What CB do you recommend?

[snowracer69]

Ok, looking into getting a CB for my pickup...



I make a 940 mile journey from home to school 4 times a year and think it would be really handy to have a CB for the drive. Once at school or home I will probably take the antennae off, so that needs to be taken into some consideration.



Was told by a truck-drive friend that Cobra makes a nice CB, but I don't know anything about them, so took it for what it was worth.



Not looking for the latest or greatest... just something that works, works well, and looks good. I will probably in-lay it into my custom console I'm planning on building in replacement of the cup-holders, so size may be a factor too. As far as that goes, what kind of cooling does a CB need? If it is enclosed in a box (not airtight, but will be "inside") will it overheat?



Thanks for any help.



Oh, prices would be helpful too.



Josh

 

[Oil Burner]

Josh, you should be o. k. installing it in your enclosure. I have a cobra 40 channel that I bought from summit. It is small with a black face and works great. Look into a magnetic antenna if you plan on removing it often.

-Jason

 

[WBlackburn]

Radio

I have run the Cobra 29 for years both in my private vehicles and in the old 18 wheeler. It is an excellent radio. Durable, not real expensive.

 

[snowracer69]

That's it... The Cobra 29 is the one that my friend recommended to me. He also told me that once I got it to have it "boosted" by a guy back home... said it makes all the difference in the world, all-beit not necessarily a legal thing to do.



Seem pretty cheap on Cobra's website, and ebay has them even cheaper... gotta love ebay once in a while.



Josh

 

[WBlackburn]

Radio

in my big truck I run a 125 watt helper all the time. Have never had a problem yet with either. Remeber to turn you linear off when your around town.

 

[SRadke]

I runa Cobra 25 which I believe was replaced by the 29. It's a great radio. The mics are not always really good but the radios are very trouble free. Uniden also makes a small one (don't remember the model) that is a good unit if size is an issue.

-Scott

 

[snowracer69]

Ok, one more question:



If I enclose it in a box to mount it, will I be able to hear the speaker? Is the speaker on the mike?



Josh

 

[ImagesThatSing]

We us a Cobra wxst handheld, and I have it coupled to a cigarette lighter insert. We use it for emergencies and weather updates on the weekend, so we store it normally in the cubby. The magnetic antenna stores behind the rear seat just fine, so it is great for there when you need it in just a few seconds, and out of the way when you don't. And it does just fine for our purposes.

 

[willyslover]

Just bought a Cobra 29 with back lighting for the trip to PDR, 2000 + mlies and it worked very well. . I also bought a Wilson 5000 antenna magnetic mount and it sent and received very well. .

the 29 is a full size model v/s the smaller Cobra 25. . look at large truck stops for a fair price. . I paid 119. 99 for mine [ya there will be better prices somewhere but that was a fair price]

also available without back lighting for a few $$ less

 

[Bob Wagner]

2 thumbs up for my Cobra29LTD ST it has the sound tracker feature.



With a firestik firefly antenna the range is great

 

[krs]

That's true and the lost frequencies can be added, along with a bunch of other illegal frequencies if you have friends who also have them - for privacy and much less RF interference. Find the right someone and there's a whole world beyond the usual channels. Linear amps are the easiest most reliable way to power. Messing with the radios often has a cost in performance loss. Cobra radios are amongst the best available, the whole line of 'em but especially the big ones for modification.

 

[snowracer69]

Ok, well, I've pretty much been sold on the Cobra 29... . now, what antennae?



Am looking for something in the 3-4' range, I think. What brand, model, etc? Firestick is a name that I've heard... they good?



I think I'd like to mount it in the front stake hole on drivers side of bed, but I have a canopy on when traveling... is that possible? Is there maybe a good mount for up on the hood/fender (I've seen it before in pics, but don't know what it's called) that I could easily remove once I get to my destination?



Thanks for all help.



Josh

 

[WadePatton]

Originally posted by KRS

That's true and the lost frequencies can be added, along with a bunch of other illegal frequencies if you have friends who also have them - for privacy and much less RF interference. Find the right someone and there's a whole world beyond the usual channels. Linear amps are the easiest most reliable way to power. Messing with the radios often has a cost in performance loss. Cobra radios are amongst the best available, the whole line of 'em but especially the big ones for modification.

OOOOh, sounds like someone is a candidate for an amateur radio license. Then you have many different BANDS to talk on, not just some illegal channels. Some bands are local, some are nationwide, some are worldwide. And 1500 watts is perfectly legal.



Oh yeah, and I like the Cobra 29 or 148 as well. Don't worry too much about the antenna, just be sure to tune it for a low SWR and use good coax.

 

[skobylenski]

I run a Cobra 29 (see sig) with a 4' Firestik, but then again I don't ever take it off. As for being able to hear it, the speaker is on the underside of the radio, so I sometimes can't understand drivers, but I solved that with an external speaker mounted on the flat part of my dash, to the right of the AM/FM radio panel facing right at me (it's easy to do in a 1st gen. , especially when the holes are already drilled because the previous owner had a HUGE cell phone mounted there). Now everything is clear, except for the drivers using an echo power mic, which I personally hate. Why do you want to sound like you're talking through a tube? No offence to anyone who likes echo features, but it makes my head hurt to listen to a driver with echo for too long.



As for mounting the radio, I have one of those headliner shelf things that mounts to the sun visor holes, and the mic hangs down from a retractor cord (like the big boys use), it's really nice to have the mic right there where I can grab it, then pit it down without having to find the bracket that's hidden somewhere, especially at night.



As for the removable antenna deal, if you don't mind the mount sticking up all the time, just get a "quick-disconnect" from a radio shop. That way the coax stays put, and all you have to do is push and twist, and you're set. Just make sure you have a spring mount inbetween the antenna and the mount if you go fiberglass, as you'll end up bending the mount after a while with the drag of the antenna. Thinner antennas are fine, though.



There are flat antenna mounts made to go in the front stake pocket and still have a cap on, it just sticks out the left side of the truck a bit. I like my firestik, mainly because it's beefy (I hit a low bridge the day I moved my antenna up to the top of my headache rack, and I bent to tuning screw, but it didn't break). For you're mounting location of the stake pocket, I'd go fiberglass as it's one uniform diameter, not like the Wilson antennas with the ball thing part way up the shaft. Just remember that with whatever antenna you choose, you're going to lose some x-mit and receive because the cab will be in the way. That's why I went for the highest point I could. If you choose the Wilson antenna, don't be sold on the 5000 because unless you have mega-illegal output, you won't use it's full potential. The 2000 is just fine.



This is getting long, but if you put the radio in a "box" make sure there are vents or something so you get some cooling. I know a lot of big rigs have them mounted in overhead storage spaces, with limited air space, and they seem to work just fine, but don't quote me on it.



Good luck with your search,

Scott

 

[snowracer69]

#ad




skobylenski, great post!!! Thanks for all the info! I was considering finding a way to do a quick-disconnect of the antennae, but didn't know if such a thing existed. Also, the stake pocket was just a place I was thinking about mounting it... the other place I had thought about was on the drivers side under the hood (I'm pretty sure there is a mount made to go there). That way it'd at least be a little further away from the cab.



Think I'll buy me a Cobra 29 tonight off ebay... they look to be going for about $114 shipped, so that's not bad. Actually will probably wait and check a couple local retailers tomorrow first.



Thanks for all the info.



Where's a good place to buy antennae/mount? Any TDR sponsors sell them?



Josh

 

[SRadke]

I use the front fender mount the sticks out from under the hood. There are some pictures in my gallery here. This bracket was made for the second gen trucks but I tweeked it to work fine with my new one. The antanea could be easily unscrewed from the mount without having to remove the coax. Ten second job. If you want to remove the whole bracket there is one bolt holding it to the fender and two to get the coax off. Whichever you prefer. Without the antanea on the bracket you cannot see it from the drivers seat. Something to think about. Also this is a quad wrap Power-stick antanea. It works great and can handle lots of power. Good luck.

-Scott

 

[fishjack1]

I run a Wilson 1000 Magnetic antenna. Works great and you can

unscrew the antenna from the base and put a cap on the base when not needed. I have mine mounted on the roof of the cab with the cable running down my back glass and under the truck.

I am using a camper shell so the cable is hidden between the cab and the camper. If you go with a mag mount make sure and remove the base periodically to clean/wax under it.

 

[skobylenski]

Thanks! I was hoping it would help you.



I think the Firestik SSF4-A could work for the stake pocket mount - it's not exact, it would take an imagination, but it could work

I don't want to promote one eBay seller over another, but I've bought stuff from wholesaleradio and they seem pretty good. Just enter a search for their store, and they have a TON of stuff. This seller has the mount I mentioned above, along with a lot of other radio toys.



I found a quick-disconnect from another eBay seller: crscb. they don't have an ebay store, so just do a seller search. A disconnect should run in the $4-6 range.



Scott

 

[snowracer69]

skobylenski, now you're gonna go and be a pain in my a$$ by making me buy this stuff tonight and then having to wait for it to show up instead of looking around town for it tomorrow!!



I appreciate all the info though, and I was just looking through FireStik's website and was thinking that the 4' FireStik II with the SS184 stainless hood mount (bought w/ the kit w/ coax too) would be a good way to go. Would put me right at where I wanted to be budget wise too.



I'm hoping the Firestik's are good antennae's? Either one (FireStik, FireStik II, Firefly) better then the others for any particular reason?



Thanks again for all the help. Looks like I'm going to have a CB before I get my console built... dang you guys!!!



Josh

 

[RWatson]

The Cobra 29 or 29 ltd are awesome radio's for the money. I use their big brother, the 148 which has been in three trucks and two cars over the last 12 years without any problems even after the golden screwdriver and a few modifications. I also found a great way to mount the radio on the floorboard,as it is a little large, using a Cell Phone mount and a slide bracket to allow me to take the unit out when I need... https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=7000&width=0



Cobra used to be made by Uniden for a long period, that is until Uniden realized that they could collect more cash if they sold the units themselves and not through Cobra and you can sometimes find the identical units only with the Uniden name for $10 to $20 less. Also if you are just looking for a good antenna for the money, a 4'to 6' Firestick is a great bang for the buck. Don't be fooled by the TON of attenna's on the market and their guarantees to be the best thing since the CTD. Stay with a good name brand.



If you plan on adding some fire in the wire or want to try and talk to all those big guys you hear blowing out your speakers on the other side of the country, you may look at the Wilson series. The 1000 or 2000 series mag mounts work great and they have the ability of handling quite a bit of extra wattage if you choose to push the limits . Wilson also has a baby wil which is not bad, but for a little more, go for the bigger model.



I am not an expert on this subject, however I have unfortunately spent my fair share of time and WAY too much money through the years on this hobby and for me have found the best results using the Cobra and Wilson combinations.



Randy