View Full Version : Top CB radio manufacturer
In your opinion, which company manufactured the best or most innovative CB transceiver - and what differentiated their offerings from the rigs produced by the other concerns?
Those of you who have had the cases off a plethora of Class D sets might have noticed more than a few similarities between them. At the height of the boom, a great number of rigs were being produced with the same main boards...the ubiquitous Cybernet, the Uniden 8719/8734 and 858...together with a few others made up roughly 75% of the market. Others - Royce and CPI, to name two - manufactured their own chassis and equipped their radios' front panels with features not found on other CB radios.
So...whose stuff made that special cut? (I'll reserve my commentary for a bit later and it may surprise a few. Then again, maybe not.)
WØTKX
09-08-2012, 06:56 PM
Back in the boom days I had a thing for certain Midlands and HyGains.
With E.F Johnson and SBE for fun.
KG4CGC
09-08-2012, 06:59 PM
Yaesu.
WØTKX
09-08-2012, 07:01 PM
YA, FT-101. :lol:
KG4CGC
09-08-2012, 08:03 PM
Yeah, I'm sorry. I was just trying to make a joke.
I had a Spark-O-Matic 23 ch back in the day. Did pretty well with adjacent channel interference running on an all aluminum antenna.
TESLA
09-08-2012, 08:25 PM
Kenwood
Yaesu.
And this is precisely where I was going. :lol:
The FT-101, FR/FL-101, FT-201, FT-901 (European version) rigs merely required a crystal be plugged into a waiting socket on their XTAL assembly PCBs in the AUX spot or swapped for an existing one; usually the 10C or 10D spot. The U.S. version of the 901 required a good bit more work to get it up and running on 11 (or any other frequency range, for that matter) via the AUX position on the band switch.
And...the FT-301. In its analog guise, that rig could also be converted with a crystal addition or swap. -D variants required the same modification to the counter assembly that was necessary on the 901 for correct 27MHz frequency readout.
Why did Yaesu stop with the practice? Perhaps they saw the writing on the wall as the boom dwindled. Perhaps they didn't stop at all...the neato FT-726R apparently came from the factory ready to transceive the entire 26-30MHz range if fitted with the optional HF band module. Of course, no AM...but it didn't really matter to the crowd which bought the rigs for their SSB capabilities.
That flexibility which enabled easy conversion of many of Yaesu's mid-70s to mid-80s HF rigs works to the WARC aficionado's advantage: I've modified a good many of the different models of the period to cover at least two of the WARC bands at a time in addition to the "normal" HF allocations.
I'm very partial to my CPI stuff, like the Royce and SBE rigs ( LCB8, LCBS4, 8 ) and would love to lay my hands on an original Colt Excalibur or a TRS Challenger 1400...but there sure were a lot of Fox Tangos on the air here 'back in the day'.
WØTKX
09-08-2012, 09:18 PM
Yea, a buddy of mine in H.S. got his ham license, and his dad bought the Yaesu FT-101 for "other places".
Dad called himself "Monster". :lol:
I got a Kenwood that will "do it" with an extended menu setting. I don't bother with that. :hand:
But I do use the Johnson 352 I have. It's a damn nice rig, with a decent dual conversion RX.
Lafayette had a rig with two receivers and interchangeable tx/rx. Handy if you were having a conversation on Channel 5 while waiting for a friend to contact you on channel 32.
There were also the CB radios with built-in AM/FM Cassette stereos which were handy.
I was partial to Lafayettes, KnightKit/Allied and Midland myself, especially SSB units. Had a Realistic TRC-457 with all the bells and whistles. Overkill.
ki4itv
09-08-2012, 10:38 PM
My FT-107m has eleven meters right from the factory. I don't do the CB stuff though. Too much chaos. If I want chaos, I contest on the ham bands because the net controllers and emergency whackers make it funner.
N7WQY
09-08-2012, 10:49 PM
Uniden made a good set and still does but i have a fondness for the older cobra when it was dynascan corp ;)
ki4itv
09-08-2012, 11:17 PM
Uniden made a good set and still does but i have a fondness for the older cobra when it was dynascan corp ;)
On the Island, we usually end a revelation like that with, "Get off my lawn!" :lol:
WØTKX
09-09-2012, 12:22 AM
If I want chaos, I contest on the ham bands because the net controllers and emergency whackers make it funner.
I love you, man. :omg: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
n2ize
09-09-2012, 02:07 AM
For many years I ran a good ol' Lafayette Comstat 25B. It was the one with 11 tubes inside and I always felt they were trying to model it after the Courier 23 Plus. At one point I could have had a Tram D201 but unfortunately I didn't go for it and someone else grabbed it. After that I could have just run a Viking 2 with the VFO switched to 11 meters but by then I had a license so I ran it on 40, 80, and 160.
For many years I ran a good ol' Lafayette Comstat 25B. It was the one with 11 tubes inside and I always felt they were trying to model it after the Courier 23 Plus. At one point I could have had a Tram D201 but unfortunately I didn't go for it and someone else grabbed it. After that I could have just run a Viking 2 with the VFO switched to 11 meters but by then I had a license so I ran it on 40, 80, and 160.
I had the Comstat 25A which I got used from a good friend. He did a black crackle paint job that really looked good. That radio could really get out and on cold nights, the tubes would keep you warm.
Used a LMS40(?) Which was a mobile SSB rig from Lafayette, made by Uniden I believe. Also a great unit. Picked it up for $100 when Lafayette closed up shop.
I used to work in a CB shop (of sorts) and I always liked the Uniden stuff (PLL-02A / uPD-858. Fairly nice design and easy to modify.
I liked the AM sound of the old Tram (tube series).
Cornell-Dubilier AM-only set - remember those?
3 meters plus RF, AF and IF Gain controls. The only other HF radios I'm aware of which brought everything out to the front panel in such a manner are the Swan/Cubic Astro 10x series.
My Royce 642 also has 3 meters. It also features an AGC selector on the front panel and AFAIK they're the only CB manufacturer ever to do so.
Someone mentioned Tram...those and the DAK Mark series sounded really good on AM, as long as you resisted temptation to crank 'em up in the power department. Though the final tubes would handle the increase, their B+ supplies and switching circuits wouldn't for long - and the DAK's modulation stage (transistorized) would often follow the supply out the door.
I "un-adjusted"/fixed quite a few of each. If the same radio came back to the bench more than twice, its owner was told to go elsewhere. Like to the truck stop which was moving -101s by the pallet load.
YA, FT-101. :lol:
For Sale on 09/16/2012
7209
Yaesu FT-101E 10-80 meters
Matching Speaker
Yaesu YC-601 Frequency Counter
Shure 444D Microphone
Available at GCARA Hamfest in Cincinnati, Ohio
.
X-Rated
09-10-2012, 12:34 PM
http://www.shopping-advices.com/images/product-041047011321.jpg
Good ole Hallicrafters CB. Can't beat that, unless you have an SX-88, I guess.
My FT-900AT does TX/RX from 1.8 to 30MHz. Mercy sakes.
I used to work in a CB shop (of sorts) and I always liked the Uniden stuff (PLL-02A / uPD-858. Fairly nice design and easy to modify.
I liked the AM sound of the old Tram (tube series).
MY old shop
http://www.network54.com/Forum/142608/message/1102953412/Don%27t+Be+Shy%21%21%21
http://www.network54.com/Forum/142608/message/1015118791/TRAM+TITAN+2+%282+For+Sale%29
.
I repaired a Titan III for a local once upon a time. The antenna changeover/B+ relay had carbonized at one of the insulating spacers - invisible "from the outside" - and had just enough conductance to allow an overcurrent condition to occur when the radio went into transmit...blowing the primary fuse upon contact closure. That was a royal sonovabitch to track, and was caused by the relay heating up due to a 'tune and peak job' administered by one of the area's Golden Screwdriver types. Had to build a relay from scratch for the thing, as 4PDT units with two 5A and two 10A contact sets were hard birds to find.
The Drake B/C lines both made pretty fair CB's with the right rocks plugged in.
W9WLS
09-12-2012, 07:47 AM
Another interesting "OLDIE" was the "General SB-72" , first production "true SSB" cb rig I remember seeing , think it came out shortly after the "Mark Sidewinder" (would still like to have one).
Your right Doug, the Drake line was wicked on CB, especially on A.M. , knew a ham who used to love to aggravate the truckers on Ch 19 with his "B-line" (and the L4-B) late at night.
Controlled-carrier AM was the shizzit.
Now...for those familiar with the FT-301, did you know its driver section - which puts out 10w PEP/2.5w AM carrier - can easily be disconnected from the "booster" unit then used to drive a 4CX1500 in AB2 to full output? I think I just found my new 160/75/40M AM rig. Others might duplicate this lashup and go find the 'Bowl...
MY old shop
http://www.network54.com/Forum/142608/message/1102953412/Don%27t+Be+Shy%21%21%21
http://www.network54.com/Forum/142608/message/1015118791/TRAM+TITAN+2+%282+For+Sale%29
Nice.
My favorite CB was a TRC-458. There was a pretty good group of guys that used to rag chew daily on 27.505 LSB. I was in high school then. I had a Starduster (read 1/4 wave antenna) up in a White Pine about 60' and I'd built an amp using a couple of 6HF5s. I think I still have those two tubes somewhere in the basement.
WØTKX
09-12-2012, 10:28 AM
If I ever get the time to fix the transmit side, the FT-902DM I have is supposed to rock with the right rocks.
My Gap Titan with an MFJ tuner works fine on 11 meters. Hooked up the Messenger 352 to it.
But hey... the last two weeks at work? 122 hours.
It's the only way to get a raise, I'm tired.
http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww173/prestonjjrtr/Smileys/SleepYawn02.gif
I always wanted a complete Stoner set up but $900.00 back then was a lot of money so settled for the CPI station as i recall total cost was $600.00 at Henshaws on Mcdowell road Phoenix AZ.
Wow, $600 for a CB? Most I ever paid was $110 for a Cobra 29 to put in my big rig. Still have it and it still works.
Wow, $600 for a CB? Most I ever paid was $110 for a Cobra 29 to put in my big rig. Still have it and it still works.
A 29 - for that matter, a 148 or 2000 - isn't even close to the CPI line with regards to build quality and receiver performance. I looked long and hard at older Cobra/Uniden stuff (and the derivatives thereof) before buying and restoring a couple CP- series radios. They compare very favorably with my higher-end ham gear when subject to A/B on-air receiver tests.
A 29 - for that matter, a 148 or 2000 - isn't even close to the CPI line with regards to build quality and receiver performance. I looked long and hard at older Cobra/Uniden stuff (and the derivatives thereof) before buying and restoring a couple CP- series radios. They compare very favorably with my higher-end ham gear when subject to A/B on-air receiver tests.
I'm sure you're right but it's kind of irrelevant on a 4-watt radio that's intended only for local use. I wasn't interested in 11m DX, just talking to the driver in that truck in front of me.
I'm sure you're right but it's kind of irrelevant on a 4-watt radio that's intended only for local use. I wasn't interested in 11m DX, just talking to the driver in that truck in front of me.
Your 29 is the best available rig for its intended purpose - bar none. I'm not really interested in 11M DX as much as I am being able to listen to an S1 signal on one channel while Bozo is on an adjacent frequency with noisemakers, overmodulation and so forth. Using the CPI, I don't hear as much of that garbage as I do with almost every other CB on the market...and with a number of my ham rigs' general coverage receivers as well. Thus far, the Ten Tec and a newly acquired FT-980 are at the top of that particular heap.
Now here's a deal!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TRAM-D201A-AM-SSB-40-CHANNEL-WITH-NON-AMPLIFIED-D104-FULLY-RESTORED-ALL-ORIGINAL-/280960424204?pt=US_CB_Radios&hash=item416a8bd90c
Now here's a deal!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TRAM-D201A-AM-SSB-40-CHANNEL-WITH-NON-AMPLIFIED-D104-FULLY-RESTORED-ALL-ORIGINAL-/280960424204?pt=US_CB_Radios&hash=item416a8bd90c
That particular seller has quite the following on WWDX forum. The membership's opinion is to trust nothing he advertises. Gear flipper.
n2ize
09-14-2012, 08:08 AM
I used to work in a CB shop (of sorts) and I always liked the Uniden stuff (PLL-02A / uPD-858. Fairly nice design and easy to modify.
I liked the AM sound of the old Tram (tube series).
Friend of mine had a Tram into the 1990's. The Tram could produce some good sounding audio. A few minor audio mods to enable it to pass more highs and lows and you could get an AM sound slightly reminiscent of the New England AM sound you hear on 40,. 75, and 160 on those cold and winter nights.
X-Rated
09-14-2012, 09:51 AM
Your 29 is the best available rig for its intended purpose - bar none. I'm not really interested in 11M DX as much as I am being able to listen to an S1 signal on one channel while Bozo is on an adjacent frequency with noisemakers, overmodulation and so forth. Using the CPI, I don't hear as much of that garbage as I do with almost every other CB on the market...and with a number of my ham rigs' general coverage receivers as well. Thus far, the Ten Tec and a newly acquired FT-980 are at the top of that particular heap.
I have not had an FT-980 before, but my FT-840 and my FT-900 worked pretty well here. I have three low power 50kW AM radio stations here at the home QTH within 5 miles. Actually I am about equidistant from those three by about 5 miles each. WBBM-AM, WGN-AM, and WSCR. I can tune to the next channel up (let's say 790kHz) and receive distant AM stations on USB, or tune down one channel (let's say 770kHz) and receive distant AM stations on LSB. I could not do this with the TS-480HX, for example.
I'm not much into anything to do with 27MHz except for 27MHz crystals in video applications.
KB3LAZ
09-14-2012, 02:58 PM
I dunno squat about CB's but yall made me do a google search on what a stoner was because I had thought it was a person..well.
Check out this dudes desk.
http://www.cbgazette.com/Donaldstoner.html
Says he is SK. Was one hell of a neat desk.
WØTKX
09-14-2012, 03:31 PM
Yes, that's the dude. I remember the articles, and the radio designed by him. Certainly the legacy of SGC.
The desk looks like it's from the front of a '69 Benz like I used to own. Conical turn signals are the give-away.
Freaking cool. I miss that damn car.
KB3LAZ
09-14-2012, 04:06 PM
Yes, that's the dude. I remember the articles, and the radio designed by him. Certainly the legacy of SGC.
The desk looks like it's from the front of a '69 Benz like I used to own. Conical turn signals are the give-away.
Freaking cool. I miss that damn car.
Joo used too whack ppl, didnt you? :D
w2amr
09-14-2012, 04:32 PM
Always liked the old Lafayette HE20/ RCA mark 7 , which were pretty much the same radio. Vintage 1960 or there about.
http://www.retrocom.com/LAFAYETTE%20HE-20%20A.jpg
http://www.retrocom.com/images/RCA_Mark_VII.jpg
WØTKX
09-14-2012, 06:45 PM
Joo used too whack ppl, didnt you? :D
HA! No. This is a dead ringer for the car I had, except mine was dark blue with the cream white leather interior,
Built a center console out of a nice piece of redwood for the kickass stereo, so I could keep the stock Blaupunkt.
25+ MPG, did 130 mph easy... and it was very comfortable. Not so big on the outside, about the size of a Dodge Dart.
http://www.autotraderclassics.com/community/classic-car/1968-Mercedes_Benz-280SE-728362.xhtml
http://www.autotraderclassics.com/scaler/632/473/images/b/2012/04/26/67199059/0_1968_Mercedes_005.JPG
KB3LAZ
09-15-2012, 03:28 AM
Nice looking car.
WB2CAU
09-29-2012, 09:12 PM
Always liked the old Lafayette HE20/ RCA mark 7 , which were pretty much the same radio. Vintage 1960 or there about.
http://www.retrocom.com/LAFAYETTE%20HE-20%20A.jpg
http://www.retrocom.com/images/RCA_Mark_VII.jpg
George, the HE-20A was manufactured for Lafayette by USL. There's a very good probability that the RCA pictured also was manufactured by USL for RCA. USL did considerable business private label manufacturing of CB radios for other brands. They marketed their own under the DeWald and USL brands.
w2amr
09-30-2012, 03:00 AM
George, the HE-20A was manufactured for Lafayette by USL. There's a very good probability that the RCA pictured also was manufactured by USL for RCA. USL did considerable business private label manufacturing of CB radios for other brands. They marketed their own under the DeWald and USL brands.That I didn't know. Hi Eric, good to see you, welcome aboard.:-D
Always liked the old Lafayette HE20/ RCA mark 7 , which were pretty much the same radio. Vintage 1960 or there about.
http://www.retrocom.com/LAFAYETTE%20HE-20%20A.jpg
Love those old Lafayettes. That looks very similar to the HA-111 which I started with. It used a spot carrier to sync the receiver to the xmit xtal. Caused a lot of interference as the one I got was hitting 4 channels at one time. Good for 1960 but not so good for 1968. Had the Comstat 25A in a few weeks...
KA9MOT
11-06-2012, 02:04 PM
The best CB I ever had was a Yaesu........ FT-101E with a FL-2100B and a D-104 Nite Eagle. I was the king of Channel 19. :lol:
kb2crk
11-06-2012, 02:20 PM
Lafayette had a rig with two receivers and interchangeable tx/rx. Handy if you were having a conversation on Channel 5 while waiting for a friend to contact you on channel 32.
There were also the CB radios with built-in AM/FM Cassette stereos which were handy.
I was partial to Lafayettes, KnightKit/Allied and Midland myself, especially SSB units. Had a Realistic TRC-457 with all the bells and whistles. Overkill.
I have one of those, well most of one of those in my garage. It replaced My SBE trinidad in the house.
The best CB I ever had was a Yaesu........ FT-101E with a FL-2100B and a D-104 Nite Eagle. I was the king of Channel 19. :lol:
What brand of rubber duckie antenna did you use? ;)
The best CB I ever had was a Yaesu........ FT-101E with a FL-2100B and a D-104 Nite Eagle. I was the king of Channel 19. :lol:
That one's easy.
Try converting a U.S.-spec FT-901DM to the Majick Band. It isn't as simple as plugging a crystal into a socket.
Yes, they can be made RX-only on that or any other segment.
KA9MOT
11-07-2012, 12:56 AM
That one's easy.
Try converting a U.S.-spec FT-901DM to the Majick Band. It isn't as simple as plugging a crystal into a socket.
Yes, they can be made RX-only on that or any other segment.
I didn't convert it..... Somebody else did. Hell, back in those days a Yaesu FT-101 was a complicated and mysterious thing.... It didn't have a channel selector and I kept looking at all of those switches knowing if I threw the right one I could talk to God himself! I did know enough to stay out of the Ham Bands though. The guy who sold it to me was very clear that if I strayed to places I didn't belong a Ham Radio Operator would come to my house with the FCC and together they would pummel me nearly to death and drag my bloody remains to jail. No Sir, that radio only transmitted on 27.185 and 27.385.
n2ize
11-08-2012, 12:05 PM
I didn't convert it..... Somebody else did. Hell, back in those days a Yaesu FT-101 was a complicated and mysterious thing.... It didn't have a channel selector and I kept looking at all of those switches knowing if I threw the right one I could talk to God himself! I did know enough to stay out of the Ham Bands though. The guy who sold it to me was very clear that if I strayed to places I didn't belong a Ham Radio Operator would come to my house with the FCC and together they would pummel me nearly to death and drag my bloody remains to jail. No Sir, that radio only transmitted on 27.185 and 27.385.
Conversion ? We don't need no steenkeen conversions.. My Viking 2 goes on 11 meters without any stinkin conversion. Matter of fact the Model 122 VFO has a switch position for 11 meters. ;)
My Icom works on 11m too. It's not supposed to, but it does.
n6hcm
11-25-2012, 08:42 AM
so if you wanted to get a contemporary cb rig ... what would you get? i don't plan on mounting it into a car or anything, but am not averse to mobile rigs. they have handheld cb radios too--are these any good?
so if you wanted to get a contemporary cb rig ... what would you get? i don't plan on mounting it into a car or anything, but am not averse to mobile rigs. they have handheld cb radios too--are these any good?
My picks:
Base - CPI CP2000, Uniden Madison (later model), SBE Land Command ( LCBS-8 ), Craig L4201, Midland 78-999. I purposefully left off the Cobra 2000GTL, itself a fine rig that uses the same main board as the Madison and the LCBS-8. Problem is that it's getting hard to find a non-butchered, properly working example.
Mobile - CPI CP400, Cobra 148GTL (early model with side-mount mic jack), Uniden Grant XL, Royce 1-639. For AM only use a Cobra 29GTL is hard to beat.
The majority of my selection criteria hinges around receiver performance. Even though they're single conversion, the CPI rigs have an adjacent channel rejection figure in excess of 80dB. I've owned and/or used a lot of CB equipment over the 40+ year span of my radio hobby involvement and the CPIs have earned themselves a permanent spot in the lineup.
I don't need "extra channels". Not with a ham ticket at stake. Thus, the 2000/400 (and with them, the Royce -639) are great sets for my particular application - they cannot be readily modified. In addition, I don't think you can kill a CPI final section if you set the power regulator for 4W AM/12W SSB output. They use a 50w-rated device.
What do you give up by selecting a CPI over a Cobra? Frequency counter and a clock, for one thing...and a modulation meter. Buy the BC-2000 Base Console and get the clock/counter functions plus a receive preamp, antenna switch and an antenna matching circuit. CPI once offered a rare accessory in the form of a modulation monitor scope. I'm half tempted to get hold of a BC-2000, disassemble it then stuff the guts into one half of a full-sized radio chassis I have laying around. The other half will get a homebrew version of the monitor scope built into it.
The CPI also comes with a darned effective speech processor and an AGC which actually works well on both AM and SSB. The Cobra doesn't.
Personally, I wouldn't consider any CB made in the last 15 or so years with the possible exception of the ubiquitous Cobra 29. Too much emphasis on noise toys; not enough on receiver performance.
KG4CGC
12-17-2012, 04:56 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK7HDwXhTzQ
KB3ZGV
12-17-2012, 11:53 AM
8304
N2CHX
12-17-2012, 11:59 AM
8304
Supertweaked! I gots 10 watts outta this here thang and I ain't even turned the power on yet!
WØTKX
12-17-2012, 12:26 PM
http://youtu.be/XvhOES4H1QQ
http://youtu.be/XvhOES4H1QQ
Hear the Eagle Scream.
http://www.worldwidedx.com/noisetoys/KeyUpEagleScream.wav
N2CHX
12-17-2012, 12:29 PM
http://youtu.be/XvhOES4H1QQ
23 channels and nothing to watch.
w2amr
12-17-2012, 01:55 PM
23 channels and nothing to watch.
Ha! :mrgreen:Almost as bad as Verizon Fios.
23 channels and nothing to watch.
Ch5 is a good propagation indicator for Mexico and Central America, as it's used like our Ch19 - by the majority of their truckers.
Of course, Da 'Bowl is usually open to somewhere and is a good gauge of single-hop Es.
Ditto Ch38 LSB.
For those with Browning Marks, Tram Titan/D-201 series, a general coverage receiver or a freeked-n-peaked CB/"export" set, head on up to 27.555USB and listen for DX spots.
Those with general-coverage receivers or other gear which tunes below Ch1 can listen for the Spanish version of Da 'Bowl on 26.705, various SSB nets on 26.555/.585 and the southern states DXing and rag chewing on 26.915.
There's always something doing on 11M. But lately I've been seeing a big uptick in MURS usage by the former CB crowd. Availability of rigs such as the R/S 19-1210 and the freedom to use a gain-type, external antenna has resulted in many people adopting the "dot" frequencies as a go-to allocation.
KB3ZGV
12-17-2012, 09:49 PM
Browning started as Browning-Drake
K7SGJ
12-17-2012, 10:05 PM
Browning started as Browning-Drake
No, no, no. That's a male duck in the oven.
N2CHX
12-17-2012, 10:09 PM
No, no, no. That's a male duck in the oven.
Duck & sauerkraut.
KB3ZGV
12-17-2012, 10:17 PM
Then again I hear the Connex Big Betty is a real fine radio.
http://www.cbradio.nl/connex/Connex_Black_Betty.jpg
N2CHX
12-17-2012, 10:19 PM
Then again I hear the Connex Big Betty is a real fine radio.
http://www.cbradio.nl/connex/Connex_Black_Betty.jpg
That's one epic boob job.
K7SGJ
12-17-2012, 10:20 PM
Then again I hear the Connex Big Betty is a real fine radio.
http://www.cbradio.nl/connex/Connex_Black_Betty.jpg
What happens if you flip the anal switch to on?
KB3ZGV
12-17-2012, 10:21 PM
Notice mic is spelled "mike"
K7SGJ
12-17-2012, 10:23 PM
Then again I hear the Connex Big Betty is a real fine radio.
http://www.cbradio.nl/connex/Connex_Black_Betty.jpg
That's one epic boob job.
I think that belonged to that Black Panther guy, Elder Cleavage.
w2amr
12-18-2012, 05:03 AM
Then again I hear the Connex Big Betty is a real fine radio.
http://www.cbradio.nl/connex/Connex_Black_Betty.jpg
OMG, real knobs!
N2CHX
12-18-2012, 06:30 AM
OMG, real knobs!
Those aren't real. You obviously don't get laid enough.
OMG, real knobs!
Post that on QRZ in the Tech section. Guaranteed aneurisms for the whole family...
Those aren't real. You obviously don't get laid enough.
You obviously don't get laid by enough dancers, but we're digressing the thread somewhat. :snicker:
KB3ZGV
12-18-2012, 08:09 AM
Yeah the knobs are a bit tricky. If you fiddle with them too much, not enough, or with the wrong grip they get flaky and troublesome. There doesn't seem to be a good manual anywhere for them.
N2CHX
12-18-2012, 08:16 AM
You obviously don't get laid by enough dancers, but we're digressing the thread somewhat. :snicker:
I don't like fake boobs. My two best friends are completely the opposite. One was already well-endowed and got hers done last year. The other is completely flat-chested and she doesn't care. She's a gorgeous redhead anyway. Who needs boobs when you're a gorgeous redhead? Her husband doesn't seem to mind, so...
Anyway, yeah I haven't been with any of THOSE kind of dancers, you're right lol. I go more for the Velma types anyway. Nerd girls attract.
N2CHX
12-18-2012, 08:18 AM
Yeah the knobs are a bit tricky. If you fiddle with them too much, not enough, or with the wrong grip they get flaky and troublesome. There doesn't seem to be a good manual anywhere for them.
Ask questions and pay attention to feedback. And most of all (this is a pet peeve of mine) don't stay in one place too long.
KA9MOT
12-18-2012, 12:43 PM
Then again I hear the Connex Big Betty is a real fine radio.
http://www.cbradio.nl/connex/Connex_Black_Betty.jpg
I'll bet they sold everyone they made! LOL!
w2amr
12-18-2012, 12:53 PM
Post that on QRZ in the Tech section. Guaranteed aneurisms for the whole family...
Can you imagine?:lol:
KB3ZGV
12-18-2012, 02:49 PM
Post that on QRZ in the Tech section. Guaranteed aneurisms for the whole family...
Actually I posted the "clean version" in a discussion about 10 meter radios over on qrz.
http://www.gijoesradioelectronics.com/Images/ConnexBigBetty5.jpg
It didn't go over well.
w2amr
12-18-2012, 03:14 PM
Actually I posted the "clean version" in a discussion about 10 meter radios over on qrz.
http://www.gijoesradioelectronics.com/Images/ConnexBigBetty5.jpg
It didn't go over well.
That version loses a bit of it's charm.
n6hcm
12-18-2012, 07:04 PM
That version loses a bit of it's charm.
yeah. plus, the little points must hurt fingers ...
That version loses a bit of it's charm.
Looks like any one of a number of strippers I've...
Pole. I bought 'DSG a brass pole for our living room for Christmas. There are no lights on it...how to convince her it's the lamp she's wanted for so long?
WØTKX
12-18-2012, 08:25 PM
Festivus.
VE7MGF
12-18-2012, 10:49 PM
where can i get a set of those knobs
they would look great on my tuner
Odd find while doing a search for a fellow HAM.
http://www.truckers-store.com/store-products-magnum-1012-NEW-Magnum-1012-Handheld-Battery-Powered-10-12-Meter-Radio-with-SSB_1097478524.html
Odd find while doing a search for a fellow HAM.
http://www.truckers-store.com/store-products-magnum-1012-NEW-Magnum-1012-Handheld-Battery-Powered-10-12-Meter-Radio-with-SSB_1097478524.html
Not a bad rig (I suppose...) but what's the "ham" tie-in?
Not a bad rig (I suppose...) but what's the "ham" tie-in?
Nope, it actually looks pretty nice, but what's with the 40 CH mess? I didn't download the manual though...
TESLA
12-24-2012, 12:49 PM
Not a bad rig (I suppose...) but what's the "ham" tie-in?
I own one, works great on 10m and 12m as intended, you only get a frequency readout straight out of the box. Messing with the resistor/diode matrix will give you the CB band with the Channel indicator, I use mine on 10m all the time when it's open, works great! Mine has not been modified.
I own one, works great on 10m and 12m as intended, you only get a frequency readout straight out of the box. Messing with the resistor/diode matrix will give you the CB band with the Channel indicator, I use mine on 10m all the time when it's open, works great! Mine has not been modified.
You might be putting your ticket at risk. FCC regs prohibit combination CB/10m radios, which means this is not a certificated radio.
Section 95.409(a) of the Rules states that you must use an FCC certificated CB transmitter at your CB station and that the use of a transmitter, which is not FCC certificated voids your authority to operate the station.
KB3ZGV
12-24-2012, 02:27 PM
You might be putting your ticket at risk. FCC regs prohibit combination CB/10m radios, which means this is not a certificated radio.
Mine has not been modified.
Is there any enforcement of rules on CB at all? Maybe for manufacturers, distributors and dealers. But for CB users?
Is there any enforcement of rules on CB at all?
Yes, there is:
NOTICE OF APPARENT LIABILITY FOR FORFEITURE Released: March 31, 2008 By the District Director, Tampa Office, South Central Region, Enforcement Bureau:
I. Introduction
1. In this Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture ("NAL"), we find that Richard Ross, apparently willfully and repeatedly violated Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended ("Act"), by operating an unlicensed radio transmitter. We conclude, pursuant to Section 503(b) of the Act, that Mr. Ross is apparently liable for a forfeiture in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000).
II. BACKGROUND
2. On June 4, 2007, in response to complaints of interference, agents from the Commission's Tampa Office of the Enforcement Bureau ("Tampa Office") inspected the Citizens Band ("CB") station located at Mr. Ross' residence. During testing of Mr. Ross' equipment, the agents determined that two of his CB radio transmitters were non-certificated transceivers, capable of transmitting on unauthorized frequencies. The agents also measured the output power for his transmitters and found them to be operating with seven and eight watts, respectively, output powers greater than authorized in the Commission's Rules ("Rules"). The agents orally warned Mr. Ross that use of non-certificated or modified equipment capable of transmitting on unauthorized frequencies and with greater power than authorized is strictly prohibited by the Rules and voided his authority to operate the CB station. Mr. Ross voluntarily surrendered both devices to the agents.
3. On July 10, 2007, in response to additional complaints of interference, the Tampa office sent an official letter, certified and regular mail, to Mr. Ross, restricting his hours of operation for his CB station. Specifically, the letter instructed Mr. Ross not to operate his CB station from 6 AM EST to 11:59 PM EST. On July 11, 2007, the Tampa office received a response to the official letter in which Mr. Ross claimed he was now in compliance with the rules.
4. On August 16, 2007, agents from the Tampa Office inspected Mr. Ross' CB station to confirm that his CB station was in compliance with the Rules. The agents found that Mr. Ross' CB radio station included a CB transmitter and two linear amplifiers. The agents measured the power of the CB transmitter and found it had an average power output of 3.5 watts carrier power. They tested the amplifiers combined power output and found the devices had the capability to boost the power of the station to several hundred times the authorized power level. The agents orally warned Mr. Ross that the use of linear amplifiers or any device that creates a power greater than the authorized limit is strictly prohibited by the Rules and voids the authority to operate the CB station. Mr. Ross voluntarily surrendered both linear amplifiers to the agents.
5. On November 20, 2007, in response to additional complaints of interference, at approximately 10:15 A.M., agents from the Tampa Office located the source of a strong signal on a CB radio channel using direction finding methods to Mr. Ross' residence. An agent recognized the voice of the transmissions to be that of Mr. Ross.
6. Still on November 20, 2007, agents from the Tampa Office inspected Mr. Ross CB station. A wattmeter measurement indicated the power of Mr. Ross' transmitter during the inspection to be two watts, under the maximum authorized power under the Rules. The agents then traced the coaxial cable from the output of the transmitter and found it was connected to a linear amplifier. Measurements taken with the amplifier connected to the CB transmitter indicated the amplifier had the capability to boost the power of the station to several hundred times the authorized power.
7. Still on November 20, 2007, the agents observed an open notebook. The notebook showed log entries that indicated that Mr. Ross made several long distance calls using his CB radio during that morning. The entries coincided with the times the agents, using direction finding techniques, traced transmissions originating from Mr. Ross' residence. The agents orally warned Mr. Ross that the use and possession of the linear amplifier and operating out of the authorized hours prescribed on the official letter issued on July 10, 2007 violated the Rules and voided his authority to operate the CB station.
III. DISCUSSION
8. Section 503(b) of the Act provides that any person who willfully or repeatedly fails to comply substantially with the terms and conditions of any license, or willfully or repeatedly fails to comply with any of the provisions of the Act or of any rule, regulation or order issued by the Commission thereunder, shall be liable for a forfeiture penalty. The term "willful" as used in Section 503(b) of the Act has been interpreted to mean simply that the acts or omissions are committed knowingly. The term "repeated" means the commission or omission of such act more than once or for more than one day.
9. Section 301 of the Act requires that no person shall use or operate any apparatus for the transmission of energy or communications or signals by radio within the United States except under and in accordance with the Act and with a license. Section 95.404 of the Rules states that CB operators do not require an individual license to operate a CB station because they are authorized by this rule to operate in accordance with the rules in this subpart. Individuals operating, pursuant to this provision, however, must operate their CB stations in accordance with the rules in this subpart.
10. Section 95.409(a) of the Rules states that you must use an FCC certificated CB transmitter at your CB station and that the use of a transmitter, which is not FCC certificated voids your authority to operate the station.
Section 95.410 of the Rules states that your CB station transmitter power output must not exceed ... under any conditions: 4 watts (carrier power). Use of a transmitter which has carrier power in excess of that authorized voids your authority to operate the station.
On June 4, 2007, agents from the Tampa Office determined that Mr. Ross operated his CB station with two non-certificated transmitters that had a power output of seven and eight watts (carrier power), respectively. On June 4, 2007, Mr. Ross was warned that operation of his CB station with a non-certificated transmitter and with a power level greater than authorized violated the Rules and voided his authority to operate his CB station.
11. Section 95.411(a) of the Rules states that you may not attach external radio frequency (RF) power amplifiers to your certificated CB transmitter in any way. Section 95.411(b) of the Rules states that there are no exceptions to this rule and that use of a power amplifier voids your authority to operate the station. The Commission will presume that you have used a power amplifier if it is in your possession and if there is other evidence of overpower operation.
On August 16, 2007, and on November 20, 2007, agents from the Tampa Office observed that Mr. Ross had attached linear amplifiers to his CB station. Immediately prior to the inspection on November 20, 2007, the agents observed Mr. Ross' CB station in operation. On August 16, 2007 and November 20, 2007, the agents determined that the amplifiers attached to Mr. Ross' CB station had the capability to boost the power of the station to several hundred times the authorized power level. On August 16, 2007, and November 20, 2007, Mr. Ross was warned that attaching linear amplifiers to his CB station violated the Rules and voided his authority to operate his CB station.
12. Section 95.423(a) of the Rules states that if the FCC tells you that your CB station is causing interference for technical reasons you must follow all instructions in the official FCC notice. Section 95.423(b) of the Rules states that you must comply with any restricted hours of CB station operation which may be included in the official notice. On July 10, 2007, the Tampa Office sent an official letter, certified and regular mail, to Mr. Ross. In the official letter Mr. Ross was instructed not to operate his CB station from 6 AM EST to 11:59 PM EST.
On November 20, 2007, the agents observed Mr. Ross operating his CB station out of the authorized hours (approximately 10:15 AM) established in the July 10, 2007 official letter. 13. Because Mr. Ross violated several sections of Part 95, Subpart D of the Rules, Mr. Ross voided his authority to operate his CB station pursuant to Section 95.404 of the Rules. Therefore, based on the evidence before us, we find that on June 4, August 16, and November 20, 2007, Mr. Ross willfully and repeatedly violated Section 301 of the Act by operating a radio transmitter, his CB station, without authorization from the Commission.
14. Pursuant to The Commission's Forfeiture Policy Statement and Amendment of Section 1.80 of the Rules to Incorporate the Forfeiture Guidelines, ("Forfeiture Policy Statement"), and Section 1.80 of the Rules, the base forfeiture amount for operating without an instrument of authorization is $10,000. In assessing the monetary forfeiture amount, we must also take into account the statutory factors set forth in Section 503(b)(2)(E) of the Act, which include the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violations, and with respect to the violator, the degree of culpability, and history of prior offenses, ability to pay, and other such matters as justice may require. Applying the Forfeiture Policy Statement, Section 1.80 of the Rules, and the statutory factors to the instant case, we conclude that Mr. Ross is apparently liable for a $10,000 forfeiture.
WØTKX
12-24-2012, 03:27 PM
Perhaps. I'd be curious as to it's spectral purity, and like that.
Anyway, enjoy... http://www.cbtricks.com/radios/rflimited/magmun_1012/index.htm
:omg:
KB3ZGV
12-24-2012, 04:01 PM
Yes, there is:
Yeah, but there is a new sheriff in town now
http://braddye.com/images/fcc_laura_smith.jpg
You might be putting your ticket at risk. FCC regs prohibit combination CB/10m radios, which means this is not a certificated radio.
FCC regs prohibit the sale of new so-called "dual use" radios. That is, from a dealer to an individual. They do not prohibit the use of said equipment on the amateur radio service frequencies, the caveat being that the equipment in question meets technical standards for the band upon which it's being operated.
Further, the equipment under discussion may not be legally operated on the Class D CB frequencies, as by definition a dual-use radio cannot be certificated for use as a Class D emitter.
Person-to-person sales of dual-use equipment are permitted. With the exception of the HR2510/2600 transceivers (which some people vehemently label as junk but strangely enough meet FCC spectral purity guidelines for 10M usage) almost every so-called "export" or "dual use" radio I've encountered - especially the higher powered versions - are poor performers. And are a very sure way of attracting unwanted attention to their users due to their dubious on-air manners.
Much better alternatives exist, but most Yaesus or Kenwoods don't come equipped from the factory with roger beep or echo features.
KG4CGC
12-25-2012, 11:38 AM
Could be any number of reasons why the locals here suddenly got off the band.
The old saw about flying under the radar/not attracting too much attention comes to mind.
Today's FCC is complaint-driven. Reactive, rather than proactive. The agency simply doesn't have the funding to put white vans or unmarked cars full of Watkins-Johnson surveillance receivers on the main street of every town as was done in the old days.
If you operate your station in a manner that's not going to generate complaints from other spectrum or consumer electronics users, you'll probably go about as unnoticed as last week's newspaper. On the other hand, if you're creating RFI problems for your neighborhood you almost certainly will get a complaint lodged against you.
A tale of two stations: Back in the boom days of CB there were a couple locals sited about half a mile from me, and they were a block apart. Both had directional antennas and their stations were among the strongest signals on the band at the time.
One guy had a Radio Shack TRC-series SSB/AM base (uPD858 or MB8719 PLL; single conversion receiver - a popular design of the day). He ran the ubiquitous R/S power mic with the unit (usually at full tilt), and - thanks to an area "tech" who tuned his radio for a whopping 6w AM carrier - I could hear him across the entire 40Ch spectrum if he operated near the center of the Class D allocation.
The other guy and his son shared their setup. Son used to yak with me and his high-school age friends via AM quite a bit; dad favored SSB DXing/ragchewing and was very rarely observed operating anywhere but Ch35-40. Regardless of mode, I never heard either of them more than one channel away from their transmitting frequency.
Station #2 was a loaded TR7, and or course was kept throttled down so as to be mindful of other spectrum users. I'm pretty sure the first guy got a letter or two over the years but the Drake Gang never did.
TESLA
12-25-2012, 03:38 PM
You might be putting your ticket at risk. FCC regs prohibit combination CB/10m radios, which means this is not a certificated radio.
The radio has been destroyed and all parts burned. Am I safe now?
The radio has been destroyed and all parts burned. Am I safe now?
No. It first had to be wrapped in an American flag and then personally burned by the President himself.
kb2vxa
12-26-2012, 07:00 PM
That rule went into effect during the Ford administration at the insistence of First Mama Betty KUY-9532.
n2ize
12-31-2012, 12:27 PM
The old saw about flying under the radar/not attracting too much attention comes to mind.
Today's FCC is complaint-driven. Reactive, rather than proactive. The agency simply doesn't have the funding to put white vans or unmarked cars full of Watkins-Johnson surveillance receivers on the main street of every town as was done in the old days.
If you operate your station in a manner that's not going to generate complaints from other spectrum or consumer electronics users, you'll probably go about as unnoticed as last week's newspaper. On the other hand, if you're creating RFI problems for your neighborhood you almost certainly will get a complaint lodged against you.
A tale of two stations: Back in the boom days of CB there were a couple locals sited about half a mile from me, and they were a block apart. Both had directional antennas and their stations were among the strongest signals on the band at the time.
One guy had a Radio Shack TRC-series SSB/AM base (uPD858 or MB8719 PLL; single conversion receiver - a popular design of the day). He ran the ubiquitous R/S power mic with the unit (usually at full tilt), and - thanks to an area "tech" who tuned his radio for a whopping 6w AM carrier - I could hear him across the entire 40Ch spectrum if he operated near the center of the Class D allocation.
The other guy and his son shared their setup. Son used to yak with me and his high-school age friends via AM quite a bit; dad favored SSB DXing/ragchewing and was very rarely observed operating anywhere but Ch35-40. Regardless of mode, I never heard either of them more than one channel away from their transmitting frequency.
Station #2 was a loaded TR7, and or course was kept throttled down so as to be mindful of other spectrum users. I'm pretty sure the first guy got a letter or two over the years but the Drake Gang never did.
Many many moons ago a neighbor complained to the FCC about rf interference from the ham radio operations. I got a registered letter from the FCC about "interference from my CB radio station". I responded by stating that I neigher own nor operate a CB radio station. I said nothing about ham radio. A month or so later I got a similar letter about "interference from my ham radio station" to which the FCC also included a book about rfi interference. Supposedly they sent on to my neighbor as well. The FCC stated that no further action will be taken against me. In any event right about that time my job situation changed along with my hours of radio operation which changed from daytime and evenings to late nights and early mornings. No more complaints after that.
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