What year and why did you get into the Radio Hobby?

[cdoc]

It was around 1974, at the age of 13, that I got involved in the world of Citizen Band radio. It started with trading for a used Realistic TRC-24, a 23-channel crystal radio. I purchased a mobile base load coil antenna from the local Radio Shack and installed the radio and antenna in my Dad's truck for Father's Day. Later my Dad wanted me to "add channels" to his radio. I told him I did not know anything about that. Dad Just said, "That OK, I've been talking with one of our engineer at work and he's going to teach you."

That led to Dad bring home a dozen brand new SBE Formula D radios for me to "expand." Those were my first Phase-Locked Loop frequency synthesizer mods. Looking back, I see that I owed my career to my Dad and an old CB radio.

 

[Lost Ram]

It was the late 70's must have been about 7-8 years old, my Dad got a Lafayette Telsat 924 23 channel base station with ground plane on the chimney. When my Dad and Mom went out I was not supposed to talk on it but I always convinced the babysitter to let me. Someone local always busted me out to my Dad, LOL. That was always a guaranteed swat on the backside but it was worth it!!! Got my Dads Telsat after the divorce when I was 12, we sold that house and moved and left the antenna, took me about a year to save up for a Radio Shack ground plane. Been hooked ever since. About 10 years ago I got my ticket and am extra class now. Still have a CB hooked up and monitor 37 LSB daily.

 

[G-Golly Wally]

1976 my Dad bought a 23ch JC Penny Pinto, back when everyone had at least one CB radio. I played around with it when I was a kid. Then in 1990 I dug that little Pinto out of my dad's closet and stuck it in my little 1989 Ford Ranger. Been playing with radios off and on ever since then. I still have that 23 ch Pinto but I misplaced the original microphone to it somewhere never have found it, but it still works with a Cobra mic.

 

[ShadowDelaware]

I was given a robyn sb520d along with a 30 ft tower and a radio shack ground plane when I was about 15 in 1993. I have loved it ever since.

 

[hotrod]

After having my older friends had one of course I wanted one. I got my chance in1993. Stated with a cobra 19 ultra and cheap antennspa.my first base station came in 1996 I had a 40ch. C ourrier. And a99.thru.the years many different setups

 

[c316buckeye]

5 yrs old, parents had a boombox that could tune in some sw. lived on top of a hill. was very interesting to hear voices that were in the air all around me, just had to get the right device to listen. 1995, found a 23ch in the barn. put power to it, popped a fuse. put a bigger fuse in line, POP said the radio. not much fun in this, i said. was 15 at the time. got a cdl, used the same uniden 78ltw for over 20 years. cb shop opened it up, turned power up, set modulation. thought it was the best radio on earth. this thing can stomp on them expensive radios, i thought. whenever i heard skip, i just figured it was people talking at the truck stop and never payed any mind. couldn't identify ssb if it was in a lineup. during the wuflu, started researching.. that was many Galaxies ago lol. now using a 2980 as a receiver, got a clone on for base, car, and truck. refuse to use anything but an astatic 636L. take care out there

 

[DXman]

My first radio was in 1972.
Got it so as to meet more girls - and it did just that!

 

[doffo]

To pinpoint it would be difficult, but me being born in the mid 1980s, I think the first CB radio I seen was the Sears Roadtalker 40 channel AM radio, (Slant Face, but non-SSB). He put the radio in his late 1970s Ford F150 Ranger truck. From there on out, I was hooked listening on in. This had to of been circa 1990-1992.

Google picture of the radio:

 

[FlyBoy50]

Can't say for sure but my first radio was early to mid 70s and a bare bones Royce 23 channel AM mobile. It could talk for a poor boys budget.

 

[doffo]

Can't say for sure but my first radio was early to mid 70s and a bare bones Royce 23 channel AM mobile. It could talk for a poor boys budget.

It didnt occur to me how CB radios were priced in the 1970s compared to today's electronics until recently... Getting a sidebander radio you had to pay a nice chunk of change.

 

[FlyBoy50]

Getting a sidebander radio you had to pay a nice chunk of change.

Yes you are right ! Back then a SSB radio was this poor boy's dream and that is what drug me back into radio in my old age. You might say I'm working on my Bucket List ! LOL And I think I got a little carried away ! LOL