CB Radio Questions
 

I am looking for a recommendation for a good quality CB radio. I don't need anything super high tech or complicated. I am looking for a unit that is suitable for a beginner CB user and at a price that will not break the bank.

The trucks I will be using it in usually have an antenna already mounted and the cable is run to the dash.

What can you guys suggest??

Thanks in advance.

A Cobra 19 or Uniden 68 are great starter radios. You should be able to get either for under $50.

agree. a cobra. don't forget to get it peaked and tuned to get even more ouit of it. $20-40 to do that

Go with a Uniden PC 68 or 78, stay away from cobra. They used to be great until recently started to make them in china and the quality went down hill in a hurry.

I also wouldn't bother getting it tuned and peaked if you are going to use the factory antenna/s and coax that came with the truck. I say this because your SWR is going to be super high and any decently tuned radio will suffer from that. So just leave it stock unless you plan to get your own antenna and coax.

WHATEVER radio you get, the key to it working its best is the coax cable and the antenna. And most factory installed setups in the trucks are not of the best quality. Some are down right terrible. Volvo is putting in somewhat decent coax but it varies a little. either way, the OEM's are not usually putting in good coax.

High performance shooters know that you should probably spend as much on a scope as the rifle it sits on. Likewise, if you ignore the coax cable and the antenna quality, you are not going to get the best performance out of your radio. And NO radio can compensate for lousy coax and antenna.

I personnaly use a Cobra 25 with the weather bands. Not the "meanest" radio on the road, but sure does a great job since I have got more in the coax and antenna than I do in the radio. It's as clear and strong as the "big" radios out on the road.

Concentrate on very high quality coax and antenna, hook up the setup and get an swr meter and set the antenna to your radio. You can use a simple, cheap radio and no will be able to tell that you didn't mortgage your house for one of the fancier radios. Of course, you could get a radio with all the bells and whistles on it. And your high quality antenna and coax would bring out the best in it as well.

Have fun.

I had a uniden, was a good radio

It always helps to have a good coax, and a good antenna, with good connections.

Vertical CB antennas are pretty much all alike. Get one with a mount that will stay tightened once installed. Loose mounts and connections really hamper performance.

Use "good" coax such as RG8/u if you're running less than 50 watts output. If possible, have someone show you how to adjust the SWR. This will "match" the radio to the antenna electrically so you radiate the most power. And increase the lifespan of your power transistors.

The sunspot cycle is coming off a bottom. In 5 years, on many days you'll be able to talk to someone in Australia easier than someone across town!

Thanks for the input guys. I'll go get one of those Cobra units and let you all know if I have any problems or questions.

Thanks again.

For me a $40 midland worked fine to start.