Looking to buy first CB, any info is appreciated

Where are you going to be using this radio? Pickup? Company truck? RV? Slipseat operation? We need a little more info.

 

First off, that's too much money, and they're selling you more antennas than you need. Unless you're really dedicated to the idea, running two antennas (which is called a co-phased setup) isn't necessary, and is harder to get installed and tuned properly than a single antenna. That kit also doesn't come with a noise-cancelling microphone, which is just about essential for talking on the cb in a moving truck.

For a radio, check out the specials at the truck stop chains, one of them will usually have a special on a Cobra 25 or 29 or a Uniden 68 or 78 for $80 or so. I've never owned one with the weather band, but the general consensus on them is they're not great. Most of the factory AM/FM radios in trucks also have weather band, so having it on your CB might also be redundant.

Then get a good noise cancelling microphone. I prefer the Astatic 636, but the Road King 56 is also popular. You can get find a 636 on Ebay for under $25 shipped.

What you do for an antenna is going to depend a lot on what kind of truck you drive, so I'm just going to tell you what you'll need for a standard mirror-mount install.

The Wilson 2000 is a fine antenna, and for something you can buy in every truckstop, it's hard to beat. The 5000 is good too, but it's really overkill for what you'll be using it for. I personally prefer a GOOD top loaded fiberglass antenna, but they aren't usually carried at truckstops. You can buy a Firestick fiberglass antenna just about anywhere, but honestly I've always heard bad things about them so I've never really given them a chance. I've been running a Skipshooter fiberglass antenna for the last month, and I've been pleased with it so far. (somebody is bound to interject here and tell you that the best mobile antenna is a 102" whip with a 6" spring, but they're really not practical for use on a truck)

You'll need a good coax (antenna cable), something like this. Then you'll need a good mount and stud, something like this.

And really, if you're going to do it all yourself, you'll need a SWR meter so you can check (and set if necessary) the SWR of your antenna setup. I have one of these, I like it, it gets the job done, and it can also be used as a matcher, although I don't. It will also let you know what kind of power you're putting out. Some radios, like the Cobra 29, come with a built in SWR meter, but the newer ones are known for being inaccurate. I'm not going to explain SWR here, do a search, it's all over on this forum and the internet.

If you don't know of a good CB shop that tunes radios with an oscilloscope (at the very least) you're better off not letting anybody inside of the radio for now.

That'll get you started anyway, there's all kinds of information on the particulars of each of these items on here if you search for them.

 

Cobra 29 is always good. The Galaxy 929 or 959 is good too.

 

The Cobra 25 you listed is a good radio to start out with. In fact for a first timer, I always recommend a Cobra 25 or a Uniden PC 68. Both are good radios that have just what you need, nothing more, nothing less.

I'd steer clear of the night watch models as the transformer tends to burn out for the back lighting, and costs about as much as the radio to fix. Unless you really need to see the radio at night, I'd stick with the non night watch version of the Cobra 25.

The weather feature on the Cobra 25 is nice if you don't have weather on your truck's radio. It can/will alert you of severe weather in the area. Good to have when you're in the middle of Kansas/Oklahoma/Texas and the national weather service in that area sends out a warning just before the tornado touches down. Just make sure you keep the weather band in the off position unless you predict bad weather or it may suddenly beep and scare you.

Wilson antennas are considered to be some of the best.

I'll echo most of what Josh C has said, just be careful buying your stuff from truck stops as most of it is overpriced and geared for the OTR trucker when his radio gear dies on him. Usually you can find the same equipment much cheaper if you buy before you head out.

 

go with the cobra 29 lx le. it has a better weather band (10 channels)and i like the display much better

 

Try e-bay stick with reputable brands.

 

http://www.rightchannelradios.com/ HERE IS A GOOD PLACE ALSO, THEY VIDEO'S ON WHAT YOU ARE BUYING HOW TO SET IT UP.

 

Oh, you mean the place original poster linked to in his original post! The one with the overpriced radio kits. That place. Yeah. Good advice.