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Want to get a CB setup in my pickup

PSDfreak

Member
Feb 10, 2006
36
0
16
Danville & Chico, CA
I would like to put a CB radio in my truck, but I know NOTHING about them. Doing a bit of reading on my own it seems like Cobra, Uniden, & Galaxy are 3 of the more popular brands. There seem to be a ton of radios available on ebay.

I guess my question in what all do I need to get setup? I would also like to have a unit with a PA option.

Of people I have talked to in other forums, I am hearing a lot about tuning and modding and such...I am completely unfamiliar with any of that. Basically I want to get a decent setup that isnt going to cost me a fortune.

Thanks in advance guys,
Casey
 

Your going to need a antenna radio and PA speaker. All of them of your choice and what works best for you. Also going to need a swr meter if the radio you buy does not already have one. This will alow you to tune your antenna for the best preformance.
 
I tell you what...
$50.00
Cobra 25 GTL peaked and tuned....
25-30w peak radio....
stock mic and the other factory hardware...
+ shipping..
Then for an antenna you would like to get a Wilson 5000 magnet mount....with the mini 8 coax....and then tune for minimum SWR and you will be good to go ....
PM me for perfect instructions...I will set you straight....
WITH NO BS>>>PERIOD>>>>

Adam/AM POWER
 
For a first time setup i would go with this.Cobra 29 classic($110.00) and a little will(wilson)mag mount antenna($45.00) you dont need to go out and get a wilson 5000 mag mount,thats way more antenna then you need right now.Find a good cb shop and let them do a basic reak and tune(for now this is all you need and dont let them tell you different)to your radio this will up your power a little and also improve your receive.a good one should charge no more than $20.00 to do this,if they want more then go somewhere else!Yes you may want to go to an electronics store and buy a cheap swr meter(radio shack $25.00) and adjust your antenna yourself,dont worrie the antenna comes with instructions on how this is done.Oh and one more thing.When money alows you should get your self a good mike like an Astatic 636($45.00). these dont pick up hardly any back ground noise like wind,road or engine noise so you will have better sound to anyone who talks to you.
Put that mag mount in the MIDDLE of the roof on your truck!Not to the side or to the very back(it is a p/u truck right?)In the middle works best.You may want to run the power to your radio from the battery and the take your ground wire and run it to the frame of the truck.Where you put the wire on the frame make sure there is bare metal so it will get a good ground,you will also need to seal this with something that will keep water out so i will not rust and cause you to loose ground.This will go a long way in making sure that you hear very little engine noise when you are trying to listen to someone talking.

This will be a fine first radio setup that you will enjoy for a long time.Just remember...you dont have to go out and spend a boat load of money to sound like you have.Take your time and do your wiring and mounting right the first time,that makes all the difference!
 
I like King Mudduck's advice. You may be able to find a used Cobra 29 or 25, Uniden 76, or similar from a forum member that can save you some money. Look in the swap shop section (I have a Cobra 29 up for sale in there right now). There are better antennas than the Lil' Wil, but it will get you started for cheap. If you decide you have a few extra bucks to spend, the Wilson 1000 is a good performance step up, but I think the Wilson 5000 is overkill for what it sounds like you're wanting to do.
 
Thanks for all of the information guys. I am looking at Cobra 25 & 29's as well as some Uniden 520s on ebay right now.

A lot of guys are telling me that the cobra radios have kind of fallen off in quality over the past few years, so maybe I should sway towards the Uniden???

Thanks again for all of your help....

-Casey
 
The older Cobras were pretty good, especially compared to the new ones. You can tell on a 29 because the mic connector is on the side, instead of the front. I'll plug the 29 I have for sale in the swap shop one more time ;)
 
i may add

you may want to consider a radio with SSB
Cobra 25 and 29 are fine (if you do not want to consider SSB)
maybe a cobra 146 or 148 for they have ssb (and in these the older ones are better and cheaper for a starter set up)

antennas are easy for starter set up
whether you want mag mount or mirror mount
keep antenna simple...

if you deside later on you really like and want to get into it

then worry about peaking radios power and channels and the best antenna

a lot of good people on this forum
they always are willing to help
 
wow....lots of information. I have been all over the internet and have found several possibilities. I found a guy that lives about 15 miles from me with a Uniden 520 (in excellent condition) and an antenna (not sure what it is yet, waiting for reply on that) for $50. What do you all think? I bet I could get him to take less for it too...

Thanks again for all of the info and let me know what you think about the deal mentioned above....

-Casey
 
The uniden 520 is a good little radio. The audio sounds really good out of it too! Depending on what antenna he's got, that may be a terrific deal!
 
Little more info I got from him...He says the Radio is 1 year old, works just like it was out of the box, no scratches or exterior damage. He is not sure what the antenna is and will send me an email with the make and model when he gets home...ill post it when I get it to see what you all think.

-Casey
 

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