Best CB setup for a new driver

And upgrade your ground. I thought I would be good with the factory ground on ny truck but properly grounded the antenna and it made a huge improvement

 

I run a peaked 29, happy with it. My biggest aggravation is them dang super truckers with the echo turned up so high you can't hear them. Or the jack-hole running 1000 watts that won't shut his pie hole, thinks he's running his own talk show. Even worse, a Georgia driver and echo mike, forget it you ain't understanding a darn thing.....

 

Nukem, let's keep this simple....

Antenna: Wilson 2000 trucker
Coax: RG8X
Radio: Uniden PC 68 or Cobra 25 LTD (I prefer the Uniden)
SWR meter: Radioshack 21-1534

All of this, well tuned with a 1.5:1 or lower SWR, will get you heard 5-10 miles depending on terrain, time of day, if skip is rolling, etc.

 

Rooster nailed it. The only piece of advice I would give you is to get yourself a decent mount, fiberglass top load antenna (Francis or firestik) and some fair coax. This is because the stock mounts and coax are not always good and can make it almost impossible at times to get your swr in the neighborhood of operating 1:1. Remember... it's not always about the watts or fancy this or that... whatever you decide to run, learn how to use it and set it up properly so it works as efficiently as possible. There is an abundance of information on this topic both here and on many other sites. Good luck.

 

heard a great response a couple weeks ago. truck had gone off roading in a I70 EB Indiana mm100 or so ,construction zone early morning. was still backed up coming back through around noon. One real bad attitude driver cussing up a storm. People left and right asking which lane etc., Mr Bad Attitude ripped on a guy who was being helpful, Happened to be just before an exit 94? for a McD's with truck parking. Well Mr Helpful, informed Mr Bad A that " you see that mcdonalds over there? why dont you go park behind there and (&*%^&^^%$#%$@!)" meaning get intimate with yourself.

gave me a real good chuckle.

 

My typical junk radio will piss all over your Bearcat.

As far as nonsense goes I like to talk to those guys. Good for a laugh and keeps me awake. Do take yourself so seriously. Have some fun.

 

Tucker gave you the best advice, IMHO, in regard to a radio. What make/model truck are you driving? Generally the stock coax and antennas are junk. Never key up your mic until you have had your SWR checked......the shop you buy your used Cobra 29 from should check that for you for free.