CB Radio Recommendations

[ABart]

I am in the market for a CB Radio.  Does anyone have any specific brand or feature recommendations?

Thank you for your input.

Al

[Dave5Cs]

I got a used Cobra at an estate sale. works well. Paid 1.00 for it.

Dave5Cs

[luvrbus]

They still sale CB's ? Midland and Cobra's are the only brands I remember 

[TomC]

Cobra or Midland 40 channel with single side band. But-you'll find the air waves rather blank these days. CB's are good to have to monitor truck channels-but don't do it with children around (@#$%^&*z). Good Luck, TomC

[trucktramp]

Uniden is what I used in a truck.  It took the constant pounding on the dash board and never gave me a bit of trouble.  I think it was a PC 68 or 78 xl.  It looks like a Cobra 29ltd...which is also a good radio.  Galaxy makes a radio that can do a lot when a good tech works on it.  I don't know how well they hold up.  You don't need all of the "toys" that they have for them like echo, talkback, beeps, pingers and other noise makers.  A straight 40 channel AM rig will do most anything you want.  If you want to "talk skip" then get a side band (SSB) radio.  It gives you more frequencies to use but I don't think that many people are still on the air except truck drivers.  Watch garage sales or truck stops or radio repair shops  and you will find a radio for cheap so if it doesn't do what you want you won't be out much.

[ABart]

Thanks everyone.  I used to keep a CB radio in the seat next to me when I drove long trips.  Primarily, to get a heads up on any police activity ahead of me. Secondarily, to get traffic work arounds.  I am kind of boring, so I do not expect to talk too much.

My old radio burned out a few years ago and I have not replaced it.  On my last long trip, I attracted the attention of a local Sherriff in the Emporia, Virginia speed trap.  If a CB saves me from another ticket, it is worth it.

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Seems like most truckers are on their cell phones nowadays.

[harleyman_1000]

I just bought a realistic still unused in the box for a dollar at a garage sale. It even has the power plug that plugs into the cig lighter

[Bill B /bus]

Find a tech who will tune the radio properly. Ask the tech which to get from the shop or otherwise. Tune the radio. Tune the antenna(s) for  minimum (V)SWR. Then you will have a clean audio signal transmitting that will get out a fairly long way even at 5 watts. With a "good" tech you will be getting 15-20 watts at the antenna. I wrote antennas because with buses and mirror mounts you can run the matched pair at 108" apart. If you due then the cable length from the coupler/splitter has to be exactly the same for each leg.