About this guide
A CB base station is a complete system, not just a radio on a desk. The two purpose-built bases below run from AC and connect to a 50-ohm external CB antenna. The remaining picks are clearly labelled 12 V mobile radios used at home: they need a suitably rated regulated DC power supply, a 50-ohm base antenna and coax, and an SWR check before transmitting. In the United States, use only FCC-authorized CB equipment and stay within the applicable limits: 40 CB channels, 4 watts carrier power for AM/FM and 12 watts PEP for SSB. CB is licence-by-rule in the US, but rules vary by country.
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The picks, in detail
Galaxy DX2547 AM/SSB CB Base Station
True base station: an AC-powered 40-channel AM/USB/LSB unit.
- AC-powered base
- 40 CB channels
- AM USB LSB
- purpose-built desk format
- SSB included
- external antenna required
- larger and pricier than a mobile radio
Why we picked it
Retail specifications list 4 W AM and 12 W PEP SSB; it still needs an external antenna and coax.
Texas Ranger TRE-2627 AM/SSB Base Station
True base station with 120 V AC or 13.8 V DC operation, 40 channels and AM/USB/LSB modes.
- AC or 13.8 V DC
- 40 channels
- AM USB LSB
- built-in AC operation
- SWR meter and alert
- external antenna required
- do not exceed legal output
Why we picked it
Use its SO-239 connection with a tuned 50-ohm base antenna.
Uniden Bearcat 980SSB
Mobile-as-base alternative: a 40-channel SSB mobile CB with 4 W AM output, NOAA alerts and built-in SWR calibration.
- 40 channels
- USB LSB
- NOAA alerts
- SSB capability
- integrated SWR calibration
- 12 V supply required at home
- not a self-contained base
Why we picked it
Add a regulated 13.8 V supply and base antenna.
Uniden Bearcat 880FM
Mobile-as-base alternative with 40 CB channels, dual-mode AM/FM, NOAA alerts and SWR calibration; pair it with 13.8 V DC power and a tuned base antenna.
- AM FM CB
- NOAA alerts
- SWR calibration
- current AM/FM model
- weather feature
- 12 V supply required
- no SSB mode
Uniden BearTracker 885
Mobile-as-base alternative combining a CB radio and digital scanner with full 40-channel CB access.
- 40 CB channels
- digital scanner
- weather alerts
- CB plus scanner format
- current flagship model
- 12 V supply required
- scanner capability is not CB transmit authority
Why we picked it
It needs 12 V DC, an appropriate CB antenna and separate understanding of scanner rules.
Uniden CMX760
Mobile-as-base alternative with a remote speaker-microphone control head, 40-channel operation and NOAA alerts.
- 40 channels
- remote speaker mic
- NOAA alerts
- small main unit
- controls on microphone
- 12 V supply required
- not an AC base radio
Why we picked it
It is compact, but still needs a 12 V supply and external base antenna indoors.
Cobra 29 LTD Classic AM/FM
Mobile-as-base alternative with 40 CB channels, 4 W output, AM/FM operation and SWR calibration.
- 40 channels
- AM FM
- SWR calibration
- current classic model
- simple physical controls
- 12 V supply required
- no SSB
Why we picked it
Supply it from regulated 13.8 V DC rather than an improvised charger.
Cobra 29 LX AM/FM
Mobile-as-base alternative with a four-color display, AM/FM CB operation, NOAA weather and weather-alert scan; it needs a 12 V supply and external antenna at a desk.
- AM FM
- NOAA weather
- weather alert scan
- weather monitoring
- diagnostic display
- 12 V supply required
- no SSB
Uniden PRO520XL
Mobile-as-base alternative: a compact 40-channel CB with RF gain, automatic noise limiter and PA capability.
- 40 channels
- RF gain
- PA capability
- compact mobile chassis
- straightforward controls
- 12 V supply required
- no weather or SSB
Why we picked it
Budget for its 12 V DC supply, antenna and coax separately.
Midland 1001-LWX
Mobile-as-base alternative: Midland lists this non-portable 40-channel, 4 W CB model.
- 40 channels
- 4 W output
- mobile CB
- basic current model
- lower entry price
- 12 V supply required
- no SSB
Why we picked it
It needs a regulated DC supply and a properly tuned external antenna for home use.
What each one costs
Typical price, cheapest first. Tap a name to jump to that pick and its buy link.
Compare any three
| Galaxy DX2547 AM/SSB CB Base Station | Texas Ranger TRE-2627 AM/SSB Base Station | Uniden Bearcat 980SSB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $400–$500 | $430–$480 | $200–$220 |
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Buying tips
- A mobile radio does not become an AC base station by plugging it into an unknown adapter; match regulated voltage and adequate current to the radio manual.
- Never transmit without the antenna connected and tuned. Measure SWR after the antenna is installed in its final location.
- A base antenna, coax routing, grounding and height affect performance more than moving between similar 4 W AM radios.
- US CB limits are 4 W carrier for AM/FM and 12 W PEP for SSB. Do not use export conversions, amplifiers or modifications to exceed the rules.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.