What kind of CB radio for new driver?

OK, I'll bite...but I guarantee you I know about as little about CB's as anyone on here.

I have a Cobra SoundTracker that I bought from a friend who was leaving trucking for a ten spot. I don't have to broadcast to the next county...I just have to receive well enough and transmit well enough for my intended recipient to hear me....mostly for shippers and receivers who page trucks to their docks over the CB.

I usually find occasion to turn mine on during the course of my driving perhaps once or twice a day. But I generally hate to just jawjack on the thing....I'd rather listen to my music.

And, hey...good luck to ya!

 

I picked up an Realistic TRC-415 with coax and wilson whip for 25 bucks off of Kijiji. The next day I got a Cobra 29NWST in almost brand new condition for 40. Also from Kijiji.


Keep your eyes open for deals on craigslist and kijiji.

 

Stay away for the rat shack radio!

A cobra 29/25 or Uniden pc 78/76 would be a good starter radio for around $100.00. BUT.....if you eeeever think that you may want a bigger radio with more power,echo and pretty lights then you may as well get it now rather than spending the cash on a lesser radio to get all of that later on. In this case then you should get a Connex 3300HP or Galaxy 33HP. Both can be had for under $225.00 and will do 50 watts and give you that big radio sound. Do a bunch of mods to a 29 to have all of that and at most cb shops,you will spend more than $225.00 on mods along!

It all depends on what you want and how much your willing to spend to get it.

 

Good starter radios:

Cobra 25 LTD classic
Uniden PC 68XL

A slight upgrade from the two I mentioned (comes with built in inaccurate SWR meter):

Cobra 29 LTD classic
Uniden PC 78XL

If you want back lighting on your radio:

Cobra 29 Nightwatch
Uniden PC 78 Elite
Cobra 25 Nightwatch
Uniden PC 68 Elite

The Connex 3300hp is also a good one, so is the General Lee. However the Connex and the GL are not true CB radios, but "illegal export radios" with capabilities of getting you on the 10 meter ametuer radio band.....which can cost you heavily in fines if you are found to be on there w/o a ham ticket.

 

Since your profile shows your just getting started (student), buy what you can afford now without going cheezy cheap (Wally World, Rat Shack, etc.) Hit a local CB Shop, Pawn Shop, trucking company or online seller like eBay or Craigslist to get a good deal on a good radio. The radios mentioned in the previous posts are more than acceptable and can be picked up used at a fraction of the cost of new.

 

I just ordered a refurbished Galaxy 949 off Ebay for $109.99 shipped....

 

Currently the best deal running is from Pilot or Loves on the Chrome or Black Chrome Cobra 29.
Both have the new noise canceling mic,IMO the best stock mic Cobra has ever offered.
With the rebate offer your still out the door under $80.

Good looks with reasonable features worthy of the money spent.
Depending on your cash flow a trip to a decent CB shop
for a true Connex board,swing kit and you'll be talking as good as any on the road for under $150-$165 which ain't bad for tuned out and "new".

I will never support the use of fiberglass antennas,granted some work and are "good enough" for those that run them.Again,personally their "junk".

Having Good Ears on a radio requires stainless steel,the Wilson 2000 is fairly cheap and nearly indestructible antenna compared to any of the glass sticks on the market.

If you use a reputable shop you have the option to barter on a package deal and get everything Ive mentioned tuned,installed and set for not much over $225.

Check out Sparkys or CustomCBradios for quality ready to run radios shipped to your door.

 

Cobra 29 Classic. Made in the Phillipines. Check out the CB shops. I have one I bought in 1986 and I still have it, could still use it in a truck and would b4 I bought a new one. Sucker will do the job! Most CB shops have them for around $60 or so I think. Get'em to tune it up and TALK!