CB for dummies

I purchased a brand new Cobra 29 on Ebay peaked & tuned for $99, truck stop wants $129 for same CB stock. Get yourself a Wilson or Francis antenna and you'll be able to send and receive at least 5 miles.
You'll be in it for less than $200

 

I'll second what bakerman said cobra 29 with a Wilson 2000 and good coax

 

Cobra 29 with factory antennas and factory cable on a brand new truck should bring you into my receive on flat ground from 30 miles away. If anyone else has a hard time hearing you at that distance tell them they need to get their ears cleaned out.

 

Check out the Cobra 29 Classic at T/A truckstop. I believe it is either on sale or has a mail in rebate that can save you some money. I would stick to a stock radio not something that has been monkeyed around by someone of questionable qualifications.
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.I suggest you use your own single antenna with a length of at least 4 foot or preferably 5 foot in length. Then use your own 50 ohm coax [either RG8 or RG58 is acceptable] to avoid the multiplexed garbage coax that is common in newer trucks.
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.Always check your SWR reading with an external meter BEFORE you start using that radio setup over the air.

 

I'll cast another vote for a Cobra 29. Mine is over 20 years old, I use the stock antennas and coax on a Volvo, and I talk and receive just fine. A driving buddy of mine recently purchased a new 29 from GI Joe's (they peaked and tuned it) and it also works beautifully for a reasonable price.

 

A properly tuned Cobra 29 will do about 23 to 25 watts.
Run a single coax of good quality to a Wilson 2000 trucker or a Francis antenna.
Have SWR set and good to go.....
I use Bells CB...They do great work and you can order online and tell Screwdriver what you want done to the radio.
I have 2 of his setups that work fine.

Some of these CB shops out on the road will just snip the limiter,charge you about 40 bucks and call it a peak and tune..Beware!

 

Bdog, what was wrong with radios you've bought at truck stops before? Did someone work on them or were they brand new/sealed so to speak? Did someone help you tune them so radio and antenna work well together or did you do it yourself, if you know how?

I do not know much about radios, but I would suggest think not twice, but ten times before paying and allowing someone work on your radio, as I said before based on my personal experience with "highly recommended on this forum CB shop" result way not guaranty. For some reason people sometimes recommend something without having ANY experience.

 

Uniden bearcat 980 ssb works great for me. Lots of good ones out there. Just look around.

 

Either that, or they recommend something without understanding the scientific principles involved with this picture. Which is why I usually tell people my 4 watt radio will always outperform their 1000 watt radio.