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Cb advice

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by cobra29, Jan 29, 2012.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Jan 29, 2012 #1
    cobra29

    cobra29 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 29, 2012
    Corydon, IN
    0
    Hey fellow truckers, im a new member to this forum and im seeking some advice and tips on cb radios. Ive got a Cobra 29 LTD Classic, bone stock with 4' mirror mounted fiberglass antennae (top load). I was wondering if anyone can inform me as to what all the knobs do on this radio? I know about the basic ones like squelch, volume and tuning knob but what are the functions/uses of the others, dyna mic, delta tune etc?

    Also, what are the best antennaes? Ive just got a top load 4' fiberglass and have heard these type are hit and miss as far as thier effectiveness. A couple drivers where i work use the k40 and one guy uses one of those silver spiral ones. I plan on getting my radio tuned up soon so what do you guys recommend?
     
    cobra29, Jan 29, 2012
    cobra29, Jan 29, 2012
    #1
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  3. Jan 29, 2012 #2
    Tricky Rick

    Tricky Rick Light Load Member

    177
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    Oct 25, 2010
    Northwest Mississippi
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    Welcome. You can download the manual from Cobra.com. to find out about the knobs. I run the same exact radio and the easy, quick way for me was to get a "pre-tuned" 5 1/2 Francis fiberglass with a good 18' piece of coax. It works much better than most 4 ft. ones. Another option is to get a 5 1/2' Skipshooter or another antenna that you can tune. Depends on how close you are to a good tech, who can set it correctly. There are many, many options, but the Francis works for me.
     
    Tricky Rick, Jan 29, 2012
    Tricky Rick, Jan 29, 2012
    #2
  4. Jan 29, 2012 #3
    cobra29

    cobra29 Bobtail Member

    27
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    Jan 29, 2012
    Corydon, IN
    0
    Thanx trickyrick, i got another buddy that does use a francis and he swears by them. There is only one cb shop in my area but im not sure if id trust them to do much to my radio. After i posted this i did find a downloadable manual from cobra and read it some, it filled in some blanks i had. I think i should replace my coax, its the roadpro brand from pilot. Is it true that you want to keep your coax as short as possible for maximum effiecency? Id heard that alot of coiled up extra coax can imped your radio. I got 18' i think, my radio is installed in my assigned tractor, 2000 freightliner classic daycab.
     
    cobra29, Jan 29, 2012
    cobra29, Jan 29, 2012
    #3
  5. Jan 29, 2012 #4
    Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Hesperia, Ca.
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    Just make sure the antenna clears the the van trailer unless your run duals. And Francis is an great antenna for the price.
     
    Diesel Dave, Jan 29, 2012
    Diesel Dave, Jan 29, 2012
    #4
  7. Jan 29, 2012 #5
    cobra29

    cobra29 Bobtail Member

    27
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    Jan 29, 2012
    Corydon, IN
    0
    Ok, i dont have that to worry about though, i pull a framed end dump trailer and its like 10 feet between the front of the trailer and the cab of my tractor
     
    cobra29, Jan 29, 2012
    cobra29, Jan 29, 2012
    #5
  8. Jan 29, 2012 #6
    Bill104

    Bill104 <b>Pepsiholic</b>

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    Leave the coax at 18 feet, its required for the tuning with the radio, but don,t coil it up just lay it out in long lengths , my self i like the wilsons used them for years
     
    Bill104, Jan 29, 2012
    Bill104, Jan 29, 2012
    #6
  9. Jan 29, 2012 #7
    DX-trinity

    DX-trinity Light Load Member

    82
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    Jan 29, 2012
    Ashton, NE
    0
    Coax length don't really matter,two antennas I would not run,I would just run one.I asked an old CB tech if two antennas made a difference and he asked me if a radio station tower had one or two antennas?made cents to me.As for as the coax thing your signal runs in 3 foot intervals.3,6,12 and 18.If you are running a base you need to know that.As for as us truck driver we can only buy it in 3,6,12 and 18.In less you make it.
     
    DX-trinity, Jan 29, 2012
    DX-trinity, Jan 29, 2012
    #7
  10. Jan 29, 2012 #8
    Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Hesperia, Ca.
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    You MUST 2 antennas ONLY if your pulling a Van trailer and the antennas are shorter then the Van. The signal has to clear the top of the trailer or else you won't hear anything behind you. Yes I recommend only 1 which I run a Wilson 1000, and it clears top of a van trailer if I was to pull one, but I do Flat's.
     
    Diesel Dave, Jan 29, 2012
    Diesel Dave, Jan 29, 2012
    #8
  11. Jan 30, 2012 #9
    Tricky Rick

    Tricky Rick Light Load Member

    177
    91
    Oct 25, 2010
    Northwest Mississippi
    0
    I would replace the antenna with a 5 1/2 ft. Francis first. Just unscrew the 4' one, and put the new one in the mount. I think you will see a pretty good improvement. I usually can talk 4-5 miles under average conditions and sometime more. And its legal. You can also put the antenna on the air hose slide bar, right in the center, with a vice grip mount. Those antennas go for under $25 at most places.
     
    Tricky Rick, Jan 30, 2012
    Tricky Rick, Jan 30, 2012
    #9
  12. Jan 30, 2012 #10
    WA4GCH

    WA4GCH Road Train Member

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    Aug 12, 2009
    Seminole Florida
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    IF the antenna is working correctly the coax length does not matter.
     
    WA4GCH, Jan 30, 2012
    WA4GCH, Jan 30, 2012
    #10
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