CB Radio Install

[ylekot]

SWR was almost flat when I tested it. Needle on the meter barely moved.

That's impressive!

[Johnny Mullet]

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.

[Wallythacker]

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.

Johnny, that is one the best SSB rigs made in that era, bar none. IIRC it's easy to unlock, the RF can be bumped up to about 10W AM but why? I used to run a TRC-457 in my car. Do you recall that rig? The very large base station? God I miss that radio.

[Johnny Mullet]

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.

[Wallythacker]

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.

[Johnny Mullet]

Since getting my base station up at home I met a lot of cool people locally.

[Wallythacker]

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.

[Johnny Mullet]

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.

[Johnny Mullet]

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.

[7milesout]

It does look good mounted in there.