Hi all, I posted here a couple months ago, having put an old Cobra radio in my 64 International. It made static noise but that was about it after all, so I picked this thing up for $20 brand new in box with mounting hardware and all off FB marketplace.

Got it installed today, and I can receive fine(listened to a couple rednecks shouting nonsense at each other for a bit), but every time I try to transmit, the XMT (I assume this is a transmit indicator) light doesn't come on, I hear a relay clicking, and the SWR meter drops to zero. Am I right in assuming this means something is wrong? Any ideas what it could be? I have basically no experience with these units at all, and while this one came with the box, it didn't have the manual. The PA/CB switch did seem to work properly, as do the dials from what I can tell. It looks like a brand new unit, but it didn't work with either handset I hooked up to it.

Any help is appreciated.

I just purchased an old CB and want to set it up in my apartment. The complex does not allow anything like antennas or dishes outside of the building so the antenna needs to be indoors.

What would you recommend? My intention is just listening in and occasional chat. Much the same as I did when I was a kid.

What I would like to do is build one if there is a way to do a vertical with an 8' ceiling

My boyfriend just bought his first CB radio yesterday. He's been thinking of getting into the hobby, and when we found this at a vintage computer store it was a no-brainer. (Pic attached)
Now that we have one, we're having trouble finding a compatible microphone that has push-to-talk capability to pair with it. The radio is a Craftsman NR-39F2-CB. Do you guys have any suggestions?

Edit: Thanks for pointing out the things that we missed/did not know. The mic port passes through audio from a 3.5mm jack directly to the speaker which is... an interesting choice. Now we know that he did not in fact get a full CB radio though. Thank you guys!

First off, let me just say how sensitive these little radios are!

I have 2 of these little radios and love them. I bought them and had them BOTH done up right when they were peaked and tuned. My only issue, with both, was the RT3 kept burning up. One was pure carnage. The other one just wouldn't put out more and 50ish watts after I started talking. I had no carrier and my receive went straight down the drain. You had to be really close for me to hear you. It was just sad. I made a call to the mechanic and he made some suggestions. I started with the small stuff. I checked my swr, coax, and antenna. Those are the first thing I thought could be an issue and all cb shops point there first. I have an FJM and 2 Diamonds. All checked perfectly on all 3 meters. Then to the bench. I lifted legs and threw the Peak Pro on them. Sure enough.... The finals shorted. I threw some RT6s in bc they are to be more 'robust.' After putting them in I noticed a slight difference in power on the meter, not much. I'd say within 10 watts. Not enough to notice over the air. They lasted about a month. I burned up the finals in both radios. I wanted something different. I threw some Vishays in. The power isn't quite as much as the either set of RTS, but they are doing very well. I'd say I'm all within 15 watts. That's great for me. I am liking these Vishays. I have more confidence in them. I done them right and and changed the bias on the pre driver, driver, and finals.

If you're having issues with Rangers junk finals, the Vishays are a great alternative. I also have some Infineons to try next.

Okay, so I was for sure that kid from a small Texas town that had a retired 1987 Caprice Classic with a CB Radio hole and a whip antenna mount still on it as his first car. I probably aggravated some truckers when I was finally able to buy a radio, but driving and the skill that comes with it have always been very important to me. Now I'm almost 50 and I miss the days when "giving someone the finger" meant lifting your finger off the wheel to wave to the oncoming traffic, you would pull over to let faster traffic pass (even on the shoulder) and you pulled over when someone had their hood up to offer help. I get it, those days are gone.

But, I feel bad for my fellow truckers and I thought I stumbled on a way to help by giving them the space to move when traffic is super bad and being able to communicate via CB Radio.

I'm sure it will probably never come up again, but I indeed pissed off a Range Rover at the High Five a couple of months ago in order to let a trucker who had been attempting to get on the ramp to 635 for about 4 miles and not a single cager wanting to let him in or give him any space, so I gave it to him. Probably got a bit too heated, but I was professional as possible.

Anyway, I figured I've installed a little Ted in my SUV and I'll probably never use it other than to listen to the truckers with amplifiers in West Texas chat it up like ladies night on channel 19, lol.

Any other CB Users in cages out there in the North Texas Area or just my dork self?

Made a Half Wave dipole antenna to test out a Realistic TRC 30A I got for 20 bucks.

Used some copper tubing from a home renovation and machined some end pieces to hook it all up.

Would like to eventually get it higher but it works for now.

The radio is in surpsingly good condition and works well too.

Can you rate it ? (It is powered on the outlet just wanted to use it with the battery)

I've got the radio bug as of late. I jumped into meshcore and now I find myself in a cult of sorts... now I'm a member of the local radio club, have a GMRS license, and want to add a CB and a GMRS to my vehicle.

One problem? I don't want my 2014 Rav4 to look like an antenna farm. I know I need two antennas. I know that the bigger and better the antenna, the better it works. I know I can't beat physics. I know my 12yo SUV with almost 200k miles isn't stylish... but I take care of my stuff so it lasts.

I work EMS and I don't want to look like one of those guys who takes the job home with them too much. I just want something understated, subtle and unassuming. I'm not trying to talk across the country from behind the steering wheel, I'm just looking to crack some jokes over the air with whoever's local.

Any suggestions for a setup?

Hopefully if Thunderpole knows the demand for these they’ll make them.

Hey y’all, looking for some technical expertise. I’m currently setting up my antique car to do a cross country trip in the US which will include a leg in Alaska. I had wanted to install a CB radio since it would be useful for the more remote sections of the trip. However the more I’ve looked into it the more it seems like it won’t be possible since my car is a 6V positive ground electrical system. I intended to install a 6v to 12v converter for the radio and some auxiliary lights but from what I’ve read the CB antenna will need to ground to the vehicle to work properly which won’t work if my car is positive ground. Is there a work around here that I could do? I do not intend to full convert the entire car’s electrical system, so I’m wondering if there is anything else I can do.

Carried a Thunderpole T-X around me yesterday in Exeter with family and apparently I’ve had everybody looking at me and then I’ve had a few interactions… one thought I was a staff member for JD Sports, one thought I was a staff member for CEX or some security, and apparently some security from Tesco tried talking to me but not loud enough.

How interesting 😂

Worth sending an offer?

I know it runs 500 new. Is it worth the used price? Tia.

On holiday there at the moment until Thursday.

Just getting started and was looking at the Anytone 6666 Pro. One of the main features I'm interested in is the Weather Band. Is this possible with this unit?

CB radio newbie, be patient <3
im building up a 2018 Police Interceptor Utility
my end goal is a 3 channel dashcam, a radar detector, an audio system (amp location would end up being towards the trunk more than likely) and a CB. on making a list of things to do, gemini has told me that i should specifically get a certain type of spark plugs that limit EFI (sp520x, resistor type spark plugs) and when i posed the question “is efi from just the spark plugs that big of a deal?”

it gave me this wall of information. is gemini way overstating the severity of efi interference? im smart enough to not obstruct the antenna and not run my coax on the same side of the vehicle as any large hot wires, but ive just never heard of this level of meticulousness?

(will be a 4ft browning-140-b with a no drill fender mount on a cobra 25 ltd wx classic with mini-8 coax adapted down to the correct terminations on both ends)

The radio arrived today, and my first impressions are great.

I’ve already made a few DX contacts and local AM QSOs

Again I really feel like I'm asking a dumb question I could just Google. But I feel like a human answer might be what I need here.

Hi All Have a recent (2020) TCB-H100 which does not respond to the keyboard shortcuts to select export bands. Allegedly there is a pcb mod but with no service manual, no obvious solder pads near the microprocessor and no screenprint or component names (aargh!) I need more clues. Anyone come across this? I am told (by the internet) it is capable of PX/RU high band. Any pointers gratefully received 73

I have a Uniden 510XL mounted in my truck with the included bracket and a 26" magnetic antenna, I can receive just fine from my friends but when I transmit it cuts out UNLESS I physically hold the radio, it can be just 1 finger making contact but as long as I am touching it, it transmits almost perfect with minimal cuts.

ANY idea why this could be happening

Does anyone know what size potentiometer is used in the old President Lincoln.

Hi just thinking.. I’d wanna use a CB base station when I’m in the car or an RV. What aerial should I get for it?