cb

Yes you can.

 

Yes not great but good

 

Of course you can, especially if you buy used. But the radio is only part of the equation. Don't overlook the antenna system. A good antenna on a bad radio will always be better than a bad antenna on a good radio.

You can't go wrong with a Cobra 29 GTL- as long as it hasn't been golden screwdrivered to death by some hack 'tech'. Get one made in the Philippines or Malaysia if you can, but any of the older side-mic input radios are good. Avoid the Soundtracker series or any of the newer models with a front-panel mic input.

 

Nothing's inherently wrong with the mic jack's position. In the case of the Cobra 29, though, the versions that were manufactured with a side mic seem to have been historically better built -- I think by a different company's factory -- in a different country altogether. So the whole side-mic-vs.-front-mic thing seems to be specific to just the Cobra 29 (IIRC).

Undoubtedly someone will know of some other radio like a Zooper PharteBlast 9000 or something that had a similar easily identified feature tied to a quality change. But the one that got mentioned was earlier was just specific to that model.

The position of the mic jack really is not a good indicator of a radio's reliability, except for that one ubiquitous rig with such a huge number in service over the years. I've even got a handful of Realistic (oh, the horror!) mobiles that work fine.

73

 

What makes you say this?

You can get a brand new Cobra 25 LTD or a brand new Uniden PC 68 for less than $100. Both radios are great radios; they have everything you might need for OTR communications.

 

Pilot/ Flying J is currently having a promotion until 9/2/13 for the following cb radios:

1. Uniden Bearcat 880 for $79.99.
2. Cobra 29 LTD for $69.99 after mail-in rebate of $30.

You need to have a pilot rewards card to get the promo price. Both are good radios. Check them out.

 

If you're using points to save your money then Cobra/Uniden are good options @ TS. But I'd also suggest paying CB shop to tune it $25-35.

If you got $100 burning hole in your pocket, and looking for the best radio. Get a used one from CB shop (they have already been peaked/tuned, w/ possible add ons like echo, RX75), and be very specific about it being hacked to death. If its a good shop he will put it on scope and show you its not.

 

Depending on where you look, you can get new a Cobra 29 LTD for less than $100 too.

On this website:

http://www.gijoesradioelectronics.com/

They are $89.00 but don't let them modify your radio.