CB radio question

[SuperB]

Hey guys. I'm looking into getting a cb radio for my 06KR f250. I think I have it narrowed down to two but was looking for some opinions. I have no experience with cb's so forgive my ignorance. I was looking at the Midland 75-822, which is a type of portable, or a uniden pro538w. I was liking the midland due to it's size and portability. I like the uniden because of the front mounted speaker. I was thinking of mounting it between the drivers seat and the console so i thought the front speaker would be better. I guess my question is...due to the different style of radios would i be losing any performance by going with the midland? i plan on probably getting a wilson "lil wil" or 500 antenna, or maybe 4' firestik. Does anyone have any experience with either of these radios? Any comments are appreciated.

 

[WD40]

SuperB sounds like a Farmall tractor I had once. LOL

I have had CB's in my big trucks and pick-up's for the last 35 or more years.
I was never real impressed with the Midland line of radios.
Had one or two Unidens and liked them just fine, but found I liked the Cobra's the best.
The Cobra 29 has all the bells and whistles. The little 25 cost a little less and will out talk
the others I have tried.
You said you were thinking 4'Firestik, I use a 5 x 5 Firestik on my pick-up and like it fine,
it does hit some of the drive thru's. I have always used a external speaker on my CB radio.
Good Luck
Doug

 

[CHPMustang]

In my experience it's not always the radio that you choose but the antenna and location it is installed/placed is what really helps a radio perform at it's best.

I also am looking into a new mobile cb for my truck and a front firing speaker has to be the most important feature to me.

I've had positive experience with Midland,Uniden and Cobra brands,you really can't go wrong with any of them IMHO.

 

[tankerdude]

Go to a cb shop near a truck stop. They always have used radios that they've gone through. Some of the more popular radios are built one way to get them in the country, then a knowledgable tech will make some kind of simple mod inside to really get some good power out of it.

As already stated, the key to a good cb is the antennae. DO NOT SCRIMP on the antennae. Wilson makes a good magnet mount that works great. I've had others over the years, even the Firestick's. In my world the Firestick is a waste of good money. Wilson has been around for-e-ver and makes a good product.

On my last two trucks (both crew cabs), I used the Wilson mag mount. It was stuck to the middle of the roof, about a foot forward of the rear edge. For the antennae cable, I used some plastic cable mounts that stick on with foam tape (found them at Lowes, but Radio Shack would have the same thing) and a short zip tie to attach the cable to the mount. Ran the cable down the back of the cab, avoiding the sliding rear window, and underneath, where I found a factory plugged hole in the floorboard that I could push the cable through.

 

[Tractorz]

I used to use Midland Radios until they stopped joining other CB Manufacturers in standardizing accessories. Their microphones became the exception to the standard. It became difficult to buy a microphone (The weakest link in the CB Radio setup), and I had to have one wired whenever one failed.

With Cobra or Uniden the microphones are a standard wiring mic. I can pick one up at any truck stop 24 hours a day. I like things simple.

The Uniden Pro 538 is not a good radio due to factory defects. The biggest defect in it is that the digital channel display. On that model they always fail. I have maybe six of these radios, and all, without exception had the same problem. That display fails, and segments go out making it impossible to tell which channel is currently in use. Bad choice.\

Cobra 25, 29 or Uniden Pro 68 or 78 are far better radios. They also tune up better than the Midlands. Also, it is easier to get someone to repair the Uniden and Cobra radios.

The Galaxy line of radios is also excellant. They have a line of good, small and cheap radios.

 

[WD40]

Tractorz, Welcome to SSD.com
Doug

 

[SuperB]

Thanks for the info! I bought a "lil wil" antenna try out an old cobra 18 I had laying around the house. Radio didn't work well so I think I'm going with a Coba 75 LX. I saw one at a local cb shop and liked the display. Looks to be a good unit from what I've read. Anyone have experience with this model? I guess now I've got to find a place to mount it!

 

[Yooper75]

Another vote for the Cobra 29 here, they have been around for ever and are very receptive to upping the power a little bit and they can be had pretty cheap as well. I've been running one in my truck since shortly after I bought the truck I've also been running a 4ft fiberglass whip on a stake pocket mount with good luck. Don't scrimp on the COAX though it will bite you in the butt big time if you do.

These were taken during the re-install.

 

[SuperB]

Well I finally got it installed. I went with the Cobra 29LX, Wilson "lil wil" antenna and a small speaker I had laying around the garage. I was trying decide how to mount it. I didn't want to screw it to the dash. I liked the idea of a console but wasn't too keen on building one. I finally thought of a RAM mount. So I used the size "C" with the 1.5" ball and a standard length shaft. I think it looks good and is out of the way of the cubby door. I can also angle the unit for the best visibility. Now I've just got to hide the antenna wire and touch up the screws with some black nail polish!

 

[WD40]

Where did you fine a mount like that? Looks good.
Doug