less expensive cb's?

Just so you know I was the installer at this shop and was learning to repair them on slow days, I could also debate the while watt thing but I don,t like to argue, oh I do all my own cb repairs I own four three are imports and all work just fine.

 

I just went back and read the link profided by cad, if you read it you will see where cobra got there radios in the far east (uniden) which is still the csae today, uniden owns the patents, cobra just changes the face and knobs then adds a mark up.

 

Also be aware of any cb shop telling you they will make you cobra or uniden do 40 watts out the back, unless they ad a huge heat sink it would burn up your finals in two minutes, any shop that spreads coils to ad watts needs avoided aswell, run stock

 

Tune for quility not power and you will have a great long lasting radio that won,t be in a shop for repairs more then in your truck talking. Sorry for the multi posts and poor grammer, this phone limits my words per post, but its all i,m allowed.

 

http://thehighdesertcobra2000club.webs.com/aboutus.htm

 

So Rick youre telling me the new cobras are junk. That may be I have not bought a new cb in years maybe I need to go dig out my old box of junk to fix and sale, i think I have some 148s and 29s in the garage with some 2910s and 2950s and s some plutos etc

 

Not my opinion , just posted the link showing who makes them and where.

 

First, in my opinion, avoid the Cobra model 18. There have been many complaints about that model's durability and reliability. Any other Cobra or even any other radio okay; but, I say no to the Cobra model 18. It is the only radio that I do not recommend.
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It is a dirty little secret that every factory stock cb radio will put out approximately 3 watts of power. The extra cost is for the features and the brand name. And a previous poster is correct that the legal FCC power output of a cb radio is 4 watts.
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During the months of January and February 2012, T/A truckstops have a 10% off sale on Cobra cb radios. Usually, the first six months of the year T/A and Pilot put various cb radios on sale. Sometimes there is a mail-in rebate.
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I do not recommend that you purchase a used radio unless you really know what you are doing. A radio with fried finals may sound okay in the truckstop but is worthless on the road and extremely expensive to fix. Require the seller to hook up the radio in your truck and get some radio checks. If they refuse to let you try the radio in your truck, walk away no matter how good the deal sounds.
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If you must buy used, I much prefer that you search the internet and find the official Uniden site that sells refurbished cb radios with a warranty card for slightly less than new. www.Uniden.com/cb-radios/icat/cbradios_b2c note the "like new" prices are for refurbished radios. Some are reduced $20 from new.

 

This is just my opinion, but I would install the new Cobra 29 and use the factory antenna system and get the SWR checked. You could use the built in meter after you calibrate it, but it won't be as accurate as a stand alone meter, If the SWR is 1.5 or less, it won't hurt your radio. If your radio can get out 4-5 miles, leave it alone. Spending $20-60 on a peak and tune may, or may not increase your distance. Whatever you do, don't get it wack packed. Also, if it doesn't get out, try a Francis 5.5 fiberglass antenna on the air hose slide bar on the rear of the cab, with a vice grip mount. Good luck.