BIG RADIO'S
- Thread starter FlameMerc
- Start date
I think you are interested in a side band radio. Big power, lots of channels? Galaxy is a great radio, and my favorite. My first one was a Galaxy 33 now the 99 seems to be the one to own. Have your radio shop peak it and matched to your antenna's and you will have a ball. You might want to make sure you have insurance coverage for your 10 meter beauty.
"Big radios" need to be blasted with big dynamite. They're a radio that overpowers everything else but what good is it really. Sure, it gets heard for 20 miles but it won't pick up a signal from any farther away than a standard radio. All it achieves is totally annoying the people who can't talk to the circle of people within a mile of them because the "big radio" guy is stepping all over them from miles away. That's if "big radio" means the amplified illegal transmitting power radios.
If "big radio" means one of the Galaxy models that's 10 meter it requires an amateur radio license to operate legally. Lots of them are out there and most get by somehow but every month a few of them get busted and fined, usually $10,000.
Get a ham radio license and an HF rig and talk around the world legally or get a good Cobra and have it peaked and tuned so it works at top efficiency and just send a good signal out as far as you can receive one back. Don't join the "big radio" bozos who are ruining cb radio for everyone else.
Leo
truck 4958
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
If "big radio" means one of the Galaxy models that's 10 meter it requires an amateur radio license to operate legally. Lots of them are out there and most get by somehow but every month a few of them get busted and fined, usually $10,000.
Get a ham radio license and an HF rig and talk around the world legally or get a good Cobra and have it peaked and tuned so it works at top efficiency and just send a good signal out as far as you can receive one back. Don't join the "big radio" bozos who are ruining cb radio for everyone else.
Leo
truck 4958
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Set on low, just a slight bit of echo, and staying OFF the other bands.. converted 10 Meter Galaxies play great. I've had a 66 and an 88, and properly tuned, they transmitted and received wonderfully. However, many people cannot resist the temptation, they crank em up, overmodulate, echo on full blast, and run all the 10 meter channels.
Are they needed? Nope.. and nowadays, since they're getting so much more attention, they're more of a hassle, (even US Customs is starting to report them in trucks) and if you brag you have one, they are a thief magnet...
A well tuned Cobra or Uniden with a properly matched, quality antenna, and a good noise cancelling mic will do you just as well. Invest in a good antenna, make SURE you have it tuned for best SWR, and make sure you have quality coax. A 30 watt radio will sound like junk thru a bad antenna, and a 4 watt radio will sound awesome thru a quality antenna.
My personal preference is a Cobra 29, with an Astatic 636L Noise Cancelling Mic, running thru a Francis 4 foot fiberglass whip.
I get nothing but compliments, it's clear, crisp, and I can usually talk as far as I can hear.
I will say this... if you are determined to have a Galaxy, they do make several legal 11 Meter radios that, properly tuned, will sound pretty close to the 10 Meter radios, just without all the extra channels. Check out the 919 and 929, which are similar to a Cobra 29, or if you're a Sideband player, check out the 949 and 959s, which are more like Cobra 148s. They all have the large meter, which is nice, and the 959 has the freq counter too, which is nice on sideband.
Are they needed? Nope.. and nowadays, since they're getting so much more attention, they're more of a hassle, (even US Customs is starting to report them in trucks) and if you brag you have one, they are a thief magnet...
A well tuned Cobra or Uniden with a properly matched, quality antenna, and a good noise cancelling mic will do you just as well. Invest in a good antenna, make SURE you have it tuned for best SWR, and make sure you have quality coax. A 30 watt radio will sound like junk thru a bad antenna, and a 4 watt radio will sound awesome thru a quality antenna.
My personal preference is a Cobra 29, with an Astatic 636L Noise Cancelling Mic, running thru a Francis 4 foot fiberglass whip.
I get nothing but compliments, it's clear, crisp, and I can usually talk as far as I can hear.
I will say this... if you are determined to have a Galaxy, they do make several legal 11 Meter radios that, properly tuned, will sound pretty close to the 10 Meter radios, just without all the extra channels. Check out the 919 and 929, which are similar to a Cobra 29, or if you're a Sideband player, check out the 949 and 959s, which are more like Cobra 148s. They all have the large meter, which is nice, and the 959 has the freq counter too, which is nice on sideband.
raceman
Veteran Expediter
I had to deal with Mr Big Radio all the way home last night. I was running I71 on a return trip and I knew from from trip North that big trucks were the target of the day. On my way North they had trucks pulled over evry mile two and three at a time.
I was coming back Soth and could have really used the reports from North bound but all we had were two good ole boys on their Big Radios. We ran from Columbus to Cincinnati putting up with these two Cowboys.
I agree for the road all you need is something that will get you out a little bit. My Cobra and 4 foot whips do the trick. Perfect driving record and no tickets and always know how to get around a wreck. Save the Big Radio for the house. Heck what else are you gonna do at home.
Raceman
Owner Two Straight Truck.
Part time driver of one of my trucks and local TT.
15mon.OTR Expediting
1 yr local Expediting
Line Haul TT 2mon.
OTR Straight Truck Plt to Plt off and on 5 years.
Based in Cincy Ohio
Currently at Express-1
I was coming back Soth and could have really used the reports from North bound but all we had were two good ole boys on their Big Radios. We ran from Columbus to Cincinnati putting up with these two Cowboys.
I agree for the road all you need is something that will get you out a little bit. My Cobra and 4 foot whips do the trick. Perfect driving record and no tickets and always know how to get around a wreck. Save the Big Radio for the house. Heck what else are you gonna do at home.
Raceman
Owner Two Straight Truck.
Part time driver of one of my trucks and local TT.
15mon.OTR Expediting
1 yr local Expediting
Line Haul TT 2mon.
OTR Straight Truck Plt to Plt off and on 5 years.
Based in Cincy Ohio
Currently at Express-1
Dreamer and Raceman:
This might be a good place to discuss the legality of 1, 4, 10 watt radios operated by person with or without a radio operators license. I don't know the differences but I suspect y'all might enlighten us.
I once read that it is illegal to transmit advertisements or music over a CB radio, and it's also not legal to tranmit in the blind, i.e. Use the CB to transmit without expectation of an answer, except in an emergency.
This might be a good place to discuss the legality of 1, 4, 10 watt radios operated by person with or without a radio operators license. I don't know the differences but I suspect y'all might enlighten us.
I once read that it is illegal to transmit advertisements or music over a CB radio, and it's also not legal to tranmit in the blind, i.e. Use the CB to transmit without expectation of an answer, except in an emergency.
Hey,
This could be one of the better post's on this forum. Maybe some one could get a C-B shop to come on line & give tips or advice. Now my 2 cents worth. Like my C-B man said to me "Do you want to just stay on 19 or you want to go higher?" How much money do you want to spend?
Mine was considered a "Big Radio" but now I get blasted over by the Cowboys. Anyway like what's already been posted get a Cobra or a Uniden have it tuned & peaked by a reliable shop if you want too or get a Galaxy or try one like mine A Magnum S series. Ya'all have a good one.............................Jimmy
This could be one of the better post's on this forum. Maybe some one could get a C-B shop to come on line & give tips or advice. Now my 2 cents worth. Like my C-B man said to me "Do you want to just stay on 19 or you want to go higher?" How much money do you want to spend?
Mine was considered a "Big Radio" but now I get blasted over by the Cowboys. Anyway like what's already been posted get a Cobra or a Uniden have it tuned & peaked by a reliable shop if you want too or get a Galaxy or try one like mine A Magnum S series. Ya'all have a good one.............................Jimmy
Thanks to all you drivers for your input. What I'm looking for is the sound of the big radios . Loud and Clear. Not looking to blow away anyone out there, just want to be heard when I key up. I do like the echo. It doesn't have to be a Galaxcy,but I think thats the only one you can get echo and deep sound with, and I don't want to be Illegal.
If anyone knows how to do that with a cobra or uniden, let me know. I now have a Cobra 25 Classic peaked and tuned. With a modulated mike. I have twin Wilson 2000 antennas. Thanks again all. Butch..
If anyone knows how to do that with a cobra or uniden, let me know. I now have a Cobra 25 Classic peaked and tuned. With a modulated mike. I have twin Wilson 2000 antennas. Thanks again all. Butch..
I HAVE A GALAXY 99 MATED TO A 200 WATT TEXAS STAR LINEAR AMPLIFIER. IT IS A GREAT RADIO. BUT TO BE HONEST WITH YOU I VERY SELDOM EVEN TURN MY RADIO ON. UNLESS I AM IN THE CITY AND THEN I JUST LISTEN. I REALLY DON'T NEED ALL THE RADIO THAT I HAVE. UNLESS YOU WANT TO WALK ALL OVER EVERYONE. I WOULD JUST TAKE THE RADIO THAT YOU ALREADY OWN TO A GOOD CB SHOP. FIND A REPUTABLE SHOP. ASK AROUND,THERE ARE ALOT OF CROOKS OUT THERE. AND HAVE YOUR RADIO PEAKED AND TUNED AND HAVE THEM INSTALL A ECHO BOARD. AND I THINK YOU WILL ACHIEVE THE RESULT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR WITH OUT LAYING OUT A LOT OF CASH. I'M NOT SURE IF THE COBRA 25 WILL ALLOW THE MODS I MENTIONED. BUT THE 29 WILL AND IS NOT A REAL EXPENSIVE RADIO. BUT IF YOUR LOOKING TO LAY OUT SOME CASH. BUY A GALAXY. BUT IT WILL HAVE MORE FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS THEN YOU WILL PROBABLY EVER USE. GENERAL LEE IS A GOOD RADIO ALSO. LITTLE LESS EXPENSIVE. GOOD LUCK AND TRANSMIT REPSONSIBLY.
rollingstock
Expert Expediter
You might like to try getting an amatuer radio license. You can transmit on the 2 meter (FM)70CM and up. These frequencies are all linked around the country to repeaters and it makes for good company. Since everyone is licensed, the courtesy on these freqs. is a breath of fresh air.
Bob
KD4BTB
Bob
KD4BTB
I would like to recomend the Petro in Effingham IL. They have a CB shop in there, they built my Cobra 29 up, and did a hell of a job with it. I have a echo board in it, but its just barely turned on. You want just enuf to give the voice definition without being overbearing, unlike alot of those a$$h@le cowboys. Mine is putting out about 50 watts. You just have to have it peaked and tuned just right. I have alot of drivers that swear I am using a kicker box, and are amazed when I pull over to a rest area or whatever, and I dare them to try to find a amp. Mine is just built right. Dont buy used is a key thing to remember. yea you can get em cheap, but you dont know whats been done, or by who, and if they even knew what they were doing. And dont use the Microphone that came with the unit. Its basicly a junk. Keep it for a backup, but thats all. By yourself a noisecancelling MIC. Either by Astatic or roadking. I prefer the Astatic. Some of the radios come with weather bands, if your stereo or whatever does not have one, it is a plus when you get into tornado valley!!
Keep the receipts for the radio as it is tax deductable.
Stay away from Galaxys. All they are are overpriced Cobra/unidens. You can change the finals in a cobra/uniden and have a galaxy, for 1/4 the price.
Keep the receipts for the radio as it is tax deductable.
Stay away from Galaxys. All they are are overpriced Cobra/unidens. You can change the finals in a cobra/uniden and have a galaxy, for 1/4 the price.
Most of these radios are Galaxy,Superstar,Conex,President or uniden 2510 or similiar models that go from 24mhz to 30mhz some of the cobra models can be modified, they also have CW,LSB,USB,FM an regular channels the best way to get advice is to talk to someone that has one, mine is a Superstar 3900,with the modulation limiter clipped, and a power mike it also use's a texas star modulator 100 watt works great is on of the loudest radios in daytona beach,fla all of the channels are great to get away from people, but using the full power on channel 19 just makes people mad, I use the texas star for the pre amp it has, not to send but to recieve, you can find these radios on the web just do a search for CB radios, finding a good tech to work on it is hard, talk to people before you let someone touch it, as for it being illegal go to the FCC web site there not illegal, its a rule, not a law!!!! you can be fined an have the radio taken by the FCC, but its not likly to happen I have friends with 1200 watt plus radios for years, Ive been on the radio for over 15 years
FCC rules are law just as FAA rules are law and countless others are law. Your radio is illegal and people get mad because anyone using "big radios" to walk all over everyone else deserves to have people mad at them. One can only hope that your "friends" with the 1200 watt radios get their friendly FCC letter and their $10,000 fine before they either grow up or die. Using that as an example is as intelligent as saying all my friends jumped off the roof and didn't break their leg so I jumped too.
Leo
truck 4958
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Leo
truck 4958
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
heres some sites that sell export radios, http://www.pacelectronics.com, http://www.premier-electronics.net,http://www.thequackshack.com,an http://www.1stopelectronics.com, an no I dont use my modulator to broadcast I use it for the pre amp it improves the recieve up to 20db,an I have talked to the FCC about my radio,They dont care!!!!!!!!! give them a call an ask, they have better things to do then worry about people with cb's unless your interfering tv's airports' or emergency radios like police,fire etc.They dont care,An LDB if you read my post right i do not endores broadcasting with linears,http://www.fcc.gov/oet/fccid/,heres another website to look at,an my friends radios are competition radios,if you've ever heard of doing that its when people go to channels below the regular 40 mainly 50 or 60 channels below an have shot outs for money,just like custom cars an there stereo competitions,a lot of these people are techs an ham operators not anyone you would find on the regular 40 channels
Well everyone, Thanks for all your input. I bought a new radio. Its a Uniden PC78 and with the Mega Tune. It will put out over 30 watts, so they say. It will be loud and clear, but not overpowered. They didn't offer an echo. If I decide I want one,I think any good CB shop can do it for me. Thanks again . Be Safe and Have Fun out there...Butch
speedy1966
Expert Expediter
I have always enjoyed BIG radios...I have ratchet jawed more on my base station than my truck...I have Davemade amps that emit MANY watts of power...I take measures to make sure I'm in the second wave at my house so as not to blank out any TV's...Not many neighbors that close anyway...
When I'm in the truck, I have a Connex 3300HP...It also carries a Davemade 1.5 KW amp...When I want to turn it on, I DO!! I didn't buy it to turn it off...I talk long distances to some long-time friends in my local area...It is usually late at night, and on AM channel 33...That's away from the monkey channel...It may bleed slightly, but I do what I can to minimize it...If someone has a problem with it, I simply tell them to kick it up mud duck!! If they can't, well, I hate it...I ain't going to be on all night...
I have helped many motorists, and fellow truckers with this obviously much hated radio by some of you...It will talk to places from the boondocks most other radios will not...Of course there's no cell signal when your broke down beside Wilbur's and Mr. Ed's house...speedy1966
P.S. "Using Big Radios to walk all over everyone"...Kind of a stereotype, don't you think?? Not ALL people with DECENT equipment uses it for that...
When I'm in the truck, I have a Connex 3300HP...It also carries a Davemade 1.5 KW amp...When I want to turn it on, I DO!! I didn't buy it to turn it off...I talk long distances to some long-time friends in my local area...It is usually late at night, and on AM channel 33...That's away from the monkey channel...It may bleed slightly, but I do what I can to minimize it...If someone has a problem with it, I simply tell them to kick it up mud duck!! If they can't, well, I hate it...I ain't going to be on all night...
I have helped many motorists, and fellow truckers with this obviously much hated radio by some of you...It will talk to places from the boondocks most other radios will not...Of course there's no cell signal when your broke down beside Wilbur's and Mr. Ed's house...speedy1966
P.S. "Using Big Radios to walk all over everyone"...Kind of a stereotype, don't you think?? Not ALL people with DECENT equipment uses it for that...