What Features Do You Like On Your CB?

Been to busy running to post much lately, but I'm a couple weeks from solo (I hope) and will be looking into getting a CB. I don't know that I will use it much, mainly for traffic and weather to see what I'm heading into or to let others know the same. Also want it for communication at shippers and receivers while setting at docks.

My question is, for those that use them, what features do you like? Don't know if I would need Bluetooth since I will have a headset, although i have it in my personal car stereo for hands free and love it. I'm talking about hands free for phone, but have seen something about hands free talking on the CB anyone use this type of setup? Is the weather radio feature good to have or not needed with all the other ways of getting weather updates today? Any other features I may want to consider?

I don't want to spend more than I need to, but will admit that I am a gadget guy and love added features when they are useful. I'm that type that would rather pay a little more to get what I want the first time.

Woody

The off button, never heard so much trash in my life. I would look for one with long range but that's because I run Las Vegas to Toronto and have a few hairy roads to run, if I even need it I want it to reach as far away as needed to save me and my ship.

The off button, never heard so much trash in my life. I would look for one with long range but that's because I run Las Vegas to Toronto and have a few hairy roads to run, if I even need it I want it to reach as far away as needed to save me and my ship.

LOL. I know that is the most often used feature by the people on here. That's why I said I don't know how much I will need it. It's sort of sad. We are all out there trying to make a living and in some ways all in the same boat. If people could see it for what it is it could be a great tool for safety and to make the time pass.

I know I want as much reach as possible. But is that better achieved by a more expensive unit or a decent unit that has been peaked and tuned. From what I have seen the antenna's are pre installed on the trucks we use so I think the majority of adjustments would need to be made to the head unit.

Thanks.

Woody

For the basics a good peaked and tune Cobra 29 will be perfect for you as long as the SWR's(Standing Wave Ratio) are set as low as possible so the radio does not burn up the finals due to feed back from the antenna.

Me personally I like power and a good carrier signal in a radio which means i use top end type of radios. More expensive but worth it in the end to me.

If your company truck doesn't have weather radio, get a CB that does. It might be good to get it anyway in case you ever have a truck without weather radio, or if it doesn't work. It isn't that much more than the radios without.