Pnguyen7

I want to get a CB here soon. Ive read get a cheap CB and a good antenna, and tune it. WTF does tune it mean? I might go up to the truckstop around here and check stuff out. Any opinions?

highmileage

to tune : match you antenna to your CB. two important things wattage and carrier you can have low watts and a killer carrier with great skip (range) or you can have killer wattage litterally, you can key up the same time the guy in front of you does and you get to see him jump out of his truck and throw things at you for killing his radio. have it tuned at a CB shop, also they can get you the best bang for your buck. Not sure what your plans are but a linear can also be a handy thing. If you get one have it tuned with you setup. Some truck stop radio shops have the pullouts from guys who have upgraded, some of these units can be a steal, and they are already tuned.

Pnguyen7

This is what i got out of all of that tune it.

mr white

Basically your antenna has to "match" the output of your CB. If it doesn't you can burn things up, most likely your CB, but sometimes other people's as well.

ChadLunsford

What is so good about having a CB radio?

Modestmike

All of my friends have them in their rigs. It comes in handy when out on a trail or beach.

mr white

Weather reports. Communication with other rigs while on the trail. Emergency channel.

T-VIS

Cheap and free communication as in most equipment is cheap and to talk on the CB is free.
If you want to use your cellphone out on the trails go right ahead. LOL.

mr white

It gets tricky when you have 3 or more rigs and when there is no cell service in the mountains lol

T-VIS

Yup...
also to OP, don't skimp on a radio, get a decent one like a cobra 29 or a uniden PC68 or 680. The walmart cbs are garbage. Go to a truckstop or find a local CB shop.

Pnguyen7

Ive heard firesticks are good antennas. Imma go to the truck stop durin the weekend

buckshot500

The antenna must be matched to the radio. This involves slightly adjusting the length of the antenna, until a 1:1 match is achieved. You'll need to use an "SWR" meter to check this match.

Pnguyen7

Are swr meters cheap. Or should I just have someone tune it

Pnguyen7

I honestly dont kno a place that tunes cbs. Maybe a radio shack or best buy

zombie jeep101

Been readin this thread and I got a 102" stainless steal cb antenna "already installed" and haunt got a cb radio yet. What type of cb should I get? Been looking on eBay and there are some pretty cheap. But I don't know which one to get. I don't want to spend that much on one seeing as how I won't be using it much. Any help or links?? :sorry btw, not trying yo hijack this thread!: