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CB question

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by joshmck1982, Jan 6, 2010.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Jan 6, 2010 #1
    joshmck1982

    joshmck1982 Light Load Member

    89
    12
    Jan 7, 2009
    Greensburg, IN
    0
    I have a Cobra 29 LTD Classic Chrome edition CB. Haven't done anything other than hook it up to the company provided antennas. I'm wanting to know what I should have done to it to increase the power and range. Do I need special antennas? Do I need to have work done to the actual radio? Trying to do this without spending a ton of money, but I sure would love to have some range out of this beautiful shiny box. Lol. Whatever the suggestions end up being, if you could give me a rough idea of the prices, that would be great. Thanks.
     
    joshmck1982, Jan 6, 2010
    joshmck1982, Jan 6, 2010
    #1
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  3. Jan 6, 2010 #2
    grimesjm1

    grimesjm1 Medium Load Member

    375
    228
    Nov 5, 2008
    Kensington,OH
    0
    get it peaked and tuned. factory antennas arent usually too good. if you can swing it, what i did is:
    peak and tune :$30-50
    wilson antenna :$65
    custom cut antenna wire:under $20
    peak and tune is probably the biggest bang for the buck
     
    grimesjm1, Jan 6, 2010
    grimesjm1, Jan 6, 2010
    #2
  4. Jan 6, 2010 #3
    joshmck1982

    joshmck1982 Light Load Member

    89
    12
    Jan 7, 2009
    Greensburg, IN
    0
    Does dual antennas along with the peak and tune do any good? Also, my driver trainer said something about having his radio matched to his antenna or something along those lines. That make any sense? Also he had a pair of matching antennas. Thanks.
     
    joshmck1982, Jan 6, 2010
    joshmck1982, Jan 6, 2010
    #3
  5. Jan 6, 2010 #4
    blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

    5,817
    7,678
    Jul 12, 2009
    A.W.O.L
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    You might have better luck with this in the CB radio forum....
     
    blackw900, Jan 6, 2010
    blackw900, Jan 6, 2010
    #4
  7. Jan 6, 2010 #5
    cdub304

    cdub304 Light Load Member

    162
    68
    Dec 7, 2009
    Rockford,IL
    0
    Well Josh,
    Here's my 2 sense worth. First I assume that you dont know much about walking on people so I'm keep it simple. The Cobra 29 is a very good out the box CB for starters. Here is the cheapest way to get perform out of the cb. Like noted above have it peaked and tuned. Grab you a 2000 watt wilson from the TA when they go on sale for 49.99 so keep watching. Then have someone calibrate the cb to the antenna for you with a meter dont relay on the cb calibration. Run you a coax of 18 (that seems to work the best). When hooking the coax up to the antenna put some slack in the main connection like a little loop. Grab you a good dynamic mic. I can assure you that if you follow those simple steps you will get a good 10 to 15 miles out of the cb with clear modulation.
     
    cdub304, Jan 6, 2010
    cdub304, Jan 6, 2010
    #5
  8. Jan 6, 2010 #6
    DIESEL DOG

    DIESEL DOG Light Load Member

    56
    29
    Nov 15, 2009
    Truck'n/MotorCoach'n
    0
    You do not need dual antenna's, one will work fine if not better! Find a good CB guy-I recommend Sparky's CB shack out of westville il.Check out his web site--AWESOME WORK AND VERY INEXPENSIVE!!
     
    DIESEL DOG, Jan 6, 2010
    DIESEL DOG, Jan 6, 2010
    #6
  9. Jan 6, 2010 #7
    grimesjm1

    grimesjm1 Medium Load Member

    375
    228
    Nov 5, 2008
    Kensington,OH
    0
    forgot about the mic...thats a big one too
     
    grimesjm1, Jan 6, 2010
    grimesjm1, Jan 6, 2010
    #7
  10. Jan 6, 2010 #8
    tundratrucker

    tundratrucker Bobtail Member

    1
    0
    Jan 6, 2010
    0
    u will sink more money in a 29 when you could get power stright from a big radio from the start
     
    tundratrucker, Jan 6, 2010
    tundratrucker, Jan 6, 2010
    #8
  11. Jan 6, 2010 #9
    joshmck1982

    joshmck1982 Light Load Member

    89
    12
    Jan 7, 2009
    Greensburg, IN
    0
    What kind of radio can I get that doesn't need much work for long range? Galaxy? Texas Ranger? Thanks for all the tips guys
     
    joshmck1982, Jan 6, 2010
    joshmck1982, Jan 6, 2010
    #9
  12. Jan 6, 2010 #10
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    10,676
    12,237
    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
    0
    You don't need a big radio. Out of the box with a decent antenna (1) you can get out about 4 miles, maybe 5. Why do you need to hit up trucks and walk all over everyone 10-15 miles out?
     
    Allow Me., Jan 6, 2010
    Allow Me., Jan 6, 2010
    #10
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