That's impressive!
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Have a strange update. Never had any issues with President Electronics, but the Thomas quit transmitting. I was able to return it and get my money back. I tried to install my full size Uniden, but it was too big. I dug out my old Realistic TRC-453 sideband radio and it's a good fit. I can talk to two different base stations up to 22 miles on lower side band with this rig and up to 10 miles on AM mode.
I love this radio and those base station rigs were sweet. This radio on my meter is 5 watts on AM and swings 19 watts on sideband. I use an Astatic D104 hand microphone on it. I also own a TRC-465 but it's a little beat up and missing an LED segment.
My D104 is the all chrome model and I will never, ever, even under the threat of death part with it. I bought it new in 1977 for about $59 or so. IU foolishly used it in my car for about a week and nearly spilled a large Coke on it. Out of the car it came.
Some of best people that I know I met over the CB radio. The original social media.
Since getting my base station up at home I met a lot of cool people locally.
I was/am concerned about the current draw. My HF/all band rig pulls about 24 amps so it's not something I will use with the car off. Even with the engine running I would notice lights dim/flicker in the Caravan. I've not used the high power rigs in my Mirage yet. I have used my 50w VHF radio without any issues. Using repeaters it's possible to talk continent wide with relative ease.
I love my Realistic, but I was still wanting another modern radio with changeable display colors, AM and FM mode, and extra channels. I don't really use side band in the mobile and don't try to make skip contacts while driving. I surely don't want someone to steal my Realistic which is impossible to replace.
I was going to get another President radio, but I want more power without needing an amplifier, so an export radio is what I started researching. The Anytone 5555 or 6666 are awesome rigs, but too large for my car. My base station is the Anytone 5555 and it's a loud rig. I took my chances and ordered the Anytone AT-500M for 80 bucks which is similar in size to my Thomas and checks all the boxes. It also puts out 7 watts on AM mode. It will be here in a few days and I'll post results.
OK I got the Anytone radio and it's a perfect fit for the Mirage. This thing is pretty small, but very powerful and everyone I talk to says it's loud and proud.
It does look good mounted in there.