What is a good Starter cb for a new trucker?

Cobra 25 or a 29 classic . They are fairly cheap and do a good job. Uniden pc 78 are good too.

 

Also the Uniden PC68XL is a very good radio, and easy to use. Very similar to the cobra 25.

 

I wouldn’t go lower in price than a

Uniden 980 AM/SSB

About $125. No need to allow anyone inside of it.

To better the performance of this radio with another means more than doubling the expense.

A $75 RM ITALY KL203 Amp off EBay, and a $200 DSP Speaker in addition will give better than “Big Radio” performance. “Hear & Get Heard”. Work towards that.

First, though, is antenna system. Most company trucks favor top-load antennas. A favorite here around is SKIPSHOOTER brand.

Search by truck for what others have done re antenna mounts. Re-Open that thread or threads. Radio is fine, but antenna system is King.

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Cobra 29 LTD. Get it peaked, and tuned by a professional. She will work well for many years to come. P.S add a Road King 56 mic for better clarity.

 

My cobra 29 gets better range and reception than a lot of expensive units. Just get a Wilson antenna and trim it with a cheap swr meter. The meter on the unit is ok but not as accurate as one you install in line. Wilson antenna comes with instructions on how to trim it with an swr meter

 

I ran one for years, but upgraded to a General Lee many,many years ago with Road King 56 mic, and dual Monkey Made antennas. I also run a Superstar 158EDX radio. My fleet of trucks are all equipped with either General Lee, or Connex 4600 HP radios.

 

How do you like it compared to the 29 and what do other drivers say about your transmission

 

I love it. She will walk and talk for miles. This is without running my linear amp. I run talkback so i can hear my transmissions, and if adjustment is needed. So far i have had her set and have never had to adjust after that.

 

My Radioactive General Lee today talked 100 miles to 3 watt down in Crystal Springs, 70 miles to Family Man in Houston, Ms, 55 miles to Road Agent in Longview, Ms, and could hear WW in Philadelphia MS about 110 miles. This is pretty common.
Radioactive General Lee, 18 foot of RG8, 6 foot skip shooter.