Being that I’m in the US, and I’m not sure what the UK and Australia and NZ have, but I’m curious about things. . .
A few times I’ve traveled across the ‘radio black hole’ I call “Eastern Montana”, being one of the few places on the North American continent where you can’t get either an FM or AM signal in many spots (don’t ask).
Anyway, I got to thinkin’, “Hey, I want a CB radio”. I’ve got a handheld, but who’s got an actual unit?"
In my old pickup truck, I had a K40 antenna (which I’m gonna stick with in my new truck) and an old Cobra radio. It was good enough that from Ramsey, NJ, I could pick up someone from Central Park, NYC on a good day/
Is there any difference between the Uniden and Cobra models? Anything I should look for?
No matter what unit you get, you’re limited to 4 watts output, so just about any unit that will provide that output is ok.
But the most important part of any two-way system is the antenna, You have a K-40, which is one of the three finest (IMHO) on the market. You should be fine. Make sure the PL-259 connector is solidly mounted and not shorted out.
If you’re really worried about a good unit, take it to a two-way shop and have them check the output power and the modulation level. CB being primarily AM, if your modulation is low, it will severely reduce the output power. You want as close to 100% as possible.
Any other questions, ask. I sell two-way for a living, am a ham operator, and was a CBer for many years before getting my ham license.
At $ 10 a month 100 channel satellite XM radio is your best friend on long drives where AM and FM fail or are awful (which is everywhere). Check out Circuit City for packages. It’s a lot more fun and entertaining than listening to truckers on a CB.
[sub](except of course for listening to Rico on a CB who has been known to sing passages from The HMS Pinafore and The Mikado on Channel 15, and even do complete Firesign Theatre sketches for appreciative truckers.[/sub]
I have a question. (probably get busted by the mods but maybe someone else might want to know?) I have a Johnson 2 way radio (FM band???) that I used while doing cable work before those nextel walkie-talkie things took over. Where’s the best place to sell this radio? I have no use for it. It is in excellent shape and has the antenna, mike and all the wires.
You know, I used to have one waaaaayyyy back, in my first pickup truck (like, 1997). I loved that li’l Cobra. But some others I’ve asked have said Uniden or even : gasp : Realistic/Archer :eek: .
Is there any difference between the brands I should look for?
Much obliged, Rico
Tripler
Ooh, do the Cobra models come with the Weather bands, too?
Uniden and Cobra are both good brands, although you might hear purists distingiush between chassis sources, some of which are considered better than others.
Uniden radios tend to have more modern styling, while Cobras look like props from 1970s-era trucker and redneck movies. Styling is a personal preference, of course.
