I need some pointers and advice on radios from anybody that knows more than i do about it.Recently i got a Midland X-tra Talk Gxt-650 Gmrs-Frs radio with a headset.I noticed that most offroaders use cb radios.Can I use mine as a cb radio, or is it just a two way radio?What is the difference? If i cann't use it ,what model and brand would be good to buy?

CB and FRS/GMRS are two different kinds of 2-way radios. You might be able to get by with what you have, but if you go wheeling a lot it is good to have both, for example the club I wheel with uses FRS, but ZuZoo uses CB.

Cobra and Midland are two common CB makers. Check out the Firestik website for more than you want to know about CBs...bottom line is the antenna set up is more important than the radio. Cobra makes a nice one for in dash installation, Model 18 with speaker on front:

There are other models that have all the controls and speaker on the microphone, while the radio itself can be hidden.

which CB you choose isn't as important as properly tuning it. A high quality CB means nothing coupled to the wrong antenna/antenna placement.

Firestik has a pretty good tech library if you wanna read up:
http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs.htm

-Rob

There's lots of good CB's out there...

Some things to look for:

Get one that has a "memory wire" so the CB comes up on the channel where you left it after powering down the vehicle.
Nothing I hate worse is to fire up the CB and have it sitting on channel 9 by default.

Don't know if a PA system is important, but be sure to check on it if you want it.
Many CB's are coming without the PA option.

Firestik is a good brand antenna and you'll need to make sure you tune it, once installed.

I have the Cobra 18 WX ST II Mobile CB.
It's all 40 channels, has 10 NOAA weather channels, 2 quick pre-sets, instant channel 9, and a forward firing speaker.

Where you want to put the CB has a lot to do with the model you buy. I placed my on the side because there wasn't room in the dash. A CB shop will tune it for you and often give you the option of boosting the output by removing limiters (disclaimer - this forum does not recommend doing anything illegal).

Pete

I am with Rob on this one. Get a inexpensive one and just get it tuned correctley. I do like Paddler's how all you see is the mic and a hole in the dash where it plugs in. All the controlls are in the mic.

I have the Cobra 75 WX ST All-in-handset Mobile CB, which is GREAT if you only use your CB for offroading since all you see is a plug and I just unhook mine and put it in the glovebox when I'm not using it.



basically, all of the electronics are in the handset, there is a "junction box" that hooks to the power and antenna, and the lead from the junction box pokes through the console so you can plug in the handset. Its a good setup since it takes up practically no space. I just need to get a decent antenna and tune it... but for offroading, I can talk to anyone close enough to care about, so I haven't put out much effort.

By the way, I saw the pic that Litnin posted and thought that was the ABSOLUTE COOLEST CB I had ever seen... until I noticed that I was looking at the radio and the CB was below it! The analog gauges fooled me! That is a good, clean install though.

thank's for all the inputs.Are there stores where they sell and set up the whole system?How much can i expect to spend for something that reasonably good?

unless you are doing a very custom installation, the CB is probably one of the easiest things to install...

But, if you bought the radio, I am sure that any mobile electronics store (circuit city, best buy, local shops) would do the installation. It is SO easy, though, unless you are doing something that requires you to customize your dash or something.

I have the same Cobra CB that M A B has and I love it. Its compact and makes for an even cleaner install than to see the big box mounted somewhere. It performs great and when you dont need it...just unplug the cord and voila!!! No more cb to look at takin up space.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />