CB Radio

[e99f2506sp]

I'm thinking about getting a CB radio, but I'm completely new to them. I know nothing about them so school me guys.

What is a good brand? What antenna is a good one. What does it mean to tweak and tune?

Just give me all the info I need in regular english starting with the basics.

I've done a little research, but would like to learn from someone who has one.

Thanks guys.

[nitrogen]

cobra uniden make decent radio's, they're not the only good ones but the first that come to mind. for best results the antenna should be mounted to a large flat metal surface that is grounded to the vehicle. a good quality co-ax cable of the right length will help keep tx/rx efficiency up there. wilson, firestik, make good antennas, others have had great success with other brands. tuning mostly applies to antennas with a plain wire section, held in a socket with a small allen screw. you test the completely installed radio to see the transmitter efficiency then adjust the length in small increments until peak efficiency is reached. it can be the difference between 2 miles and 15 miles range. generally if good quality components are used you can hit 10-15 pretty much right out of the box. wilson makes some very fancy expensive antennas which are mostly for show unless you are operating a high wattage(illegal) radio. just get a good fiberglass stick antenna, or two

[KB3MMX]

Originally Posted by e99f2506sp

I'm thinking about getting a CB radio, but I'm completely new to them. I know nothing about them so school me guys.

What is a good brand? What antenna is a good one. What does it mean to tweak and tune?

Just give me all the info I need in regular english starting with the basics.

I've done a little research, but would like to learn from someone who has one.

Thanks guys.

You really want to start with a good platform first for a better quality receiver with less static and the ability to pick out weaker signals easier. A inexpensive entry level radio in the premium category is a "General Lee"...it also comes with factory installed echo capability.
For more power and $$ , you could get a Connex or Galaxy brand radio.
** For antennas, Wilson makes great antennas, look for their 2000trucker or 5000mag mount. If you want a premium antenna, get a Predator 10k antenna.
** Tweak and tune means to hop up the electronics for more output power and better recieve. If you get a premium radio like the General Lee, it will require minimal mods for power because its already built for it.
A cheap radio like a Cobra or Uniden will require more extensive work due to its cheaper factory construction.
I personally hate the receivers in Cobra/Uniden radios, they stink compared to connex, galaxy & ranger radios.

[nitrogen]

do yourself and everyone else a favor and don't get a radio with the echo. it doesn't make you easier to understand or give you range. all it is is very annoying, and marks you as nothing more than a stupid billy big rig. its the fart can muffler of CB radio

[powerjokin 6.0]

I run a Cobra Nighwatch LTD that I got peaked and tuned at a local cb shop.

For antennas, I've run a couple. I first started with a lil' wil, then the Wilson 1,000 and the Wilson 5,000, all of those are roof mounts. Now I run a 4'ft fiberglass antenna that I've mounted on the side of my toolbox and grounded it to the frame. I always change to that setup for the winter months because I take my truck into the woods for hunting season and I don't want to scrape my Wilson 5,000 on the low lying branches and trees that I encounter

[FordGuy100]

I have a Cobra 29 Chrome, peak and tuned. Its nothing fancy, but seems like I can receive for a good 10miles. Does the job.