New CB's are crap...

I'd go with the Firestik II

 

Thank the epa they said the old finals weren't epa friendly cbs are just like new trucks junk

 

My first washer dryer set lasted 25 years. I've gone threw two the last 5 years. Things are only made to outlast the warranty then break forcing you to buy another these days.

 

Getting worse then. Everything is crap.

 

Sadly, most everything is made in China anymore, and the Chinese kids who build the crap we use, are paid probably a dollar an hour to build it as cheap as they can, thanks to a few greedy Americans who figured out how to pocket more money from profits by hiring cheap labor and cheap workmanship. Ever wonder why you see so many illegal immigrants in the U.S. building houses only for the house to crumble in 20 years? Same concept, the ones banking large are the foreman and (to them, because their country doesn't pay as much of a wage), the illegal immigrants. We the people are the ones who are the ones left suffering, because most of us end up paying top dollar for junk, all because the majority wants good stuff for cheap as opposed to the minority who long for quality, even if it means spending a little more. Welcome to America.

Off my soapbox now...Daycab, best thing I can recommend is look for an older CB that was made in Japan (like your Midland was - hard to believe someone would steal a 23 ch. CB today) or the Philippines. As for the antenna question, DEFINITLEY change out your 2 ft. antennas if you want to get out past 2 miles...IDK about your cheap Pilot Firesticks, but the antenna is the heart and soul of any radio, buy the best....I say a Wilson 2000 will amaze you,

 

I was wondering the same thing about the antennas. Our company trucks are Volvo's and the have those multi-band CB antennas on them. They SWR match pretty good, but seem poor on transmit distance. Would it be better to swap to a pair of straightforward CB whips instead.

And BTW, all this Chinese crap drives me nuts. We live in a disposable society now. It's a shame.

 

Everything is made in China these days, except kids they are made in Vachina.....

 

You can also thank the gov't for all of their taxes and regulations which made it cheaper to go overseas, and allowed the illegals to stay here and take jobs away from the citizens.