CB choice

[JBoesl]

I would like to have your oppion on what CB's you like and dislike.



Also where to get the best deal on one.



Thanks,



jason

 

[Randy J]

Jason,

Depends on what you want. There's a pretty good selection at Export & CB radios. I bought a 240 channel CB from a TDR member called Patriot, but I don't believe he deals in CB's anymore. I'm actually thinking about selling it, and buying a CB that also has 10 meter band on it. Good luck.

 

[The patriot]

I'd be happy to sell you one, but you could get one cheaper at exportradios.com.

A while back I sent Carl (WWCD2)to them because of this. Maybe try him. ?

Dont fall for the "the export version is +$45. 00" or whatever. Theyre the same dam radio, you just have to know what wire to snip, or solder.

Also... some places try to tell you that they tune the radio for say, 50 watts. This is extra $$$, and very misleading (to be nice about it).

I used to the above for free.

Eric

PS Randy, your will get into 10 on the highest band. I believe it goes to 28. 315. From 28. 000 on up is 10.

 

[Mactruck]

Patriot,

I was wondering if you could give me a recomendation. I'm looking for a CB, WITHOUT weather & a front firing speaker. I already have a scanner so I don't need weather. Any brands you recomend?

I don't spend alot of time on the CB but I need it to fit my needs. (and a Brolin CB mount )

 

[Newf Limo]

Ranger 2950DX

I just ordered one from Export Radios last week, Export Version and Turbo tuned. I certainly don't know which wire to snip or solder so I let them do it for $19. 99. Turbo Tuning, as I understand it) is more than just a "Power Thing". Supposedly, when radios are manufactured, the channels (frequencies) are ball parked (within reasonable-legal tollerances). Factories don't have time to sit down with each radio and fine tune each frequency and all the other little doodads and thingamajigies. So for $49. 99 Export will. I went to other boards and spent hours reading and visiting links for links. . . Then decided to have mine done. Don't think you will have it done later because you won't want to be without your radio that long and shipping/insurance won't be worth it. If you think you will want it done, do it at time of purchase. Ask some of the "HAMers", this site is loaded with them. Also, get a good antenna and mount it in a good place. I have a Wilson 1000 going in the middle of my roof. I will be drinking alot the day I have to drill the hole but, it is the best place. Sorry to post such a long one. Just trying to help with some research results

 

[speedracer]

Before or after??? (Inquiring minds want to know)

Will you be drinking a lot before or after you drill the hole in your roof. If it's before, the result might be interesting

 

[Newf Limo]

Maybe I will mark and prep, get painless and let my WIFE drill it!

 

[OILBRNR]

Jason, how much do you want to spend and who do you want to talk to?



I have a Uniden PC78LTW that works pretty well. I had the deadkey wattage lowered to around 3, and I run a 300 watt linear amp. (don't tell the FCC that ) Signal comes out of a Wilson 5000T on a Firestik fender mount. Not the best place, but in order for me to get in and out of garages, I needed someplace I could get to. With a quick disconnect, it is just a simple twist and its off.



On good nights I have talked over 30 miles in my local area of Phx. , and most afternoons/evenings can talk skip to FL, GA, NC, TN, IL, even Hawaii once.



Got everything but the radio from ExportRadios.com. The CB itself came right from Uniden. On their www page is a link to their 'store' where they sell referb units.



Click on the link in my sig below to see it all on the now famous Brolin mount.

 

[Newf Limo]

I have a Brolin Mount that is probably in the mail right now!

Thankyou Michael, I just can't wait!

 

[forr]

Jason,



I have a Cobra Model 29 which has given eleven years of service without even a hickup. Its been rattled out of its mount several times, been kicked, etc. and keeps right on going. Before that I went through a CB every other year or so (three in all). You can find COBRA's at most truck stops and, if you keep an eye on the price, they're usually marked down to $99 ('trucker special') at least once or twice a year. If you want to spend $25 more or so, the adjustable SWR switch makes antenna tuning a snap.

 

[OILBRNR]

The old Cobras were good, new Cobras are junk.

 

[The patriot]

Mactruck, really depends on what youre looking for. The 2950 that Newf got is a very good radio.

Do you want single sideband? FM? Do you want the high power, or will you be running an amp? Does the size matter, some are quite big?

I've been out of it for w ahile, but the 2950/2970, Galaxy 88, Mirage 88 were always big sellers,(and big $$$) as was the Connex line, and the Superstars (a bit cheaper). There are new radios out that werent being made when I was into this, so I cant comment on these.

Eric



PS The antenna in the middle of the roof is the way to go. I cant bring myself to drill the roof, so I got a heavy duty bed mount. This wasnt cheap. It clamps to the front of the bed, and will hold just about any antenna you could imagine. VERY heavy duty!!

 

[RonaldLarson]

10 meters

Don't get trapped into thinking that you can operate on 10 meters without at least a General class amateur license. Even a Technician class will get you on 10 meters with CW or Data transmissions. Listen, yes, transmit, no with voice. Those of us in the ham radio hobby protect our license privileges with great diligence, and at some time, you will be nailed, and fined a lot of money for abusing the frequency. We don't want our operating and emergency communication privileges destroyed like the Cb band was destroyed by mis-use, profanity and a total lack of personal courtesy.

Ham radio is a fantastic hobby, and with a lot of study and dedication, you can travel the world electronically. It's a ball, and you are welcome to give ir a shot. Find a ham club in your town, and get on board!

Ron

 

[JBoesl]

Thanks for the information. I did not realize there was so much involved with CB tunning and so forth.



The CB is mainly going to be used to talk to hunting buddies on the way to the woods and also be able to talk to loging trucks when in the mountians most roads here have channels listed for them.



Big Bob said that having a CB also makes trips with the Northwest TDR members more fun.



I did not have a cost in mind for the radio.



I would just like to have one that works well and has good range.



Thanks



Jason

 

[OILBRNR]

Well then Jason given what you said you wanted to use it for, I'd say a Uniden, Midland or Cherokee would probably fit the bill. It seems like your wanting to talk to your buddies that are close by.



Realise that 4 watts does not get you much distance, but if your in a convoy, it is more than enough.



Ranger, Galaxy and Connex are nice units but may be more $$$ than you need to spend for your application. I'd get a Connex knowing what I know now.



As to the HAM comments above, I agree. Don't go ******* those guys off, it is worse than putting a DuraPad in your Ram! And I cant tell you how dissapointed I am with the CB crowd in general. Geez, back in the late 60's it was a nice crowd, now it can be brutal!



Still, it is nice for general info, talking to buddies (thou FMS is really nice) and weather from the NOAA channels in major markets are all a plus.

 

[Newf Limo]

Jason, I saw what looked to be a good deal on a Superstar at www.ExportRadios.com It was well recommended to me as a choice for my wifes truck. Just a thought. It might stretch the budget a little but not alot. Good luck.

 

[fj40charles]

I went to a CB shop near a truck stop and got a Cobra CB. Don't have the model number handy, but it is the chrome one that looks like the ones that have been around for 25 years or so. Anyway, I got the one without SW calibration because the guy said I could get more power with this model. I guess more features = less max power available. Not sure if this is bull or not... . I got them to do a talkback and turn it up to 5 watts and got the CB for less than 100. 00.



Those guys are hard core CB dudes. They must live and breathe CB radios like we do the same for our Cummins.



I ordered my Brolin mount too. I can't wait to install it.



Charles

 

[Will24]

I have a cobra 29 ltd that is probably 20 years old (it was in two of my parents scouts when they were new!) Anyhow, works great, is 100% legal. If I want power I fire up my ADI on two meters.





-Will

KB3GOF

 

[Oliver88]

I use an 88 Galaxy with 6 bands of channels in it and a frequency counter. Works great. Truck drivers hate the roger beep. LOL.

Greg

 

[The patriot]

Re: 10 meters

Originally posted by ol ron

Don't get trapped into thinking that you can operate on 10 meters without at least a General class amateur license. Even a Technician class will get you on 10 meters with CW or Data transmissions. Listen, yes, transmit, no with voice. Those of us in the ham radio hobby protect our license privileges with great diligence, and at some time, you will be nailed, and fined a lot of money for abusing the frequency. We don't want our operating and emergency communication privileges destroyed like the Cb band was destroyed by mis-use, profanity and a total lack of personal courtesy.

Ham radio is a fantastic hobby, and with a lot of study and dedication, you can travel the world electronically. It's a ball, and you are welcome to give ir a shot. Find a ham club in your town, and get on board!

Ron

Yes Ron. I never reccomend that anyone go to 10 meters, or even run big power anywhere near it. My Dad is one of the ol timers that remember when the hams still had 10. WA2UMO. He never did much phone, mostly CW.

Also some other frequencies are used by Govt. agencies. Civil air patrol, etc. I dont remember where they are, but theyre just where you'd expect them least.



Eric