CB radios were a novelty in the 1970's. I can remember spend hours talking and listening to the chit chat each evening while the vehicle never left the driveway. While CB use has declined with the general public, the professional over-the road drivers, that started the craze, are one of the few groups to still use it regularly. Another group that uses CBs is the four-wheeling crowd to whom it is considered an essential and basic trail communication tool.

The CB is used to keep track of your group on the highway and on the trail. Some of the more popular trails have a sign at the trial head informing you of the channel for that particular trail. Once on the trail it is used to communicate with the group but can be also used to check the trail for other groups that may be in front, behind you or coming in the opposite direction. The CB can be used to communicate with a spotter for the best line of approach. The CB can also be a communication tool for safety, especially when traveling alone. While the CB in most cases can't reach but several miles, the comfort of it if someone is injured, sick or a vehicle is broken down can be invaluable.

Choosing a CB is not as complicated, confusing or expensive as choosing other electronics. CB's are quite basic, very standardized and individual functions are simple to learn and understand. A quality midline CB might cost around $100 without antenna or installation. The FCC limits all CBs to 4 watts of output power so typically only the functions vary from radio to radio. Professional over the road drivers tend to choose a physically larger radio with all the bells and whistles. Limited mounting locations in a small Jeep may dictate a smaller more compact radio be chosen.

Portable handheld radios offer the convenience of going with you from vehicle to vehicle like a cellular phone. A handheld's short antenna doesn't provide much range unless you connect it to a remote antenna. Potables also tend to eat batteries unless you purchase a 12-volt power connector. A permanently mounted CB doesn't end up on the floorboard and is efficient and convenient because of the strong 12-volt power supply and remote antenna.

Antennas can be either the magnetic base mount or a permanent mount that may require drilling holes in sheet metal. Older magnet antennas were prone to getting knocked off from high winds when passing other cars on the highway. The magnet base antennas these days are quite good and have a strong scratch resistant magnet, though low hanging tree branches can still knock it off. Permanent antennas have numerous mounting systems that typical require one or two mounting holes.

After years of using a handheld radio and magnetic antenna in my XJ I have mounted a permanent antenna and CB. Frustration of retrieving the radio from the floorboard and resetting the magnetic antenna after being knocked of by tree branches had come to a head. Because of the Cherokee's limited mounting locations for a CB (small cabin with lots of plastic) I chose a smaller radio that could be mounted to the ceiling between the front seats. The radio is out of the way yet in a very convenient location. I chose a body side-mount antenna base without spring and attached it to the passenger side rear quarter panel. For the antenna I chose a four foot fiberglass stick. The CB, antenna, cable and antenna mount cost about $140.00 and installation was done in my garage in about 2 hours.

Routing cable behind trim or under carpet provides the cleanest installation. I routed the cable behind the plastic trim on the passenger-side near where the door meets the floor. Remember to keep the cable from laying directly over exhaust pipes, away from sharp edges and kinks. The cable was then routed behind the windshield frame trim and underneath the leading edge of the cloth headliner.

For a clean power source go directly to the accessory block on the fuse box. I prefer a constant power supply so the radio can be used without the ignition on. The only draw back is you need to remember to shut the radio off. CB's do not draw much power and will normally take several days before running down a good battery. A good clean (scrape the paint), tight (screw) ground wire is also needed. Most vehicles have several OEM ground screws in the firewall area that can be used for a ground for the CB.

Improper antenna height is the most common mistake made when installing a radio antenna. No matter where the antenna is located, a minimum of 1/3 of the antenna must rise above the roof of the vehicle and 2/3 is preffered for optimum performance. The best antenna location is the center of the roof. The roof provides a grounding plane for the antenna signal to improve performance. Because sport utility roofs often haul outdoor gear many people choose mounting locations that don't interfere with roof loading.

All signal transmitters, including CB radio, require a tuned antenna system. The antennas must be tuned to your vehicle, not just the radio. The shorter the antenna or off-center mounting locations make antenna tuning even more critical. Measuring SWR shows you how much of your radio's transmit power is reflected from the antenna back into the antenna, generating heat, wasting power and in severe cases damaging the radio. The antenna is shortened or lengthened to get the best reading. An SWR meter is needed for measuring the SWR or some radios have a built in SWR meter. A radio shop might charge $10 - $20 for this service that typically takes less than 30 minutes to tune. These simple to use SWR meters can be had at stores like Radio Shack for about $30 and will pay for it self very easily.

Radio shops are not as numerous as they were in the 1970's. I found a mail order electronics business that specializes in CB and scanner radios with great prices and good service. I have purchased several radios and accessories from them over the last 10 years without problem. You can shop and order on-line at http:\\www.scannerworld.com

So, get a radio, stay in contact with your group and have fun, but leave all that breaker-breaker, good buddy, got yer ears on, stuff for "Smokey and the Bandit".