The DFW Miata CB Radio Coalition

[effse7en]

So, who else is getting in on this? I've got a Midland 1001LWX sitting in my Amazon cart right now, but I think I'll just hit up a truck stop to get the speaker and antenna.

[sammm]

Breaker 1-9...I just had a flashback to the 70's.

[POS Racing]

[OZMDD]

Seems a little unnecessary in the cell phone/IM age. I guess its still entertaining if you can find anyone who isn't a truckser to talk to. I used to use one in the 80s and 90s when I drove across the state and Midwest a lot, but that was basically as a highway patrol locator.

[Rogue]

Just removed my last Cobra 75WXST from when we used them in Miata's back in the 90's.
Hadn't turned them on in many years.
Now on Miata runs everyone uses the little handheld walkie talkies.

[effse7en]

William and Jerome were talking about getting the a few weeks ago for cruises. It could still be fun.

[black roadster]

I still prefer CB on Miata runs. Rogue remembers those days. He might need to put the Cobra 75WXST back in. I'm about to reinstall my 75WXST. BTW, it's a great CB!

CB's are better than cell because you can instantly talk to everyone on the run. If the lead car gets past a slow driver, they can send verbal announcements of on coming traffic until everyone gets past. The FRS radios range isn't as good as the CB's and they are harder to hear. With a CB and an external speaker mounted between the seats, you can easily hear with the top down. You can also use the CB to communicate with the truckers on long road trips. They can let you know in advance of speed traps and traffic. Jeff Anderson on Miata.net sells CB/AM/FM antenna splitters for a seamless install or you can get a magnetic mount antenna. I just picked up a used Wilson "Little Wil" antenna on eBay for $20.00.

Yes there are apps for road reports but it's just another plus for CBs. Back in the 1990s and 2000s all the Miata enthusiasts ran CB radios. They still are the best tool IMHO for back road runs. The biggest "fail" of CB radios is when everyone has one except for that one guy. I will have one or two loaner CBs available for those instances but as cheap as they are, I really encourage folks to get one for any of our back road traveling excursions.

[effse7en]

My Midland came in today. Time to scavenge for an antenna and find a time to install it.

[black roadster]

I picked up a used Cobra 75WXST.

It's a nice all-in-one unit. It also has an audio out for an external speaker. I'm selling it for $50.00. (Well that was quick! Sale Pending!) Here's a stock photo of what it looks like. The one I have had some cosmetic scratches and wear.

[HudsonHawk]

I use one of these (Kenwood TH-72a) but it requires an amateur radio license from the FCC. Up to 50 watts using the legal amplifier I have. I can use up to 1500 Watts PEP legally.



Lots of fun things that can be done with one of these other than just communication. I can easily talk to people 15 to 20 miles away on flat terrain. With the automatic packet reporting system (APRS) built into the unit I can track others using APRS as well in real time. So while traveling in a group you know where everyone is. I built an interface cable for my Garmin GPS. The radio sends the position information to the GPS and displays it on the screen. I can easily see all reported positions at a glance.