C B radio's Whats good?
 

Hello id like to find out what kind of cb radio is good and what kind of options i should have on it thank's for your input.

Pretty much any CB will do a ok job for you-Just make sure your Coax's are tight with a tight ground and you should be ok
Don't need any extra accesories(My opinion) but you should have a weatherband on it.

And an "OFF" button :wink:

I got a box stock Uniden PC78 Elite, with weatherband. Have had no problems with it. Got it about 4yrs ago. Weatherband is definetly worth the few extra $.
Prior to that had a box stock Lafeyette LM100, still works great.
Who remembers Lafeyette?? :lol: Bought it new around 1979 or 80.

I remember it but never had one.
Some of those old radios were the size of a small suitcase :D
My very first radio was a Johnson Messenger

I suggest staying away from any Cobra radio with their Soundtracker feature on it. Other than that, just about any brand of radio will do just fine.

I myself ran a Uniden PC 78 for years. Only replaced it once and that was only because I dropped the first one in a big puddle while switching trucks. Mine did not have a weather band, but I was fortune enough to drive trucks that had them as part of the AM/FM radio. If I were ever to replace the radio I would certainly get one with a weather band.

The only accessories I suggest getting is a quality noise canceling mic. Astatic or Road King. A good antenna, Wilson makes some of the best IMHO, and some quality Coax, and a Mic Keeper. (The last is not really a needed item, but a very handy "luxury". It is a retractable cord that keeps the mic out of the way, but in easy reach and keeps you from having to fumble for a mic holder.)

All true posts before mine, anything will do. But it really just depends on a few things.
1. How much money you have.
2. How much your willing to part with.
3. What you really want to do with it.

you can spend big bucks on a Ranger 2950 or 2970 but thats a silly option for MOST truck drivers.
you can spend the big bucks on a Connex HP if you really want to get out and be heard too but again 400 to 600 bucks for these kinds of radios is a bit silly unless your really into radios and talking all the time.

most truckers just want to be able to get directions or talk to someone close by, and at shippers and receivers.

for that any radio will do a nice Cobra 29, from a reputable radio shop, or go get one and spend a bit to have it peaked and tuned.
Galaxy, uniden maybe spend anywhere around 100 bucks or so. then like others have said get a good antenna and coax cable and install it correctly! no pinching in the door or window! and make sure your SWR is at MOST about 2.5 or less! and you'll be good to go.

I think TA is having a sale on Cobra 29's. or get a cheapy and you will hear about lots of them for sale at truck stops on the road! lol

The first radio I purchased was a Uniden 68. Other than peaking/tuning, it did a great job for years. I traded that radio in + $95 for a peaked/tuned Galaxy 949.

I said:
The above is what I posted.

Unknown said:
Who posted this, and how did it get into my post?? :shock: :?

I remember those old Lafeyettes my dad ran one for years. I think he finally retired it in 1988 heck he finally had to when a shipper he went to all the time put the drivers call channel on 26 and it only had 23 channels.

ironeagle2006
My Lafeyette, is a 40 channel (believe it or not), still works, keep it as a spare. Havent had to use it as a spare yet, Uniden works really well. Im desperate for a new set of Antenna(s), though.

My mistake-I hit edit when I meant to quote you

I've got an old LaFayette SSB-80. Good radio.

Still worked when I boxed it up about 12 years ago.

One of these days I really should blow the dust off and fire it up.

In the end the antenna makes as much difference as the radio. Don't skimp there, and get the swr set.

Do they still make Johnson Messenger?

The only reason I know what a Johnson Messenger was, is because my uncle had one in his garage. :P

As of right now I got a Cobra 29 with a bargan air cooled antenna I think it is. That is going in my pick up but I'd like to eventually get two Galaxy 33's and two Wilson 2000's. One for the pick up and the other for my rig whenever I get my CDL and a job driving this summer! But for the most part any radio will do the job, but as someone mentioned above the antenna is important, and as far as the soundtracker goes with the Cobra's I'll stay away from them myself. The 29 I have is just the nightwatch not the soundtracker!

Bought my Cobra 29 a year ago for about $80,very satisfied with it and a lot of things you can do to this radio,I have a Wilson 1000 to go with it.
The antenna took some trial and error,I tried 3 or 4 different ones before I got the Wilson.

Good luck!!