What kind of Cb

**youngsamuel** · 11-09-2009, 12:46 PM

I am looking to buy a cb and would like to have some recommendations as to what type. A buddy of mine said he bought a Cobras with the blue tooth feature so it could be used with a cell phone. What preferences do you have? Can someone recommend a brand, power,etc? I do like the idea of using my cell phone hands free with the cb. Thanks

**greg334** · 11-09-2009, 01:23 PM

One that works.

get the simplest and moderately priced one there is, don't worry about bells and whistles unless you intend on using it a lot and then you don't need much.

I have a few here but the one that works well in the truck above all the others is pro510xl, not fancy or really great to look at but it works.

**Dakota** · 11-09-2009, 08:16 PM

I just bought a CB and bought this one
Seems to work fine, no complaints
I needed a compact one

Uniden Compact 40 Channel CB Radio PRO-510XL
On Line Price $49.99

I think this is the one Greg recommended too

**danthewolf00** · 11-10-2009, 01:08 AM

i've got the cobra 29 with weatherchannel with a 40watt mod so i can hear 60 to 70 miles out.

**youngsamuel** · 11-10-2009, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by danthewolf00

i've got the cobra 29 with weatherchannel with a 40watt mod so i can hear 60 to 70 miles out.

What does mod stand for? Does mod increase distance as well as help prevent you from being bumped off?

**greg334** · 11-10-2009, 06:45 PM

Modification.

It helps only to transmit.

The key to having a good setup has to do more with the antenna and coax for the antenna than the radio. Get a good antenna but buy the best coax you can and have the ends put on right (I don't trust crimped ends). Then get the antenna tuned with the coax on the truck.

Radios have come so far and unless you get into a different technology, the radio only offers a few tweaks that make life fun while your bored.

**Dakota** · 11-10-2009, 10:52 PM

I haven't quite figured out the range of my CB, but I do know it works well for what I use it for. Plenty of road/accident alerts and help at certain deliveries. I've been quite happy with my Uniden 510 Pro XL Plus it was cheap, the antenna nearly cost more then the CB LOL

**jrcarroll** · 11-11-2009, 09:38 PM

Galaxy 949 peaked and tuned
soon to be un-tuned (see below)
Wilson 5000 roof mounted
road king mike

& for those times a lil extra is needed
palomar 250 amp

Always on 19, it has got me out of quite a few problems. IE: major accidents, road construction, sever weather, etc...

**greg334** · 11-12-2009, 12:19 AM

why would you need a P250 when you can only hear so far?

**youngsamuel** · 11-12-2009, 05:49 PM

Thanks fellas.

**guido4475** · 11-15-2009, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by greg334

why would you need a P250 when you can only hear so far?

Most amps/linears have receive amps as well built into them that pulls in distant transmissions.

**guido4475** · 11-15-2009, 09:10 PM

I have a Northstar 4000 That I bought new in 1998 with 320 channels,puts out close to 50 watts, factory connex board,10khz, etc. I also run a Wilson 5000 magnet-mount on the roof of the van.I used to have a Gray linear hooked up to it that would put out close to 1,000 watts also. It was cool.Then I downgraded to a Texas Star 667 that did well also. Now I just run the regular radio and that's enough for me.

**greg334** · 11-16-2009, 01:39 AM

I know most have preamps, some of them are cr*p while others are better - but it doesn't mean a thing when you are sitting in traffic on I75 in the Detroit area trying to hear what's going on and the guy sitting two trucks behind you is talking to some yahoo in texas with his 350 watt L'near on 27.455, you just can't hear a thing.

Channels?

pffff.... I got channels, no one to really talk to anymore or worth talking to on those channels ...

**Heffard** · 12-31-2009, 02:19 AM

What about the handheld CB's? My employer won't let me install a cb in the truck. Wouldn't use one a lot. Could a handheld do ok?

**Moot** · 12-31-2009, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by Heffard

Could a handheld do ok?

2 problems with hand held cb's are limited range with the built-in antenna and charging the batteries. You could probably find a hand held with an external antenna connection and a 12 volt plug but then you really don't have a hand held radio anymore.

I would think a Uniden 510 like Dakota has, or other small radio could be fastened to the dash or doghouse with Velcro™ or a tarp strap. What type truck do you drive? You may have to get a bit creative but I'm sure you could mount a small radio with a magnet mount antenna and keep the owner happy at the same time.

I drove fleet spec'd tractors that had no cb or radio of any kind. We built boxes to mount stereos, speakers and cb's. These were portable and could be strapped to the passenger seat or doghouse.