Simple Setup for a Newbie

[bettydiesel]

Hey guys, can you help a gal out here? My husband's out on his first run and wants me to find a CB for him for next time he's home. I've tried reading past posts, but a little too much of all the acronyms, abbreviations, and technical stuff went zwhoop over my head (no, I'm not blond).

Hubby just wants a simple setup that lets him talk to folks on the dock and listen for traffic reports near big cities. Money is a bit tight for us now, but then again, we don't want to waste our money on anything too cheap that he'll have to replace. Something I can go pick up before he gets back would be helpful, too.

Thanks for your help.

[Roadmedic]

Call best buy or walmart and look for a cobra 29. They are around 100.00.

Some truck stops have them too. Unidens are good also. There is no real need to spend high dollars on a radio when you start out. Most of the time mine is in the off position anyway.

[bettydiesel]

Thanks, Roadmedic. I just went to WalMart and all they have is a Cobra 19. Is that too wussy? --I've seen everyone talking about the Cobra 29, as you mention.

Also, does he have to have an antenna?. Sorry if that's a dumb question, I'm completely new to this.

[Roadmedic]

No, its fine. The Cobra 29 has the weather radio built in along with the SW meter.

Most trucks come with the basic radio antenna in it. When I was switching trucks, I never worried about hooking up to the truck as far as standing wave (SW). I had checked a few of the truck antenna's and they were okay.

Best way to find out if he has an antenna is to ask him if there are some on the mirrors.

[junior]

i used the cobra 19 and a walmart mag antenna, which worked good, no tuning needed on my truck

[k7aab]

Depends on the kind of truck he has for the kind of antenna, mag mounts will work fine on a flat roof, if the truck is a high condo type sleeper you will need a mirror bracket mount, if there is a truck stop nearby check them out, there are usually Cobra 29ltd's there, and the mirror bracket mount antennas with the cables included.

[k7aab]

If you go to the global trucker ad here at the bottom of the page you can order one.

[danc694u]

There's no possible way to go wrong with buying a Cobra 29. It's kind of like buying a Ford pick up. You can get it worked on and modified at ANY radio shop in the US.

If I had to pick a radio as a cornerstone for the American Trucker....the Cobra 29 would be it.

PS....no I don't run one (I have in the past). But wouldn't hesitate to buy one in the least.

[thetez]

i dont know if ford was a great acronym for the cobra 29... i mean it makes it sound like youll be needing work done on the radio every other day!

[squirrellsgnwild]

Originally Posted by Roadmedic

Call best buy or walmart and look for a cobra 29. They are around 100.00.

Some truck stops have them too. Unidens are good also. There is no real need to spend high dollars on a radio when you start out. Most of the time mine is in the off position anyway.

Best buy only sells cb stuff online.