The so-called Citizens band radio is good for two things: getting in contact with your buds and calling for help. When youāre off-roading with friends, you always want to stay in contact. Having a direct line of communication with emergency services is even more important. You never know where the wilderness will take you on your next adventure. And thereās nothing worse than being stranded in the middle of nowhere with no help.
In this post, Iāll help you pick the best CB radio for Jeep Wrangler. I selected three radios that will be a perfect fit for this legendary SUV. They are easy to operate, easy to mount and come with a long list of extra features. The frequency ranges are different, though, as are the pros and the cons. So, join us, and letās see which device has what it take to grab your attention.
Buyerās Guide
Before you pay hard-earned dollars to buy a CB radio, itās important to know in advance what youāre looking for. Sadly, most off-road drivers donāt have even the slightest idea about these devices and canāt differentiate an average radio from the best pick(s). So, letās go ahead and take a look at the key factors that need to be considered when out shopping. Iāll try to keep it as simple and donāt-to-Earth as possible, without any āgeek talkā.
The Size
Yes, size does really matter, but not in the way you might think. The thing is ā there isnāt much space in a Jeepās interior, and the smaller the radio, the better. Ease of installation is one of the first things you gotta check before even considering a CB radio. Plus, keep your eyes on the package. It should come with all the necessary hardware, including bolts, nuts, and a mounting bracket. A mic holder and a detailed guide/manual would also be quite useful.
The Display, Meters, and Indicators
The user interface, or the display, can also make it or break it for a CB radio. You want a device with clear, bright controls on the LCD. Thatās especially true for fans of driving during the night or early in the morning. You donāt want to be leaning towards the radio to make sense of the buttons and text/data instead of keeping your eye on the road. If you choose one of the three radios we discussed today, youāll get high-quality backlit displays.
As for the meters and indicators, the more, the merrier. The most important ones are the transmission and the signal strength meters. Then Iāve got the SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) meter: it keeps tabs on the Antenna and helps you make the right adjustments to improve performance. Some advanced CB radios feature dozens of indicators, but for a regular driver, theyāre not even necessary.
The Emergency Channel
Also known as channel 9, it was specifically designed for emergency use. You wonāt have to fine-tune the radio before you get to the right channel: just switch to channel #9, and thatās it. Most radios can be switched between channels 9 and 19 with the push of one button/knob. Channel 19 is mostly used to report something on the road (like bad conditions). Therefore, donāt forget to switch back to it to get all the latest insights from fellow drivers.
Weather-related Alerts
To get important reports about the weather, the radio will need to have access to the NOAA channels. They are constantly updated (in real-time) and can, potentially, save a life by warning of an upcoming storm or other harsh conditions. Sadly, not all CB radios have this feature.
Best CB Radio for Jeep Wrangler (Updated December, 2024)
Product | Product Information | View on Amazon |
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Editor’s Choice
1) Uniden PRO505XL |
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2) Uniden BEARCAT 980 |
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3) Cobra 29LTD Professional |
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