Equipment recommendations

[aarupservice]

I was wondering what y'all might suggest for a newbie for on the road. Like a CB, Satalite Radio, cell phone/carrier and internet provider, as well as a computer and software.

I used to service CB radios years ago, but haven't kept up....any help would be appreciated so I can see about getting my vehicle set up.

Jan"Jon" Aarup
Radio Doctor
Ham Radio: KA9FXL
[email protected]

 

[D Team Brothers]

Still consider myself a newby, but all the items you listed are helpful on the road. If you intend to stay out extended amounts of time a laptop with an aircard seems to be a must. CB radio comes in handy to keep up with road conditions and emergencies. XM or Serius radio is so far superior to free radio I can't live without it.

 

[arkjarhead]

As far as cbs go I like the Cobras best myself. I also prefer XM over anyhting else.

 

[LDB]

I'm considering getting a handheld cb so I can use my mirror mounts for ham antennas. I like the Cobra line but Uniden is also very good I believe. Get an inexpensive one and save your money for other things. I have 2 phones, a Sprint and a T-Mobile. I have a Sprint aircard for internet on my laptop. I have both XM and Sirius radios. I think you mentioned a van so a good gps like a Garmin. It doesn't need to be a high number model. That just means more gadgets in it, not better directions. If you have Excel, download the cpm spreadsheet from OOIDA. Spend some of your savings from reasonable gps and cb on a membership in OOIDA. Use anyone's member number you copy off here as a referral and you get a $20 discount. Mine is below and others have theirs in their sig line too. Good luck.

 

[ATeam]

Regarding satellite radio, the Sirius/XM merger seems to be going through. You might want to wait a few months to give the company(s) time to figure out their program offerings, fee schedules and equipment.

I would also suggest making your radio iPod compatible. Many are that way off the shelf. Just something to be sure about. If you own or ever buy an iPod, iPod compatibility will be something you will be glad to have.

 

[cheri1122]

One of the best sources of good ideas are other folks' vehicles, and most are happy to show them off, if you're polite about it.
In all the equipment lists, don't forget a basic atlas!
PS A copy of "The Next Exit" (available at Flying J for around $15) is an excellent resource as well.

 

[greg334]

Phil, I am surprised at that comment, you are usually up on trivial things like mergers, it already was approved in late July.... boom XM is now owned by Sirius making it Sirius XM radio.

I would latch on to an XM radio and get a subscription so you are grandfathered in. I have a feeling this is going to go the same way the cable industry went in the 90's, to a screwed up tier system that has never helped the consumer.

But anywho, a CB is better than none. If you have an old one, get it tuned and put into the vehicle.

Maps are important, Cheri stole my Next Exit comment seeing I just bought a replacement for my 2005 version. Oh maps, get a truckers atlas, I have a spiral bound thing, which is pretty good.

Laptop.

But what ever you do, keep things simple until you get into the swing of things. Sometimes having too much distracts from forming the positive habits you need to run your business.

 

[cheri1122]

Greg, did you find "The Next Exit" at a bookstore? Cause I was under the impression that the Flying Hook was the sole distributor....

 

[Moot]

Here is a link to The Next Exit.


# 1 American Interstate Highway Travel Exit Guide

 

[greg334]

Yep, Barnes and Noble. I was going to buy it at Wal-mart but forgot to grab it. I almost tripped over it, it was on the rack with the atlases.

I didn't see it here at the J in Knoxville.

Now that new health food outlet will be listed instead of me passing it.

 

[cheri1122]

Maybe if the Col is all done panning for gold & buzzing people's bushes, he'll do something productive, and publish a companion book: "The Next Shade Tree", eh?

 

[MCBuggyCo]

I think its important to keep your expenses low when you are starting out. A cell phone with a good roaming plan is a necessity. Satellite radio could wait, especially til they come out with new radios that will be able to receive both XM and Sirius. At this time such devices are not available.