Simple Setup for a Newbie

I guess this shows how often I go to Best Buy.

 

The cobra 29 has all of the NOAA channels. When the sky looks bad, I check the weather. In the winter I check to see what is brewing in the area. I also like to know wind speeds.

The best thing is having the alert set at night and a bad storm brews. Being in the truck is not exactly the best place to be. I have been woke up before for tornado warnings in west texas. Unfortunately, it also goes off for watches too.

The antenna on the pumpkin truck should be okay for what he needs.

For the price difference and just starting out, get the cobra 19. I would not spend any large sums, he may want something different and maybe not.

 

*psst ... I'd get the 29 .. its more manly than the 19 Well besides that I beleive that the 29 has the added conveniences of a noise blanker and automatic noise limiter to drown out the engine ignition noise that may interfere with reception and it is more selective (just better circuit layout) to keep interference from other channels from disrupting your channel. Also most CB cut-outs in trucks where the radio goes is at the cobra 29 dimensions.

 

Do you know a driver who doesn't at least think about having it worked on every day? Regardless of what kind it is LOL

 

m just ripping on ford.... being a gmc guy myself....

 

the 29 is going for 79.00 at truckstops. i'll sell you mine for sixty. heck it just sits in the box in the closet. i don't use it anymore.

 

Personally I would spend the extra money now and get the 29 then he wont waste the money on the 19 now only to upgrade a few months down the road....

 

i prefer uniden radios myself . if you want a great deal on a new radio go to <dead link removed by moderator> and get the uniden 68xl for 80 bucks . it comes with a free tuning and alignment so youre all set . also uniden is offering a 30 buck rebate on those radion till the end of the year . if he wants something bigger and flashier a uniden 78 Elite would fit the bill . they have 40 buck rebates till the end of the year . if he wants SSB capability id go with galaxy . i dont care for exports myself , but theres plenty of folks that love them .
DTB radio is the galaxy man in my opinion .
........................and we all know what opinioins are like . LOL

 

Because you specified money is tight right now, a compact CB radio from Cobra (model 19) or a Uniden [sorry don't know the correct model number probably something like "Pro 510"] would fill the bill nicely. If you had access to more cash I would suggest a Cobra 29 or Uniden PC78. But times are tight right now and I am sure you could put the limited funds to better use than purchasing a CB radio. I am trying to be practical here.
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Unless the truckstop has a sale or sizeable discount, I would go to Walmart or Target. Unfortunately you missed the sales on CB radios. TA truckstops had Cobra 29 on sale during May & June of 2008 for only $70. I believe Love's truckstop chain had Uniden PC 78 on sale for $70 in September 2008. Maybe sales are an annual thing.
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Any CB radio has a legal limit of 4 watts of output power. A more expensive CB radio does not have more power. The [compact] Cobra 19 or compact Uniden are good basic radios that will get the job done although without all the frills.
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The antenna on the Schneider truck will probably be okay just not great. When cash flow is better, an inexpensive Francis antenna among several other brands would be a nice addition if the truck's current antenna is inadequate. I would not be in any hurry to replace the existing antenna if it is adequate. I say Francis because you just mount and use it. No tuning is required. This is an advantage if you don't know how to tune the antenna.
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Another alternative to purchasing a new CB radio would be to buy a used CB radio. With the high turnover of drivers, hubby may find someone selling their radio cheap. Hubby should ask around. Make sure the seller puts the radio in hubby's truck and hubby tries it out before paying the money. Being in a shrink rapped box means nothing. Try it to see that it works or no deal.
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Hubby may also consider going to a CB shop and inquiring about CB radios that have been abandoned due to non-payment. Hopefully, he can get a good deal.
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I wish you and you husband well.