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Best FCC CB Radio?

kinda confused here,, is this post about the new president radios that have the fcc after their model name?,,, that is the designation president is putting on their legal for use in the usa models even though they still have the imports with fm and extra freqs,,, just confused a little and wondering if some others are too,,,, kinda like trying to ask about a radio shack htx 10 and get all the posts about a htx 100 gets confusing,,,,,
 
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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.

I know what you mean. I have two Grant Xls, I spent enough getting one then having recapped, aligned, & tuned to buy two 980s. Working on getting enough saved back up so I can send the other one out & have it worked on, & pick up two frequency counters to hardwire in.
 
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'!
(y)

That is what I'm well on my way to. Already have the Xl, & small amp. Need to pick up frequency counter & upgrade the coax. Right now, I'm extremely happy with the set up, & the work done!
 
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I'm surprised at all of you...

You've mentioned just about every other radio out there, except for this one...
Cobra148FGTL.jpg

Recognize it? You should, you guys knock "Galaxy" and "RCI" in the same breath...

This one came with their new RCI8719 - Remember?

Everyone remember the L-501 Mess? That 100 ohm resistor on a Ferrite Bead?

Undocumented Features Included:
Warbled all over the place due to the Power supply re-work RCI did to the power Choke and all the effort of pulling current thru that, into the radio and regulating it at the same time.

EPIC.

Yet, to the gentleman posting the questioning of Any FCC CB radio - it's the only one that Qualifies as it's the only one that has a WORKING interactive Frequency counter...

980 don't.
McKinley Don't.

Now don't flame, they do have frequency DISPLAYS - not a counter as in what it says; as to where you are, not what you can be at...drift inclusive...

It, this chassis; of the RCI-version of the Dreadnought Flagship they butchered and called Cobra 148FGTL - fails in nearly every other aspect, except to say that THIS WAS the only FCC-Type Accepted radio with AM/SSB and Frequency Counter - all inclusive.

So then again with everyone here whom has not experienced this radio - you can undo those "RCI" mods to the power supply routing, the MB8719 Clarifier and The L501/100 - ohm resistor fiasco - you'll find this thing will do just pretty much like any other CB radio out there but has a WORKNIG FREQUENCY Counter that "shifts" when you do. Then, when OEM (READ:STOCK) you are in RX mode, that counter will track you - but to the 5th digit. And when you key up in TX - "SNAPS BACK" to the channel frequency you should be on regardless of where you put the Voice Lock control. Hence a lesson to be learned - in disguise.

Now, make some changes to that, you can follow yourself anywhere when it's been unlocked.

Which brings up other such fun issues of Single potentiometer - control clarifier, versus the COARSE/FINE - tune messes that Galaxy was, is and always shall be known, Notoriously, for.

Quit beating up the messenger - they are speaking the truth. And they, in singular, did exist - and someone was asleep at the wheel of the FCC-ship when this thing hit the market.

So yes, there WAS an FCC-approved radio of yesteryear, unfortunately it didn't perform as their predecessors expectations - like their 148 GTL cousins. But then, these cousins were made by DYNASCAN - not RCI (aka - RANGER)

So let's get back on board this ship and find that man a radio!
 
Last edited:
kinda confused here,, is this post about the new president radios that have the fcc after their model name?,,, that is the designation president is putting on their legal for use in the usa models even though they still have the imports with fm and extra freqs,,, just confused a little and wondering if some others are too,,,, kinda like trying to ask about a radio shack htx 10 and get all the posts about a htx 100 gets confusing,,,,,
Yes. But, there may be some drift in thread like most. Start with original post. Threads are open for opinions.....everybody's got one.
 
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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.

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.

/QUOTE]

And as soon as you make this "unlock" modification, the radio is no longer an "FCC" radio. That, plus a useless frequency display, is what he apparently wants.
 
I'm surprised at all of you...

You've mentioned just about every other radio out there, except for this one...
View attachment 34081

Recognize it? You should, you guys knock "Galaxy" and "RCI" in the same breath...

This one came with their new RCI8719 - Remember?

Everyone remember the L-501 Mess? That 100 ohm resistor on a Ferrite Bead?

Undocumented Features Included:
Warbled all over the place due to the Power supply re-work RCI did to the power Choke and all the effort of pulling current thru that, into the radio and regulating it at the same time.

EPIC.

Yet, to the gentleman posting the questioning of Any FCC CB radio - it's the only one that Qualifies as it's the only one that has a WORKING interactive Frequency counter...

980 don't.
McKinley Don't.

Now don't flame, they do have frequency DISPLAYS - not a counter as in what it says; as to where you are, not what you can be at...drift inclusive...

It, this chassis; of the RCI-version of the Dreadnought Flagship they butchered and called Cobra 148FGTL - fails in nearly every other aspect, except to say that THIS WAS the only FCC-Type Accepted radio with AM/SSB and Frequency Counter - all inclusive.

So then again with everyone here whom has not experienced this radio - you can undo those "RCI" mods to the power supply routing, the MB8719 Clarifier and The L501/100 - ohm resistor fiasco - you'll find this thing will do just pretty much like any other CB radio out there but has a WORKNIG FREQUENCY Counter that "shifts" when you do. Then, when OEM (READ:STOCK) you are in RX mode, that counter will track you - but to the 5th digit. And when you key up in TX - "SNAPS BACK" to the channel frequency you should be on regardless of where you put the Voice Lock control. Hence a lesson to be learned - in disguise.

Now, make some changes to that, you can follow yourself anywhere when it's been unlocked.

Which brings up other such fun issues of Single potentiometer - control clarifier, versus the COARSE/FINE - tune messes that Galaxy was, is and always shall be known, Notoriously, for.

Quit beating up the messenger - they are speaking the truth. And they, in singular, did exist - and someone was asleep at the wheel of the FCC-ship when this thing hit the market.

So yes, there WAS an FCC-approved radio of yesteryear, unfortunately it didn't perform as their predecessors expectations - like their 148 GTL cousins. But then, these cousins were made by DYNASCAN - not RCI (aka - RANGER)

So let's get back on board this ship and find that man a radio!
Love those, wish I had one. But it's only 5 readout on freq counter, guy wants a 6. But that is the bestest one. Thought about the 148F after posting 148. Guess I don't get a cracker for thinking about it. :ROFLMAO:
 
Oh yes you do deserve one - for at least putting up with me and my rants... and Receive a complimentary free gift for participating - a Smart Cookie too!
4644073_orig.jpg

Just there were a lot of other radios along the lines of the 148F series, but all seemed to have Frequency DISPLAY, just not the "counter" which in my opinion makes it interactive...

There have been other radios...
Midland 77-290...even a detachable faceplate (ugh..)
Ranger even put out their own version...
Texas-Ranger_696f_big.gif

The 696F is the RANGER version - which does have the 6-digit frequency counter...but they too, are NOS - if any are out there...

I just wanted to rattle the tree a little bit to see if any nuggets fall out.

We know there's more - but FCC type-accepted as in allowed by the FCC to be a AM/SSB mobile is another...
 
I'm surprised at all of you...

You've mentioned just about every other radio out there, except for this one...
View attachment 34081


Recognize it? You should, you guys knock "Galaxy" and "RCI" in the same breath...

This one came with their new RCI8719 - Remember?

Everyone remember the L-501 Mess? That 100 ohm resistor on a Ferrite Bead?

Undocumented Features Included:
Warbled all over the place due to the Power supply re-work RCI did to the power Choke and all the effort of pulling current thru that, into the radio and regulating it at the same time.

EPIC.

Yet, to the gentleman posting the questioning of Any FCC CB radio - it's the only one that Qualifies as it's the only one that has a WORKING interactive Frequency counter...

980 don't.
McKinley Don't.

Now don't flame, they do have frequency DISPLAYS - not a counter as in what it says; as to where you are, not what you can be at...drift inclusive...

It, this chassis; of the RCI-version of the Dreadnought Flagship they butchered and called Cobra 148FGTL - fails in nearly every other aspect, except to say that THIS WAS the only FCC-Type Accepted radio with AM/SSB and Frequency Counter - all inclusive.

So then again with everyone here whom has not experienced this radio - you can undo those "RCI" mods to the power supply routing, the MB8719 Clarifier and The L501/100 - ohm resistor fiasco - you'll find this thing will do just pretty much like any other CB radio out there but has a WORKNIG FREQUENCY Counter that "shifts" when you do. Then, when OEM (READ:STOCK) you are in RX mode, that counter will track you - but to the 5th digit. And when you key up in TX - "SNAPS BACK" to the channel frequency you should be on regardless of where you put the Voice Lock control. Hence a lesson to be learned - in disguise.

Now, make some changes to that, you can follow yourself anywhere when it's been unlocked.

Which brings up other such fun issues of Single potentiometer - control clarifier, versus the COARSE/FINE - tune messes that Galaxy was, is and always shall be known, Notoriously, for.

Quit beating up the messenger - they are speaking the truth. And they, in singular, did exist - and someone was asleep at the wheel of the FCC-ship when this thing hit the market.

So yes, there WAS an FCC-approved radio of yesteryear, unfortunately it didn't perform as their predecessors expectations - like their 148 GTL cousins. But then, these cousins were made by DYNASCAN - not RCI (aka - RANGER)

So let's get back on board this ship and find that man a radio!

I had thought about the 148f, then went to check frequency counter. Saw it only went to 5th place not 6th..
So, I went to my personal preference. Grant Xl with 6 digit frequency counter. I know some people swear that a 148 is the BEST old school mobile radio. I just prefer the Grant Xl. I personally believe that it is of better quality, & has a better receive.
 
I had thought about the 148f, then went to check frequency counter. Saw it only went to 5th place not 6th..
So, I went to my personal preference. Grant Xl with 6 digit frequency counter. I know some people swear that a 148 is the BEST old school mobile radio. I just prefer the Grant Xl. I personally believe that it is of better quality, & has a better receive.

Wow...

Well, to describe the differences in the 148GTL versus the Grant XL - you'd have to split hairs...

Here's an example...
DifferencesinTXStrip.jpg

Functionally? They are similar...

But due to the nature of the beast - Cobra has a slight edge in TX Pre-driver biasing "discrete" rework that the Grant doesn't.

Not a big deal - but if you're listening to the radios and their abilities to handle various conditions - Cobra edges out in Audio - but Uniden edges out in simplicity and efficiency of design.

Personally? I learned a long time ago, why Cobra did what they did, versus the many others that simply followed along and kept parts counts simple and lower - like Uniden . Doing so was generating more revenue from the overhead that Cobra pushed the upper limits of.

As in...

Price accordingly to What the Market will bear and run with it.
 

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