Top CB radio manufacturer

[koØm]

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/14260...e+Shy%21%21%21

http://www.network54.com/Forum/14260...82+For+Sale%29

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[N8YX]

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.

[W5GA]

The Drake B/C lines both made pretty fair CB's with the right rocks plugged in.

[W9WLS]

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.

[N8YX]

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...

[NY4Q]

MY old shop

http://www.network54.com/Forum/14260...e+Shy%21%21%21

http://www.network54.com/Forum/14260...82+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]

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.

[k0pd]

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.

[NQ6U]

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.

[N8YX]

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.