Thinking about a new (newer) CB shortly...what's considered a "better" model? Are the Unidens/Cobras still considered a good radio?
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What's considered a better "CB" these days?
- Thread starter The Jerk
- Start date
Best for a straight - legal CB is the Galaxy DX 949 for AM and the Galaxy DX 959 for AM with Sideband.
Today's Cobras are awful Chinese junk and Uniden only has a couple of models.
Today's Cobras are awful Chinese junk and Uniden only has a couple of models.
Really?
I have a DX959 currently, and I don't know how many people have told me they are a compromise (as in not the best)? I haven't had any issues with it, but I have been told they drift frequency and that the newer one's with MosFets are problematic...mine did arrive with a bad biasing (?) circuit from factory.
And here all that time I thought I was running something less than desirable.
I have a DX959 currently, and I don't know how many people have told me they are a compromise (as in not the best)? I haven't had any issues with it, but I have been told they drift frequency and that the newer one's with MosFets are problematic...mine did arrive with a bad biasing (?) circuit from factory.
And here all that time I thought I was running something less than desirable.
B
BOOTY MONSTER
Guest
Well there ya go. You haven't had any issues with yours. I've run one with no issues and several locals around here run them with no problems.
They can and will peak and tune out to 35-40 watts and get a nice large handful of extra channels with a simple mod (cut two wires and put them on switches) see @ cbtricks.com The extra channels display on the frequency counter....HEY !! It has a frequency counter!, the big meter, the roger beep, the talkback ect....
Try finding any of that on a Cobra or Uniden
They can and will peak and tune out to 35-40 watts and get a nice large handful of extra channels with a simple mod (cut two wires and put them on switches) see @ cbtricks.com The extra channels display on the frequency counter....HEY !! It has a frequency counter!, the big meter, the roger beep, the talkback ect....
Try finding any of that on a Cobra or Uniden
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X2!
I would look for a Philly made cobra 148GTL or a President 2510/Lincoln. There are quite a few ones out there (if your paitent) that are in like-new condition. The 148's are great on AM & respectable on SSB. The 2510/Lincoln's are great on SSB, and with a Rogerbird tune, are respectable on AM as well.
Don't waste your money on a galaxy, go with a cobra or uniden and if you must have an export model get an RCI product.
The REAL 'Better CB' these days isn't a CB at all.
It is a Ham radio that has been opened up for the CB/11 meter band. They are cleaner sounding, better receive, and overall have both more/better features. But be prepared to pay though the nose for it, and don't let anyone know that you have one - LOL!
Truth is - they have a cleaner transmit too!
It is a Ham radio that has been opened up for the CB/11 meter band. They are cleaner sounding, better receive, and overall have both more/better features. But be prepared to pay though the nose for it, and don't let anyone know that you have one - LOL!
Truth is - they have a cleaner transmit too!
I just want a straight AM rig...not really wanting a modified Ham radio.
I was trying to stay away from a used radio...been caught up in those before. Figured I start new so I knew what I had? I'd be using it to run this 667V, so it just needs to be clean, not super high output.
I was trying to stay away from a used radio...been caught up in those before. Figured I start new so I knew what I had? I'd be using it to run this 667V, so it just needs to be clean, not super high output.
If you aren't interested in SSB - and only AM alone - then most any radio will work. Any Cobra or Uniden will be fine. Or a Galaxy, Magnum, or Ranger for that matter.
But you will eventually be drawn to SSB; at least many are. Your bigger concern at the moment - will be with the best antenna you can afford - IMO...
But you will eventually be drawn to SSB; at least many are. Your bigger concern at the moment - will be with the best antenna you can afford - IMO...
the galaxies are "fun" radios, in that they have the big meters, are easy to modify, and have good loud transmit audio when they are tuned up.
everybody on the CB these days seems to like the galaxy sound.
however, they are noisy on receive. remove the antenna coax from the back of the radio and you will still hear noise coming through the receiver.
the noise blankers in them are not very effective in my experience.
they do cut down on the alternator whine, but other noises seem to get right through.
if you are considering a cobra/uniden product, go with the uniden.
they are simply better assembled. a uniden 78xl is the same radio as the cobra 29LTD, but if you were to open them up and look at them side by side, you would choose the uniden every time. i am looking at a 29LTD right now, and i cant believe how shoddy the wiring and component placement are.
the uniden 78xl is, in my opinion, the best AM only CB you can buy new these days. if they would make one with a galaxy style meter i'd be in heaven!
the receive is nice and quiet on this radio after you do the 2SC2999/schottky diode mod to it. (its pretty good before the mod also)
if it were my radio, i would do the receive mod, set the deadkey to match the amp, give it an alignment, and use an Astatic 636 mic with it.
no other mods needed IMO. well, i like to replace the meter lamp with two white LEDs which makes it much easier to see from a distance, but thats about it.
maybe one of these days i will build a 78xl with a galaxy 929 face on it.
hmmmm... best of both worlds.
good luck in your search.
LC
everybody on the CB these days seems to like the galaxy sound.
however, they are noisy on receive. remove the antenna coax from the back of the radio and you will still hear noise coming through the receiver.
the noise blankers in them are not very effective in my experience.
they do cut down on the alternator whine, but other noises seem to get right through.
if you are considering a cobra/uniden product, go with the uniden.
they are simply better assembled. a uniden 78xl is the same radio as the cobra 29LTD, but if you were to open them up and look at them side by side, you would choose the uniden every time. i am looking at a 29LTD right now, and i cant believe how shoddy the wiring and component placement are.
the uniden 78xl is, in my opinion, the best AM only CB you can buy new these days. if they would make one with a galaxy style meter i'd be in heaven!
the receive is nice and quiet on this radio after you do the 2SC2999/schottky diode mod to it. (its pretty good before the mod also)
if it were my radio, i would do the receive mod, set the deadkey to match the amp, give it an alignment, and use an Astatic 636 mic with it.
no other mods needed IMO. well, i like to replace the meter lamp with two white LEDs which makes it much easier to see from a distance, but thats about it.
maybe one of these days i will build a 78xl with a galaxy 929 face on it.
hmmmm... best of both worlds.
good luck in your search.
LC
B
BOOTY MONSTER
Guest
my 3 year old 78ltw has much much more noise than my washington or grant does . my export picked up a lot more noise too . i can hear folks on the old radios that noise on the new radios wont let me hear at all . i am interested in trying a new galaxy , but if its as noisy as the new/modern radios ive used i know i wont be happy . sparkys has a good deal on a referbed galaxy 949 tuned / aligned and clarifier opened and still has the factory 2 year warranty for $90 . i keep thinking about trying it cause i could resell it for about the same price locally . but i think id rather save that money to put a few more bucks with it and get a cobra 2000 or a 2950DX and get a ticket .
decisions decisions decisions .....
decisions decisions decisions .....
