Powerful radio

How much range do you expect/need?
What kind of antenna setup single/co-phased?
Prairie/mountains runs usually?
Do you plan to use SSB/FM or AM only?
Come back with some more info and expect some really knowledgeable posters to jump in and help you.

 

I’ve been on the road for 20 years and have always used 29’s, I run a 10 year old ltd classic 29 and get great performance out of it. I don’t use the truck equipped coax or antennas, I run 18 feet of coax out to an external coil style antenna. Find the right shop to clean up that 29, use a good mic, with a good antenna and coax setup and you’ll have a good radio. I live in Florida and use Hi-Tech CB shop in Baldwin FL, the fella that runs the place isn’t Mr. Personality by any means, but he knows how to get a radio working right.

 

Unfortunately these newer China made Cobras are basically throw away radios to me. Why?, because they are poorly made. Lots of them have cold solder joints issues, especially after bouncing around in a big truck. I've even seen fairly new 29 ltd's that the face plate is loose, because they only use a couple of drops of glue to hold on the plastic bezel. Real CB radios legally only put out 3 to 4 watts AM, and 12 watts SSB. So if you have a radio that puts out 100 watts or more (usually on SSB, not AM), you can see one of the reasons they cost 3 times more. The problem is that with a high power radio, the person you are trying to talk to, can maybe hear you, but you can't hear them. Unless they have a high power radio too, or an amplifier, then you stand a better chance of communicating.

 

I have a general lee. I have had it for over 10 years and I am happy with it. It only puts out 40 watts, so if you want something that puts out more, then its not for you.

 

You have a real radio!

 

I took my 29 to the guy in OKC. Man, did that 29 shine!

 

There were very good posts answering your questions.
Conclusions:
You have a great radio.
If you have money to spend, to increase power, spend it on a separate coax/stud/ground
that will radiate all that extra power diligently. A single antenna setup on the driver side.
Check your stud height from the ground, in feet.. Subtract that number from 13.5 . This is your max antenna length in feet that won't get you in trouble on scales. Or get damaged by low tree branches. There are many posts on this thread regarding antennas.
Add a small amplifier. A RM Italy KL 203 would be a game changer for your application.
First the antenna system improvement, then add the amplifier.
Your dream comes true on half the budget. You are welcomed.