Best CB To Purchase

[ssdvc]

What would be a good choice in CD radio's for my 1009? I am in Conn, so anyone know where to look?

 

[Billy Bobbed]

Is it a CB radio or CD player.

 

[ssdvc]

A CB (Charlie Bravo). I would like to have some comms in the truck, something besides my cell phone, and I can't afford a milspec radio right now.

 

[dozer1]

It has been 15 years since I was really into this (CB radios and mods) but this place was a really popular place to buy from then. www.copper.com As far as what radio would be a good choice, there would be probably as many opinions as radios. I would recommend one with SSB as they are generally higher quality inside. Remember that a high quality antenna is every bit as important as the radio. They must be installed properly and SWR tuned or you will damage the radio.

Back to the radio. 1 guidline to go by is cost. Like anything, you get what you pay for. I would look at the models out there and see if you can find some reviews on them.

 

[Dave08]

I have always had good luck with MidLand Radios. However, I am in the deep south and would not even know where to look to get on in your neck of the woods. Internet is the best bet at this point as CB radios are mostly a thing of the past. You may consider a Marine VHF handheld radio for the glove box with a cigarette lighter adapter for power charging. Just a thought.
Dave08

 

[ssdvc]

Do the marine handhelds have the dame freq's as the mobile vehicle ones?

 

[Cleptomaniac]

For the money a cobra 29 with a 102" whip is pretty good and they were on sale a few weeks ago at the flyin' j.
I'm no expert at this but a friend is. He recommended this setup and I installed it in the 1009. Would post a pic but on my phone!
Search "my 1009 CUCV" and you will see some pics. The whip is really tall so it has to be tied down.

 

[rickf]

I have a Cobra 29 that I bought at least twenty years ago. Works great. I just dug it out the other day and still works great. As far as I am concerned CB is dead as a useable comm devise unless you want to learn some new and interesting phrases in another language. As was mentioned a good quality antenna which is matched will make a world of difference in any radio.

Rick

 

[dozer1]

Here is a radio from the copper site. Not sure how they rate, but the looks of it are high on the cool factor.

 

[Billy Bobbed]

This is the Cb radio I use Cobra 29.The other ones are the 524 and 442 radios.

 

[steelandcanvas]

Do the marine handhelds have the dame freq's as the mobile vehicle ones?

If you are asking if a marine handheld and CB have the same frequencies, no.

 

[4x4 Forever]

Do the marine handhelds have the dame freq's as the mobile vehicle ones?

Not the same at all, Marine band is FM-band and CBs are AM-band. Do not get caught using the marine bands on land (unless licensed for), otherwise the FCC, USCG, and homeland security will come knocking at your door.

 

[m16ty]

Back when I was into CBs I ran a Cobra 148F with a 400 watt "kicker". If you don't want sideband a Cobra 29 is hard to beat though.

 

[Dave08]

Never thought of the Marine use on land issue before. I was thinking more along the lines of the motorola type handheld radios like the Marine type. I realize the Marine Radios are VHF did not know about using them on land as I only use mine on the boat. Live and Learn. Most of the military radios that I used were VHF radios i.e. GRC 160, the AM radios or the UHF were used to talk with the aircraft and Navy ships such as the An/PRC 104. I used to call in Close Air Support strike missions. Most of the Helicopters have both AM and FM (VHF/UHF) freq but the fast movers and/or fixed wing aircraft in my day only had the UHF capability as did the Naval Gunfire Ships.

I thought CBs were VHF radios?

Dave08

 

[quickfarms]

Does it matter how the cb is mounted.

Horisontally or vertically

I was thinking about mounting mine vertically on the box between the seats

 

[4x4 Forever]

Doesn't matter how it is mounted unless the instructions mention otheriwse. Just keep in mind that it would be nice to see the controls and channel markers. I've see them mounted upside down, rightside up, vertical, and horizontal.

 

[wreckerman893]

I was a long haul trucker for many years......the Realistics (sold by Radio Shack, built by Cobra) were good in the early years.

Later I switched to Cobras (when they went to 40 channel) and stayed with them.

I still have a Cobra 29 that has been peaked and tuned and has the high and low channels installed (never used them).

I ran a 400 watt Texas Star kicker to cut through the clutter and twin "Hot Stick" antennas.

Under ideal conditions I could talk ten miles or so (assuming I had someone who had a radio similar to mine) with that setup.

In todays modern vehicles it it very hard to find a decent place to mount a CB.

With an M-1009 you can fab a mount to put it between the visors overhead.

 

[Rustsleeps]

Soooo, are the trucks running the interstate system still using CB for truck to truck? It has been years since I have had a CB, I guess the "other" radios took their place. I am thinking that with the low cost for a CB and decent antenna it may be time to revisit the 1980's. It is better to have and not want, than to want and not have...

 

[dozer1]

I believe the CB is still pretty much the standard for the big rigs. I was just doing a little googling on CB and found this site CBradiomagazine.com - The only online CB Radio magazine in the world! lots of stuff there. radios, mods, ect.

 

[Viper350]

The guy that runs that site has a ton of good info.