marcspaz Posted August 14 Report Share Posted August 14 Well, after 3 years without a CB radio, I bought a new unit. It's a Cobra 75 All Road. I haven't been following CB, but i do know the FCC rule changes about a year ago now allow FM use. I have been curious about it, especially knowing how well FM works on 29 MHz. I had a customer tell me they were interested in this radio, asked if I had an opinion about it and asked if I would install it for them. So, I bought one to check it out. I have to say, it's a little weird running a "stock" CB... but so far, I like it. It's just AM/FM with weather channels, but the transceiver is remote and the controls are in the mic (a familiar setup). BUT, the mic and all the controls are done wirelessly. The mic plugs into any USB port you have, or comes with a power outlet adapter. The mic works over Bluetooth so well, that I had the transceiver in my Jeep, but tested the mic range in my son's Jeep. It works about 30 feet away, which was awesome. I haven't chatted with anyone yet, but I was listening to AM Skip from all over the country. The receiver sensitivity seems real good so far. I am going to ask a friend of mine with an FM CB to help me do some range testing. I'll follow up soon and share the results. Sshannon, WRXB215, WRUU653 and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcspaz Posted August 14 Author Report Share Posted August 14 I put this radio on a watt meter and dummy load today. I was surprised to see it actually has 3.5w of output. Most CB radios I have tested over the years have been 2.5w or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcspaz Posted August 16 Author Report Share Posted August 16 I got to do a range test today and I am very impressed. In an area I typically get about 5 miles of simplex range with a 50w VHF or UHF radio (Ham and GMRS) I was able to have a conversation at 14 miles apart, while moving. One of my friends who also has a good AM/FM CB and a good antenna setup were able to run a test while driving in Norther Virginia. I have to say, 14 miles for both AM and FM is fantastic around hear. The furthest I have ever talked on a CB on the local level was 26 miles, using a 104" (1/4 wave) steel whip antenna and 12.5w peak. This 14 mile contact was using 3.5w and a 86" Diamond HF10CL antenna, which isn't as good of a performer as a 1/4 wave would be... but it's pretty darn good. Much better than if I tried a 3 foot or 4 foot Firestik, I'm sure. This radio seems like a win for a compact FM CB. WRXB215, Lscott, WRQC527 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRQC527 Posted August 16 Report Share Posted August 16 If you want more range, perhaps an antenna upgrade... Like this. 1 marcspaz and WRXD372 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRXB215 Posted August 16 Report Share Posted August 16 @WRQC527 Is that the Mystery Machine? marcspaz, WRXD372 and WRQC527 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRQC527 Posted August 16 Report Share Posted August 16 52 minutes ago, WRXB215 said: @WRQC527 Is that the Mystery Machine? Lol yes it's a mystery to me why CB keydown contests are a thing. But hey maybe that's what's missing from GMRS. Sshannon and WRXB215 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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