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EF Johnson CB Radios

When the changeover from 23 to 40 channels a lot of MFG had a ton of parts left over so it was easier to make this type of display even this is a 40 channel display
Exactly. All the manufactures swamped with 23 channel radios so instead of scrapping them, they just modified the 23's to get 40 channels, and on radios that had the rotary dial they just crammed numbers and slash marks to get all 40 on a dial originally designed for 23.
 
I had an early 23a in my car,it picked up lots of white noise,but not my copper core accel plugwires 475 hp 427 power in 68 chevelle ss 396
 
Exactly. All the manufactures swamped with 23 channel radios so instead of scrapping them, they just modified the 23's to get 40 channels, and on radios that had the rotary dial they just crammed numbers and slash marks to get all 40 on a dial originally designed for 23.

As much as the older 40ch selectors sucked, at least EFJ put a hash mark ever other channel which I found to be easier on the eyes compared to the ones like the SBE Sidebander IV had. I have a vague memory of a local who had a big magnifying glass over his, so that it would be easier to read...:whistle:

sbe_27cba_sidebander_iv_channel-sel.jpg
 
As much as the older 40ch selectors sucked, at least EFJ put a hash mark ever other channel which I found to be easier on the eyes compared to the ones like the SBE Sidebander IV had. I have a vague memory of a local who had a big magnifying glass over his, so that it would be easier to read...:whistle:

View attachment 38917
Can't remember now what brand it was, but I remember the first 40 channel radio I bought, the manufacture had managed to stick all 40 numbers on the 23 channel dial...The numbers were so small, so even tho there was a light behind the dial shining on whatever channel you were suppose to be on, it was almost impossible to read it.
 
S
Can't remember now what brand it was, but I remember the first 40 channel radio I bought, the manufacture had managed to stick all 40 numbers on the 23 channel dial...The numbers were so small, so even tho there was a light behind the dial shining on whatever channel you were suppose to be on, it was almost impossible to read it.
eems like i had a cheep sparkomatic with all numbers on dial couldnt see em good or might been a radioshack i had .sparkomatic resulted in busted window in my new fl mack in dallas.they yanked it out busting the plastic dash. Insurance paid for all.dash cost $600 incl8ding replacement plus $65 for window replaced.they even allowed me $150 for new radio and coax. Rs in dallas put new coax in set swr n mounted radio for $140 all cause a theif wanted a $45 china opps walmart radio
 
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One I had was probably a Cobra or GE...just know I didn't have it long before getting one with a digital readout.
J. C. Penny was another. Dad bought a penny n it was same as sears cept the face.
 
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Those 40ch analog dials are tough to read in the mobile, but there is a plus side to them. As a base, when placed directly in front of eye view they’re not that difficult to read, and you never had to be concerned about the tedious job of replacing LED readouts with burnt segments. Once he’s fixated on a bad segment, nothing P’s off the Good Humor Man worse. There’s one thing I like about analog radios (23 or 40). They draw the least amount current once the grain-of-wheat bulbs are either disconnected or replaced with LED’s. That makes them ideal as an emergency or camp radio because of their achieving extended battery life between charges.
 

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