Whats a good CB Radio?

[SFord]

Any opinions on a decent CB and antenna combination. Firestik-??? Looking for a trick way to mount dual ant. Any pic's appreciated.

------------------
2001 2500,AUTO QC,4x4,SWB,SLT PLUS W/LEATHER,HEATED SEATS,PWR ON BOTH,4:10 LSD,PERFORMER IAS, WARN,MAG-HYTEC DC&TRANS DD,TRUCK TRUNK BOX,KC,RED VALVE COVER,PATRIOT BLUE W/AGATE INT.

 

[PUFF00]

Steve,

You may want to check out this link if you are thinking about dual antennas:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb//Forum3/HTML/003450.html

------------------
2001. 5 3500 QC 4X4 6-speed HO 3. 55 black
1998 Jeep TJ black http://www.nm4w.org/members/puffer.htm

 

[Lurch]

That thread will deal with the antenna issue. As far as "good" radio's, it's sort of a loaded question. If you just want to listen and talk to those close, Uniden full sizers, Cobra Classics or LTD's, these are the most common on the road and you can get one for $80-$180 depending on the bells and whistles. Next step is to take one of the above and have it worked over by a trusted cb shop. Talk to the truckers for this info, avoid the hacks. This will allow you to reach out farther and annoy a few more people. This runs $20-$50 depending on the shop and the amount of mods you get done. The next step is Export radios, Galaxy, Texas Star etc. . These are built for export to other countries that aren't restricted to US power output limitations. These will really reach down the road. However they are larger than standard cb size and considerably more expensive.

You really need to research this purchase. Trial and error gets expensive.

Just for the record. I have an old style Uniden PC76XL, peaked and tuned(worked over), going through a 3' Wilson Silver load. I can talk about 5 miles in traffic, 10-15 mi. in the open. Minimal investment.

Hope this helps.

 

[Alan Reagan]

The Galaxy are strong radios but I believe you have to have them "set up" after you buy them so they will work in the US. I was not aware of that little fact and bought one at Truck Stops of America last Decemeber when my old radio bit the dust. The Galaxy wouldn't work. Took it back and got another. Same story. Then I found out about the setup which TA does not do at least this particular one. So I picked up a Cobra Classic for about 100 bucks and use a Firestick. You'll have a hard time with the 8' separation suggested for dual antennas. I went with a single mounted on my tool box cargo rail. About five miles range depending on weather and number of users. The radio works great. Make sure you get a good antenna mount.


------------------
2001 HO 6 spd 2500, 4. 10 LSD, Towing Package, Electric Brakes, SPA EGT/Boost Gauges, Fog Lights, Real Backup Lights, Molded Running Boards, Lucerix X Mount Heated/Power Mirrors

 

[Randy J]

Hey Steve,

I'm running a Firestik 3' on a Radioshack spring, with Firestik's under hood mount. It mounts on the drivers side rear fender bolt. Matches real well with the radio antenna on the right fender. I've even had truckers hail me to ask me about the mount. As for radio, I'd recommend you contact The Patriot. He's a frequent poster on this board. I worked a deal through him for a Superstar 240 channel export radio, along with a 150 amp. He's really good to work with, giving me all kinds of help (through email) in setting up the radio.

------------------
Randy Jones, San Antonio, TX, rdj@gvtc.com, 98 1/2 QC, 4X4, American Racing BAJA's, 285/75/16, Amsoil throughout, Superstar 3000 export radio, Firestik antenna with fender mount, Fire-ring cable, Mag-Hytec Deep transmission pan

2000 VW Jetta TDI, auto, 45 mpg average

 

[MikeR]

I'm not an active guy when it comes to talking on the CB,so I went a simle and inexpensive route. I got a went to Camping World and got a Midland 77104XL and got a 3ft Firestik with a spring. My antenna is mounted on the inside of the bed next to the left front stake pocket. In town I can reach almost 4 miles,and out on the open over 10-12 miles. Works for my needs.

-Mike

 

[Hammer]

Steve,I'll stick my 2 cents in here for you,,The radio and antenna debate could rage into many pages,,With 22 years of driving truck and almost as many doing CB radio work I'd have to tell you as I do all my fellow CB'ers,,You need to decide what you are looking for in a radio(i. e. -power,channels,bells and whistles) then we can proceed,,See these things are like our truck mods,many companies and many different options,,There is no sense buying a standard radio then adding options(echo,channels and toys) when for the same money we can put you in something with them in,with better chassis,,Now for simplicity you will not beat the Uniden PC76,its durable and will talk with the right tune up,,If export is your flavor Galaxy,Connex,and Superstar are fine pieces with durable boards(I got many a mile on my old Superstar 360 and still is strong),,Another option if you desire higher power and are thinking about maybe going to amateur radio then RCI is a nice choice,plenty of power and lots of capabilities,,Your antenna deal is like this,duals are neat to look at but,not needed on a P/U truck,,They need to be at least 96" apart to work effectively,,Thus a quality magnetic,like a Wilson 5000 or a K40,will egt you the same results,,I myself use a Wilson 5000 mag mount on mine when the CB is in mounted center of the roof,,I drive it with a President Grant export(oldie but a goodie) and a Messenger M4V(600 watts),,It will talk where ever I want or need,,If you have any questions email me and I'd be glad to help,,Love my radio as loud as my truck...

------------------
98, Flame Red, Quad Cab, 2500, 4x4, 5spd, Autometer and Cyberdyne gauges,Edelbrock Performer IAS shocks,TST#10 plate,16cm housing, B-D Exhaust Brake,Timing Advanced,K&N,Totally Amsoiled,Cat Muffler and Silencer ring ALL M. I. A. ,A BOMBING IN THE PROCESS!!

 

[RBrush]

Steve,
I too, like Hammer, drive truck,(25 years now)and I have been using the Cobra 148s for about 8 or 9 years now. I have had them tuned up and a few funnie channels added. This ran somewhere in the $30 range if memory doesn't fail me. I used the firesticks for a number of years untill I had a problem getting my SW down on an 89 Freightliner I drove. I then went to the Wilson 2000 series antennas. I was able to get the sw way down, and they are a much broader band antenna. (that way the funnies area usable) You can go with a mag mount Wilson 1000, 2000, or 5000, and I'm sure you'd be happy with any of them. I'm currently using a wilson 1000 roof mount and it works better then anything else I've tried on the Dodge. (but you have to drill the roof) #ad
Had trouble getting the sw down, on mine, so as a last resort went to this option. The sw is so low the needle hardly moves at all. As you can see, there are a lot of options, and there are good and bad points with each option. Good luck, and keep the rubber down. #ad

Rich


------------------
96 regular cab, driftwood,5speed,3. 54's, weld wheels, window tint,amsoil, preluber, K&N. BOMBing to proceed soon.
Rich

 

[Hammer]

TMA149,,Just got an old blast from the past on my bench tonite,,Had a guy trade in a export Cobra 148DX to me for a Connex,,Tried to talk him out of it and get him just to install a echo board into it,no dice,,Man I just could not explain to him how much radio he had and would lose with the 3300hd,,OH WELL his loss,another one for my shelf,,Those things screamed as well as the export Grants and Superstar 360's did,,Guess these young drivers will not ever get it,all he wanted was to sound like he was in a trash can,customer wants, he gets,,Seems like no one anymore wants the old rip out your ear drum,big audio drive sound,,Unreal... .

------------------
98, Flame Red, Quad Cab, 2500, 4x4, 5spd, Autometer and Cyberdyne gauges,Edelbrock Performer IAS shocks,TST#10 plate,16cm housing, B-D Exhaust Brake,Timing Advanced,K&N,Totally Amsoiled,Cat Muffler and Silencer ring ALL M. I. A. ,A BOMBING IN THE PROCESS!!

 

[RBrush]

Steve,
One thing I forgot to mention about the Wilson line of antennas. Once you get your swr adjusted by trimming your tip, loctite your set screws. (there will be two of them on the upper mast that secure your tip) If not, it is possible for them to eventually work loose and the result is a lost tip. Good luck.

Hammer,
Boy, do I know your right about the yunguns fresh out of school. I'm not using anything (high powered) but the combination just works well. (even better with a Texas Star DX350) #ad
But I don't use it any longer at work. I have to slip seat all the time and its just to much of a pain in the A#@ ! But, its going into the Dodge soon. Have a great one.
Rich

------------------
96 regular cab, driftwood,5speed,3. 54's, weld wheels, window tint,amsoil, preluber, K&N. BOMBing to proceed soon.
Rich