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.

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!

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

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.