Current costs for CB radio work (NO shop names please!)

Part time evening/weekend tech around here still charges $10 bench fee.

Back in the Spring of this year, an alignment and new echo board plus talk back toggle on a RCI 2980 cost me $65 out the door.

100$ gets you diagnosed with minor repair and alignment, estimate after that

My wife calls me "negative" because I am always thinking of "why things won't work".

OR it means they have seen the trick and just loosened then re-tightened the screws.

Rwb said:

Always paint case screws with semi gloss black finger nail polish,put some across screw heads onto case.if it has chrome screws use semi gloss clear.
It will pop right off when a screwdriver is used,you know for sure if case covers been removed

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snippits75 said:

Part time evening/weekend tech around here still charges $10 bench fee.

Back in the Spring of this year, an alignment and new echo board plus talk back toggle on a RCI 2980 cost me $65 out the door.

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That's good pricing, especially if it's good quality work. Now a days if you want good quality work, you have to pay a really good price.

loosecannon said:

Hi all,

I was having a phone discussion with someone about this topic yesterday and thought it might be a good thread topic since we come from all over this country (and others!) but congregate here.

First, please don't mention any shop names, as that would change the entire focus of the thread.

So, what are people paying for things like alignments, repair work, mic cord replacements, re-caps, amp repair, big projects, pretty much anything really.

Since this is such a niche market, my opinion would be that "this guy in town who works on friends' radios", and "a buddy of mine" are also welcome on this list, again, just no names please.

Hope everyone is enjoying being forced to stay home and talk on the radio!
LC

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There aren't many CB shops around me anymore, 10 to 15 years ago there were 4 maybe 5 so as far as prices go I'm not much help. The one and only that I've found is 45 miles away from me, and he doesn't recap radios, and I haven't had him work any equipment so I don't know what he charges.
As far as I'm concerned Loosecannon you could charge a pretty good price for your work, I know I would be hard pressed to find someone in my area to preform the professional, clean quality work that you've done to my radio, so I don't care what you charge, as long as you work on radio equipment I know who I'll be contacting to inquire about future radio work. I know some of you have seen pictures of my Loosecannon Madison but I'm going to put some on here because I still can't believe the difference in the before and after result









I look at the before and after of the inside and I'm thinking where did everything go??
I should point out that Loosecannon didn't take credit for everything, he gave props to the other technicians on the forum that have shared modifications and tips that helped make this radio what it is. So I would like to thank all the technicians on the forum that share information, there's a lot of talented people on here and I'm glad y'all help people like me who can't do what y'all do, but you make it possible for the rest of us to enjoy the fruits of your labor and enjoy this hobby. So to all of you wondering what to charge , i don't know? But i believe good work deserves good money. and just incase anyone one wonders what I've got invested, from when i bought the radio years ago to where it sets right know it's over a grand, and I don't regret a penny of it. Didn't mean to hijack this I promise no more pictures of my new baby, last words...GOOD WORK DESERVES GOOD MONEY.

Interesting topic LC. I am a hobbyist at best and I did not start working on radios with the thought of making money. I offered to align a local 38 lsb users radio and things took off after he got on the air on frequency. Folks wanted to know who that guy was with the right equipment to get someone on frequency. What has been interesting is that I have repaired (with the help of some amazing friends here) a number of radios and aligned a LOT for some locals to me here in north central Maryland/ Southern Pa. I am less than an hour from Mike's Radio Repair and I know that my skills are well below his and most of the folks here will attempt to have him work on their radios which I very much respect. I now charge $25 - $50 for an alignment depending on the radio. I also charge $50 - $100 for a recap depending on the radio. When it comes to repairs the truth is, it takes me so long to fix a radio because of my lack of experience that it's hard for me to charge a lot because the time it takes is mostly on me. I recently replaced the finals in an Anytone 6666 for a guy in Alaska (interesting story there) and he demanded that he give me $100 for that repair. I was thrilled......

Simple, fast jobs are cheap. Rest is 150 Euro/hour.

I know a guy in Nevada who does great work and is honest. It's refreshing to know up
front what it will take and how much it will cost. If there is a adjustment to the price he will notify you for approval. NO surprises is good. Now no names were mentioned in this post!

I'm not sure of rates at shops but I know one shop that'll make your penny hurt to the tune of $750 for a hack job and poor soldering skills.

TheRealPorkchop said:

I'm not sure of rates at shops but I know one shop that'll make your penny hurt to the tune of $750 for a hack job and poor soldering skills.

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Someone will go to the effort, and you’ll be found!

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Slowmover said:

Someone will go to the effort, and you’ll be found!

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I don't hide so I'm not hard to find... remember back in the day when someone wanted to race and the saying was "run what'cha brung and hope you brought enough"..? I have one too... when you step, you better step correct.

Also, if you didn't get the Soul Men reference, shame on you. I don't like nobody playing with my penny.