Back in the day (1980 or so) I was running an SBE Sidebander II in my mobile. SBE was a premier brand back then, and mine was a good talker. I stopped in at a local CB shop in Indy to buy something (I don't remember what) and the guy asked what I was running. I told him and he said he had a bunch of SBE noise blanker boards that fit my radio. He said he'd been sitting on them for quite a while and offered one for $10 bucks installed. The OEM noise blanker was just a switch that did nothing. The new board was fantastic. Totally knocked out all of the noise in my receive. When I upgraded to a 138XLR, I sold the SBE with the NB board still inside. I wish I'd kept the board.
Fast forward to today . . . I ran across an SBE Console II in the original box on Ebay. The Console II uses the same board as the Sidebander II. There was a sticker on the side of the box saying it was equipped with the "Super Noise Blanker" Board. The seller had posted a picture of the inside of the rig, and, yes, the NB board was there. $50 bucks - free ship, so I snagged it.
I was a screwdriver Jockey back in 1980, but knowing what I know now I think I can make that Console II a great performer. Actually I bought it to pull the NB board, draw up a schematic, and see what makes it tick. If I can get the parts, I'll make a few to replace the crappy noise blankers on my 858 SSB rigs. It will be here in a week or so. Can hardly wait.
- J.J. 399
Fast forward to today . . . I ran across an SBE Console II in the original box on Ebay. The Console II uses the same board as the Sidebander II. There was a sticker on the side of the box saying it was equipped with the "Super Noise Blanker" Board. The seller had posted a picture of the inside of the rig, and, yes, the NB board was there. $50 bucks - free ship, so I snagged it.
I was a screwdriver Jockey back in 1980, but knowing what I know now I think I can make that Console II a great performer. Actually I bought it to pull the NB board, draw up a schematic, and see what makes it tick. If I can get the parts, I'll make a few to replace the crappy noise blankers on my 858 SSB rigs. It will be here in a week or so. Can hardly wait.
- J.J. 399
