Old CB Radios, Are They Worth Saving?

[@RaccoonsRadioRanch]

I think ALL vintage radios are worth saving . Besides , I love the older equipment, and I have a ton of it.

[@RaccoonsRadioRanch]

I forgot to mention that I have an old RCA Co-pilot 14T302 that I use daily in the mobile , and I've been using it for a few years now.

[@rgnichols567]

I agree, just wish I could find someone who was willing to work on tube amps! I have a co I ple that need looked at.

[@kevinmccool3719]

These older radios are the absolute best teaching tools you can get to learn how they work and how to repair them.

[@billb6029]

@John Cliff ?

[@oldasdihrt5993]

Thanx for the vid. I remember when i was driving locally for a freight company in St Louis and one of the drivers had a Royce . Man.....that thing got out forever and unless you knew him.......you would think that he was on a base station. Great old radio.thanx for the trip down memory lane.

[@RaczBela1993]

Old CBs are the best CBs! I use a Lafayette Gamond Telsat 805b, looks brand new and works after a service perfectly

[@ferenczsinko6770]

I love how the manufacturer thought that a wood veneer look would be a thing that you match with electronics. Very cool retro stuff. Thanks for the video.

[@thestonerguy5276]

It matched well with the interior of some 70's cars (fake wood dash/trim)

[@spaceflight1019]

CB radios went through eras that matched what buyers thought was stylish. When chrome ruled cars CB sets had chrome cases. When woodgrain trim became popular fake woodgrain trim, and in the case of the Cobra 135, actual wood cases were in vogue. Browning's Mark 3 had fake woodgrain cabinet covers while Tram's D201 had actual wooden case end panels.

[@adamoneale4396]

I personally really like wood grain electronics

[@mikeingeorgia1]

Reminds me of the station wagon I slid around the back of on curves as a child lol

[@charleswoods2996]

Yes! I'll just say "Yes" because if nothing else, you've got parts and pieces that could be used for repair!

[@mikebottiaux5850]

I own a couple of the original, Realistic Mini 23’s from the early 70’s. The channel selector had channels 1-12. Then by pressing a button on the radios face the channel selector would then change to channels 13-23, very cool feature. The original Mini 23’s were a tad bit smaller then the newer versions.

[@cqlegend7620]

Really enjoyed this video my first base station was a 23 - Navajo

[@Dallas-Rife-UDX-347-Tennessee]

They are really neat , it’s hard to toss an old classic to the side , especially if it works good and sounds good . Great video John , always a pleasure to see you on the air

[@640amthemix]

These are cool radios worrh saving. Beside nostalgia they are a great way to get into CB for those that dont want to break the bank! Great job 640AM the mix waving from NYC!

[@MowerJunkie]

Very true! The Royce would make a great first radio. Take care, Thanks for watching.

[@NUBBY39]

@@MowerJunkie Have you seen the price on Ebay that people want for old school AM radios in the UK, how can you say its a cheap way of getting in to CB radio, while there is greedy sellers out there and silly people that are willing to pay extortionate prices for classic radios to the greedy sellers you may as well go and buy a new radio ,but the old school ones are a 1000 times better though.

[@spaceflight1019]

@@NUBBY39 , first thing is to stay away from eBay, unless you're looking for something rare and don't care how much it costs. I've been doing this for 51 years. Flea markets and hamfests are the place to go for bargains. This season I got a Bearcat 980 SSB for $10, a Realistic TRC-474 for $5, a Lafayette Comstat 25B AND a Kris Big Boomer for $20!

[@NUBBY39]

@@spaceflight1019 I presume you are in the U.S. my friend, you guys are lucky you seem to have some great flea markets and hamfests alot better than ours in the U.K ,ours seem mainly seasonal ie: when the weather is good in summertime or ment to be good ,this is the U.K LOL , plus ours are not as big as yours either plus we don't have any real CB shops here now there mainly Amateur radio shops that have been around for years and there's not many of those now TBH that's why alot of people here rely on Ebay/Internet

[@spaceflight1019]

@@NUBBY39 , I live near Pittsburgh. The closest CB shop seems to be at the Dallas Pike truck stop in West Virginia. T hamfests (WASHfest, Breezeshooters, Portage (Ohio), 20 over 9, Cuyahoga Falls, and the WACOM hamfest were all cancelled this year due to covid issues. Uniontown, Warren, Ohio, Unionville, Skyview, Revloc, and Cleveland was all there was to stock up on classic rigs this year.

[@skyhill4279]

I wouldn't want a 23 channel CB radio myself but all old technology should be saved for posterity. I have a lot of CB radios from late 70's and up, ones I bought and still use. I have lots of minidisc machines both portable and full size units from old original formats to the last machines made. If you are interested in a hobby it's nice if you help preseve older tech belonging to your hobby. Always enjoy your videos, please keep them coming sir.

[@nickl3872]

Those are some cool old radios . I appreciate you showing us them .

[@wramsey2656]

Grew up during the 70s with my own CB, familiar with most brand name radios. Now the JC Penney CB never knew they made them, apparently the name Pinto was appropriate for the performance lol.

[@redstickham6394]

Back in the day, the department store chains, Sears, Montgomery Wards, and JC Penney all sold their own brands of electronics(TVs, Stereos, etc.). They were made by other electronics manufacturers who just slapped the store's name on them. I wonder who made this CB for JC Penney, a big name company one that wasn't well known in the US.

[@Travis141123]

Some of those old radios, especially the SSB models, have great audio. I have several I've added channels with an Arduino and an RF module. Plugs right into one of the crystal sockets. I have 2 set up for 10m ham band. I buy every 23 SSB I can get cheap.

[@tonyv8925]

Back in the heyday of CB, among the many radios I had, the TRC-24C was one of them. I had it hooked up to a Hustler base loaded antenna on the back of my car. Then CB radio went to 40 channels so I had to upgrade. I still have my first 40 channel mobile a Browning Pilot. Have long lost the microphone, so I do not use it. Thanks for sharing this little bit of history.

[@MowerJunkie]

Thanks for sharing the story Tony, It's nice to hear other people are as crazy as I am, to be in this hobby as long as we have. Take care, 73's from 151 SC.

[@tonyv8925]

The exciter/driver circuit to the 'finals' RF amplifier is usually, but not always about 1/4 to 1/2 watt. Most likely the RF amp stage is fried due to SWR mismatch. CB radios were notorious for being sensitive about SWR. I know, I burned a few of them in my old CB days.

[@MisterBigDave]

I just took the finals out of my old 70s Realistic 23 a few weeks ago. They’re good, something else is toasted. I’m not going to bother with it. My 40 and mini are good as new. Fun stuff!!

[@MisterBigDave]

TRC-152 was a great set I had mounted in my first car, a 65 Plymouth Sattelite mid 70s. It was a phase lock loop model of the earlier 52(?)

[@johnnorman7708]

You know, I like that old classic wood grain veneer look. Never thought about it way back when. But it just screams I'm a veteran classic from THE CB days.

[@tazone99]

Talked from uk to USA channel18 he was on a 23 channel rig

[@georgebarnes8163]

Never knew that 23 channel CB radios even existed, I am in the UK and the smallest set we could get were 40 Channel AM units in the 1970s, That changed in 1981 when a new legal format of 40 channel FM only CB radios were introduced.

[@peterlutz7191]

I still have and use a Radio Shack TRC-205, a TRC 424 and a trc-422a, my first CB was a Sears Roadmaster 23 Channel.

[@russ-aepx3307]

I have cooked up a NCO tuning section to give these rock-solid 40 channels utilizing the AD9834 and a single 64MHz rock.

[@VintageReelAngler]

I would really like to know how you did it. Great job.

[@toddstanley3619]

If you are going to put an old radio back on air the biggest thing you need to know... First they need to be cleaned. They used a glue that became corrosive with age. I've had a few old radios I plugged into my pickup and fried it. I found out about these corrosive to late. The second thing you need to know is they really need to be aligned and tuned before using to much. If not properly aligned and tuned you can kill the finals. These are things I wish I knew sooner.

[@cbradioghosttalk1986]

Thanks, John for a good show you made my day. I got a closet that I hide those old radios from the woman. When asked how many I have a few. They are all worth the keep. 73s from NY202 Adirondack Mtns NY

[@MowerJunkie]

That's awesome! Take care NY202, 73's from 151 SC.

[@MidwestStormSpottersLeague2015]

A lot of my older radios are 23ch units. My Lafayette Telsat is my favorite one. Even has the original to it power supply base with built in external speaker.

[@MowerJunkie]

Nice! I love those old mobile base stations.

[@RaccoonsRadioRanch]

I have an original Lafayette Comstat 23 that I love talking on when I get the chance to.

[@MidwestStormSpottersLeague2015]

@@RaccoonsRadioRanch mine is the Telsat SSB-50.

[@MidwestStormSpottersLeague2015]

@@MowerJunkie thanks! It's the Telsat SSB-50

[@transcanada9028]

The Realistic 24C is more like 1.2 watts not 2. It's also off frequency. It just needs an alignment and would probably be fine. Maybe a complete electrolytic capacitor change would be in order it's about 45 years old.

[@zedbear1]

Thanks for your video! I went looking for my Uniden Grant XL earlier tonight, I found 9 CBs I have stored. One is a Midland 13-883B that still works. Have not found the Grant yet but the search is on!

[@MowerJunkie]

lol, That's awesome! I hope you find a few more before you find the Grant.

[@zedbear1]

@@MowerJunkie There can only be a couple more I could find, I'm nervous the Grant has not shown up. I appreciate your video!

[@zedbear1]

@@MowerJunkie I am pleased to report, I found the Grant at 2am this morning. It really bothered me not knowing where it was. I also found 3 more CBs- 2 tiny GEs and another Radio Shack. I just removed the Wilson 1000 base from my old truck, plus I found a K40 I had forgotten. Won't be long now!

[@scott762mm]

Some of that old tech is fun to play with.

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

A Slim-Jim for 11MTRS would be the way to go and if you used window line then you would have a rollup CB Antenna.

[@arconeagain]

I second this. I made one with wire threaded through gutter guard (plastic mesh). Made a ground wave contact from central Victoria to Tasmania.

[@DeltaXray444]

Some really great old radio's you have there my friend 73

[@w8natshenanigans705]

Very cool collection. Even if one works, you did good. You used to be able to get "extra channels" out of the old crystal controlled 23 channel radios by swapping out crystal pairs. You'd end up on odd frequencies above and below the band. The way that Realistic 24-C sounded, it was as though it was not actually on channel 12, and I immediately wondered if someone had messed with the crystals.

[@toddstanley3619]

It seems to me with each radio a calibration on the meter should have been preformed to get good readings and a truer output of the radio. Only my opinion as each radio may have a slightly different tuning need.

[@fnordhorn]

The TRC-24C it says "All Crystal" on it - Does it have a set of 23 Crystals? if so that makes it a type that can go out of the CB band.

[@Dragon1165]

My father in law has 2 older 23 channels... a Royce and a Teaberry been sitting in a cabinet for awhile, not sure if they work.

[@JrGoonior]

I have a few old 23 channel radios A Cobra 26 (29A), a Sharp CB-800 , and a Cobra 29X (It's exactly like the 26 but has a silver face instead of black). A few years ago I was running my Cobra 26 in the car and someone asked what I was running for a radio. He couldn't believe it when I told him. If anyone knows or knew a Glen Doll out of Illiopolis, Illinois, the Sharp has his name and original CB call sign scratched into it.

[@hatchetjackphillips]

My dad had a Realistic TRC 24C, he bought it brand new when it came out. We used it in his car and at the house for a base station too. I used it in high school and after I graduated, till someone stole it out of my Jeep CJ 7 in the late 80’s. We got more than our moneys worth out of it.

[@5speedfatty]

late to this party, but in regards to "being worth saving" I have a new use for them, that I'm testing out (that may be blasphemy to some of you) I do a fair bit of "sim racing" and as such I have a radio spotter that is using one of my sound cards on my PC. and these old radios could easily be converted into a USB device to allow things like radios in American truck simulator, or spotter radios in Assetto Corsa. This may sound foreign to some, but the idea of using a real radio to do radio related things while sim driving is something that i find pretty freakin cool.

[@MowerJunkie]

Nice! I've thought about butchering an old classic CB mic to use with my video camera.....I'm so used to using a CB mic that it may improve my audio for these videos. I will never condemn re-purposing, Thanks for watching, Take care.

[@geraldscott4302]

I have about 20 old CB radios. All of them work, at least to some degree. Most of them are packed away. They have no monetary value, which is why I haven't sold them. The Realistic TRC-24C was my very first CB radio, bought it brand new in the mid '70s at the age of 16. I still have it. Those Radio Shack microphones are the best looking microphones ever, at least to me. And the PTT was on the right side where it belongs. I'm also a sucker for anything with genuine simulated woodgrain. I also have that exact Radio Shack SWR/Power tester. I bought a LOT of stuff from Radio Shack. Really sad they became a computer and cell phone store and went out of business. I now have a 60 watt Radioddity QT60 10 meter radio converted to 11 meter CB in my 1968 Ford F-250. It doesn't look quite right, but it sure works great.

[@rohnkd4hct260]

My guess is the TRC23 was ran into a bad antenna which killed the PA XSTER with high swr. The other RAT Shack has "screwdriver Disease" Someone went in and "Adjusted" stuff. The Pinto also had a bad antenna attached my bet is very high swr. The TRC might could be fixed, the others..... may they rest in peace.

[@donl1846]

Hey there my friend, to your question "are they worth saving", well if you plan on restoring them or using them for spare parts yes I would keep them. The only problem I see is they are only 23 channels and no SSB. Aside from their nostalgic value unless one of these are a real collectors item (like a Browning Golden Eagle, Tram for example) then may be worth the time to restore one. Thanks for taking us along on testing these old rigs. Are you planning to take your Technician ham license while at the HamFest?? If so good luck and you will in all probably will ace the test, good luck. 73 from 770 RI.

[@stevest55]

Hello, nice video. I am the original owner of a Lafayette HB-650 CB radio from 1977. It's lightly used and still in its original box. I do have the mic but I don't know what happened to the power cord. I checked the specs of the HB-650 and noticed that the required voltage is 13.8v. However, most (all) car batteries are 12v. So, do I need a voltage converter (12v to 13.8v)? Not sure why the manufacturer designed their radio to work with 13.8v when there are no car batteries with that voltage. Anyway, any advice or comments would be appreciated. Thanks! Steve

[@MowerJunkie]

when your car is running the alternator is putting out 13.8 volts. your radio is safe to use between 11 - 14 volts.

[@stevest55]

@@MowerJunkie Thank you. I appreciate the quick reply. Have a great day!

[@MowerJunkie]

@@stevest55 Thanks for watching, Take care.

[@bobgrob4]

I still have a TRC 474 that has been up and running since around 1990 or so. CB could be the cell phone again if things get too crazy.

[@MowerJunkie]

Very cool, I have a couple of 474's. There're great little radios. Thanks for watching, Take care.

[@alzeNL]

such a shame about the stepping power supply introducing QRM, this was genuinely interesting and I really like your humour and fun on these old radios. IMHO they are all keepers, you'll only have regret once they are gone.

[@CMCSS-to3to]

It sucks that it's not able to use all the channels but definitely worth having around. Especially if you need a cheap loner radio to give a friend for a convoy

[@ericzerkle8486]

Some of the am only 23s are transformer modulated so they talk VERY WELL. I have a regency that has a wired on mic. It has very good modulation. I was going to wire it up to use a power mic but it doesn't need one. Some of those Royce radios are very well made and also talk very well. I have a 40 ch and it's modular. Very rugged.

[@hemphead5839]

Nice find great video

[@mattdiesel2294]

I own, just like the one on top right, a 78 realistic mini 40 trc 466 that was originally my grandpas. Still works.

[@arconeagain]

These old crystal radios are superior to a lot of modern crap. The quality crystal filters for one.

[@tom-ehill2713]

Where might I hear ya on 27mgh?? I can hear Motormouth mall usually!😂 I'm slam up in Northern WI.

[@MowerJunkie]

I usually have my radio on 27.385 LSB. Thanks for watching, 73's

[@tom-ehill2713]

@@MowerJunkie Yes! There's been a quirmer on 38 Lsb. One-one- one-one ...😮

[@scotteboy]

I use the Johnson Viking 4740. It's a well built excellent performing CB radio.

[@mcgavin098]

My Royce has a finicky tuner that you have to jiggle side to side to lock into the channel. Probably has dirty or worn connections.

[@johnnorman7708]

I just grabbed an old Robyn out of a junk box today in town. She lights up but speaker is bad and there is a barley audible squeal. Could not leave it there.

[@joewells6927]

Keep picking him up getting more of the front playing with

[@Heisenberg........_]

How do you connect a two pin to a three pin? I have two old cbs I was going to test out they both have a male two pin connection but the cord I bought for a regulated power supply has a three pin female connection.

[@olivertaylor8788]

Yes they are worth saving if in good cond.in case of emergencies they can save lives...

[@curtchase3730]

What was the VSWR on that dipole? IMO, only a good dummy load should be used to test power output. Anything other than a 1:1 will throw off power measurement.

[@username5847]

I just bought a brand new Uniden and the squelch does the same thing as the first Royce you tested in this video, what causes that sensitive squelch know to just shut off like that?

[@genedavia1436]

I found a Shark cx300s 23ch in nice condition. It almost looks new. I'm looking for information on it. Its made in Japan. Keys up about 4W dk but no audio goes thru. It receives very well and loud thru an ext speaker. I only use ch19. Just looking for facts and opinions on this radio before I take it to a repair shop.

[@thatfonkyhonky336]

RECAP RECAP RECAP this week along i brought back to life 4 midlands of the PLL02a variety simply by putting new electrolytics in

[@ericzerkle8486]

Yes indeed! I have as well.

[@AlbertSparlin-gw4kg]

I have three Realistic TRC 24 -c mobile radio one in factory box and manual and 1975 sales receipt.

[@johnnyphillips9735]

Hey mower junkie nice finds hang on to those old radios one day we will need them 73s hillbilly in the bam waving

[@ALFREDUNIT21-t9z]

Those dead radios might just be the finals and a good tune-up, I love old cb radios , hats off to you . Unit 21 on ch 23 , oh and for test on receive try ch 6 , lots of strong stations . 73s

[@ericzerkle8486]

Or the channel selector needs cleaned. I've gotten several "dead" 23 channels to come alive just by a cleaning.

[@Team-fabulous]

Iv a couple of old 23 channel rigs, bags of character and just fun to use...

[@dennisdey3104]

When I was a teenager in the 70's, I had a realistic Navajo base/mobile, what are your thoughts?

[@1946luke]

I heard that the old 23 channel radios were a full 5 watts, instead of the 3 1/2 to 4 watts on new radios.

[@williamselzer1722]

are the homemade dipole's okay for local traffic if mounted outside and horizontal? I've heard they are good for SSB skip , but can they still work well local?

[@MowerJunkie]

If mounted vertical, it will be good for local use. But horizontal works best for skip.

[@125southernnh2]

I wonder if any of those old Kraco's are still around. I remember back in the day, there were lots of weird radios out there.

[@MowerJunkie]

I hope so, the Kraco's are very cool looking old radios. Be good Chris, 73's

[@timmurray6980]

I had a Kraco 40 channel AM only radio back in the 70s. It was junk. Had a bad board that caused feedback.

[@timmurray6980]

The best CB radio I had back in the early 70s was a Robyn 23 channel mobile. Sounded great. I could kick myself for throwing it away about 20 years ago.

[@arconeagain]

of course they are. If they're in Australia, there must thousands upon thousands in the US.

[@ericzerkle8486]

Spray the channel selectir in the pennys. It may come to life.

[@justacentrist4147]

If you can get crystals for an afordable price i think 23 chanel radios are definitely worth saving

[@linarn4671]

Are they more durable and safe from EMP and electronic warfare?

[@linarn4671]

Oh , o.k. you just answered my first question of emp.

[@johnnorman7708]

This is Lawrence Kansas. Is anyone there?......An old radio sure brings up memories.

[@45AMT]

Those are cool old radios. Oh well at least 2 out of 4 worked.

[@bobcatcomms]

I can't stop,I definitely have a problem lol,73's 29TM063 Ireland

[@MowerJunkie]

Thanks for watching, 73's from 151 SC.

[@johnnybarfield4402]

You keep them for u don't know when or if they will be needed, just because it's old means nothing, reliable then reliable when u least expect it. America First always

[@125southernnh2]

JC Penney Pinto. I vaguely remember those.

[@shummytv6606]

Hi mower junkie, great video. Check the 24C it sounds like it's on channel 11 or 13. Maybe the knob is off by one spline

[@MowerJunkie]

Thanks, I'll give it another try. This time I'll transmit 1 up, and 1 down from the test channel. Take care, Thanks for watching.

[@spaceflight1019]

@@MowerJunkie , theres a blank spot on the dial between channels 22 and 23. Find the spot on the channel selector where no sound comes from the speaker and line the blank spot up with it.

[@colt45peacemaker]

SEARS Road Master Pace, Johnson 223 250, Navajo, Colt, Royce, Robyn, Cobra19, Regency, Tram, Side Band Engineer Carabean, Knight, Palomar, wawasee, Heathkit, Elinco Long Range, MACO, SILTRONIX 1011, Lafayette electronics, JC Penny.

[@AndrewHCann]

Lots old 23 or 40 channel's radio last long time if took care off and check by technician regularly last years ahead !

[@agoraphobicadam1171]

With parts radios some times I'm able to at least use the microphones on other working radios.

[@christiangirard]

Cool your cb vintage !👍

[@mikeyf103]

Keep these old girls going

[@mikeyf103]

These radios are head and shoulders above this new smt junk being sold these days.

[@782matt2]

Hi ........Nice Video ................. I would try and save these old radio's..........best 73s ( It's radio history )

[@indianachrisUDX1313]

I like the Old school stuff.

[@generalingwer4341]

Lol.my guess was not in favor of the royce.lol.loved the video.i guess maybe jc penny sold better cloths? maybe .

[@jayrogers8255]

I had a Mini-23 that I inherited from my mother, who was KAEN6279.

[@paulgrodkowski3412]

Thanks for this great video!

[@keithstone6766]

The Royce was twice the radio compared to those Radio shack ones were new The Pinto by CJ penny is likely something from Dynascan makers of many good and not so good units from japan in the 70s

[@stingray408]

great video

[@fnordhorn]

Personal I have about 15 of the old 23 Channel CB radios 4 have SSB. I keep them in a Steel cabinet that will shield them from a Solar EMP and with hope a Nuclear EMP also. If there is an EMP event Communication is going down and any type of two-way communication equipment will become gold. they all are 12V DC, and Car batteries are all that is needed to run them. Also in any type of SHTF event communication will be needed. 40 would be better but 23 channels can talk to 40 as 40 can be used to 23's on it lower 23 channels

[@paulshaffer9674]

If you need it you can get 5 watts output.

[@paulshaffer9674]

You should hang your dipole vertically. That will work locally.

[@antogalau854]

Very good 👍

[@lyndonwebber1389]

Good job gwowvl isn’t commenting on this one He would rip you off if you was 13 -12 even 👍always a good vid buddy

[@ago9614]

i love my first radio tenko phantom 23 channel in the 70s in roma italy

[@george12go]

Oh the woodgrain! Brown chicken brown cow!

[@RaccoonsRadioRanch]

I love the woodgrain look

[@ToolsTechOutdoors]

Realistic 24c for sale?

[@EricLDC]

Cool hobby old lady getting mad tho. 😅 if I buy another vintage I may end up on missing 411.

[@wascalywabbit]

I know this is an older video, but I'm hunting, I'm hunting hardcore for someone that can.. or attempt to 😢fix a 1970s Midland... are you ready? AM/FM/WX/8-track CB . linear am fm wx but digital in the handset CB... I want it working.. lol... if it can be... anyone out there know of anyone

[@glennmcneil9486]

Break Skipland BeentaMaine?

[@mr.stonerUDX714]

nice old radios but I think they are shelf radios look but not use