Between cobra and midland

[rafale01010]

I am back on the prospect of looking for a cb for my truck and need to ask a question. Between midland and cobra which would be the more reliable brand that i could trust better?

[Highlander_821]

Originally Posted by rafale01010

I am back on the prospect of looking for a cb for my truck and need to ask a question. Between midland and cobra which would be the more reliable brand that i could trust better?

Neither. Go with Uniden.

[nexus]

None of the above, abandon CB and study for a ham license and get a real radio.

[N_Jay]

Originally Posted by nexus

None of the above, abandon CB and study for a ham license and get a real radio.

How does that help someone talk to pother truckers on CB?

[pliquett]

While cobra or uniden will work if you want power and to sound like the big boys then you need a Galaxy, General Lee, Stryker, or Connex 10 meter radio. Check out e-bay.

[kb2vxa]

"How does that help someone talk to pother truckers on CB?"

Assuming you mean brother truckers word from a long time friend and interstate hauler has it that except for a few pockets of activity here and there CB is all but dead. Maybe that's why he pulled the CB out of the truck?

A truck with a radio is one of the worst reasons to get a ham license, it's not CB by a long shot.

PLEASE stay away from those illegal and frankly crappy radios, you don't need to "sound like the big boys" (cheese graters) just to talk half a mile down the highway. I'm deadly serious, they DO sound like crap and cause mucho interference so you'll be easily understood using a QUALITY radio and it's LEGAL.

[N_Jay]

Well Warren, much like many of your "facts", there is plenty of activity on CB along the highways.

Not so much the chit-chat of the past, but warnings of traffic problems and speed traps and well as LEOs on the move.

[ERICMYERS]

There's plenty to listen to on CB. Some you don't want to hear, some you do. Kind of like wading through annoying, antagonistic flame posts to get to real information.

If you just want to listen, most scanners can tune to CB, but most scanner antennas aren't very efficient at that wavelength. CH 19 = 27.185mhz.

I really like my Cobra 29, but it's big for my car. If I had a vehicle with plenty of space, it would be my choice. If I had it to do over again, I'd get a Cobra 75 remote mount with the controls/mic/speaker in the handset and the main radio mounted under the seat. My old Uniden mini which was the same as the current Uniden PRO510 and was a perfectly fine radio for over 15 years, with a much smaller form factor than the fullsize unit. It didn't have all the bells and whistles that the 29 does, but transmit/receive was perfectly acceptable.

A great antenna makes all the difference. A crap antenna on ANY radio renders crap.

Stay legal whatever you do.
Eric

[k9rzz]

I've had good luck with Uniden.

Ham radio is great, but with it you won't find out why the traffic is backed up as far as the eye can see when you're crossing Iowa or Nebraska in the middle of the night. Ch. 19 to the rescue!

[nova1010]

Originally Posted by rafale01010

I am back on the prospect of looking for a cb for my truck and need to ask a question. Between midland and cobra which would be the more reliable brand that i could trust better?

Well many moons ago I used a Cobra 148 and a Cobra 2000 both worked out great for me when I used to be on shooting skip and talking to the local yocals.

I've also had a midland I can't remember the model but I prefered the cobras.

But these days I can leave a CB on all day and hear nada I also have a Magnum S-9 sitting here collecting dust.

[dirtfinder]

Originally Posted by rafale01010

I am back on the prospect of looking for a cb for my truck and need to ask a question. Between midland and cobra which would be the more reliable brand that i could trust better?

It all depends on what you want. Do you want to shoot skip? Are you just wanting to talk to trucker Joe going down the road? A Midland 1001z and a Lil Wil antenna are great for the travelers just looking for local and road info, but thats about it. Cobra makes some pretty reliable radios with some pretty cool features. Personally I would go with the Cobra 148, or any radio that will handle USB,AM,LSB and or FM. If you are really looking for a bang for ya buck go for a Magnum radio!!

[Randmaster]

I would agree with a Cobra. I've had a Midland CB in my car for a year. Unfortunately, a manufacturing fault was found inside, which made my CB unusable. I'm planning to find a small Cobra sometime in the near future.

BTW, don't listen to the "Hammers"... I like to call them. I'd rather buy a radio for $50 without the stress of getting a license than having to pay over $200 for getting a HAM radio and a license (which is more money out of my pocket). I rarely hear any HAM traffic on my scanner. Even if I did, it's ALWAYS the same two people. CB is open and always running, and does not require a lot of knowledge to use.

[tmfok7]

Originally Posted by ERICMYERS

I'd get a Cobra 75 remote mount with the controls/mic/speaker in the handset and the main radio mounted under the seat.

First off, I'd ask you if you were wanting something with all the "bells and whistles"? If so, then look at the Cobra 148...of one variation or another!

Years ago, I had one like ERICMYERS suggested, for caravaning with friends who had cb's and those occasional trips into the mountains, on logging roads, to go fishing and needed to listen/talk to the log haulers coming down the mountain at warp 6! I was always told the modulation was low on that radio. If you are just looking for a compact cb with a few features to have for those times you need it, check the Cobra DX19 IV or the Uniden 520XL. They are both very compact, have NL/NB and RF Gain on them for quieting the radio when things get noisy!

Good luck!

[LarryMax]

Originally Posted by kb2vxa

"How does that help someone talk to pother truckers on CB?"

Assuming you mean brother truckers word from a long time friend and interstate hauler has it that except for a few pockets of activity here and there CB is all but dead. Maybe that's why he pulled the CB out of the truck?

A truck with a radio is one of the worst reasons to get a ham license, it's not CB by a long shot.

PLEASE stay away from those illegal and frankly crappy radios, you don't need to "sound like the big boys" (cheese graters) just to talk half a mile down the highway. I'm deadly serious, they DO sound like crap and cause mucho interference so you'll be easily understood using a QUALITY radio and it's LEGAL.

Jesus Christ people! He asked about CB. AND both of the brands he asked about (Midland and Cobra make LEGAL RADIOS Approved by the radio god, the FCC.) Funny how the FCC approves easily modifiable radios every year?!?!?

You know, for once I'd like to see someone ask ask a question about a "CB radio" and get a straight answer, not some BS about how high and mighty us ham radio operators are supposed to be (thats a laugh). When 10 year old children are extras that should humble all of you. You're not special. Even with code....the test and concepts are laughable.

CB all but dead.....what cave do you live in?

As I've said before, 99% of us started out on 11m. Either just to chat or experiment. 99% of us still go to 11m to check propagation when conditions are crappy. Seems 11m is open quite a bit, why not make some contacts on SSB? Jealous? Peeved? Just old and angry?

[freqs]

Originally Posted by rafale01010

I am back on the prospect of looking for a cb for my truck and need to ask a question. Between midland and cobra which would be the more reliable brand that i could trust better?

cobra would be my choice they have more radio to choose from at better prices . i run a cobra 148 and a willson 1000 antenna and have good receive and tx but its all choice i you that for trips and around town . get a good antenna thats a must and make sure you get it match to the radio .they have wilson that range from 33 bucks to 100 + k40 is another good antenna from 20 bucks up to 100 as well radios from cobra range from 39 bucks to 100+ some have weather radio built in some people like that ido for in my work truck pm me if you have more q & a

[hoser147]

Go with the Cobra it will be around long after the other ones. Midland is a nice radio, I had the WeaterMax and so did a couple of other people I know, none lasted but a few years in a PU truck. If you want to spend a little more go with the galaxy, Connex, General Lee or Ranger. They should last you a life time. And a good Wilson antenna...Good Luck.

[stateboy]

Originally Posted by k9rzz

I've had good luck with Uniden.

Ham radio is great, but with it you won't find out why the traffic is backed up as far as the eye can see when you're crossing Iowa or Nebraska in the middle of the night. Ch. 19 to the rescue!

Exactly. Anyone who says CB is dead doesn't live near or travel on the federal interstate system. Any radio will work and 4 watts is perfectly acceptable with a decent antenna. Instead of overpaying for a Wilson or some other monstrosity, check into a simple base loaded CB antenna from Maxrad or Larsen.

[ERICMYERS]

Of all the antennas I've ever used on CB (as 4 wheeler anyway) the Wilson Little Wil is the best ever hands down. It's not huge at 36", the magnet is really strong, it performs exceptionally well, and it cost $30 bucks. When I don't want it on the car, it goes in the trunk in 10 seconds.

Neither overpaid or a monstrosity. And it's made in America if that matters to anyone.

For a a big truck, there's a LOT of options, and great manufacturers. For anyone in a regular car, that one is a winner. NMO or other permanently mounted antenna solutions might be better in some ways, but it's permanent, and susceptible to vandals which is often an issue that mag mount addresses nicely.

Not knocking Larsen or Maxrad, just saying I really am impressed with this antenna.

Eric

[Highlander_821]

Cobra USED to be a good quality brand, when they were made by Uniden.

They haven't been made by Uniden for many years, and they are nowhere near as good as they used to be. The 148 was a great radio, until they cheapened and degraded the design in the last 10 years.

I disagree about skimping on the antenna. A Wilson 1000 will blow away a Little Wil, Larson, or Maxrad. Sure, those antennas will work OK to talk to most people you can hear on them---but you won't hear most people!

[freqs]

Originally Posted by Highlander_821

Cobra USED to be a good quality brand, when they were made by Uniden.

They haven't been made by Uniden for many years, and they are nowhere near as good as they used to be. The 148 was a great radio, until they cheapened and degraded the design in the last 10 years.

I disagree about skimping on the antenna. A Wilson 1000 will blow away a Little Wil, Larson, or Maxrad. Sure, those antennas will work OK to talk to most people you can hear on them---but you won't hear most people!

Do not skimp spend extra money on the antenna get a wilson 1000 or wilson 5000 or i have had good luck with a k40 . but watch taking a antenna from one car to the next you must check the match you get that to far off your signal goes down and if you let it go to long it can start burning up finals in the radio it only takes 5 mins to check it . Everyone has there favorite radio uniden cobra or even texas ranger i cant talk for the newer 148 mine is at least 20 yrs old if not more i have had a 76xl great radio as well held up well in the waste hauler i drive lot of off road driving at the landfill.