Using a Handheld CB when Laneing

Hi guys

I am currently looking around at CB Radio's for my Disco. I don't know if I want to go to the hassle of wiring one in etc, especially if I decide to change my plans and sell the Disco to upgrade to a 'fender. So, I'm thinking about hand-held CB's instead.

So, does anybody use hand-held CB radio's when out laneing. Are they generally up to the job? Is the range big enough to be able to communicate? Can you hear the radio traffic when you are bouncing around with the engine note nice and high?

Just a few thoughts really, wondering if anyone has any experience of them and if they are as good as "wired" units.

Cheers

used a set once, the ariel isnt upto the job over any sort of distance, in my mind not worth the money

they are fine, if...
yu dont mind the passenger using it.
yu dont mind replacing 6 or 8 batteries on a regular basis.
just wire the non-handheld CB in using a plug and socket arrangement - yu can remove it then when ever you want.

normally you are only using them over a couple of hundred yardsm so signal strength is OK.

what daft says.

they dont need to be hard wired in and can be powered from the cigarette lighter socket then it is just a case of finding somewhere that will stop it bouncing around while laning, get a mag mount for the antenna and job done

bobbler said:

what daft says.

they dont need to be hard wired in and can be powered from the cigarette lighter socket then it is just a case of finding somewhere that will stop it bouncing around while laning, get a mag mount for the antenna and job done

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Agreed..... and DAMN..... have you seen the price of a handheld???

Mr_V said:

Agreed..... and DAMN..... have you seen the price of a handheld???

Click to expand...

Maybe I found some really low-rent one's, but about £90, which is about 20 notes more than a cheap unit + antenna

I bought one off eBay for about £25 and its fine, it easily coped with the range required for a group of 6 cars on green lanes (you'd not really be in a bigger group anyway?) and is fine on pay&play sites too. For the batteries, I bought some cheap rechargeables from eBay (about £3 for 12 or something like that?) and they last ages. I have the flylead to connect it to the 12V socket in the car too. They can be an advantage in certain situations, eg someone behind you gets stuck, you don't drive backwards and get stuck yourself, instead you stop the car and walk back to help/advise/take a picture.

I have a Midland in-car set wired in permanently and work very well. I've also got a portable handheld to be used when I get away from the vehicle.

The handheld set also comes with a lead to connect to the car's 12v and a mag mount. But frankly, the reception for the handheld when used in car is hopeless when the mag mount is not connected. It is much better when the mag mount is connected but not as good as the in-car set.

I power my CB from the cigarette lighter and have a mag mount and it works fine. You could always use extra strong velcro to hold the unit whilst laning whilst still being able to remove it easily.