New guy here...about to pull the trigger on a purchase. need input

[K2DMG]

Originally Posted by clantonman1983

Um, no. And what in the previous post gave you the idea that I would? Nothing against them, I just already have an antenna that I use. Why? is there something illegal about that too? or does it hurt your hammie feelings?

Gosh you are really something. I thought I was talking to the person who started the thread.

You have a serious problem. Why do you get so defensive over everything? You should have known I was talking to the other guy and not you. You sir need a good swift kick in the ###. This is the Internet not a boxing ring. Your attitude is not needed in this online forum.

[clantonman1983]

And I suppose your going to give it to me?

geez man, don't take it so personal. atleast your not as bad as Gadfly.

[Basic13]

Gentlemen....my thread is getting sidetracked....LOL

Anyways, just wanted to let everyone know I have done a little bit of reconsideration.

I think I am going to forget about mounting the cb on the jetta, I figured I am really only going to ever use it on my jeep.

I went into a cb shop today, talked to a guy who seemed to know his stuff. He explained the midland is very limited, her recommended the Cobra 29 or the Cobra 25. For a few dollars more it seems like the 29 would make sense but it is really large, as for the SWR ability I doubt I would ever use that anyways.

I think I am going to get a Cobra 25, he said that he could hook up the unit to use the cigerette ac plug...any reason not to hook it up like that?

[Turbo-T]

Hi Basic13

I personally recommend a Cobra 25 radio or a Uniden 68. And I also recommend for an antenna a Wilson 1000.

I recommend these because IMO the Wilson 1000 is the best all around antenna as is the Cobra 25/Uniden 68.

Not sure how compact you want to get but the two radios I mentioned are fairly small but not as big as a Cobra 29.

Yes the only real difference between a Cobra 25 and a 29 is the 29 has the built in SWR meter which is really not very accurate....and you ALWAYS should use an external meter when checking/setting SWR.

You can do the cigarette lighter plug dead, the reason it's avoided is because when you hook the radio directly to the battery, there's less change of noise induced into the radio which makes it hard to hear others.....and also because there's less electrical loss since it's coming from the source and not thru a maze of wires.

[drkwlf1969]

My personal vehicle had a lil wil and a cobra 19 and it did awesome...I live in the mountains and I got 2-4 miles with clarity. Of course on the highway, I got my Connex 4600 Turbo with Stryker Antenna and 18' coax, and some other goodies...but its for the job...lol.

[boeing46]

Originally Posted by outerspacehillbilly

Since you are on a fixed budget I would suggest trying the local cb sho for a nice used radio like a cobra 25 and spend a little more on the antenna. The lil wil is not a good antenna. If no inexpensive used radio's maybe a new cobra 19 , which can be bought at walmart for i think 29.99 and then have it peaked and tuned with a better antenna. On that midland radio you'll be lucky to get 1 1/2 mile range with a lil wil. The midland radio is ok but a better antenna is needed IMO. You can hold a conversation 6-10 miles on a cheap radio with a good antenna or maybe 2 miles on a great radio and a cheap antenna. Antenna is most important part of your setup.

All very good info but a great antenna sucks if it doesn't have a good SWR.
$100 is very cheap. I think he should go up to $150 for a better radio, antenna and a professional tune.
He will be much happier for the extra $50.
A Cobra 25-29 and a Wilson 1000 will work for years.

[Lightninrod]

That's the CB we have in our Murano. It's a very small, Cobra 19 DX IV. The internet shop I bought it from tuned and aligned and it works very well, feeding a Lil Will set right in the middle of the roof. I've received traffic info from truckers at about 5 miles away. Transmit works about that far too if channel 19 isn't too crowded.

I plug it into the cigarette lighter port. IMO, that's adequate for 4 watt CBs. Now exports; that's a whole nother situation and my two exports are connected directly to the vehicle's battery.

And, PM me if you want the dealer.