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Changing CB over to GMRS

bp71k5

bp71k5

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So I finally went and got my CB and air locker working again for an potential upcoming trail ride and I somehow just realized how big, bulky and outdated the CB is, compared to the newer GMRS radios. Trouble is I bought a new cable and antenna mount for the CB and the question is can I use that cable and antenna mount for something like a midland MicroMobile radio?I’d be ok with mounting adaptors and a new antenna. Is the CB even worth keeping around?
 
bp71k5 said:
So I finally went and got my CB and air locker working again for an potential upcoming trail ride and I somehow just realized how big, bulky and outdated the CB is, compared to the newer GMRS radios. Trouble is I bought a new cable and antenna mount for the CB and the question is can I use that cable and antenna mount for something like a midland MicroMobile radio?I’d be ok with mounting adaptors and a new antenna. Is the CB even worth keeping around?
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Been through this with my group of wheeling buddies as we switch over to GMRS. Quick answer is no. Since the frequencies are different, the antenna and cable won't work from CB to GMRS. You should be able to reuse your mount, but you'll need to get the antenna and cable. If you get a Midland MTX105, MTX115 or MTX275 they come with a mag mount antenna and cable with the radio.

You can get hard mount antennas and separate cables right from Midland too. Three of my cohorts have picked up the "ghost" antenna from Midland.
MXTA25_lifestyle_600X400.jpg


You could give up a little range over a traditional antenna but our testing still proved we can get a solid 10-15 miles off of them. We've all had that "ah-ha" moment when using them realizing the sound quality and range is far and beyond better than CB to wonder why didn't we do this sooner.

I'm leaving my CB in my truck since it's so built-in, it would be a major pain to yank it out. CB is pretty quiet today, but it doesn't hurt having it in. If mine was easier to remove I would pull it.
 
What mount? Coax is coax (more or less) and any 50ohm coax would be fine on that short a run.

Most GMRS antennas are NMO mount, but there are options. Let's see what you have!

As for keeping the CB, if everyone around you is running CB then you'll need to have a CB.
 
TerryD said:
What mount? Coax is coax (more or less) and any 50ohm coax would be fine on that short a run.

Most GMRS antennas are NMO mount, but there are options. Let's see what you have!

As for keeping the CB, if everyone around you is running CB then you'll need to have a CB.
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I’ve got a Wilson 305-830 cable with FME connectors in the ends. The mount is a Firestick SO-239 stud mount. I’d be happy not having to replace the cable, but replacing the rest wouldn’t hurt that much. I’ve actually only used the CB once, but I’ve got one of those baufeng radios I used on a big road trip to keep in touch with my sons walkie talkies. That was much more useful, but I’d like it hard mounted.
 
I should have clarified the typical GMRS antennas have the nmo mount so the coax wouldn't match up. I didn't know there was an adapter. Pretty slick.
 
Get your GMRS license. It's good for 10 years, licenses you for 50W and is good for the whole household.

And remember to set that Baofeng for Narrow bandwidth for the GMRS channels so you don't bleed into adjacent channels.
 
TerryD said:
Get your GMRS license. It's good for 10 years, licenses you for 50W and is good for the whole household.

And remember to set that Baofeng for Narrow bandwidth for the GMRS channels so you don't bleed into adjacent channels.
Click to expand...

yep, already applied for the license. Not sure if the corona virus is slowing approvals down.
 
bp71k5 said:
I’ve got a Wilson 305-830 cable with FME connectors in the ends. The mount is a Firestick SO-239 stud mount. I’d be happy not having to replace the cable, but replacing the rest wouldn’t hurt that much. I’ve actually only used the CB once, but I’ve got one of those baufeng radios I used on a big road trip to keep in touch with my sons walkie talkies. That was much more useful, but I’d like it hard mounted.
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bp,
I cannot see the adapter you shared (I don't want to upgrade to Premium).
I am hoping to use the existing coax run in my Wrangler to connect a GMRS radio and antenna.
Did you have success re-using your coax?

Thanks,
 
TerryD said:
Get your GMRS license. It's good for 10 years, licenses you for 50W and is good for the whole household.

And remember to set that Baofeng for Narrow bandwidth for the GMRS channels so you don't bleed into adjacent channels.
Click to expand...

I was looking at an new CB or GRMS in the new truck after being stuck in traffic on I40 the other weekend. I'll probably stay w/ a CB. I don't need 50 miles of range, just to the next exit. And I'm especially not paying the feds a damn thing.
 
runamok151 said:
I was looking at an new CB or GRMS in the new truck after being stuck in traffic on I40 the other weekend. I'll probably stay w/ a CB. I don't need 50 miles of range, just to the next exit. And I'm especially not paying the feds a damn thing.
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Hope you hear someone on CB. I've driven down I-25 from Denver to Pueblo many times with my CB on channel 19 and even passing 3 truck stops nobody is on the air. My setup is dialed in too so it wasn't an antenna or radio issue. Today's truckers are not like they were back in the day. CB's just aren't in use like they used to prior to widespread cellphones.

GMRS wouldn't help you for that kind of need anyway.
 
ZooMad75 said:
Hope you hear someone on CB. I've driven down I-25 from Denver to Pueblo many times with my CB on channel 19 and even passing 3 truck stops nobody is on the air. My setup is dialed in too so it wasn't an antenna or radio issue. Today's truckers are not like they were back in the day. CB's just aren't in use like they used to prior to widespread cellphones.

GMRS wouldn't help you for that kind of need anyway.
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^^This^^
 
Fastereddie said:
^^This^^
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For this reason CB's have suddenly become "useful" again for some folks..ever since cell phones and other alternatives like 2 meter ham came along,the CB channels are just about "dead silent" save for some die hard skip shooters..!..used to be even with a linear amp you were lucky to be able to get messages across town ,there was so many others "walking on you"..

I turned my 40 channel Centurion base station on the other day for the first time in several years--it still works but the talk/receive relays are sticking in it,and the old Turner 3+3 power mike's battery was long dead--its SSB and AM,I was able to pick up several sidebanders on some "lower channels" (it has uppers & lowers ,someome did the mod before I got it,have no clue just what frequencies its on though)...but the AM side of CB was dead silent,save for two radio checks on channel 19..
 
raskul said:
bp,
I cannot see the adapter you shared (I don't want to upgrade to Premium).
I am hoping to use the existing coax run in my Wrangler to connect a GMRS radio and antenna.
Did you have success re-using your coax?

Thanks,
Click to expand...

got my license but haven’t hooked up another radio. Just been using my beufung handheld which has worked for what I need.
 
diesel4me said:
For this reason CB's have suddenly become "useful" again for some folks..ever since cell phones and other alternatives like 2 meter ham came along,the CB channels are just about "dead silent" save for some die hard skip shooters..!..used to be even with a linear amp you were lucky to be able to get messages across town ,there was so many others "walking on you"..

I turned my 40 channel Centurion base station on the other day for the first time in several years--it still works but the talk/receive relays are sticking in it,and the old Turner 3+3 power mike's battery was long dead--its SSB and AM,I was able to pick up several sidebanders on some "lower channels" (it has uppers & lowers ,someome did the mod before I got it,have no clue just what frequencies its on though)...but the AM side of CB was dead silent,save for two radio checks on channel 19..
Click to expand...
That’s cool, I remember when I was a kid my Dad had a big ol setup in his back room and huge antenna setup. You could hear the Chinese on skip I think. I think it was called a HeathKat or something like that. Me and my brother’s
Handles were snicklefritz and googenheimer. Haha
 
"Heath-Kit" was a popular DIY company that sold many things in kit form you had to assemble yourself...everything from CB's,Amps,Stereo's,even go karts and mini-bikes..

Back in the day you'd see many "Moonraker" huge beam antennas on poles around here--many guys made "CB Shacks" out of those store bought garden sheds to house their equipment in,and keep peace in the family...many got in trouble using linear amps,and their neighbors would rat them out because their CB transmissions would come in over their TV's and wipe reception out..:D

I used to have an Antron 99 antenna up on a 30 foot pole,but a few too many Nor'easters did it in...all I have now is a 9 foot fiberglass "Shakespear"antenna intended for mobile use up on the pole--to my surprise it did almost as well as the Antron that costed nearly $100 back in the 80's..
 
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