Hand Held CB Radio?

Is there such thing as a good hand held CB Radio? I thought there was more involved with the dialing in and antenna set up etc.

Does anyone know of a good hand held CB radio that has a good range?

Any ideas on how a company driver in a slip seat situation can utilize a CB if there is not one in the truck and one cannot be installed?

I believe having access to one would be great but not sure if the hand held version is worth the money. Anybody have experience with these?

Any advice, tips, or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Handhelds just never seem to have the range, at least not that I've heard of. However, they may have good enough RF reception to receive traffic warnings from truckers around you that have powerful CBs. And that's the primary reason why I use a CB anyway. I rarely talk on it.

Does anyone know of a good hand held CB radio that has a good range?

Size does matter here. Range is related to the antenna length. Notice how long the cab-mounted antennas are.

Handhelds just never seem to have the range, at least not that I've heard of.

Hey turtle, I would use it mainly to listen for traffic information from other tickets around me too. But just not sure if the signal will be strong enough.

Notice how long the cab-mounted antennas are.

I think Errol is right that the antenna length is what will increase the signal but with advances in technology I am wondering if they might have a hand held that can do a decent job.

Hoping somebody with experience using one will see this and let me know how it is, or was, working for them. Thanks guys. I appreciate the reply.

I have a handheld from when my main one wasn't working. It's a Uniden, don't know what model. It's ok for hearing pretty close-range traffic, but didn't always seem to transmit great. It's better than nothing though.

While it may be a total investment of $300-$400, getting a decent CB radio (regular) and going to a good CB shop on the road and getting an antenna installed and tuned by a professional. Sandman J and I drive for the same carrier and he recommended the guy at the TA in Gary on Burr St. His name is Rich Wheeler. But there are good guys all over the US.

The range and reception you get is incredible. And after having a pro set up for a month now I can already say its saved me money by getting intel from 4-10 miles ahead and taking detours or other lanes to get around crashed or construction back ups. Time is money for us and our carrier. It also provides entertainment from guys trash talking each other and poignant moments going through small towns and listening to the local guys talking about their kids growing up, etc.

Cobra and President make solid CB's at a reasonable price. The cheap $60-$100 CB's are crap unless you are 10 feet from the next user. You will get what you pay for one way or the other.

Good luck man!

While it may be a total investment of $300-$400, getting a decent CB radio (regular) and going to a good CB shop on the road and getting an antenna installed and tuned by a professional.

It won't work for Trotter:

Any ideas on how a company driver in a slip seat situation can utilize a CB if there is not one in the truck and one cannot be installed?

Laura

Ahhhhhh!!! Thanks for pointing that out Laura.

While it may be a total investment of $300-$400, getting a decent CB radio (regular) and going to a good CB shop on the road and getting an antenna installed and tuned by a professional.

It won't work for Trotter:

Any ideas on how a company driver in a slip seat situation can utilize a CB if there is not one in the truck and one cannot be installed?

Laura

Don't waste your $$ on those hand helds they sell at Love's or Pilot etc. they are crap lol I used my Love's points to get 1 before, and it was a waste of time & $ period....

Back in the day, remember those long 102" whip's the highway patrol used?? Now THOSE were the bomb !! lol Having used different types when I was into that scene in the 70's. Found that whip antenna worked the best, no wonder the CHP etc used em in the old days eh

Just a thought, maybe you could post at the terminal and you guys who are using the truck could all go in on a cb and antennas together, would be cheap.