Time to get a new radio.

Get it from Sparkys CB shack (google it) and the peak and tune comes at no extra charge.

 

Without going into the 10 meter radios, I'd say a Galaxy 979 is as good as it's going to get. Or if you didn't mind side bands a Cobra 148GTL.

 

I'm very new to trucking. Actually I'm still in school but I'm anxious to get my career going as soon as possible. So I thank you all for your patience with me and all the other newbies as we ask seemingly endless questions throughout this forum.

As with anything new everything trucking related seems at least mildly confusing, CB's are no different. I know you guys (and gals) all have them in your trucks and I gather they're handy for exchanging information and greetings between like-minded individuals. But what is the functional reason I need a CB in my truck? Or do I really not need one? Are they more for entertainment value than as a useful tool? Can a cell phone replace the CB? I may be wrong (my wife often reminds me of my failings) but I doubt if I'd be a recreational user, I think I'm more likely to listen to books on tape or listen to XM (again just a guess since I have zero experience). Do I need one?

Assuming a CB really is indispensible what features or functions should a neophyte look for? What features are simply useless and will never be used? Do I need single side bands? Where does the antenae go? Do they all need to be "tuned" (whatever that means)? And finally, what the heck should I buy?

I appreciate any help that you can give and will be forever in your debt (coffee's on me should we ever meet).

Best Regards,

October Guy

 

To me th CB is a tool that I can't go without. Sure a cell phone can work if you have the numbers for everyone on the road. I know that there are many places I can't get signal with my cell phone yet I can reach someone on the CB.

Things a person can do without on a CB are eco/reverb, talk back and back lighting of the whole face such as the Cobra Nightwatch series.

For the bar min I would just go with a regular Cobra 29 or a Uniden 78 with a proper peak and tune from someone like Sparky at Sparkys CB shack or other well known reputable shop. Stay away from anything known as a Wackpack or Superwackpack or shops that charge extra for a peak and tune with a new radio.

As far as sidebands, They might come in handy once in a great while but the majority of the people on the road don't use them and just run on 1 one the regular channels anyway. The thing is that the others have to have it or it is useless to you.

Most of todays trucks come factory with an antenna system installed and they seem to work just fine for the regular user that is not looking for the ultimate performance. The factory system can be upgraded with longer antennas that are proprly tuned and they will work even better yet. Height is might when it comes to CB antennas. I have the Wilson 5 ft fiberglass silver loads on an 04 Peterbilt and after I fine tuned the SWRs on them, they work great. I always get people telling me my radio really reaches out there.

The key to a properly tuned dual or cophased setup is tuning each antenna seperatly using a seperate 18 ft 50 ohm coax. Once you get each antenna tunes to the lowest possible swr (Mine are at 1.1-1) then you hook up the cophased cable and double check the SWR. If they need further tuning once the cophased cable is hooked up then you have to make sure to tune both antennas the same IE moving the stinger up or down the same on both antennas.

If you are in a truck with stacks that are on the side of the cab then I highly recomend bull horning the antennas about 10 degrees. Bull horning is adjusting the mounts so the antennas point forward slightly. This keeps the SWRS from going up when moving down the road because the antennas will bend rearward and get close to the stacks. I know you will see people with their antennas bullhorned way more then ten degrees but these guys actually don't have a clue. To them it just looks cool.

 

you can have a look at the sbb v33,maybe it's your need.

 

Baack lighting huh, that vack lighting in blue LEDwill kill your eyes at night...

 

Backlit CB's drive me nuts when driving at night....same with brightly lit radios. I have been using the same Cobra 148 for close to 15 years so I know what and where every knob is on it with out even thinking about it.

 

Just for FWIW, AB7IF says "bullhorned" no more than 17 degrees max. (I've heard him preach this for years) I'm sure he has done the math, 10 would be better than 17 anyway, so there is not point to this post except for FWIW!! P.S. But I would argue as to who is the best to tune that radio up!

 

I can't stand a radio with out talk back....such an easy mod to do....just personal opinion.

The people that do it more than just a small amount probably don't have a clue on how an antenna radiates its signal. SWR and stacks is the ONLY reason to bullhorn. Of course other than trying to be cool.