Cobra 29 LTD BT

[Darkschneidr]

Originally Posted by Red Fox

Darkschniedr: I wonder if it's the same old 29 amp? How much swing did you get at what modge?

It is the same amp. The LTD29 BT looks identical to the older 29's in every way shape or form internally, except for the Bluetooth section. Most of the concerns I saw were from people who thought the Bluetooth feature might diminish the performance of the radio, but I can say that I have not seen a single difference so far in the performance between the 2. Pretty much got what everyone else gets from the mod. There are some great sites out there for the mod. Now if I had some really nice antennas... that'll come next.

[Red Fox]

Oh, you're not going to drag me into the "best antenna" argument! Far as I'm concerned, the one I built is the best I've ever seen. (not bragging, really, it IS) For trucking purposes, a simple Wilson 2000 does the job, if you don't like tuning, a Francis stick, and after that, all devidic types of coilyspringythingy things that claim a ground plane effect.

I had a Cobra 25 that I wore two faceplates off of, originally set at 17 watts that just-wouldn't-die! I was always impressed with the 29's tho, because they can put out a good sized modulation without distorting very much. Also as bulletproof.
I'm a believer in quality coax as well.
Cheap is as cheap does.

[Darkschneidr]

I'm with you man. I wouldn't spend a ton of money on antennas, Wilson antennas will do me just fine. I guess really nice was a poor choice of words, but they even the Wilson ones would be a "really nice" improvement over what is on my truck now, lol.

[Rat]

Ya, antennas are a sore spot with me also. Not a big fan of them open coil antennas and to be honest I have reached out farther with a wilson fiberglass then some of them expensive open coil antennas.

I was running Wilson 5 ft fiberglass antennas with the tuneable tip but after having 3 of them fail on me in less then a year it was time for something different.

Went shopping for some wilson 2000s locally but they were expensive. Finally walked into the Petro in Fargo and found Wilson 5000s for less then 10 dollars more then the 2000s. So for 80 a peice I walked out of the Petro with 2 10 inch shaft black Wilson 5000s. Got them installed and tuned flat and am enjoying them except for the extra flex int he wind causing them to get to close to the stacks and cause SWR to go up from reflect. I have them bull horned about 10 degrees right now but I might horn them a few more degrees to see if it helps with the reflect problems.

[Red Fox]

OMG! OMG! As I was sort of putting my new 'road kit' together for when I get back on the road, I went down to the shop to see what I might have to build me a tractor antenna out of, and Lo and Behold, there it was...my 24 year old Wilson 2000! It's not even BLUE anymore, it turned a verdant GREEN. I polished her up and checked with the meter; perfect continuity, so now all I need is to find/build a bracket for her. I'll put a pic of it on here tonite; you gotta see this.
I feel like one of those old army guys who goes to the parade in his bedraggled, ill-fitting old uniform...

Edit 3/24/09: As promised, here it is. Sonofagun had the lettering fade like your old man's navy tatoo! I like the new green color!

[n4mgr]

I bought one of these 29LTD BT radios just before I got laid-off in November. It is a decent CB and after I had the final replaced and tuned it up it works like a champ radio wise. It has issues when on the phone, never seems loud enough to the people I'm talking to. I guess if I had to rate it I would give it a 3.5 out of 5 for what it is.

[FriedTater]

If cost is such an issue why are ya'll still running co-phase sticks ?
You already have two mirrors on the truck,so balance cant be the issue ?

Nothing in Wilson line can compare or compete with a Predator.
Knowing the right vendors can net you the Slugger of the century when
comparing antenna's on cost and performance.
The marketing hype between the Wilson 2K & 5K are just that Hype!

[Red Fox]

Okay, I'll agree that the Predator...and most any stick with MORE METAL SURFACE on the stinger will outperform a thinner one for getting out, not in. You can recieve on a screwdriver or a piece of wire.
I'll agree that there is hype on the Wilsons. And the predator and the diesel and the...but that's advertising...
I think the most important use of the cb is for directions, and very often, the guy you're talking to isn't straight in front or behind you. I've never had problems talking to anyone I could recieve with my one antenna.
To the FRONT, SIDE, BACK, or ABOVE ME! As a longtime radio nut, you will NEVER see two antennas on my truck because of what I know about field effect. That is, until it's proven to me that there is an antenna that will go as a double and NOT narrow the field down to the sides. I live 2 miles from the interstate, and the amount of radios I can't hear that start coming in when I'm getting closer is amazing. Some can't even get back to my base station.
Some of you know Lucky Star, has a route in and out of Atlanta. Really nice and funny black guy, you can hear his clear modulation for 50 miles, but not usually the guys he's talking to, until you get close. He uses one stick behind the cab.
Here's a good thot: anyone got a field test report, properly done, on different CB antennas? Surely there must be one out there.

[Rat]

Predators,and them other overpriced open coils are more hype then anything.

[FriedTater]

Predator 10K's are cheaper then Wilson 5K's so
Hmmmm ? what brand/type of fiberglass stick you running?

Originally Posted by Rat

Predators,and them other overpriced open coils are more hype then anything.