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After spending a lot of driving around town in the company of several different Citizens Band radios we could find, we could not find any better than the Uniden BEARCAT 880 radio.

Windows 8 / 8.1 Driver repair; If you are using the Uniden USB-1 and your drivers don't seem to work, If you have the HXA chipset, the driver must be rolled back to version 3.4.25.218, 10/7/2011. These drivers can be found here; Prolific PL-2303 Driver Installer on 2Shared; Prolific PL-2303 Driver Installer on Yesanshare. In order for the BC75XLT driver to install properly, you will want to download the driver from the link below and save it to your computer. Preferably to your desktop so it is easier to locate. Go To OR Watch a 'How-To' Youtube video- Installing the Driver for the BC75XLT.

It was as receptive as any other radio we broadcasted with and transmitted clearer than all of them. It adheres to the Federal Communications Commission’s standard and has forty available channels for two-way reception and transmission.

In addition to the crisp and clear communication this device affords you, it is also fun to use with backlit controls. You can enjoy the 7-color LCD display while switching between the public address system and the CB radio with the push of a button.

With these capabilities, a 6-pin noise-canceling mic, and access to the weather channel courtesy of NOAA, this radio is the best CB radio for truckers.

Best-Rated CB Radios

Here is what we feel are the top 5 CB radios that any professional truck driver could own:

Cobra 29 LX 40-Channel CB Radio

This nice little on-dash or in-dash mounted SSB CB radio features a 40 channel selection and has the maximum 4 watt AM RF power output. It will auto tune to channel 9 (police) and 19 (trucker channel) too.

The Cobra 29 LX CB has a big and easy to read display. You can set the display to one of 4 color choices. It can also be dimmed so it does not distract you at night.

Even the microphone setup is good with this CB radio with weather. It has a 9-foot long mic cord that plugs into the front of the unit. This is what enables this good CB radio to be mounted in the dash.

• Large multi-color display
• Automatic channel scanning (40 channels total)
• Weather channels
• Instant channel 9/19
• Nighttime dimmer switch
• Radio check diagnostic readings

• Does not select memory channels one at a time
• Mic is large for smaller hands

Uniden BEARCAT 880

Here is another best-rated CB radio model. The Uniden BEARCAT 880 is loaded with nice features. It all starts with its easy to read 7-color display. The display is also backlit for easy night time use.

It features access to all 40 FCC approved channels. There is a memory scan feature too and instant trucker and emergency channel access. The mic is noise cancelling so you transmit very clearly.

This model scores very high on most CB radio reviews. It has also proved to be a very reliable truck radio

• 7-Color Backlit display
• 40 channels total
• Low noise mic
• Instant channel 9/19
• Memory scan
• Easy to read day and night display

• Can be tough to read when sunlight hits the dash
• Channel change beep cannot be turned off

Cobra 75WXST 40-Channel CB Radio

Cobra is well-known for making high performance CB radios. This model certainly fits that description. It is definitely one of the better CB’s on the market. It is one of the highest rated trucker radios.

This is a 40 channel professional CB radio. Its best feature is its microphone. You can control this unit using the push buttons right on the mic. Operating a CB does not get much simpler.

This CB radio with weather channel capability transmits and receives clearly too. This Cobra unit is also one of the most compact CB radios you will find.

• Controlled from the mic
• 40 channel radio
• 10 NOAA Weather Channels
• Instant channel 9/19
• Clear reception and transmit
• Super compact

• Operation takes some getting used to
• Display is small

Cobra 29NW Classic

When you go to buy CB radio products you will notice the name Cobra a lot. That is because they are known for making good CB radios. This model itself is rated very high on consumer reports.

The Cobra 29NW has such nice features as a full 40 channel selection and instant channel 9 and 19 access. It also has special backlit controls for easy night use. Its long 9-foot mic cord is ideal too.

Its SWR calibration feature lets you fine tune your antenna signal. This keeps this unit working at a high performance level.

• SWR calibration
• Max 40 channel radio
• Long 9’ mic cord
• Instant channel 9/19
• Max 4 watts power output
• Nightwatch panel lighting

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• Big Mic
• No NOAA weather channels

Uniden PC78LTX

This is one of the most powerful CB radios you can buy for your truck. It will even work well in a car too. Uniden is a proven brand you can trust too. This nice max 40-channel CB will help you get to where you are going without delays.

It has much adjustability built into it. This unit has SWF antenna calibration and it’s an auto noise limiting model too. This Uniden high powered CB radio can instantly be set to emergency channel 9 also.

This model is slightly bulky but its in-dash mounting capability will help there. It can even be used as a PA system in emergencies.

• Antenna calibration
• 40 channel CB
• Auto noise limiting
• Instant channel 9
• In-dash mountable
• Public address capability

• Bulky at almost 5 pounds
• Control dials are somewhat awkward

Top 5 Portable Hand-Held Models

Do you want to use your CB radio on multiple vehicles or you don’t want a CB taking up space on your dashboard? Then check out these handheld models that are highly rated in customer reviews:

Cobra HH 38 WX

This is a nice compact CB radio. It’s small and light enough to take anywhere you want to use it. The Cobra HH 38 WX has nice clear send and receive communication for a portable CB radio too.

One of its best features is its dual channel monitoring. It helps sometimes to be able to monitor more than one CB channel at a time. The fact it has both emergency and weather channel access is comforting too.

It even comes with a wrist strap and belt clip. That makes it easy to take with you wherever you go.

• Lightweight 1.2 pounds
• 40 channel CB
• Max 4-watt power
• Dual channel monitoring
• Weather and emergency radio
• Clear and noise free communication

• Power adapter will not charge its batteries
• Control buttons are somewhat small

Uniden PRO401HH 40 Channel Handheld CB Radio

Here is another lightweight and compact model CB radio. It gives you a lot of flexibility when using it. You have access to a max 40-channles and it can broadcast up to 4 miles depending on the surrounding terrain.

One of its best features is its power mode settings. For very short range communication it can be used on an energy saving setting. With a flick of a switch you can use its full extended range power too.

This is a great digital CB radio for beginners. It’s also a fairly cheap model CB too.

• lightweight 1.0 pounds
• Max 40 channel CB
• Energy saving mode
• Long range mode
• Highly portable
• ¼ to 4-mile range

• Takes 9 batteries to operate when not using plugin
• It’s over 7-inches in length

Midland 75-822

If you like to be aware of what’s going on around you weather and traffic wise, then you will like this portable CB radio system. This midland 40-channel CB is super compact too. If you are looking at buying a mobile CB that customers review highly this is it.

It has 10 preprogrammed weather channels and an auto channel 9/19 feature too. The nice noise and squelch control on it is a bonus too. This portable CB has max power too. It can run off batteries or a DC jack.

This unit has both a high and low transmit mode. That allows you to save battery power on the low transmit mode. It will run off of battery or DC jack power.

• 10 NOAA channels
• 40 CB channels
• Max allowed 4-watt output
• Power jack or batteries operation
• Instant channel 9/19
• Noise and Squelch control

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• Control buttons are very small
• Short 1-year warranty

Midland 75-785

Are you looking for the best price on a portable CB radio? Then this Midland CB may be perfect for you. Just don’t mistake that for meaning this is not a high watt long range CB radio. It works really well for an inside or outside of your vehicle CB.

With it you are able to use it on all 40 FCC approved CB channels. It also features the max allowable power output of 4-watts. Its automatic noise limiting capability is nice to have too.

You can run this off batteries or a DC car jack. The DC jack will recharge NiCad batteries too.

• Rugged outside construction
• Has all 40 approved CB channels
• Max allowed power output
• Power jack charges batteries too
• Highly portable
• Automatic noise limiting

• Takes many batteries for remote operation
• Warranty is only 1-year

What Is A CB Radio?

A CB radio is a means of short distance communication. It stands for ‘Citizens Band Radio’. At the present time, there are 40 CB channels available. All of these channels are located within a certain frequency. This frequency is what is known as the 27MHz band.

The FCC limits the transmit range on these types of radios. Current they can only transmit at a max of 4-watts of power output. This limits their useful range to 4 miles or less.

They are very popular among truck drivers and other vehicle drivers. CB radios are so popular for pro drivers that there is a dedicated trucker’s channel (19). There is also a dedicated emergency channel (9).

Key CB Radio features

Here are the key features to have on a CB radio:

Squelch Control

Because of the way radio signals work noise and interference are a problem in the mic. It’s no different with CB radios. This is due to the fact they have weak signals. They pick up a lot of noise. A squelch control is an adjustment that helps cut down on noise interference.

PA Capability

Many CB radios have the ability to double as a public address system. This can come in very handy at times. Truckers can use it in the event of an emergency. They can also use it for safety purposes when in a freight yard or at a loading dock.

RF Gain

We talked about noise in the microphone occurring in radio communication. There is also noise on the receiving end too. That is where an RF gain switch comes into play. It does the same thing a squelch button does for transmitting noise. By adjusting it you make the incoming voice signal clearer.

Weather Capabilities

One big bonus to have on a CB is weather channels. These can help a driver modify their routes and the time they drive them. It can also alert truckers to possible delays. It is especially helpful to have in winter.

Instant Channel 9 & 19

These are the most often used channels on CB radios. Channel 9 is monitored by police and emergency services. The universal truckers channel is 19. A CB radio that can tune to these channels with a push of a button is very convenient to own.

Single Side Band (SSB)

As CB radio technology improved a mode called an SSB was added. This stands for ‘single side band’. This is advanced technology that is mostly found on high-end CB radios. It has to do with the frequency modulation of a CB radio signal. This basically makes better use of a CB’s transmit power and bandwidth.

Nightwatch and/or Backlit Displays

If you are like most truckers you may find bright lights at night distracting. That is why many drivers look for a CB with a night dimmer switch (Nightwatch mode). Backlit keys help you operate the CB at night too. So look for a CB radio with these when shopping for one.

Channel Scanning

Looking for channels on a CB can be very distracting. It can even be considered dangerous. A channel scanning but can help here. When you press it the CB will auto-scan all the channels. On higher end, CB’s it can be set to only scan channels in memory too.

Types of CB Radios

Here are the 4 main types of CB radios:

CB Radio w/Handset

This is the most popular type of CB radio for truckers. These can be in-dash or dash mounted. They consist of a main unit and a microphone with a long cord. The cord is often 9-feet long or more. That allows this CB to be mounted just about anywhere in a truck cab.

One thing that makes these popular is there is plenty of room for features. They often have big easy to view displays. Dimmer switches and noise cancelling adjustments are also common

Handheld/Mobile CB Radio

There is one big drawback with a CB radio with the handset. That is once you mount them they cannot be used in any other vehicle. They also cannot be taken with you. That is why some people find mobile or handheld CB radios more useful.

These look more like a typical radio or the handset of a cordless home phone. They also have a rubbery antenna on top. Despite the fact they are lightweight and portable they are still a good CB. They often have the same transmit power and as many channels as a regular CB radio.

Base Station CB Radio

This is a setup for serious CB users. It is only allowed to be used in land-based situations. Usually, it’s used for monitoring purposes such as by police or emergency crews. They are much more expensive to buy than regular CB radios. Some advanced CB radio knowledge is also required to operate them.

The advantage of base stations is they have more broadcast and transmit power. They often can be used for other purposes too. These include amateur radio applications.

All in Handset CB Radio

This is basically the same as a CB Radio with the handset. There is one big difference though. This is that all the controls are on the microphone itself. That means there is no reaching across a cab to make adjustments. It is a safer form of CB radio to operate. The power part of the unit can be located out of the way too.

The drawback with these units is they are harder to operate. They also have small buttons which can make it hard to use also.

What Kind of Radios Do Truckers Use?

With newer radio technologies available CB radio use has lessened over the years. That is hardly the case among truckers. CB radios remain the #1 means of the truck to truck communication. Their short range communication ability is ideal for over the road driver communication

These are relatively inexpensive items for considering they can save you more than the cost of buying one in a single long-distance trip. That is what makes them so appealing to truck drivers. You would be hard-pressed to find a single trucker that does not use a CB radio. They are really that valuable to a pro truck driver.

It appears CB radios will be a must-have for truckers for the foreseeable future.

What is a CB Radio?

The Citizens Band Radio Service or CB radio is one of the most important tools of the road. The CB radio allows individuals, typically on the road, to communicate with one another through a short-distance radio system, usually over 40 channels within the 27 MHz (11 m) band.

It remains the best method of communication for truck drivers and long haul road travelers. The reasons that truckers and enthusiasts took to the airwaves are as valid today as they were more than forty years ago when the popularity of CB radios took off.

If you get stranded or in a remote area, you can never be sure that there will be a cell phone signal; the best solution is still point-to-point contact between radio transmitters. The channels are quieter in the digital age, the amateurs have moved on, but professional drivers, still rely on the humble citizens band to get the message through.

Photo Credit: State Archives of Florida/Fisher

Contents

• 2 How to Select a Truck Cab Radio?
• 3 What are the Top 5 CB Radios for Truck Drivers?
  • 3.6 Honorable Mention

How to Select a Truck Cab Radio?

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Not all CBs have the same options, so the best choice of radio is the one that has the right combination to make it indispensable in the cab of your truck.

To find the best CB for truckers we selected the radio attributes on which to judge equipment, and then we picked the best models and compared them to see which is the most suitable CB for professionals.

Radio Attributes to Look For

When your job or your business depends on it, the most reliable citizens band possible is the only reasonable choice; one that you turn on, change the channel, listen, and key the microphone to talk, without any worries.

The technology behind CBs has not changed significantly in decades. However, there have been some useful additions, such as a weather network that might just save your life, as well as the cost of delays for your company, if you can hear the signal.

If you are a professional trucker who hauls freight out on the road, the features that matter in your CB are the ones that stand out from the crowd. The following attributes are the most important factors and the ones we used to determine the best radio for truckers.

Automatic noise limiter – Electronic filtering with ANL reduces the static and background noise associated with active electrical environments, such as truck cabs.

Weather and alert channel scan – NOAA, the Federal agency responsible for weather monitoring has a radio network that broadcasts weather alerts and hazard notices across the United States. The best CB equipment gives you the ability to listen for local alerts on this network.

Instant emergency channel – When a situation hits, the last thing you want is the distraction of fumbling around for radio channels. The leading CB switch to channels nine and nineteen at the press of a button.

Effective Display Lighting – The lighting of your truck cab changes continually. You need to have display lights that you can adjust, or that respond to the environment.

Channel scanning – Sometimes you just want to have your ears open. A receiver that scans the full band until it finds a signal is an essential feature for truckers.

SSB – The channels at the higher end of the range allow for single side band modulation or SSB, an alternative to AM radio transmission. This feature provides longer-range communications. By law in the United States, the maximum power output is four Watts. The only exceptions are SSB-equipped radios, which can legally output twelve Watts.

Customer Reviews – We also looked at what people on Amazon say about the different models and how many people have bothered to leave a review.

So let’s look at which Citizens band radios made the cut.

What are the Top 5 CB Radios for Truck Drivers?

1. Cobra 29 LX 40-Channel CB Radio ($$$)

The Cobra 29 LX 40 has the best range of the features that truckers need on the road on a daily basis:

• Scans the NOAA weather channels (even if the radio is turned off, an alert will sound to let the driver know if dangerous or threatening weather is nearby)
• Switches at a click to channels nine or nineteen
• It has ANL, RF gain, and a dynamically boosted microphone to get the best signal quality
• Gives you PA capability if you connect it to a suitable speaker system

The quality of the Cobra 29’s visual display features puts it over the top. You can select one of four lighting colors, a clock with timer and alarm functions, and brightness controls.

The diagnostic features of your 29 LX monitor its performance and output to make it the most dependable radio possible. The timer and clock feature allows drivers to accurately keep track of their driving hours.

Truck drivers are also impressed with the fact that this radio model has a 9-foot microphone cord, incredible clarity from Dynamike, and 4 watts of power output.

The Cobra 29 LX 40 keeps professional drivers connected and in communication with each other and the outside world when they need it most.

What Truckers are Saying

Truck drivers give this radio unit a thumbs up. Most love the clarity, continual weather scan, 40 channels and the ability to change display color and brightness. At the time of this writing, over 600 customers rated this cb at an average of 4.3 stars out of 5, which is an excellent rating.

Customer Rating:

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2. Uniden BEARCAT 980SSB ($$$)

The Bearcat 980SSB is in a convincing second place for the best trucker CB.

The Bearcat has many of the same features as the winner, but with the addition of SSB. If you need or want the added broadcasting range of single sideband modulation, the Bearcat is the top choice radio.

One of the best features of this radio is that it comes with an integrated SWR meter to match antennas more accurately. Zte card reader drivers. It has also been designed to help drivers stay connected without them having to risk taking their hands and eyes off of the road.

From the noise canceling microphone to the full frequency display, everything is there to make communication with each of the 40 different FCC-approved channels a breeze. Some of the other features that drivers enjoy with this radio include: RF gain control, automatic noise limited, NOAA weather alerts, and a noise blanker.

What Truckers are Saying

Customers who bought this unit were pleased with its noise reduction feature, clear transmission, and strong signal reception. Some have complained about an annoying beep whenever you change the settings, however, with almost 700 customers rating it at 4.3 stars out of 5, it’s great option for a cb radio.

Customer Rating:

3. Cobra 29 LTD ($$)

The Cobra 29 LTD is a reliable, uncomplicated CB for truckers.

While it lacks the fancier refinements that Cobra offers in other models, it gives you the essential features for a clear signal and good communications. Amazon users who rated it give it the same high marks as the 29 LX.

This model is equipped with dials for many different settings, including: volume, Dynamike, RF gain, delta tune, and SWR calibration. There’s also a channel dial with a large display and various switches to achieve the perfect settings.

The SWR calibration perhaps one of the most beneficial features, as it attributes to maximum performance for the antenna system. However, the RF gain and Dynamike are also useful as they are both used to help produce clearer and louder communication between drivers.

What Truckers are Saying

Many owners of this radio commented on the great price with full features, as well as the bluetooth option, easy set up and reception quality. Some truckers have noted an echo when using bluetooth, but only a handful out of over 300 verified purchasers.

Customer Rating:

4. Uniden 505XL ($)

The Uniden 505 XL is a solid choice for a basic radio on a budget; it is the cheapest one on the list. This inexpensive CB gives you the quality of a trusted brand, without the fancy extras.

Sometimes drivers just want the ease of a basic and traditional radio, and that’s where the Uniden 505xl comes in handy. It may not have all of the features that other radios have, but it’s still a solid piece of equipment that has a lot to offer.

One of the most useful features is the external speaker jack that allows drivers to plug in external speakers to produce better sound. It also has an easy-to-read LCD display with an orange backlight, which is optimized for viewing at night or during the day.

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The display reads out the volume, channel number, and a few other pieces of information that the driver might need while on the road. What’s even better is that the layout is incredibly easy to use.

What Truckers are Saying

Truck drivers love the value of the Uniden, its compactness, RF gain control, PA output and switch, and microphone. With close to a thousand verified customers on Amazon and an average rating of 4.2, this unit is an excellent option, especially if you’re on a budget.

Customer Rating:

5. Midland 1001Z ($)

The Midland 1001Z is an excellent radio with simple functionality and RF gain for good reception and easy operation.

As one of the most attractively priced radios on the market, the Midland 1001Z has made a name for itself by proving price doesn’t always reflect quality. Every feature of this radio is something you’d find on higher priced models, just in a smaller and more compact design.

Among these features is a bright LED display that is easy to read no matter what time of day it is. In addition to this, it has RF gain for clear communication, 4 watts of output power, and immediate access to the emergency channel 9. The controls on the front of the unit are very easy to use, with knobs for the volume, tuning, and RF gain. There’s also a switch to change from CB to PA.

To make communication easy, the microphone has a coiled cord design for easy use, a push-to-talk bar, and a large speaker.

The design also doesn’t take up much room once installed, so it’s easy to install in a cargo that has limited empty space available.

Although basic, this radio offers everything truck drivers need to communicate and hear emergency news while they are driving, all in a safe and effective manner. It’s one of the most popular choices for new truck drivers, but seasoned drivers appreciate its simplicity just as much.

What Truckers are Saying

Drivers have praised the Midland radio’s easy install, hook up for external speaker, and weather band. And others don’t like the fact that the NOAA band doesn’t have a noise limiter, no mic gain switch and average microphone quality.

Customer Rating:

Honorable Mention

DX-959B Mobile CB Radio by Galaxy

The Galaxy DX-959B deserves an honorable mention. This radio is a traditional full-feature CB with SSB.

It has easy to read displays with LED lighting and nighttime dimmer, along with proprietary filtering for good signal quality.

If you are a traditional trucker who wants SSB and dials rather than buttons, this may be the radio for you.

What Truckers are Saying

Truckers love this unit’s user-friendly features, side band’s quality sound and the fact that modifications aren’t necessary – it’s great out of the box.

Customer Rating:

CB Radio Comparison

We’ve put together a comparison table that looks at the radios’ features to help you further in your decision process of purchasing the best CB option for your truck cab.