Also known as: 29 LTD, Cobra 29 LTD, 29 LTD Classic
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The Cobra 29 LTD Classic is the longest-running CB model in the United States — the 29 line has been the trucker standard for over fifty years, and this is the radio the phrase “peak and tune” was built around.1 The current revision adds FM alongside AM (legal on CB since 2021), keeps the analog needle meter and knob-per-function layout, and costs around $105–140 — the cheapest way into a full-size, shop-serviceable CB.
Key takeaways The de-facto trucker standard. Fifty-plus years of the 29 line means strong transmit audio, a huge mic and mod aftermarket, and a repair bench in every truck stop. AM/FM on current stock (older units AM-only — check the box). No weather channels — the 29 LX adds those for ~$60 more. No license required (Part 95D, licensed by rule). ~$105–140. Where it ranks: best CB radios.
Overview
Radios survive fifty years in production for exactly one reason: they keep earning it. The 29 LTD’s case is simple — every CB shop in America knows this radio. They stock parts for it, they can align it, and the aftermarket around it (power mics, echo boards, the whole peak-and-tune culture) is bigger than for any other CB ever made. When a trucker asks the shop counter “what should I get,” this is still the default answer.
The design philosophy is a knob per function: volume, squelch, RF gain, Dynamike mic gain, SWR calibration, PA switch, instant channel 9, dimmer. No menus, no soft keys, an analog needle meter. After the FCC’s 2021 rule change, Cobra refreshed the LTD to AM/FM dual mode (~2023); as with the LX, AM-only older stock still circulates, so verify the revision if FM matters. There are no weather channels — Cobra reserves NOAA reception for the 29 LX.
License note: CB needs none — it’s licensed by rule under FCC Part 95D. Legal output is 4 W carrier on AM/FM; the 29 LTD is certified to exactly that.
Modes, features & honest weaknesses
- 40 channels, 4 W AM/FM (current revision), Part 95D certified.
- SWR calibration built in — tune your antenna at install (why SWR matters); antenna tuning is the single biggest performance factor on CB, full stop.
- RF gain, Dynamike, PA output, instant Ch 9, dimmer, analog S/RF meter.
- Full-size chassis, 12 V DC.
The honest knocks: the receiver filtering is dated next to current President and Uniden SSB rigs — on a noisy highway the McKinley II hears more; there are no weather channels; the chassis is large for modern interiors; and long-time owners say build quality has slipped from the vintage Dynascan-era units (which is partly why clean old Cobra 2000 GTL base stations now fetch collector money). None of that changes what the LTD is: the proven baseline everything else gets measured against.
GopherTrunk alternative
We’ll be straight: CB is not GopherTrunk territory. GopherTrunk decodes trunked and digital systems; CB is 27 MHz analog AM/SSB, which sits below an RTL-SDR’s native tuning range unless you resort to direct sampling or an upconverter — and even then you’d want different software. If you want to hear what’s on channel 19 around you before buying, a CB-capable scanner or an HF SDR is the listening tool; the channel list is in our scanner frequencies reference. Talking takes a transmitter — that’s this radio’s job.
Who it’s for
- Buy the 29 LTD Classic if you want the proven trucker standard, the biggest service and accessory ecosystem in CB, and the classic bench-mod platform — at the lowest full-size price. View on Amazon →
- Buy the 29 LX instead for NOAA weather alerts and the modern 4-color display, or the Bearcat 880FM for a slicker mid-size rig with built-in SWR metering.
- Skip it if you want SSB’s extra range — that’s the McKinley II or the vintage Grant XL route. Full rankings: best CB radios.
Sources
-
Cobra 29 LTD Classic product page — Cobra Electronics, on the AM/FM refresh, SWR calibration, Dynamike gain, instant channel 9, and the 29 line’s history. ↩
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a license for the Cobra 29 LTD Classic?
No. CB is license-free — ‘licensed by rule’ under FCC Part 95D, with no exam or fee. The legal limit is 4 watts carrier on AM and FM, which is exactly what the 29 LTD puts out.
Is the Cobra 29 LTD Classic still worth buying in 2026?
Yes — it’s still the de-facto trucker standard. The current revision adds FM alongside AM, the transmit audio is strong, and every CB shop in the country can tune or repair one. What you give up versus newer rigs: no weather channels, no SSB, and dated receiver filtering.
Does the Cobra 29 LTD have weather channels?
No — NOAA weather reception is the Cobra 29 LX’s job, for roughly $50–60 more. The LTD Classic keeps the traditional feature set: SWR calibration, RF gain, Dynamike, PA, and instant channel 9.
Does the Cobra 29 LTD Classic do FM?
Current production does. Cobra refreshed the 29 LTD to AM/FM around 2023 after the FCC legalized FM on CB in 2021. Older AM-only units are still on shelves and in listings, so check before buying if FM matters.
What's the range of a Cobra 29 LTD?
A legal 4-watt CB realistically talks a few miles vehicle-to-vehicle. Antenna choice and SWR tuning dominate — a well-tuned antenna on a 29 LTD will outperform a poorly tuned one on any radio at any price. Use the built-in SWR calibration during install.