Quoted:
Im looking to put a CB in both of my family vehicles for general use and especially if cell phone comms go down.

- What settup will give me the best quality and range?  
A good quality antenna such as Wilson mounted in the center of your car's roof. If not pratical then the center of the trunk lid. If you want to be able to radio home then you'll need a home(base) radio and antenna. I'd recommend a single sideband (SSB) base and mobile radios for best distance.
- Where/what or who should I look for to install?
Car audio places a lot of times will install mobile CBs. As to base install I can't help you there. I've done my own for 40 years.
Any and all tips or opinions are appreciated.

Quoted:
Marine band radios may also be worth looking into.

Quoted:

That's an exceptionally bad idea.  FCC actively looks for marine band violators, they're low hanging fruit for the enforcement guys.

If you're serious about comms you have two options:

Get a GMRS license and install a couple of 50w mobiles.
Both of you get amateur radio licenses and get a couple of mobiles.  This far and away gives you the most flexibility and performance.

If you do decide to go with CB, a good quality antenna (I'd suggest a DC grounded PCTel-Maxrad) installed right will make as much difference as anything.  CB is a pretty poor choice in reliable communications though.

Quoted:
if you don't run an illegal amp, CB's are limited to 5 watts

you "may" be able to communicate as far as 10miles (if you're both in the great salt lake flats)

IMHO if you are wanting something to replace cellphones, you need to look into HAM radio.

Quoted:
I know the use of them is not legal, but the guys around here that coyote hunt ALL use them.  They can't be enforcing these laws (at least in this area) with any force or regularity.  They aren't even hard to spot, the antenna is white and stands out like a sore thumb.  YMMV

Quoted:

AR-Jedi has posted in the amateur radio forum numerous examples of enforcement action against people illegally using marine radios inland.  It's really easy to do enforcement on illegal marine use in inland areas, and the fines are steep (~$10,000), so it's an attractive area for enforcement activity.

And they're crazy if they are using white "marine" antennas instead of regular VHF high band mobile antennas.

Quoted:


CB is limited to 4w AM and 12w on SSB.

Quoted:
Marine band radios may also be worth looking into.

II.  BACKGROUND

    2.   On March 5, 2004, the Commission's New Orleans
Office of the Enforcement Bureau (``New Orleans Office'')
received a complaint about the misuse of VHF marine radios
along the Arkansas River in Arkansas.  Agents from the New
Orleans Office contacted several employees of the Arkansas
Game and Fish Commission, who stated they had been trying
unsuccessfully to stem the use of VHF marine radios by area
hunters.  Despite their efforts to educate hunters that such
use of VHF marine radios is illegal, the employees stated
hunters continued to use marine frequencies for hunting
activities.

    3.   On November 13, 2004, the opening day of deer
hunting season, agents from the New Orleans Office used
radio direction finding techniques to determine that the
source of a signal on 156.325 MHz (VHF marine channel 66)
was coming from a 1994 green GEO Tracker in Pulaski County,
Arkansas.  The driver of the vehicle was observed talking
into a radio microphone.  The agents determined that the
driver of the vehicle was Mr. McKinney and that the vehicle
was registered under his name.  A search of Commission
records provided no authorization for Mr. McKinney to
operate on this frequency.

<...>

    7.   Based on the evidence before us, we find that, on
November 13, 2004, Mr. McKinney willfully7 violated Section
301 of the Act by operating an unlicensed radio transmitter
on 156.325 MHz.

    8.   Pursuant to Section 1.80(b)(4) of the Commission's
Rules (``Rules''),8 the base forfeiture amount for operation
without an instrument of authorization is $10,000.  In
assessing the monetary forfeiture amount, we must also take
into account the statutory factors set forth in Section
503(b)(2)(D) of the Act, which include the nature,
circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation, and
with respect to the violator, the degree of culpability, any
history of prior offenses, ability to pay, and other such
matters as justice may require.9  Considering the entire
record and applying the factors listed above, this case
warrants a $10,000 forfeiture.

IV.  ORDERING CLAUSES

    9.   Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to
Section 503(b) of the Act,10 and Sections 0.111, 0.311 and
1.80 of the Rules,11 Danny R. McKinney is hereby NOTIFIED of
this APPARENT LIABILITY FOR A FORFEITURE in the amount of
ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for willful violation of
Section 301 of the Act by operating an unlicensed
transmitter on 156.325 MHz.

Quoted:
- What settup will give me the best quality and range?  
- Where/what or who should I look for to install?
Any and all tips or opinions are appreciated.

Quoted:


unlawful.
stupid.
potentially expensive.
example, 5 seconds with Google results in:
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-258045A1.html

Quoted:







unlawful.

stupid.

potentially expensive.



example, 5 seconds with Google results in:

http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-258045A1.html

 8.   In his response to the NAL, Mr. McKinney asserts 
that a $10,000 forfeiture would produce a financial hardship 
and requests that the forfeiture be cancelled or 
significantly reduced.  The Commission has determined that, 
in general, an entity's gross revenues are the best 
indicator of its ability to pay a forfeiture.11  After 
reviewing Mr. McKinney's tax returns, we conclude that a 
reduction of the forfeiture to $1,000 would be appropriate.  

     9.   Mr. McKinney also requested a reduction or 
cancellation of the forfeiture, because he removed the radio 
from his vehicle and is willing to turn over the radio to 
the Commission.  Mr. McKinney's remedial actions to cease 
operation of the unlicensed transmissions, however, are 
expected and do not warrant a cancellation or reduction in 
the forfeiture amount.12  Finally, Mr. McKinney asked for a 
reduction in the forfeiture, because his use of the radio 
was limited and he did not intend to cause interference to 
other users.  As stated above, a violator need not intend to 
violate the Act or the Rules or to cause interference for a 
violation to be willful.  Accordingly, we find no basis to 
reduce the forfeiture below $1,000.

     10.  We have examined Mr. McKinney's response to the 
NAL pursuant to the statutory factors above, and in 
conjunction with the Forfeiture Policy Statement.  As a 
result of our review, we conclude that Mr. McKinney 
willfully violated Section 301 of the Act.  Although 
cancellation of the proposed monetary forfeiture is not 
warranted, reduction of the forfeiture amount to $1,000 is 
appropriate based on Mr. McKinney's demonstrated inability 
to pay.

Quoted:


That's how we know who's chasing coyotes.  The white antennaes give it away immediately.  I didn't realize they were getting after people for it.  It is very common here in south central nebraska.

Quoted:
Im looking to put a CB in both of my family vehicles for general use and especially if cell phone comms go down.

- What settup will give me the best quality and range?  
- Where/what or who should I look for to install?

Any and all tips or opinions are appreciated.

Quoted:
Im very interested in the HAM now also.  How much would a basic truck mounted HAM radio cost?  One reason I like the CB is the economy of it.

How much is the range negatively effected on CB by being in the city?

Quoted:







just got one for $160....antenna will run about $50 to $100.....ebay is golden for used equipment.

Quoted:
Marine band radios may also be worth looking into.

Quoted:
The chances of you ever getting caught with out a licence or marine radio are very slim.

Quoted:


A CB is a decent option but probably may not be the best. For the most part the country has gone away from CB except for the truckers. I have a CB in both of my vehicles but don't have a base running. I live so close to an interstate I would have a heck of a time using it. All I would get is truckers.
Someone mentioned a HAM setup, another good option, requires a bit more work on your part and the SOs. You'd still need a base setup to call home to.