Flat Work Posted August 12, 2017 Share Posted August 12, 2017 I need to choose a CB. While I'll be doing some OTR driving in the future, (both U.S. and Canada) most of my driving will be in state. I pull an end dump, and I'm constantly in gravel pits, and concrete and asphalt plants. Communicating with the dispatchers in these places is a must. The signals in those places can be weak. So if there are any features to help deal with that problem, I would be interested. Weather channels would be nice, but between the Weather Channel app. I have on my phone, and available channels on my Sirius Radio, they're not necessary. I'm not looking to spend hundreds of dollars. Just something effective. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/50757-school-me-on-cb-radios/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjc transport Posted August 12, 2017 Share Posted August 12, 2017 Cobra 29 LTD around $100 add $25 for an antenna and you have a good setup. 1 Quote when you are up to your armpits in alligators, it is hard to remember you only came in to drain the swamp.. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/50757-school-me-on-cb-radios/#findComment-377311 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwell Posted August 12, 2017 Share Posted August 12, 2017 I run a stock Cobra 29 LTD with a Wilson 2000 antenna. I tuned it myself, easy and works great! I paid about $110 for the CB and $57 for the antenna. For another $40 I did add an external speaker but by no means was it a necessity. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/50757-school-me-on-cb-radios/#findComment-377312 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamsterGrrrl Posted August 12, 2017 Share Posted August 12, 2017 Not worth the bother, get a ham license. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/50757-school-me-on-cb-radios/#findComment-377313 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Not worth the bother, get a ham license. That's realistic, just to communicate with the loader in the quarry. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/50757-school-me-on-cb-radios/#findComment-377370 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamsterGrrrl Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Or if we have to take this down to the "lowest common denominator", get a GMRS system. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/50757-school-me-on-cb-radios/#findComment-377373 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tjc transport Posted August 13, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted August 13, 2017 which is still useless, unless the loaders and plant operators have the same style radio. 3 Quote when you are up to your armpits in alligators, it is hard to remember you only came in to drain the swamp.. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/50757-school-me-on-cb-radios/#findComment-377379 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobert62 Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Like others have stated a general cobra or uniden or something along those lines will be fine. It's more important to have 1 good antenna with your swr's set within spec. I would also recommend a noise canceling mic. Just my preference. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/50757-school-me-on-cb-radios/#findComment-377383 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flat Work Posted August 13, 2017 Author Share Posted August 13, 2017 Thanks guys and gal! Yeah, when you pull into a quarry or plant, there's usually a sign at the entrance telling you which channel to use. Now, as for an antenna, are the short ones any good? I'm out in the country a lot. My stack smacks the low lying branches sometimes. So I know a long antenna will get banged around a lot. Actually, now that I think about it, there's a short one on top of the cab already. I don't know anything about it. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/50757-school-me-on-cb-radios/#findComment-377387 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjc transport Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 that is the fm radio antenna. a smaller fiberglass whip will work, i prefer o spend the extra money and get a wilson 1000 or 2000 with the steel whip. it is a lot stronger. 1 Quote when you are up to your armpits in alligators, it is hard to remember you only came in to drain the swamp.. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/50757-school-me-on-cb-radios/#findComment-377390 Share on other sites More sharing options...
theakerstwo Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 The Cobra 29 LTD with a Wilson 2000 antenna is a good enough radio for any ones needs and it can be taken to a radio shop and be tweeted some. Quote glenn akers Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/50757-school-me-on-cb-radios/#findComment-377392 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamsterGrrrl Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Amazing that America persists with obsolete AM CBs on the HF bands- Most of the world has switched to VHF and UHF FM. Is you must have one, buy the cheapest and don't worry about the antenna much- the ground plane is more important. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/50757-school-me-on-cb-radios/#findComment-377394 Share on other sites More sharing options...
h67st Posted August 14, 2017 Share Posted August 14, 2017 Sorry to sound stupid, but what's the ground plane? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/50757-school-me-on-cb-radios/#findComment-377404 Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted August 14, 2017 Share Posted August 14, 2017 Sorry to sound stupid, but what's the ground plane? The vehicle metal ground surface under the antenna. It helps "reflect the signals, the vehicle roof works best or a direct ground cable to the chassis.. A Dipole CB antenna does not need a ground plane like the No Ground antenna kit from Firestik Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/50757-school-me-on-cb-radios/#findComment-377413 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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