Ideas on first cb

[Gthwaite]

I'd like to listen and talk on a cb at home, however im not sure of a good unit to buy. any suggestions?

[BtyMONSTER]

if you want just CB channels go with a cobra 29 or a uniden 68/78 , or if you want cb with ssb a cobra 148 . all available at sparkys with a free tuning and alignment included in the price .the Galaxy DX-979 is very nice too .
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if you want a radio with 10 meter capability theres a lot of good radios out there and learning a lil about their options will help you pick the best one for you . IMNSHO i think the magnum 257 already tuned and aligned for $199 at sparkys is a really great radio and value . good luck and welcome to the forum .
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p.s. the new 257s' have a blue back lighting not yellow and sparkys sells the new ones he just hasnt updated the photo .

[unrealantidote]

I'd like to listen and talk on a cb at home, however im not sure of a good unit to buy. any suggestions?

How much you lookin to spend on CB, Antenna, Coax, Hardware?

Im sure everyone here can point ya in the right direction and get the most bang for your buck.

[2UG217]

I second that. . .nothing wrong with a decent priced mobile and nice little powersupply for home listening and chatting. I believe that's what you want to do. No need to buy a big old base radio for your first radio. I used to sit on the back porch with a little realistic and an old powersupply when I was a lot younger for my first radio. Also, don't pass up a decent old base station on ebay like an old Cobra 139 or Uniden Washtington or so as a good base radio to start with at home plus they have sideband for when you start wanting to listen to a little cleaner conversation(That's not always the case though)

Good luck and happy CBing,

816 in Maryland

[Roughneck424]

Just sit back and read the posts that will come in.
Also you can go way back and read a "Zillion" past posts on this subject. After you get to your top 3 choices, draw straws and get #1 coming.
Don't worry that you will change your mind a few hundred times as you wait for your #1 to arrive.
This Forum will help you pass the time as you wait....

[doctor]

WELCOME, and enjoy the forum.
If you want a cb and depends on the money you want to spend get the following
Magnum 257
Astro plane antenna
pwr supply 25 amp, nothing less than a 20 amp
Good coax and your set to go.
If you want a base radio with plug/play<built in pwr supply>, get a GALAXY 2517 peaked/tuned
then your other expense will just be the antenna and coax to start.

Stay away from fiberglass antennas<interference problems with those>.
See you on the air..ssb or am chnl 13

DOCTOR/795

[unrealantidote]

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dont forget about a decent set of meters. will need this to adjust SWR.

[KC135]

My first car was not a Corvette, it was a Chevette.
Same with the radio's, there's nothing wrong with starting with a radio that won't require you to mortgage the house.
Of course That depends of your budget.

I would suggest that whatever which radio you decide on make sure it has an RF Gain knob control at minimum.
Every one is different and has different styles of operating a radio in different situations/Locations.
I may labeled as a weirdo, but I absolutely hate squelch, somebody way out there giving bear reports and you can't hear it = ticket.
and if a radio has no RF Gain knob than I personally would not own it much less buy it.
luckily most decent radio's today have such controls.

in summary:

To my way of thinking a radio that has no RF Gain control isn't worth the duck tape it takes to tape to your front tire before you go for a long drive :D