When traveling down the trail, radio communication between vehicles is perhaps one of the most overlooked conveniences available to adventure enthusiasts. And in most cases, CB radios are relatively inexpensive, making the benefits they offer even more attractive. CBs are also almost all plug-and-play, meaning you don't have to worry about being FCC-licensed to use them.
All CB jokes aside, we have radios in just about all of our vehicles. The greatest advantage of a good CB is that it allows easy communication between vehicles while exploring the trails. The next best advantage is the "hey, I need to pull over for a 10-100."
Recently, we picked up Cobra's classic 29 WX NW ST for our new Jeep JK. This unit is a full-feature CB, and it is very reliable with exceptionally clear reception. Believe us when we tell you that after years on the trail we've heard some horrible CB reception. Like all other Cobra radios we've tested, this particular model hasn't skipped a beat in the performance department.
We could have tried to wow you with an elaborate CB installation, but placing our 29 in the JK was a last-minute, late-night install the day before a trail adventure. It literally took us just minutes to have it up and running. This quickie install has worked so well that we haven't bothered to reinstall it.
The Cobra 29 WX NW ST was...
The Cobra 29 WX NW ST was easily mounted in our Jeep JK. Cobra's NightWatch adjustable illumination feature makes the unit very user-friendly and safe at night, especially since it's mounted up so high on our dash.
Besides, most CB installs are a red-wire-to-power, black-wire-to-a-good-ground, and proper-antenna-selection-and-placement installation. If you connect the red wire directly to a power source or battery, make sure you use an inline fuse - most units come with them. It is also very important to use a quality antenna and to make sure that it is properly positioned with a good ground plane. Run the antenna cable through the vehicle where it won't get pinched, and don't coil it up.
There are a few features on the Cobra 29 that we especially appreciate. The first is the SoundTracker system built into the radio, which greatly reduces noise and interference. The unit also comes with a power-adapter plug-in, making installation quick and simple. We can now move the radio from vehicle to vehicle with ease. The front panel of the Cobra 29 is fully illuminated, with a dimmer control making navigation of the unit's controls a breeze at night.
We highly recommend the classic Cobra 29 WX NW ST as a reliable source of trail communication. It's a great addition to any fully equipped adventure vehicle.
•SoundTracker
•High-tech noise reduction
•NightWatch illuminated front panel
•Fully illuminated front panel
•4 watts AM RF power output
•SWR calibration
•Allows calibration of antenna system for maximum performance
 We simply used a high-quality,...  We simply used a high-quality, 3M double-stick tape to mount the CB. The unit has yet to shift even though we've used the Jeep under some extremely harsh trail conditions. |  We paired the Cobra 29 with...  We paired the Cobra 29 with a Wilson 1000 CB antenna. When mounting an antenna, make sure the cable doesn't get kinked or pinched when run through the vehicle. Do not coil the cable. |  Make sure your antenna isn't...  Make sure your antenna isn't obscured by any part of the vehicle. This antenna is tall enough to clear the Jeep's roof line, allowing better reception. |