Best FCC CB Radio?

530 said:

Looking for a friend. Best made mobile AM with stable LSB USB FCC 40 Channel CB Radio on the market today?
P.S. Let me add two of his requests. He is looking for the 6 didgit freq counter in the radio for SSB use and the old type needle s meter. I told him I don't think they make radios with the needle meters anymore and wasn't sure about the freq counter. All suggestions welcome.

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Your friend needs to buy a President McKinley or Uniden 980.

His two requests aren't going to make any difference for enjoying the hobby.

1. He doesn't need a six digit frequency counter as both of those radios don't drift.
2. S meter isn't really necessary unless you need to give other people S unit RX reports.

Times change and that's a good thing. Both of those new radios are fantastic. I lean towards the President McKinley myself

Big Kahuna said:

Your friend needs to buy a President McKinley or Uniden 980.

His two requests aren't going to make any difference for enjoying the hobby.

1. He doesn't need a six digit frequency counter as both of those radios don't drift.
2. S meter isn't really necessary unless you need to give other people S unit RX reports.

Times change and that's a good thing. Both of those new radios are fantastic. I lean towards the President McKinley myself

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He wants a six-digit frequency indicator AND, apparently, FCC certification. For the certification, transmit frequency control is channelized...no VFO on the transmit side. If the channel selector indicates "CH20", you're on channel twenty. No need to worry about six digits of resolution.

Okay, one comment from the dinosaur radio network.

uPD858 mobile. TRC-449, Robyn 510D, Cobra 138XLR, others....
All will need a re-cap and do away with the tantalum caps. Replace or at least "service" the relay. Have a competent tech "unlock" the clarifier so the transmit is "locked" to the receive. I never understood that bit of verbiage. When working properly there just isn't a much better receiver. If I'm not available ask unit_399, I learned a good chunk of this chassis from him. (Thanks again and always Jim!)

MB8719 mobile. Cobra 148GTL, Later Grant, and too many others. I lean toward the PC-412 board as I know it so well. The receiver isn't as good as the uPD858 SSB but the transmitter is arguably a bit better. Again, have a competent tech "unlock" the clarifier so the transmit is "locked" to the receive. I still don't understand this bit of garbage but it is what it is. There are a few "suicide prevention" tricks to protect the MB3756 regulator and the TA7222AP audio chips that are well known.
These too will or should require a re-cap as they are getting long in the tooth. See klondike mike here for cap kits.

Avoid the PLL02A SSB mobiles. They are less understood as well as being as old as the uPD858 radios. Noisy receive, VCO block prone to failure, very sensitive to carrier insertion points and , well, old.

The point is the frequency counter is beyond useless. Most of them create their fair share of phase noise for the convenience of, what?
Those that don't add noise to the receiver are frequency "indicators" not "counters" . For a stone stock FCC part 97 class D radio they are no more than polishing a turd.

Any of these radios are worth saving, refurbishing, repairing,using, and enjoying.

My own personal mobile? I practice what I preach, TRC-449. When I want bells and whistles as well as frequency coverage it's a Uniden HR2510 that I wouldn't wish on anyone. That is a whole other story documented here somewhere.

end of rant .

Or forget the FCC crap and get a Stryker 955.

I say get the mckinely or the 980 and the àn external frequency meter.

Shadetree Mechanic said:

Or forget the FCC crap and get a Stryker 955.

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While I agree in part...tuning steps are an issue on the Stryker.

Do not tune your or your friends radio. You are not as thorough as the factory.

I just don't understand the need for an external frequency counter on a FCC radio unless he plans to modify it to slide in between channels or freeband and in that case he doesn't need a FCC radio.

If he's trying to have a "sleeper radio" one that looks type accepted FCC but can access other channels then I'd say go with an older radio...but seriously though it's a waste of time as he could get an export radio or ham radio and the FCC is never going to come knocking on his door.

530 said:

I let him know all the info I have received here today, and now I believe he's going towards a McKinley. Thanks for the input everyone.

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Get a better mic. Been mess'n with this one. Big Kahuna has let me know the Road Devils work better. Resurrection of one of mine in the works. Got report taday from friend....said it sounded like popping noise. I drilled a 1/16" hole to allow more sound into element, before was muffled.

Big Kahuna said:

I just don't understand the need for an external frequency counter on a FCC radio unless he plans to modify it to slide in between channels or freeband and in that case he doesn't need a FCC radio.

If he's trying to have a "sleeper radio" one that looks type accepted FCC but can access other channels then I'd say go with an older radio...but seriously though it's a waste of time as he could get an export radio or ham radio and the FCC is never going to come knocking on his door.

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148 GTL Taiwan or Philippines

Look into Uniden Grant Xl. Hardwire the frequency counter that RT431 posted a pic of. Then you have fcc type accepted & the frequency counter. I had one get away from me more than a few years ago & I'm sorry that it did.

If old school, the 148 or Grant XL with the fc 347 would be nice combo. Get it tuned and aligned with a small amp and with some quality coax and antenna and he should be rockin'!

Redbeard U812 said:

148 GTL Taiwan or Philippines

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This generally applies to the second run from '79-'89.
The earlier R.O.C. radios were a "little" different.
The second Philippine run by Uniden, '89 to '93 have some curiosities.

All this , the more confusing because the board is still "PC-412"

I'm not a big fan of the TR-296/RCI-148GTL

Front mic? Personal opinion? Garbage.

kopcicle said:

This generally applies to the second run from '79-'89.
The earlier R.O.C. radios were a "little" different.
The second Philippine run by Uniden, '89 to '93 have some curiosities.

All this , the more confusing because the board is still "PC-412"

I'm not a big fan of the TR-296/RCI-148GTL

Front mic? Personal opinion? Garbage.

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Got three side mic out for repair. I just like them better, I'm sure the repair cost of one 148 will exceed buying a new radio. I like the 980 and McKinley, they ain't nuthin like my 148's.