01-2014.pdf Their stuff's not cheap but it does work - I use a lot of their spring-loaded VHF antennas http://www.sirioantenne.it/docs_download.php?file=Id-226_25-05-2006.pdf which seem pretty much indestructible. My preferred supplier is "Knights CB" - they can order in almost anything from the Sirio product-line if asked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ1 Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share Posted August 7, 2014 Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ1 Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share Posted August 7, 2014 I have now nearly got everything for the CB install. My other half has bought me the SWR meter, CB Radio and I decided on a different aerial which is the 1.55 meter up to 10 mile range aerial in black. I have bought a short patch lead to connect the swr meter but need to buy a base and I need to buy the long aerial lead but not sure what length to buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ1 Posted August 23, 2014 Author Share Posted August 23, 2014 I have one last question to ask about CB radio's then I should be ok lol. On the back of the radio there is a switch which has 2 options, Hi or Lo. What setting should I put it on? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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