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Dredwolf
08-09-2013, 11:44 AM
In preparation for the great Colorado/Utah roadtrip, I had to purchase a few things to make the Explorer suitable to the trip, since the XJ was not ready.

While CB's are not as popular as they once were, they are a requirement by many clubs, can be handy in the right circumstances, and a weatherband radio is always nice. I already have a compact unit in the XJ, and I knew my wife was not going to allow a permanent mount in her Explorer....

A little Googling lead me to this https://midlandusa.com/cb-radios/product/75-822cb-radio/
http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detail-page-3/B00000K2YR-2.jpg

The Midland 75-822 portable CB with NOAA weather alerts.

You get a lot in the package...the radio, "rubber ducky" antenna, the 12v adapter with a connector for a PL 259 external antenna, a "base" that can take alkaline batteries, and a base that can take rechargeable batteries with a charging port and wall plug.

Part 2 to follow....

Dredwolf
08-16-2013, 10:58 PM
Okay, FINALLY back at my home PC....

More pics of what you get in the package....

The contents!
http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b605/dredwolf1/Accessories/IMG_3881_zpsd1fe89ed.jpg

The back of the box!
http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b605/dredwolf1/Accessories/IMG_3882_zpsbb8f5285.jpg

Now, this radio can be used as a portable, and I like how they give you options...:D

You recieve these two modules, empty...:confused:

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b605/dredwolf1/Accessories/IMG_3885_zpsf333f9a5.jpg

The one on the left is designed with a charging circuit and includes a wall adapter with a 15v, 100mA output, for 6 rechargeable AA batteries. The one one the right is basically and empty battery holder for 6 AA's....or rechargeable AA's :D

Dredwolf
08-16-2013, 11:06 PM
So you can slide the battery modules on....

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b605/dredwolf1/Accessories/IMG_3892_zpsd2ec423f.jpg

Or the 12v adapter with a PL 259 connector...

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b605/dredwolf1/Accessories/IMG_3895_zpse88be532.jpg

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b605/dredwolf1/Accessories/IMG_3896_zps9b4f4455.jpg

bluedragon436
08-17-2013, 11:01 AM
Seems like a pretty cool option for a temp installed unit, or for a trip in someone else's rig... heck if nothing else a spare to have if someone in the group doesn't have a CB in their rig... not to mention the NOAA alerts are pretty nice too if you are going to be out for a long trip or a camping trip.... I look forward to hearing your feedback after making use of this unit, as to whether it is worth having or not...

Dredwolf
08-17-2013, 09:44 PM
Review continued.....

So I had a CB solution that would not take up a ton of space in the Explorer, but could use a real antenna, had NOAA channels, several power options, and was portable if we decided to take a brief hike.

Well, this was a temp install, so bolting a FireStik or Wilson Silverload to the sheet metal of the Explorer was out...
Hey, I got that Wilson 1000 mag mount I fixed.....PROBLEM SOLVED!!! :woot:

(15 minutes later, my beloved wifey comes out through the garage .."Honey, I am trying to pre-pack the FirstAid kit and trauma bag, but the EMT shears are miss...:smiley-angry021:
WHAT IN THE #$@#$%&!@#$@# IS THAT THING ON MY TRUCK?!?"

:o "Its a antenna, I was testing the CB..."

"Does it HAVE to be like that?? Our accents are a dead giveaway, are you TRYING to broadcast "SOUTHERN REDNECK!! SOUTHERN IGNORANT REDNECK RIGHT HERE!!!"

"uh...":(

"Of course you're not...I know we need an antenna, but THAT is NOT going on MY truck, get something else!"

"Yes, dear, you're right..." :sign0181: (hard learned trick for avoiding further corrections)

Hmmm, maybe I can find a....perfect! :D So a few days later, a Wilson "Lil' Will" mag mount showed up, with a 36" whip, and NOAA channel compatibility.

We are 5 miles from I-26 and 8 miles from I-85...as soon as I connected the antenna, channel 19 started picking up conversations clearly from I-26, even without the SWR set.

I took a meter with me and several ways to trim the whip, with the plan of setting the SWR in the vast emptiness of Kansas :D but that plan never materialized, as the pigtail for the SWR meter oddly disappeared after St. Louis and re-appeared in Colorado.

So I have not checked this radio with a properly tuned antenna yet.

XJ Wheeler
08-18-2013, 02:15 AM
"Does it HAVE to be like that?? Our accents are a dead giveaway, are you TRYING to broadcast "SOUTHERN REDNECK!! SOUTHERN IGNORANT REDNECK RIGHT HERE!!!"

:smiley-laughing021:

Ran a "Lil Wil" on our work trucks for a few years. Just watch the trees, it WILL break if pulled over too far. Oh, and drive thru's. :rolleyes:



Sent via messenger pigeon - i talk, he types.

Mudderoy
08-18-2013, 02:34 AM
That's one of the downsides to the HF band (11 meters CB included) the antennas are long. Quarter wave is 103 inches (103.25 for 20.195 Mhz) inches. 468 / transmit frequency.

2 meters is only 19.16 inches. 70 cm is only 6.29 inches!!!!

Something to consider if big mobile antennas are a real concern, but you still want the ability to contact people via the 2 way radio.