Best CB setup for a new driver

I bought a Cobra 29 LE Chrome for $75 and a 3ft firestick for $20 it gets out to about 4 miles or so, was peaked and tuned from the shop still have it, but its not hooked up. I found a Connex 3300HP at a pawn shop for $45 that come with a Roadking 56L mic. The mic didnt sound to good so my dad gave me an Astatic 636 chrome mic as a gift. The connex gets out to about 7 miles or so on the firestick.

 

As for the Cobra, avoid the Nightwatch and Soundtracker crap. A regular Classic model will do nicely for you, plus you won't be frustrated when those Nightwatch lights fizzle out.
Or, you could get a Cobra 25.. smaller case, exactly the same internally as the 29.
The quality of Cobra radios has improved drastically since I first got one, which was when I was 18 and in the Army. I bought a 25 LTD Classic, then later bought a Connex.. this was in 2002... been using the Cobra as my in-car radio, and it's been going steady since.
Unless your CB is something which will only be on so you can talk to the gate at a shipper, I wouldn't run it through the factory antennas on the truck... leave those for the AM/FM/TV reception, which is what they're also tasked to do, on top of being run for the CB. A Firestick and an 18' coax is all you really need.
I spent a penny or two on CB equipment in the past... hindsight is always 20/20. I'd still get a good radio, but if I were to turn back time, there's a lot of stuff I wouldn't have bought that I did buy.

 

I use the bearcat 880 as well, bought it a little over a year ago and I am running my own coax since the stock coax had issues and just running 2 standard whip antennas but thought about getting 2 of those wilsons too. I have not tuned mine and havent had a chance since I do not run OTR anymore and do not know any cb shops near my dedicated route. I am not too sure on my range since I never tried to figure it out.

 

i ain't got no panties on

 

Radio is alittle less important than good coax and antenna. Starter cb, cobra 29 or uniden. Also dont use factory power and ground. Tho the volvo sleeper i had were fine. This freightshaker columbia sucks big time.
I had a wilson 1000 trucker (free) and then i i bought a browning (70). Id go for a good center load antenna like the wilson 2000. Definately run your own coax tho.

 

I bought a uniden 980 when they were on sale a couple months ago. I drive a 2014 Cascadia with cab integrated antennas, no way to run anything else. It does great for me though.

That being said, cb's aren't used near as much as they used to be. I'd be willing to bet that most trucks don't keep theirs on, if they have one at all. Someone said earlier that most of what you here is "none sense". While I realize that was supposed to be nonsense, it probably more accurate. I'm not saying you shouldn't have one, they can be great for info at times. However, what comes over my cb is about 20% useful, 80% none sense...

 

I feel ya on the nonsense on the cb. I keep mine on when im in it.
Its nice sometimes to talk to people. My setup is a cobra29lx with rg58 (not sure if thats right), browning antenna with ext. speaker.
I like the lcd screen easier to see when somebody keys up. Its hooked up to factory connection and it has some interference in it. In my volvo i hardly had any interference.

 

As a newbie your first thoughts is buying all the toys available. Don't let it consume your budget. It takes time. A driver is what makes a driver, not what toys he has. Three years from now you'll have a completely different set up.

I would start out with a basic Cobra 25, 29 or Uniden Bearcat. They are clear enough and put out far enough to get the job done.

Watch out for sales and be a smart shopper. Trucking has a very high turnover rate. With that in mind you will find bargains in pawn shops, on ebay and even Craigslists. Sitting at truck stops or even on the road you'll hear an occasional CB for sale over the CB. I gave $75 for a Galaxy 959 and an Astatic mic driving down the road. We pulled into a rest area and made the transaction. That driver that is frustrated with the industry all he cares about is quitting and going home. He'll sell his stuff dirt cheap just to get rid of it. It's like taking candy from a baby.

 

That's your best bet, go to a cb shop and get a used Cobra 29. That's already been peaked and tuned. It'll hold it's value and you can always trade it in later if you want to go bigger

 

Go with good antenna and coax and a cobra 29. I spent a good amount of money on a new Galaxy 959 all tuned up and u wish I hadnt. Not a bad radio but other than the use of sideband my Cobra 29 (it was about 70 bucks after rebate) that has been peaked and tuned performs almost or just as well as the galaxy