in the market for a radio

[F3RR3T]

im in the market for a cb for my trucks.

price dont really matter

i just need something tough and with as much range as i can get and be legal

 

[88Silverado]

I would have to say the Cobra 29's are probably the most popular however, since you said "as much range I can get and be legal" any CB will work, just use a good full-size (or nearly full size) antenna.

 

[ghostrider32]

Go To Radioactiveradios.com I Hear They Have The Big Truck Radios That Will Go 20 Or 30 Miles , But They Are Not Cheap.

 

[readymix]

It looks like they only sell Galaxy 11M radios. Some other brands in the 10M variety. I have always liked the look of the Galaxy line, but never bought one. Just a little much $$ for my taste.

If you want a good tough radio I would suggest an older Cobra 29, made in the Philippines. It will be hard to find though, most people don't want to sell them. They are great radios.
I wouldn't buy anything from Cobra that is newer. I have been sticking to the Uniden line for my last 3 or 4 radios. Current is a PC78E.

As for range, while staying legal, you will be limited to an output power of 4 Watts. So get a good antenna. I prefer the 102SS whips. Cheap, easy to tune.

 

[nad]

I had the Uniden version of the Cobra 29 that was made in the Phillipines, and it had a connex board and a bunch of other mods done, and I sold the thing not thinking when my truck broke down. Got about $100 out of it on eBay though.

Now I'm stuck with a newer China Cobra 29, and needless to say, it's not nearly as good.

If you can find a Cobra 29 from the Phillipines, I would say go for it, they're pretty easy for beginners and do the job quite well.

 

[pauly383]

Want a backlit LCD screen , search ebay for a TRC-485 .

Want a classic looking radio , Cobra 148 with the mic in the side .

 

[chevy wrangler]

what do you guys mean by "legal"?? is there illegal radios??

 

[nad]

Radios can be modified to be "illegal". As long as you're smart with them, you probably won't get caught though. Pauly and elaborate more on this topic I'm sure.

 

[Copasetic]

I found a few on ebay that were more than 4 watts but also said this right under them:

[Disclaimer, Certain modifications may violate FCC regulations if used to transmit in the USA. All modifications performed here are for educational or export only !! It is your responsibility to either export the equipment out of the USA, or refrain from using the equipment on the airwaves/QUOTE]

Not meaning to hijack but I looked at a couple of the hand helds but know they would not put out nor get the reception that a permanent mount would provide. I saw a few pretty sharp Midlands also. What are everyone's thoughts on those? I know a lot of gov agencies use or have used them in the past. They are priced very reasonably too, which is a plus.

I'm not too keen about mounting an antenna anywhere on my truck. I've read where someone mounted one under the dash. How well would that work? Or how about inside a frame rail? I've never really messed with CB's before and all kind of new to me. Sorry for the n00bishness, lol. OK, hijack off.

 

[pauly383]

what do you guys mean by "legal"?? is there illegal radios??

The second a "CB" shop opens a radio and starts "tuning" it up with their "golden" screwdriver , its illegal . Nearly all of em overdrive the damn things .

Also the Connex , Magnums ( the 257 is a real 10 meter rig , and hams can use them but can't sell them ) , and any other radio that says "10 meters" on it , is illegal from the get go . They are supposed to be "export" radios ........

..... but on 10 meters there are no use of roger beeps , no use of "channels" , and the band is laid out so that from 28.00 mhz to 28.300 mhz there is NO voice modes only digital computer stuff , morse code , and fixed beacons , 28.300 to 28.500 mhz is for sideband only and 200 watts if your a tech license ( 1500 watts if your higher than tech license ) , and FM is only used above 29 mhz .

So those 10 meter radios aren't even usuable on 10 meters at all , they are basically CB's in the eyes of the FCC and hence illegal .