adding CB for family

[loren85022]

Our 9 yr old enjoys monitoring the 2m while we roam. I've decided to add a CB so he can participate better. As well I'm going to add a PA speaker behind the bumper. Curious if anyone is using the Cobra 29 (or similar) that also has the bluetooth function. This allows the mic to function as a speaker for a bluetooth equipped phone. Its considerably more ($130) than what I need for a CB but given many states are limiting how you can use a cell phone, thought it might be of use.



The antenna will mount anywhere but the roof of the van. If anyone likes/dislikes a certain antenna, I'm interested.

Looking for PA speaker suggestions as well.

Thanks.

 

[Hill Bill E.]

I have the 29LTD (BT) in my TJ. Had it in the XJ, and the blue tooth worked great, other than sounding kind of 'tinny' to the person on the other end. It was clear enough for them to understand.

I usually didn't even have to grab the mike, just left it on the dash in it's holder.

I used an extension speaker, so the phone conversation came through that also, so it's like being on speaker phone. (some conversations shouldn't be on speakerphone LOL!)

If I had to do it again, I would pass on the BT function. It doesn't work with my DROID either. It connected fine, and it would ring through the CB speaker, but the conversation didn't work, had to use the phone itself.

 

[gary in ohio]

Why doesnt your 9 year old get his tech license?

 

[1911]

Why doesnt your 9 year old get his tech license?

Was thinking the same thing. I know several children who have theirs and have a ball with it.

Also with regard to the cb radio in question, cheap microphones make really crappy speakers. A pretty useless "feature" IMO.

 

[jeepj667]

I've got that CB and my family refuses to talk to me through it. They say it sounds horrible. I wish I would have gotten the Night Watch instead.

 

[loren85022]

It's a good suggestion getting his license. And he's used the study guide software I have, but his future scout troop tackles this in a few yrs, so that's are current plan.

 

[Hill Bill E.]

Also with regard to the cb radio in question, cheap microphones make really crappy speakers. A pretty useless "feature" IMO.

With that radio, you hear the phone through the CB's speaker, not through the mic. But, the phone mic is a seperate mic from the CB. And it's very small, with only one tiny pinhole in the mic body.

My Droid doesn't work with the CB Blue Tooth (my old flip phone did) and honestly, I don't miss the BT feature.

 

[Hill Bill E.]

Where I put the green dot, is the phone mic.

Inside, it's about 1/4" round, and no more than 3/8'' deep.

 

[Tennmogger]

Be aware that your 9 year old will greatly expand his vocabulary by listening to CB. Another good reason to consider Ham Radio.

 

[loren85022]

Tennmonger: point well taken.
Hill Bill: that's interesting. Not at all like what I took away from cobra's web site

 

[gary in ohio]

Was thinking the same thing. I know several children who have theirs and have a ball with it.

Also with regard to the cb radio in question, cheap microphones make really crappy speakers. A pretty useless "feature" IMO.

I was more concerned about the language used on CB....

 

[rabbiporkchop]

Our 9 yr old enjoys monitoring the 2m while we roam. I've decided to add a CB so he can participate better. As well I'm going to add a PA speaker behind the bumper. Curious if anyone is using the Cobra 29 (or similar) that also has the bluetooth function. This allows the mic to function as a speaker for a bluetooth equipped phone. Its considerably more ($130) than what I need for a CB but given many states are limiting how you can use a cell phone, thought it might be of use.

View attachment 81441

The antenna will mount anywhere but the roof of the van. If anyone likes/dislikes a certain antenna, I'm interested.

Looking for PA speaker suggestions as well.

Thanks.

I don't recommend the cobra 29 bluetooth model for 1 reason: you can't buy a telex turner road king 56 microphone with the 2 push buttons on top, or the 6 pin plug. I can custom build one, but if you want over the counter stuff, and you want to sound loud and clear without obnoxious background noise, do yourself a favor and buy the cobra 29 ltd classic, and a RK56 microphone, and buy a Plantronics Voyager Pro bluetooth headset. The stock microphone that comes with the cobra 29 is junk, and you won't exactly have high fidelity audio with the factory microphone. My biggest pet peeve is when someone gets on the radio asking for help, and I cant understand what they are saying because of background noise or they sound muffled. I just want you to get the best bang for your buck. The Plantronics Voyager Pro is about the best sounding, and also the most comfortable bluetooth headset available also.