CB Radio Install on Overland Jeep Gladiator

Join me as I talk through the why's of having a CB radio installed in your overland vehicle, and then go through the actual install process - choosing a location, running the wiring and finally testing the install.
Support my work on Patreon for exclusive behind the scenes content, early access and more:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/ theroadchoseme
The Camera Gear I use:
-------------------------------------
amzn.to/2TcdBXo
Stay in touch:
--------------------------
❱ Instagram - / theroadchoseme
❱ Facebook - / theroadchoseme
Books I've published about my expeditions around the world:
--------------------------------------
❱ The Road Chose Me Volume 2: Three years and 54,000 miles around Africa
375 pages of misadventures, stories, characters, politics and more from driving all the way around Africa!
amzn.to/3pnVKu6
❱ 999 Days Around Africa: The Road Chose Me
75 page full-color photography book from each of the 35 countries I visited in Africa
amzn.to/2H93IUH
❱ The Road Chose Me Volume 1: Two years and 40,000 miles from Alaska to Argentina
265 pages of adventure, inspiration and antics from driving the length of the Pan-American highway
amzn.to/2vfCYvn
❱ Overland Travel Essentials: West Africa: Myths, Misconceptions and Misnomers
Everything you need to know to undertake your own Overland Expedition in West Africa
amzn.to/2veyQMt
❱ Work Less to Live Your Dreams: A practical guide to saving money and living your dreams
The tips, tricks, ideas and perspectives I've learned to save the money I need to live the life I want
amzn.to/2OD6UtA
#JeepGladiator #CBRadio #OverlandCommunication

[@ThePyleDriver]

As people have said, beware it heating up. The biggest thing I'd say though is, your plan to leave it off all the time and only use it when you need it relies on others to NOT be doing that. A big part of participating in mutual-radio-assistance in the US includes monitoring (leaving it on so you hear calls for assistance). I'd assume the outback there is similar. Great choice on radio BTW!

[@Malc664]

It happens all the time, so great point. But for emergency a Sat phone is probably better. You can hire them too.

[@chopperchuck]

glad you made this video , it reminded me to order a new CB for my XJ for some reason after 40 years they stop working lol

[@VideosOffRoad]

In terms of wiring, I've heard you want to power the radio directly to the battery, not through any intermediate systems. This is to keep things like alternator noise from interfering with your radio. Also, you do NOT want to coil up any extra antenna wire. The coil will create an induction loop which will both impede signal and increase SWR (standing wave ratio feedback) to the radio, which if that gets too high can actually burn out the radio. So consider shortening the cable, or running it back and forth under the cowl (or along the firewall in the engine bay) across the width of the Jeep and back as many times as needed, in kind of a big "S" shape(s), before feeding the last couple of feet through to the radio. :-)

[@Malc664]

Ive heard that too. I think Dans got the radio just to be legal and the attitude is not 100 percent. He may need to revisit that priority.

[@Dwealdric]

I can comment first hand on the coiled wire. I made that mistake with my first radio in my Jeep. I tuned everything with an SWR meter, had excellent antenna placement. Everything was good, but I had relatively poor SWR. It was entirely due to the coil.

[@VideosOffRoad]

Dan: Be careful about installing your radio in the glovebox. Radios can get VERY HOT and need air flow to cool them. Obviously you're not going to be using it often, but when you are using it you'll definitely want to keep the glove box open.

[@GATORADDAM]

Unless he's planning to pinch the microphone wire in the glove box door and not be able to hear the speaker he's going to have to have the door open!

[@Adindrark]

Just perfect and minimalistic installation. Gladiator is coming together very nicely. Love it. Cheers!

[@andredupuis5432]

Great vidéo Dan. Whoever ends up buying your Gladiator after your trip will be a lucky bast…! I think you’d get a lot at auction as « the Jeep that travelled Australia » Cheers from 🇨🇦 and thanks for making these vlogs

[@videodima]

Great to see the normal form videos again, great video!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Glad you like them!

[@davidbochmann5811]

Dan good job but a few items. I’ve run cb’s all my life here in Colorado snd when I was a pilot escort moving oversized loads You need to consider moving the Antenna to the roof. Real life the body of the jeep is steel it will interfere with signals from any one on the side or behind. Second the speakers on cb’s are crap in motion the road noise is probebly going to drowned out the sound. They make small external speakers they plug into the back consider getting one put some Velcro on the speaker and Center of dash. When using pull the speaker out of the jockey box snd set it in front of you on dash. It will help you a lot whenever there is road noise or weak signal. Then just stuff it away when not using. Then run by your friends snd have him “tune” the antanna he puts a machine on it and decides the correct hight fir the radio and mounting and trims it for peak performance. It does make a difference. But mostly when you didn’t do it and have an issue in the outback and have poor signal

[@merhaba8]

Were you using AM or UHF, because these are UHF and the aerials generally a predetermined length and don’t need tuning. Also in Australia and NZ almost all the aerials are mounted either on the guard or more commonly on the bullbar and on the side mirror arm for trucks. While the roof is the best for reception it’s susceptible to been wiped out by trees, also can’t be readily seen and most people aren’t keen to drill a hole in the roof!!

[@ericpubdeff8977]

I'm setting up my Gladiator for fulltime remote digital nomad traveling right now. I'm giving myself 3, 4 months to complete the project with the hope that borders will open up by then. Your vids have been helpful.

[@frh-freerangehuman]

Great timing! I just bought an old Uniden PC33 CB for my BS Badlands. Can’t wait to install it. Just need to order a mounting bracket. Great video

[@johnfitzgerald5158]

For many of the reasons you stated Dan, this is why I picked a radio that has a very small head unit that was easy to hide, whereas all of the display and controls are actually on the handset. I used a magnet mount for the handset to be in close proximity to me.

[@michaeldallimore8590]

You will use the CB to talk to the road trains when you want to overtake them and crossing the Simpson you need to announce your presence every ten minutes or so which means you might find yourself using it more than you think.

[@ritewaywelding]

Great video Dan, can't wait for you to get out there on the road 👍👍

[@garyray]

That's where I kept my CB in my JKUR. Same with the antenna, although it was on the drivers side with mine (same side as yours). We also made a home made antenna bracket. I mostly used HAM with a friend and eventually took out the CB (in the US). Garmin Inreach is my solution for remote emergencies, which again, works great in the US, but would be worthless in a lot of far off destinations (Ghost Busters).

[@VideosOffRoad]

My understanding is the Garmin InReach (I have the Explorer+ model) will work anywhere on the surface of the Earth where you have a reasonably clear view of the sky. At the poles, on the ocean, wherever.

[@garyray]

​@@VideosOffRoad Correct. It's just an issue of who, if anyone, is coming to rescue you. As a side note, I rolled my Jeep this year and needed a rescue. I forgot my Inreach for a moment, mounted on the dash, walked to the top of a hill and used my cell phone. It took three hours to get someone to agree to come out. I can't imagine that back and forth via the Inreach, but it would certainly be better than nothing.

[@adamj1299]

If you find that you need the radio mic more often than not , you could try connecting it to a retractable ID and connect that to something closer to your left hand if you catch my drift.

[@robertvoss9111]

Are you going to meet with Andrew from 4x4overland, I think that would be really cool!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

If he wants to, sure!

[@Alan.livingston]

Personally I think having the cb close to hand is a great safety thing in the outback. Most of the time I leave it off but I do switch it on to ask road trains if it's safe to pass.

[@oldchicago3216]

If your antenna is chrome and not stainless, run a piece of heat shrink over it or its gonna rust and look like hell later. Great video👍🇺🇲👍🇺🇲👍🇺🇲👍🇺🇲

[@dcro536]

Those ariels don’t last long on corrugated roads, mine (same brand) snapped off after 10k kms. Bought a 2.1db fibreglass unit built for Offroad after that.

[@k53847]

Don't cook your radio. And it's typical to change frequencies once you have made contact, so you don't talk all over the other people on the common freq. Can you do this while driving?

[@joselatinlover69]

Guatemala 🇬🇹✌🏾😎

[@sierramantrvlnus]

Yay!

[@operation4wheelz]

It’s going to be a pain in the arse having it in the glove box unless you have controls on the handset. And I reckon the glove box will gonna bounce all over place and break if you leave it hanging open over corrugations. Cut the coax cable to length as coiling it will cause interference. Might want to look at a stronger antenna as well. That one may go snap on bad corrugations.

[@fhunjunkie]

Mount up high for water crossings? Are the gloveboxes water tight?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I very much doubt it, but if I have water inside up to the glovebox, I have major problems!

[@abdielsan1169]

Super! 🚜❤👍

[@christurner68]

You picked the wrong radio to install discretely. You should have gone a gme Xrs 370 smaller form factor and remote installation option also.

[@yorkchris10]

All I knew about radios was keep the supply isolated from radio as it is "grounded" . At work, the foreman was always close to a radio. If we couldn't reach someone we'd say "they're maintaining radio silence" . It was a joke for when they were busy or poor reception.

[@PaydayGabeBCNV]

Good job Dan,, K.I.S.S.👍. Cb radio is not as popular as it once was decades ago here in the States. Unless you're a Trucker🤷‍♂️. Don't quote me,, but most of the Overland crowd here have been using the small handheld Walkie talkies for nearby com, or the more expensive ham radio/ whatever stuff for longer coms. Too much BS for me actually 🥴. And as you said, you're out there for a very reason. The solitude is a wonderful thing 👍. Cheers 🍻, G.

[@obxjeepguy]

CB in Australia is UHF FM carrier. 476 MHz.

[@markbleavins4039]

Check see how much heat it generates, and how much air it needs to breath

[@eastcoastoverlandadventure3961]

Did you give any consideration to a handheld radio? That's what I've been using for many of the reasons you mentioned (out of sight, out of mind; occasional use; minimal impact).

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I didn't really, I figured the ones with the "proper" antenna are much stronger ?

[@eastcoastoverlandadventure3961]

@@TheRoadChoseMe You can still run an external antenna on the handheld radios. At least in the US you can. Can also use a magnet mount external antenna if you don't want to deal with a bracket-mounted antenna. That said, I think for what you're doing and where you're going your setup will work nicely.

[@mickeydyke392]

I feel the same way about the radio. My husband wants me to have it when I go remote, but I haven’t turned it on yet!

[@SamCarleton]

the mandatory radio, do they specify it has to be a CB, or are other types of radios acceptable as long as you do have a two-way radio?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I'm not 100% certain, I think "UHF" radio.

[@globalgregors]

UHF. In the event of a search they use light aircraft in those regions mentioned due to availability/distances involved. Much easier for all concerned if the aircraft and vehicle can communicate.

[@steveem7032]

CB's have a very limited range due to the limited power, typically under 4 watts. They are also limited to line of sight. Unless you put an amp on it I doubt it will do much good except for the vehicles traveling with you. Our off road group has switched to the Baofeng handheld ham radios. They transmit up to 8 watts, are super cheap (under $40 US) and allow use in frequencies outside the ham band. If you get your license, which is super easy, you can use local repeaters for even greater distance. That is if your govt even allows that radio into the country.

[@VideosOffRoad]

My understanding is that CBs in Australia are completely different from CBs in the USA. In Australia they're more like UHF Ham radios. We share the same term, but they apply to two very different things.

[@steveem7032]

@@VideosOffRoad I stand corrected. Australia uses ham band freqs the US requires a license for.

[@cliffmorgan31]

Is the speaker in the microphone?

[@GATORADDAM]

I was thinking the same thing. If I were going to use something as antiquated as a CB and wanted it stealth I'd have gotten one with all the controls and speaker on the mic. Like a Midland.

[@riptide19011]

How many people still use CBs vs VHFs?

[@riptide19011]

@@vickey59 The reason I ask is that in Canada the CB band is 26-27 MHz. And while it used to be used a lot by truckers and such, it's barely used any more as almost everyone uses VHF (150/180 MHz).

[@riptide19011]

@@vickey59 That was why I was asking about CB.

[@robmacca67]

I would be careful of that spring base rubbing against your panel when going through the bush...

[@daveybernard1056]

I wonder if that radio has SSB?

[@obxjeepguy]

In Australia they are UHF FM.

[@christhenstudent5308]

Way. Have. A. Cb radio. My. Cb. Radio. In. Plane Site.. in. My. Car. With. A. Alarm. On. It.

[@elliothuh669]

A SSB/AM CB will get you out of the Congo potentially. more likely on SSB.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

What you have to remember though is that isn't helpful. Even if someone can hear you, they have no ability to get to you - going somewhere to apply for the visa, waiting, getting it, physically getting to and crossing the border, then trying to get into wherever you are. That's measured in weeks, and by then you will have found locals to help.

[@elliothuh669]

@@TheRoadChoseMe Even local contacts are easier on SSB. If they also have a SSB. just saying

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Local? Who is in the country that can help you? Also, in many countries in Africa such a radio is highly illegal and the military will not look kindly on it.

[@eugeneenslow8563]

You've probably already covered this...did you consider the Gladiator Mojave? IMO it is better engineered suspension and gearing for overlanding and desert travel than the Rubicon. Your thoughts?

[@thecybermind]

They don't sell it in Australia.

[@christhenstudent5308]

You know gump tied the. Antenna. Cable. Will. Not. Work. You will lose. Signal. You. Will. Not. Here anybody.😢

[@niki3151]

I mean, if it is not on and annoying, it is of no use.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Sure, but I only want that maybe 5% of the time I'm driving - i.e. when I'm in the Simpson keep it on and annoying. When I'm on the Great Ocean Road? Not so much.

[@UTVPOWERSPORTS]

Why did you chose CB over GMRS? Just curious?

[@mib8519]

GMRS is not legal to use in Australia

[@obxjeepguy]

UHF CB is 476 MHz in Australia.

[@Mississippi_RC_Addict]

Just stay off channel 6 all the big dogs will step on you and you won’t be able to transmit. Also normal CB radios are only 4watts. You’ll want an amp to boost your output. But there are laws stating that you can only use up to 4watts. Just be aware installing an amp is illegal although a ton of people do it.

[@VideosOffRoad]

My understanding is that CBs in Australia are completely different from CBs in the USA. In Australia they're more like UHF Ham radios. We share the same term, but they apply to two very different things.

[@rickfetz469]

Might want to build a “mask storage unit” for all the Covid masks that everyone is wearing? :)

[@krasnaludek298]

🤡 comment - nobody wears masks in my area. They don’t work, unless you have an expensive medical/commercial ventilator unit.

[@T25de]

I have a HAM license but don’t use it for shit 😑

[@GATORADDAM]

That's the strangest thing I've ever heard of... That you have to have a CB to cross a desert! It sounds good in theory, but with the ridiculously short range of a CB radio I wouldn't even consider it a safety option in remote areas. A SPOT or satellite communicator of some sort is the way to go.

[@christurner68]

Obviously not living here in Australia

[@VideosOffRoad]

I believe a "CB" radio in Australia is not like a "CB" radio in the USA. In the USA CB radios operate in the 27 MHz range and typically on amplitude modulation and only about 4 watts of power max. In Australia "CB" radios are UHF and much more like Ham radios (without the repeaters), though I don't know the details of typical frequencies and maximum power allowed. It sounds like they have a "standard" channel (Channel 40) which is akin to USA classic CB channel 19. So even though it's likely only simplex communication, if everyone is monitoring the standard "driving" channel you're much more likely to be heard when calling for help, I think, than in the USA on really any CB channel. Though I do completely agree with you, a satellite messenger (or phone) is a much more reliable way to call for help. I have a Garmin InReach Explorer+ myself, for that purpose.

[@MichaelRCarlson]

You're just repeating overland forum FUD. CB, properly installed and tuned, is a fine tool and has good range. Problem is no one knows how to install and tune them properly anymore then blames the tool rather than their lack of knowledge.

[@GATORADDAM]

@@MichaelRCarlson Bottom line is.... CBs are ancient technology, at least in the US. In Australia, IDK. Everything is illegal over there so it may be the only option. As a kid I alway wanted to go to Australia. But as I learned more about it, no thanks. You can barely own a gun there. You have to have a permit to take sh*t. You can't have large tires on your 4x4 without and engineers plan and pay big money? GMRS radios are illegal? You have to quarantine at your expense yet they're having an outbreak and locking down again?! No thanks! It started out a prison colony and seems things haven't changed much!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

@Tom A - Wait till you see how stunningly beautiful it is, then decided if it's worth the hassle or not! Remember - driving around Africa was a huge pain in the backside and easily the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. It was well, well worth it.