PNI HP6500 UK CE MutiNorm CB radio (mobile) - Adjustment & review

[@chriss2664]

I have the Jopix PT 31. Great little set. I speak to my friend in the next town along and we have never had any issues. More recently managed to contact the USA as the 11 year cycle is nearly at its peak using about 4 watts in the EU (AM) block. Good thing is AM on the EU band is legal now. Thanks for all your videos Richard have been excellent and highly enjoy the content

[@ukfmcbradioservicingTango21]

However, AM is generally lower range. Obviously USA use it. They just got FM last year. As a radio amateur mainly interested in low power, I had a digital format contact into USA several times (different stations) on 0,5W on my Windum tpe aerial here. I thik it was the 40M band. Richard, GO0JF, UK

[@chriss2664]

@@ukfmcbradioservicingTango21 I'm only a foundation license holder. I do have a 10/12 meter radio. However I do like to chat to my friends which aren't licensed so for that I keep to the CB. Many thanks. MI7XCD

[@IW2BSF-Rodolfo]

thanks , very good job Richard !!!! The only criticisms I often read in the various groups and forums on this radio: - microphone that feels "cheap" (NOT true indeed!) - As a feature, when you press PTT there is a small delay until the communication channel opens. (PLL too slow?). - RF Gain works the other way around in the sense that it is a signal attenuator! (TRUE!) Those in parentheses are my comments. - manufacturer appears to be Nanfone / Xinwei in China - radio equal to: CRT Millennium, Midland M-Mini, Canva CB-583, Luiton LT-318 IMPORTANT: but can't you find the internal wiring diagram?

[@ukfmcbradioservicingTango21]

Remember I'm a commercial 2-way radio engineer, so comments are often in comparison with professional radio as apposed to hobby radio:- The microphone is too small & light for my liking & is of they type of plastic that will go sticky if left in a car for 5 years. Having a modular plug is not easily replaceable. It works fine. The squelch works fine into both the test instruments & in use during the 'on the air ' test. Both manual & auto squelch positions are easily adjustable with the up/dn buttons Like many current sets the 1/2 second delay is because it is CPU controlled. That's because the CPU scans all the switches & knobs until it sees a change, then implements that change. All products that a databus for the controls suffers from such a delay. The first product I had this with was the Maxon SL500 high-end business radio in the mid 90's. Customers were not pleased. I think you are supposed to set up the RF gain how you want it & then simply press the RFG button when you want the RF gain feature. The Midland M-Mini has a different front PCB as far as I remember. No service manual, so anything other than basic repairs will not be possible G0OJF Richard (UK),

[@BarefootBeekeeper]

RF gain works in reverse for some reason: smaller numbers = more gain. Go figure. The Jopix PT31 is identical. The mic feels like you could crush it in your hand, but the receiver is excellent.

[@ukfmcbradioservicingTango21]

Thinking about mikes; when the Maxcom sets were around in 1981-3, the radio was guaranteed for 2 years, but specifically excluded the mic, that the average truck driver had crushed with his hands in 2 hours. Over the last year, we've probably had 30 Maxcom sets for service; only one with the factory mike. richard

[@Radiocruncher]

They certainly have optimised the receive on that set. Very good. That speaker seems a bit puny so an extension speaker would be needed I’m sure. The speaker Jack being dirty is not a good sign for a new radio. What’s it going to be like when it’s got a bit of age. Regards Graham

[@andycartwright8023]

Great video I have just got pni hp 6500 is it any good for starting back up on CB

[@ukfmcbradioservicingTango21]

I don't see why not but personally prefer the PNI 8000, 8001 series. Richard

[@BoB4jjjjs]

Not bad but my pet hates are all there! Buttons for up down, stupid mic plug, push a button to select something, then up and down buttons, give me strength, why not use the big know to adjust everything? I can't understand why they do not put in a proper TX meter (I didn't see you look for an RX one, or did I miss that? Anyway, better than some I have seen of the new age radios. I wait to see how it is over the air.

[@Phil-M0KPH]

I have the CRT Millenium, which I picked up to have a play about with. I noticed that there is a delay from keying up to the radio transmitting, which is a trite annoying. Power was around 3W, which I upped to 3.75W. Out of interest, what size Torx did you use? I have one in a cheap set, but it hasn’t got a size on it. As the screws were a little tight this has already bent and I could do with a decent one.

[@ukfmcbradioservicingTango21]

In line with many current models, the radio uses a databus to a CPU to implement all functions. The databus continually scans for a change in status..i.e. pressing a button. The CPU then looks up in it's ROM what to do and implements it, hence the delay. One of our Midland 78+ mutli CB's is the latest blue display model which unfortunately now has the same annoying delay. I'll mention in my next video what Torx the radio uses as I'm not currently near the workshop. Richard

[@samuellourenco1050]

I have a radio like that, that it used to work well both in AM and FM. Now, it only works well in FM, but in AM it transmits a growling noise along with my voice. The growling noise is always there, and it is worse when I don't speak. Speaking seems to almost interrupt it. The noise sounds like a rubber balloon squeaking while letting air out.

[@ukfmcbradioservicingTango21]

This channel is about UK legal CB in the UK using FM. If your set is under warrenty, send it back as faulty, assuming your aerial SWR is correct. You need to check the radio in a different installation as SWR & power source can affect/create snags like this. Some radios work great on the test gear but become faulty when presented with an actual aerial....even when the SWR is OK. Many years ago I fitted an Audioline 342 (UK FM) radio in a Nissan Cedric car & the radio just wouldn't work properly in that car, so the radio had to be changed for a different model. No further problem. The radio wasn't faulty. The installation wasn't faulty. It was just a combonation that didn't work out. AM will always be more susceptible to being upset over a particular aerial installation than FM. Richard, G0OJF, UK

[@pitpit64]

I have the Jopix PT 31. How can i get rid of the engine noise? I have it wired the CB to a second indipendent car battery in the boot, Not the original car battery. And i can still hear the engine when i drive and rev up the engine.Its soo annoying that i don't even turn the cb on anymore unless the car is parked and off.!!Any help is greatly appreciated..Thank you

[@ukfmcbradioservicingTango21]

There usually isn't any noise from a post-1994 car. If it's impulse noise it's usually spark plug leads; if it's a whine that increases & decreases with engine revs, then it's the alternator. The NPS1000 supression kit was available in the 80's & come up regularly on ebay. However, I've no formal training on automotive noise supression & regard anything other than what I've said, to be outsde the scope of my expertise. Richard, G0OJF, UK

[@pitpit64]

@@ukfmcbradioservicingTango21 My Fiat panda is from 2013, Ive seen someone solder into the inner speaker of the cb a thing 47uf or 22 uf or 1khz or variable something does this make any sense to you? The video was so badly done!!! Thank you for your help

[@ukfmcbradioservicingTango21]

It sounds like b/s. I think, from what you say that they have added a capacitor that will reduce the treble contemt and mask the noise. That noise affects your range, so making the noise isn't the answer. I think you need to borrow another CB radio from a friemd & try that fiest. Some sets don't like some cars. Richard (UK)

[@pitpit64]

@@ukfmcbradioservicingTango21 Thank you for your help

[@sahhull]

I have one of these living in my van... Its very easy to hide and works very well, tho just recently its started to loose RX audio at random. I guess it time for me to open the box

[@ukfmcbradioservicingTango21]

In general with CB radios, because rx audio goes through an internal switch within the extension speaker socket; the switch contacts can become tarnished. We use the servisol switch cleaner aerosol, then plug a 3.5,, jack plug in & out about 20 times to get the switch cleaner to the right place. Switch contacts play up more if the vehicle is used in dusty environments or where there is cigarette smoke. Richard, G0OJF, UK

[@sahhull]

@@ukfmcbradioservicingTango21 Thanks... Im currently using an external speaker, until the switch cleaner arrives. Failing that I'll open her up and have a look. Im a mobile car valeter and non smoker so the van is fairly clean

[@Deleted_Goodbye]

Richard, could you please recommend a meter that will allow me to check FM mod (deviation) for this rig at a fairly cheap price?

[@ukfmcbradioservicingTango21]

There were a few hobby grade ones including a Midland badged one in the early 80's. New commercial grade ones are in the £800+ catergory. Stewarts of Reading sell s/h instruments. They have Racal Dana meters & think they were around £100. I can't remember the model number. UHF ones cost more than VHF, so unless you;re going into 70cms amateur radio you may not need one that does UHF. Obviously for UK CB it only has to go up to 30Mhz. Richard

[@scottcurrie5769]

Can the PNI ESCOURT HP 6500 Work in Canada?

[@ukfmcbradioservicingTango21]

No, it would be illegal there. Richsrd, G0OJF, UK

[@BoB4jjjjs]

Almost worth getting, but my pet hates are there, mic and up down buttons! It is sensitive, or so the test gear says, but on air how good is it going to be? In your own words "We shall see". Bad enough it has buttons to press, but then you have to press up down buttons! Why did they not make the round knob do it all? Would have made it a bit better, well, that is me and my preferences, others might be happy pushing buttons and trying to drive. Even sitting parked up it would get annoying! It is one of the more impressive sets of the new age, maybe not for me though. EDIT: I wait to see how it performs on the air.

[@banjax66]

It doesn't look any different to my CRT Millenium. Same radio, different badge.

[@ukfmcbradioservicingTango21]

I'll see if we have a CRT Millenium & review that one. Sometimes identical looking sets can be totally different inside or in performance. If I don't have one, I'll buy one in. Richard