Question:
I need advice on a CB. Ive been told by several people that Cobra is the best. Ive looked at Cobra 29 nw, wx, st, Galaxy 959 and 949 and Cobra 148. don't need a real expensive one but I want a good one. and should most sales include a peak and tune?.
Advice please. Thanks,
Ike
"The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it."
Albert Einstein

Answer:
When I first started drving my 1st CB was an old Midland.(my Grandma, bought it for my Dad, back in the '70s when CBs were popular.)
It still works Great...although I no longer use it.
The 1st CB that I bought was a Cobra 25LTD....It still works Great, but I no longer use it.
I bought a Cobra 29LTD from a drvr that was on his way home & needed some money.(I paid a whopping $30 for it.)
It still works Great....although I no longer use it.(I keep it as a spare.)
Back in '94 I bought a Ranger 2950 from an old drvr that was retiring.($200...he even installed it for me.)
I got off the road for a few mnths in '95 to do some work on the house....I put all of my trk things in the storage shed untill I got back on the road.
Well, when I got back in the trk I decided it would be easier to buy a new CB than to TRY to dig it out of the storage.
The CB Shop that I normally deal with was out of Rangers....so I bought a Mirage 2950.(it's a knock-off Ranger that costs a LOT LESS.)
It works GREAT & I like it.(I used to do a LOT of "SKIPPING" with that CB....for some reason, Michigan & Arizona, were the easiest to contact)
The trk I currently drv already had a CB in it, so I just use that one.(Connex, with All of the bells & whistles)
I know absolutely NOTHING about a Connex.
My boss had to show me how to use it b/c around here the Rock Haulers(I pull an End-Dump) usually run the Low Side.
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Are you buying from a CB shop or an Electronics store or from a private individual?
Reason I asked is b/c peaks & tunes are NOT included in the sale.
What I mean by that is....if the CB is brand new you should Not need to have it peaked & tuned.(most CBs do fine just out of the box...of course it will also depend on the set-up.)

Answer:
I know don't like the new Cobra radios with the sound tracker feature. All it seems to do is cut down on the over all range of the radio. I have had two Cobras and personally was not very satified with them.
My prefrences are towards the Midland lineup and the Unidens. My current radio is a Uniden 76 that has been peaked and tuned and it has great range on both the transmit and recieve sides.
Depending on how much you are really wanting to spend (Around $100 for base unit) I would reccommend either a Midland or Uniden. If you want to go up to the mid $100's or higher I reccomend going with a Ranger brand radio.
A few things though regardless of what radio you decide on are:
1. Get a good antenna. I like antennas from Wilson myself, but there are some other good manufactures out there. A mediocre radio with a good antenna will out perform a great radio with a bad ant.
2. For a good sounding radio buy a good noise canceling mic. Astatic and Road King are probably two of the best makes out there. (If your radio has a built in mic gain you will not need to worry about getting an amplified mic as this will just cause interference)
3. Make sure that your SWR is set properly. An incorrect SWR will cause a loss of performance and can possibly damage your radio.
Good luck to you.
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.
Answer:
Chclt,
Im not sure if Im going new or used, Lookin at E-bay most of the radios end up going for only about $15 - $20 less than new, so I am leaning toward new.
Thanks U-turn, I liked the Uniden and Midland also, but had not heard much of them.
Does anyone reccomend the weather band feature, or is it better to just get a weather band radio exclusivley?
I just want a good radio that will last a while. not intending to try and reach Tokyo.
Thanks for the advice.
Ike
"The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it."
Albert Einstein

Answer:
Two good sites for info and purchase.
http://www.cbradioforum.com/
http://www.radiotech.org/forum/
Mike
Answer:
thanks Rabelam, I'll check em out
Ike
"The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it."
Albert Einstein

Answer:
from ebay or anywhere else off the web for that matter. The only way I would consider used is from a reliable CB shop or from a private individual if I could see and hear the unit operate.
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.
Answer:
A lot of the E-bay radios say "NIB" which I interpret to be New in box, But, like I also said, they are sellin for close to or in some cases more than you could buy them online for at a CB dealer. Most dealers include shipping in the price. For example I could buy a brand new Cobra 29, NW, ST, WX for 129.00 from an online CB shop. the same one on EBay is selling for $120-$160 plus shipping. I think I'll just buy a brand new one, then I have a warrenty. and spend the few extra bucks to get it tuned if it needs it.
Thanks for all the feedback.
Ike
"The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it."
Albert Einstein

Answer:
I think I'll just buy a brand new one, then I have a warrenty. and spend the few extra bucks to get it tuned if it needs it.
Whatever you do....
***Do NOT buy from a Trkstp!!!***
They Only give you 30-45 days to do an EXCHANGE ONLY....NO REFUNDS.

Answer:
No, if its new, its coming from a local CB shop. or a place that sells electronics specifically, (not radio shack) Thanks again.
Ike
"The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it."
Albert Einstein

Answer:
Here's another option Ike.
http://uniden.com/docs/store/itemlist.cfm?cattype=prd&prodcatselect=5
I personaly wouldn't buy any of the"new"model
Cobras,they are riding their old reputation.
Unidens have better"boards"inside.
The so called"big radios"are expensive and have features you'll probably never use.Keep in mind that the big radio can be purchased at truckstops from"dwellers" needing cash.
Mike
Answer:
Thanks Mike,
Im getting the feeling that I can get just as good a radio from Uniden or Midland for less $$$ than a Cobra. And as long as I get a good antenna, I should have a good set-up. My only other question was Cobra is the only radio I have seen that offers the weather band feature, But do I really need it. I will be running a lot of Northeast. Thoughts? Thank you.
Ike
"The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it."
Albert Einstein

Answer:
I'm currently running a Cobra 29 LTD with a single Wilson 2000 antenna. I also installed a new coax when I put the radio in. Had it "peaked & tuned".
Radio; about $120.
Antenna; about $65.
"Peak & Tune"; $42 at a CB shop.
Works good enough for me and has good range.
*******************************
"I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane!" (from Waylon Jennings)
"The feel of the wheel delivers me, from a life where I don't wanna be." (from Joe Stampley)


Answer:
Cobra is the only radio I have seen that offers the weather band feature, But do I really need it.
Not Neccessarily...
I've been an OTR Drvr for 13yrs & I'v Never had a CB that had it.(although, I do have a scanner that has it.)
I've always listened to my AM/FM or watch the Weather on the News or if I'm in a Trkstp that has National Weather Service TV, I'll stop & check it out.
On the CB...Drvrs going the Opposite Direction can usually give good info about what's ahead & what you are about to get in to.

Answer:
I'll agree with Choclit on this. I really don't see the need for weather. My personal choice for a CB is a regular 40 channel,no side band,but with an SWR meter for checking antenna condition.
A good single antenna like the Wilson,a noise canceling Mic.,an external speaker will give you what you need in a truck. With the garbage on the airwaves you don't want to waste a lot of money on CB equipment.
Mike