Best CB rig out for the money

Cobra makes pretty good radios for the money. Cobra 29 classic without the extra doodads will do everything you want. As for antennas, I am partial to whip style antennas since they take more of a beating then fiberglass. They just need to be tuned were some fiberglass are close to plug and play. So in my opinion the wilson 2000 with a minimum of a 10 inch shaft would be my pick.

Here is the deal though. CB radios are mass produced which means that no two box stock CB radios are the same. You can go buy to Cobra 29 classic LTDs and one will work better then the other. This is why I buy my radios from a shop that runs them over a bench to make sure that they are doing what they are supposed to be doing. It doesn't cost anything extra either. Sparkys CB shack is my choice for this.

You need to get the vehicle checked over though. Make sure the coax is in good shape etc. I have seen far too many drivers go out and spend money on radios, antennas etc and install them and still not beable to past the curb because problems with the factory coax etc.

 

I have run a Cobra 29ltd with a single Wilson 2000 antenna for many years now. It has been tuned and peaked, it does an excellent job. Just make sure you have a good coax, clean connectors, and a good ground. Almost all c.b. shops will come out to your truck and check everything for you. I also would suggest buying from a good C.B. shop as opposed to buying a radio from a truck-stop. Basically i'm agreeing with everything that Rat just told you.

 

I agree with the previous two posters. A Cobra 29, through a CB shop that will peak and tune, being careful they don"t overdue it. As for antennas, I use Francis 4 1/2 foot. They are simple, yet dependable. Keep it simple.

 

My set up is a bone stock Cobra 29 LX, Astatic coax, and a Wilson 2000. Works great and didn't cost a fortune. Got all of it for under $200.

 

I just grabbed a new Cobra 148 off Ebay for $86.00

 

You stole that one then.

 

the only cobrea i would run is the 148, galaxy dx44v is a nice radio, connex 3300 does a fine job, install on all are simple to install, what ever you dicide, take to a cb shop, to have them tune and peak and set the swr on antenna

 

You must have had a bad experience with a Cobra 29. Those radios are nearly bullet proof, or the Uniden equivalent. Properly tuned, they do a fantastic job and will generally outlast the "export" radios by a good margin. If all you want to do is talk on the legal 40 channel CB band, a Cobra 29 or Uniden 78? are an excellent choice.

 

I agree, a Cobra 148 is a good choice, it provides the basic AM CB stuff and also provides sideband. Sideband is fun when the skip is rolling.



Gives you something different to listen to when channel 19 is just to busy or you are in the middle of nothing and there is not much going on with 19.

Usually channels 36-40 LSB

A Ranger TR-966FFC is another option, same features of the 148, just a different look



Most truck stops carry either or.

Online you can look on eBay or try Copper, they offer to make sure the radio is at factory specs or better

http://www.copper.com/cart/index.php?cPath=22_24_28