Portable CB without permanent antenna installed???

[azloafer]

We never had a CB and don't know if we would even like it...so...
Is there a completely portable CB that can be used in a MH without installing anything permanent? Would it still work or would it not have enough signal strength? We are talking about its use on the highway or near a highway. Maybe we just want to listen for fun...We don't know. Never heard one. We are clueless. Please give us your feelings. Thanks, Joe & Mary Beth

[Half Dimes]

There's this. Radio Shack also sells some portable models. My experience with ones similar has been less than stellar as far as range is concerned.

[RoyM]

I tried a portable but found range was very limited. A dash mount with proper antenna is much more effective.

[bigmichael]

We needed one for a caravan we were traveling with, so went with the portable roadtrip. It came with both a small attached antenaa for using as a handheld, and a mag mount antenna that could be placed on the top of the vehicle.
We found the included antenna to be a little short on distance. We then bought a "base loaded" mag mount antenna for $25 at radio shack, and seemed to get as good and sometimes better range than those that were permanent units in many of the motorhomes. You are able to run the cable through a door or window from the portable to the roof. It worked very well when we wanted to use it. Most of the time now we just have it with us, available in an emergency where we wouldn't have a cell signal or something.

[azloafer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigmichael We needed one for a caravan we were traveling with, so went with the portable roadtrip. It came with both a small attached antenaa for using as a handheld, and a mag mount antenna that could be placed on the top of the vehicle. We found the included antenna to be a little short on distance. We then bought a "base loaded" mag mount antenna for $25 at radio shack, and seemed to get as good and sometimes better range than those that were permanent units in many of the motorhomes. You are able to run the cable through a door or window from the portable to the roof. It worked very well when we wanted to use it. Most of the time now we just have it with us, available in an emergency where we wouldn't have a cell signal or something.

I have a fiberglass roof and wonder what the magnet could stick to? I haven't been on top so I'm not sure if there is any metal there. Other than that it sounds like a good idea because it is temporary and that is what I wanted. I have a fear of heights...anyone know if there is metal for the magnet mount antenna on the roof? Joe

[JVJ]

Midland does make a CB antenna that mounts to a glass window. The cable stays inside the car, the antenna mounts to the outside of the window. There are people who get reasonable results with this style. A few users have complained as to reception when mounted to the front windshield. I would and may try one, mounting it to the top of the driverside flat window as high as possible.
This style attaches with the use of a sticky flat tape that is already mounted to receiver of the antenna.
good Luck,
Jon

[Ernie n Tara]

There are many antennas that mount to the rear view mirror with small clamps. These do not require permanent modifications if you run the cable through a window.
Ernie

[chiefneon]

Howdy!

We have a Midland 75-822 Micro 40 channel hand held with mobile adapter kit for external antenna, also has weather and hazard channels. It has worked well for us and it does not have to be install. We used it on our trip to Alaska two years ago with a magnetic external antenna.
Do a search on the internet for Midland 75-822. They have been discontinued but you can still fine them for sale on the net. I'm thinking about purchasing another one and getting rid of the small hand held one that don't seem to last long.

"Happy Trails"
chiefneon

[wa8yxm]

There are several portable packages that come with about an 18" mag-mount antenna.. This is just about the worst antenna made. And there is not much on a motor home you can stick a magnet on.

Now.. If you have any kind of rod that runs horzontial on the outside of your rig

Flying-J and most other truck stops sells a pair of vice grips with an antenna mount welded onto them.. You can get like a 5' fiberglass whip (Same wall) and clamp it where you can clamp it.. NOTE this whip likes a ground plane

Or you could use a NGP on the same type of mount (NO GROUND PLANE)

[UFO Pilot]

When I was shopping for a CB and antenna, I saw a "patch" that you glue on top of the RV and then the magnetic antenna base will sit on the "patch". I couldn't find the "patch" base today when searching.

I opted to go with a permanently mounted no ground plane antenna. I attached it high up on the side of my RV and drilled a small hole thru to the inside of an overhead cabinet. I was able to route the wire down to the CB completely out of sight.

[TXiceman]

Very few of the small mag mounts are worth while and if mounted inside the coach, you might as well open the window and shout. You can reasonable range with a thru-the-glass antenna, but the one camping World sells in not worth the money.

Your best bet for an antenna is a FireStix NGP (No Ground Plane) antenna and one of the plain under the dash CB's and have it installed.

As for listening for entertainment, ....well what is your idea of entertainment? Mostly you will hear a bunch of foul-mouthed truckers...bad-mouthing the 4-wheelers and the RV's.

I carry a CB that is under the back seat and a magnetic mount antenna "IF" I need the CB. It has not been plugged in for well over two years now. I prefer to listen to my VHF/UHF/HF shortwave radio. Saturday I talked to a ham near Brussels on 17M from the truck.

Ken

[azloafer]

What is a "ground plane" or "no ground plane" antenna? I have no idea. Which is better or doesn't it matter? Joe

[TXiceman]

Ground plane....you want to get into antenna theory?????

Basically a vertical antenna is still a dipole, just that 1/2 of the antenna is the vertical radiator and the other 1/2 of the antenna is the ground plane. I would take a ground plane antenna over a NGP any day. But with a motorhome, you are limited in what you can do for a GP, so the NGP is used and works pretty well provided you have the antenna up and 1/2 to 1/3 of it is above the top of the coach.

remember that for an antenna you want height and bigger is better. Antennas are cut and tuned to 1/2 wave or 1/4 wave to get resonance. A CB operates in the 11meter band, so a 1/4 wave antenna is about 2,75m long. The wire for this length can be wound around a fiberglass rod to shorten the physical antenna, but is still has 2.75m of wire. The Firestick is a 5/8 wave antenna.

HERE is the website. The 2' one works well on a motorhome with 1' of it above the roof line...better if it is all above the roof, but then you will be hitting it.

You can also use the Cell Look-Alike.

Also, remember that when using the CB, you are operating with just 5 watts of power, so you will not get much range unless there is some "skip". For my shortwave, I am running 50 watts on VHF and 100 watts on HF with a very specialized antenna on the truck. Think $1500.00 plus for a radio vs. $150.00 for a CB rig.

[Ray,IN]

I use a $10 used 23 channel CB with a cigar adapter on the cord, with a magnetic $20 antenna. Easy to put in, easy to take out. Suits my needs for traveling.