| Author |
Message |
    
Franzey
New member
Username: Franzey
Post Number: 1
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 8:52 pm: | 
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I know it's probably been asked and answered 100 times before. I tried searching and reading through all the great posts but I am in need of some good "experienced" advice the people who know.
I'm looking for a decent CB radio for my car. Currently I am using the Radio Shack TRC521. (Stop Laughing) Well, a guy has to start somewhere. Just bought a Wilson 5000 in hopes of getting a good antenna and would like to compliment it with a good radio. 99% of the time I am listening only to Ch19. I hardly ever transmit and if so, just to answer a question about directions or chat for a few. I'm not ready for ham or anything like that yet, just looking for a decent CB rig without spending a fortune. I'm looking to spend 150 or less on the unit. I drive a 98 Bonneville and my wife would really prefer that I don't start making the car look like a big rig... Any ideas out there for the newbie?
Thanks so much in advance. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 5637
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 11:34 pm: |
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Franzey,
Welcome to the Copper Forum!
Just click on the LINK below and you will find 29 radios that fit your price range with many different features depending on what you want in a radio.
RADIOS-CB MOBILE
Hope this helps,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Franzey
New member
Username: Franzey
Post Number: 2
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, April 28, 2005 - 9:47 am: |
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Hi Lon,
Thanks for the link. Do you know if there is a radio that can listen to two channels simultaneously? Meaning I can listen to Ch 19 and Ch 9 and if I give ch 9 the priority it will break with ch 19 to go to 9? My cheapy radio shack will do a "dual watch" but it's annoying to have communication broken every so often when it checks ch 9.
Also, do you know of a good CB that will scan the 40 channels?
Thanks! |
Pig040
Advanced Member
Username: Pig040
Post Number: 775
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 28, 2005 - 9:54 am: |
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In that price range, I like the Galaxy 959, they are known for loud audio, and even though you dont use ssb much right now, you may want to try the copper net on Sundays on 38lsb. Good luck!
Rich |
Alsworld
Advanced Member
Username: Alsworld
Post Number: 909
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 12:35 am: |
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Franzey,
welcome to the forum. A couple of things:
1) Great choice on antennas! The antenna makes up a major percentage of your radios operation.
2) Radio Shack radios are not junk, just usually way overpriced. Sure there are better radios but we are not here to laugh at your radio, but glad you have joined our hobby. It's fun.
3) The only CB radio that comes to mind with a dual channel watch is the Midland 79-290. There may be others that escape my memory (typical for me), but it has it. Nice little radio but kind of spendy. Maybe others can help here without going export.
4) Unfortunately, in many (most?) places channel 9 is no longer monitored as an emergency channel. It IS the emergency channel but in your area, it might be worthwhile to get some checks and see if anyone, such as REACT) is still around. Cell phones and declining CB radio uses have seen many areas 'give up'. Sad...
Welcome to the forum!
Alsworld |
Franzey
New member
Username: Franzey
Post Number: 3
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 11:23 am: |
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Thanks Alsworld. I got the Cb mainly for something to listen to, to and from work. I drive and hour down I-75 every day and I really enjoy listening to all the truckers talk as well as the base stations. I've been reading here that people don't like the midland's much, but I had thought about it. It was a good size as well. Also, do you know of a CB radio that will scan the stations? not a critical piece just looking for a good strong RX unit.
Thanks!
--Matt |
Alsworld
Advanced Member
Username: Alsworld
Post Number: 911
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2005 - 11:45 pm: |
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Franzey,
I know of no CB's that scan all 40 channels. Now some exports will do it once modified for 11 meters, President Lincoln, Magnum Delta Force or Omega Force are a few I know will. But, those are beyond your target price range. I like the scan function myself, and use it most always. As far as CB's scanning all channels, none that I am aware of but don't take that as fact.
Alsworld |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 2546
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2005 - 10:58 am: |
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I have a PRO-2053 trunking tracker receiver and it scans cb very nicely you might concider getting a good scanner receiver and using it.
I dont know why but alworlds right iv'ed never seen a stock CB that scanned all 40. |
Chad
Intermediate Member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 272
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2005 - 12:27 pm: |
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My cobra 75WXST scans all 40, Just a pain to get the squelch right.
Chad |
Oldpirate
Member
Username: Oldpirate
Post Number: 51
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2005 - 3:48 pm: |
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Franzey, I wouldn't sell the 79-290 short, I have one and have worked a lot of DX with it, sure its not in the league of the Grants but for x number of dollars it has a lot of features and can certainly perform with the best of them. The important thing as with any radio is to get a good tech to get the best out of it.
With the 79-290 you would be better to replace the stock mic with something like an Astatic 636 N/C type. I can't comment on the adjacent channel interferece because quite simply down this way there isnt any. I know a few guys in the city that have fitted channel guards to them. Mine swings to 20watts but I know some guys have tweaked them to go closer to 30 watts.
From my home QTH (Auckland, NewZealand) I talk on regular skeds to the states on it and occasionally into europe |
Pointman
Intermediate Member
Username: Pointman
Post Number: 133
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 06, 2005 - 6:07 pm: |
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I would look into the Galaxy 68 or 78 Elites.
Nice radios that talk and have great receive.
If you really want the scan feature then just get it over with and get yourself an Omega Force and be done with it. Now my Omega Force is THE radio in terms of features, performance and price. It will run with any radio out there period and none can touch it's features, monster audio and awesome receive on top of it.
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 2568
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 06, 2005 - 7:55 pm: |
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chad your right my cobra 75w DOES scan never even looked at that....... SO-SO radio otherwise. |
