President McKinley AM SSB - New 2017 CB Radio Review

Available on Amazon: amzn.to/2F6eVDI
www.cbradiomaga... -This is a review/overview of the new President McKinley AM SSB USA model CB radio. This is a FCC type accepted CB radio.
Manufacturer Product Page - president-elec...
Owners Manual - president-elec...
In my reviews I either purchase radios or they are provided by the manufacturer. President provided the radio for this review. All of my reviews are unbiased and I do my best to provided a user level experience with the radio.

[@aircooledtx]

Wow, radio's have changed since I ran CB shop in 74-75. I had SBE side/band and Cobra 1000 base also 1000watt side kick. D-104 mike.. Our shops was called Hit Man's in Dallas /Irving,Tx.

[@EverydayJ1786]

Nice ! I've got an old vintage SBE sidebander II . Still works great

[@michelst-jacques9555]

Ah,those where the days.I still have a President Washington Base station in the basement in working order with Realistic base power mic and a 5/8 wave antenna also from Radio Shack.The thing about this Radio,too Many gadgets

[@uncle_spanky]

@aircooledtx would that SBE have been the Trinidad? That was my first/favorite CB. That was of course 175 years ago. 😁

[@reverseuniverse2559]

8 minutes in to your upload and I have learnt more about this radio than other uploads that I’ve watched Cheers 👍

[@jackpinesavage1628]

My friend and I both use President McKinley AM SSB CB radios to communicate the six miles between our homes in good conditions. When the skip is rolling good or the weather makes it impossible to communicate, we don't even try it. On many nights, at a specific time and on a specific channel, we are able to communicate very well. The other night we were both able to talk with a guy who lives 19 miles away from my friend's house.

[@joeh773]

Well i finally dunn it, and it's all you your fault! This week I purchased Pres McKinley radio to get back into CB. I used to be trucker and miss having one for road trips. Really liked the DIN size, front speaker, SSB (something new to learn!), and scan on this one. You, Farpoint Farms, DX commander, MikesRadioRepair, and 741 are all to blame ;) Thanks! And make sure to let Pres know so they send you more stuff to play with ;)

[@pm0501again]

This is the best video I've seen on the new President McKinley CB and I'm now convinced to buy one. As a licensed ham and former CB fanatic, I keep a CB handy in the shack to communicate with truckers on a MAJOR Interstate that passes through my area. I usually have it on during the winter and during severe weather situations during the summer. If I hear of any problems on the highway, I pass the info on to the local hams via the repeaters. This will replace the 30 year old General Electric 3-5811B I've been using for the past 2 years.

[@markdeweese9288]

Totally agree.

[@ladr1550]

Glad to hear from you after 3 years!

[@M28443]

GREAT to SEE YOU BACK !!! Always enjoy the reviews. Nice radio to kick back in with !!

[@robertrockwell7581]

glad to see you back on air nice little radio.

[@EarDeff]

Holy shit I forgot I was subbed to this lol, welcome back.

[@garylundy4194]

I have this radio and like it. The word on air is that many truckers have abandoned cb use.

[@MrCaveman8]

Superb to hear you back, great radio very happy with mine !!!

[@SDS-1]

I've watched every vid I can find on this radio. I like it.

[@michelst-jacques9555]

Good but clarifier locked

[@edwarddgracia5271]

@@michelst-jacques9555 gdgggzgzgzgzggzgzgggzgzggzggzggzggzggzgxggxhhgxgxgxgxgxgxggzgggzgggzggzgggxgxhhhfgdgggzggzgggzgggxhhhxhhgxgxgxggxgxgxggxggggggxhgxggxgxgggxggxggggxhhggxhhhxhhggghxvhzhzhzhhggxhhhxzhxzhxhzxzhxhzxggghhhxhzxzhxzhhggxgggxggghhxhhzhhxhxhggxgxgggxgggxggxgxgggxgggxgxhzxhxhxzhxhhgxggxgxggxgxgxggxggghgxhhxhxzhxhzzhhgxgxgxggggxgggxhhxzhxhzxhhgxgxggxgxgxgggxgggxgxhhhxzhxhzxzhzhhgxgxgxgxgxgxggggxgxgggxggggxgxvhzhhgxggxgxggxggxggggxhhxhxhxvgxgdgdgggdhhdzhxhxhhggxgxgxgxhhhzxhxhxvgzgdgdgdgdhhhfhdggzgdgdgdgdhhhdhxvgzgdggdhhhdhhgdgdhhhdhxvhzhzxzhxhxvgxgdhhhdhsdzhhhzxgxhhhxzhgxhxvhzzhhsdhzxhdghzgxhhhzhxhzxgxgxhzxhhxvhzhhhxhzgxgxhzxhxvdhhhhsdshdgdhzxhxhhhzhhxhxgxgggxfgfhzhzxhxvhzhhhxhzxhhxzhhzxzhzhhhxhzzhzhgxhzxhhhxhhzhxhzgxgxgxgxzhxhhhzhhxhxhgxgxgxhxzhxzhzhhxvhzzhhzshshgdgxhzxhhhxzhxzhxzhxhzgxgxgzxhzxzhxzhzhhgxzz ha gdgfgfggffgfhzfgfzhxzhzhhhzfhfzhfgfgfgfgfgfgfgfgfzhfhxvhzhzhhzgzgxgxggxggxggxhzxhzxhhxhxvdhsfgfgdgffgfgfgfhsfhhhzdhzzhhxhdshfgfggfgfhgfgfgfffhzxhhxzhzhxzgxgxgxgxgxggxgxgxgxgxzhxhzxhzzhxzhhxzhhxhhxhxzhgxgxggxfgfgfgfzhfhfhzxhzxhzxzhxhxhzgfgfgfgfgfzhxzhxhzxhxzhgxgxgxgxhzxzhxzhxzhxgxhzhxvdhxhzxzhxhzzhxhhxzhhzxhzzhxhzhzhzhxhzxhzxhzxzhhxvxhzhzhgdzhzhxzhzhxhxhhxzhzhxhzzhxhxhxhzhzzhxhxzhhzxhxhhzxzhxhzxzhxzhzhhzxhxzhxzgxzhxhxhxhxzhxhzxzhxhzxhxhhhzxhhxhxhhzxhzhzhxhxhhzxzhzhxhzhhzxhzxhhxzhhxzhxhhzhxzhxzhxzhxzhxhzxhzxhzxhzxhzxhzhzxzhzhxzhxgxgxgxgxzhxhzhzxhzhzhxhzxhzxzhxzhxzhxhzzhxzhxgxgxhzzhxhxzhzhxhzxhzxzhxhxvxhsfgdsgdzgdzhxhzxzhxzhxzhxzhxhzxhzxhzxzhgxgxzhxhxhxzhxhzxzhzhxhxhhxhxhxhhxhxgzxhzxhzxzhzhxzhxzhxhzhzxzhzhxzhzhgxhzxgxzhxhzxhzxzhxhhzxzhxhzxhzxhxhhxzhhxgxzhxhzxhxzhhhhzzhxhhxvdzhfhzdhszvhhxzvgxgxzvxvzxzvdshdhxvxshhfvfhzfzvxzvhfhzhhfzhgfhzfzhfhfzvzhxhhzxzvxzhgxhzxzhxzvxzvxzhxzvxvzxvzxvzzhxhxgxhzxvzxzvzhhhxzvxhzxzhxvzzhhxhzxzvxvzhzxhxzvhhhzxzhxhhxhxhzxhhxhxzhhxzhxvzzhxzhxhzxhxzvxzhxvzhzxzgxgxhzxhzxhxhxhxzvzhxvzxhzxzvzhxzvxvzxhzhzxhxhxhxzvhzxzhxvzxvzxzvxvzxvzxvzxvzxhzhzxvzxzvzhxhxzvxzhxzvxvzxvzxzvxvzzhxzhhhxhzxvzxvzxvzxvzxzvxzvzhhxhzxvzxzvxvzxzvzhxzhxgxhzxzhxhzxzhxvzxhzxzvxzvxzvxvzxgxhzxzhxzhxvzzhxhhxhhhzxvzxvxvhfhzgxhzxhzxzhxzhxzhxzhxhxgxhzxhzxzhzhxzhxzhzhxzhhxzhhzgxhzxhzxhzzhxhxzhxgxgxhzxzhzhxhzxhzxzhxhzxhzxhzxhzhzxzhhzxzhxhzzhxzhxhzzhxhxvxshzhfshfhsfshfzhg

[@camarokurt]

Loved hearing you communicate with people at the end. I'm clicking the 'buy' button now.

[@mickygee66]

Welcome back, good to see your video's again.

[@brenle2426]

Awesome tutorial. I was hesitant on buying one of these and after your review I’m sold.

[@JoeR203]

I have 2 of the Johnny III models in my Jeeps. I tested the Roger Beep with them and they can be heard.

[@jdsnapp]

I did discover mic element does have very small slits in front of it. I moved it into center cavity and put some cotton filler behind element. It could also be hot glued. It pryed out very easy if its current position

[@jerrypolverino6025]

I had a tough time deciding between the President Lincoln 2 and the President McKinley. This is for a mobile operation so it came down to the Lincoln with AM, FM, SSB, or this unit with AM, SSB, and Weather, plus Weather Alert. I have been out of CB for a decade, but best I can determine FM has not taken off on the road, while Weather Alert is a valuable safety resource, especially on long distance runs. I am planning on a magnetic Wilson antenna with whip due to my driveway being long with lots of overhanging branches. I will upgrade the antenna cable to multi-strand. I would much rather have a first class radio chassis right on spec, with a good antenna and setup than a lot of power splattering the adjacent spectrum. The trick has been finding the right radio man and installer here in Western Virginia. Four of them are gone. Thanks for a comprehensive report and instructional use. I learned a lot and feel even better about my choice. SpaceCaptain

[@southerncountryboy8]

you're not dead?? glad to see a new video.

[@JAWS1376]

Not 2 days ago I was wondering what in the hell happened to this guy. Nice to see you back!

[@s4dreamland671]

Yep! Same guy i heard on the CB radio back in 70's...Can't believe he's still truckin' ! Your alright in my books Rubber Duck!

[@kentereau6017]

What is the MSRP?

[@stelthy100]

I'm glad to see you're back 😎

[@brunogallizziGoldenOldie]

Nice review, might buy one glad your back on the reviews

[@eolden7749]

Im not into radios but now I want one

[@VicGreenBitcoin]

The Euro version is out! It has AM/SSB and FM! 4/12/4 Watt (export 10/20/10)

[@mduffy5453]

Any good videos on it

[@Trancelistic]

I had an 'unbuild" President lincoln. I loved that one. (it could send on every freqency lol)

[@KlondikeMike]

Nice review. As usual. I'm sure I've watched this already but did again today. I'd buy if I was looking for something new. I wondered if the on air test at the end had a little help with the blue outboard RM unit. 🔥

[@pipesmokercowboychris]

Wow. I'm a ham and new radios will shut off due to high SWR so you don't blow your final. Almost like ham radio with scan, mem and dual watch and vox.

[@markdeweese9288]

I really like it, a good antana will always effect how far you get out.

[@TedCornish]

Looks nice, I had the president Lincoln back in the day, great rig and a good review

[@hamtrucker]

Some of us old hams monitor 9 still for emergencies.. I also use a cheap 19 ultra for monitoring 9 in my 18 wheeler

[@robertskrob9861]

Just ordered one, this helps a lot. Thank You

[@papalima4528]

Welcome back man! We miss you

[@ryanjewell9832]

Good looking radio, just wish they reversed the front and put the speaker on the right and screen and mic on the left.

[@smoberdeen]

I just installed a President McKinley in the car today and I'm enjoying it. I appreciate the tip on TONE and I'll see what my radio is set at. 73s KE8QXP

[@frankbier1690]

What antenna are you running?

[@johnmckinney9505]

Nice to see you again. Enjoy your presentations

[@raymondward4796]

I talk to 800 Coo’s Bay Oregon a lot from here in LA Harbor

[@MrRourk]

We only have 3 choices. This, Galaxy, or Uniden 980 for AM SSB.

[@RealEstateWealthCoaching]

I like the variable RF power feature. Wondering if that could be customized to go higher then 4 watts? Anyone know? Thanks

[@timin770]

Easier to simply add an RM Italy KL-203 amp. Turn the CB down to a watt or two when you use the amp.

[@bullitt3344]

Hey... Welcome back !! Missed you...

[@UNIT711TMSCOTLAND]

President make the best CB radios.

[@JeffB1961]

holy crikey , youre alive ! welcome back :)

[@ehsnils]

Commercial trucks will also get 24V in the US in the future. European trucks have had it since the 60's.

[@ronedwards8239]

Really low output on SSB. I have come up with a ALC mod that works really well. And I’m not talking about clipping the circuit or overdriven distortion.

[@CBradioNL]

Great review! Nice radio and happy too see your back!

[@jameslane2667]

Good review 161 division Poland Alfa Tango sugar Delta

[@SocialistDistancing]

Whatever happened to react.? There was no react station anywhere near me.. I remember people getting really mad if you were on.ch 9. I could regale you with two stories regarding nobody listening on ch 9 but I won't at this time. The big problem is, nobody monitored ch 9. So when you go there for help............. crickets. I used to.monitor ch 9 and I actually helped a few people that were in distress that just happened to be skip. One was in the Pacific ocean. Nice radio. I'm considering a new one

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

I was in Ohio 5 years ago and they had signs on the turnpike that said 9 was monitored. I also use FRS/GMRS and on some occasions given traffic advice there.

[@billdivine9501]

I remember react! Not sure if that was a paying job but sure must’ve been boring listening to static. Will you still get yelled at if you talk on ch.9?

[@dalemyers5096]

24 volt is a prepper, homesteading, solar voltage, one might want.

[@jgatkinson744]

To much haft to remember I had much rather have knobs instead of pushbutton circuit memory like the Galaxy959

[@midnightcaller200]

were can I buy a President Grant II AM/FM/SSB CB Radio

[@morejelloplease]

My thought exactly! holy shit! thought you were dead or in prison. glad to see you back! it's been years! :) nothing has changed, same Yo-Yo's on 38LSB lol, they move to 3840 at night haha. don't forget 7200 and 14313 lol. Yowza!

[@BeingRomans829ed]

Oh no! A Captain Dave fan! 8-)

[@lugwrench9832]

If you press and hold the Mode button, and then quick-press the Mode button, and then press and hold the Mem button, the unit will play "Mary Had A Little Lamb" ... Just because.

[@buick4013]

That final will put out 13 watts.bLook up Mikes radio repair. he does a great review on these.

[@nomansland4811]

Has CB made a comeback? I’d be interested in having a radio. Had one back in the late 80’s was rather fun.

[@cbradiomagazine]

There are quite a few people running CB's it definitely is a hobby for many people now and most hobby people like trying to shoot skip/ talk DX aka long distance transmissions/contacts.

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

I think the 4 wheel off road crowd is the big recent rejuvenation to it.

[@b8ascrub]

Just pulled out the old Antron antenna for my 13 yr old. He thinks it’s way better than the internet! 😂. I told him this was the first social media platform. So yes, I think it’s making a comeback even with the younger kids, they seem to be interested in the old tech!

[@wukket]

Wel I've bought two of them this month lol so I'd say maybe. I hear tons or people shooting skip, and I hear truckers at night since I live near a highway

[@kisho2679]

which portable case/box is adived for the MC Kinley to inclue battery and antenna?

[@P8C1]

Welcome back!

[@starwarsrosey]

What would this radio need for a power supply? Amp? If using for a base station?

[@michelst-jacques9555]

Like this Radio,got one for mobile use.But very small radio and my fingers are big so i have problems with it.

[@jameslane9918]

I'm going for the 718 Icom

[@buick4013]

Can't get sideband output above 6 Watts pep. On mine.

[@freebird086]

Looks like a great radio......still would like to find a Northstar which I had back in the day....but if I can't think this is going in my Dodge!!!

[@MrRourk]

What did you think of the SSB performance overall?

[@IAmSuperPerfect]

Which is more powerful, the McKinley or the Grant II?

[@zapityzapzap]

Question, have you ever tested the radios for receive sensitivity?

[@knowles217]

nice radio I got 980ssb

[@eurothrasher2823]

Excellent presentation.......!

[@gabedorpinghaus629]

Dang man your back!

[@chuckgoede4778]

are there any freq or clarifier mods available for this radio?

[@knowles217]

two or three radio got front speaker Washington base cobra 142gtl rci 29550

[@siamwatchaddict9072]

A tidy unit for beginners and novices...Practical for off grid travel.. Primarily for general motorist cb ...Mid range ability.. Far better for the same money..

[@mattbennellick]

Such as ?

[@the11metersd.x.channel.55]

@@mattbennellick Anytone 6666

[@mattbennellick]

@@the11metersd.x.channel.55 Thanks! Will have a look at that. Was about to spend out on the President.

[@the11metersd.x.channel.55]

@@mattbennellick The Anytone is also cheaper in Europe and Asia.. In Europe also branded as the CRT9900

[@mattbennellick]

@@the11metersd.x.channel.55 just had a look gutted it doesn't have front speaker as I wanted it in the overhead storage space in my Ford Transit Custom Tourneo. Might use a cable into the AUX in on the stereo save having an extension speaker for it

[@rallypoint1]

Can’t figure out which can is used to align TX on SSB. No info in service manual. Anybody??

[@8thovertrucking]

Can i run a small kicker on this radio. 60 watt.

[@alfonsozambrano9889]

I really like this review

[@MrRichard57000]

i got the eu version,ot has am,fm and ssb 20 watts fm/ssb on am about 10 dead key

[@Tacticode]

My family just purchased the McKinley CB and volunteered me to figure out how to use this CB. I've mostly figured things out but I don't understand the scanning with squelch. It only scans when there's no static feedback. But doesn't detect any transmissions via scan but I can find transmissions when I have the squelch/static...am I doing something wrong or can someone link/direct me to a how to use (for dummies)?

[@desmondsharpe5397]

No you aren’t doing anything wrong. The Squelch will activate if a signal is really local and open the audio long distance not so much particularly on LSB you should listen to the Motor mouths on channel six and see what signal level will trip the squelch. Once the skip starts rolling on channel 38 LSB you’ll hear all across the world/ USA. I run mine legal and find it hard to break the pile up on 38 so if that happens move up or down a channel and you might find is lower powered stations on 39 or 40 less noise clearer contacts.

[@strelokblackburn4651]

Would the stryker sra10 pair well with this? Run one on my kw with a bearcatb980 an it works well. But looking for a good antenna to mount on my toyota tacomas arb bull bar

[@jonhammes6209]

McKinley or Harrison? I don't need SSB, I do want WX I've been through 2 Uniden Bearcat 980ssb in the last month and I can no longer trust the reliability of that unit. I use my radio on the road for road information and weather information. If not the President models, what make/model do you recommend?

[@JayBirdrx]

Did they fix the Roger beep?

[@orange70383]

You're still alive.

[@richb.4374]

Don't turn the amc and alc wide open, it sounds like shit and splatters, adjust them properly.

[@eolson1964]

Which radio is better the President McKinley or the Uniden 980SSB?

[@cbradiomagazine]

I prefer the McKinley.

[@Mrjokerman]

You do good job keep up the good work

[@qiaolinwu3560]

Great radio

[@cmj20002]

I like the fact it has SSB, but these radios have so few buttons that you have to use too many functions with one button and that can get frustrating. I would rather have one that is larger with more function switches like the Lincoln II. The radio also looks cheap.

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

The 980 is a bit more accessible with the buttons.

[@drsysop]

No to bad of a radio but it cannot be modified with channels such as the free band or unlock the clarifier.

[@BR20276]

I have just seen a video of an EU model that can be modified to run 10, 11 and 12 meters by clipping a wire and moving a jumper. Unfortunately he did not show this process on camera. So is it safe to say the US version does not have this capability?

[@cbradiomagazine]

Unfortunately US version is not modifiable.

[@Bootyhunter1971]

Hi. Could you tell me if it’s possible to improve the weather reception with and internal adjustment? I replaced an older radio shack model cb with weather alert and same antenna same area of operation this Weather receive is poor compared to the radio shack model. So with all other factors the same, it has to be something with my particular radio that is the reason for the reception issues. Thanks for any help you can provide!

[@TE5LA-GAMING]

Pretty sure even 24-volt vehicles use 12-volt batteries so you could still use 12-volt units in them.

[@camarokurt]

Two 12 volt batteries, so yes, if you connected directly to ONE of the 12 volt batteries, you'd have just the 12 volts, even though the two 12 volt batteries are wired in series.

[@garylundy4194]

Which pot adjusts AM dead key power?

[@aaronmiller112]

I watched the whole video to find out if it did extra channels or not.

[@cbradiomagazine]

No extra channels on the President McKinley USA version - however the EU version just launched and we're waiting to see on that model.

[@rr8753]

where are the cb repair stores at in Lititz,PA and Ephrata,PA?

[@ChristiannTyler]

How do you lock in the rf power adjustment? I get it to adjust but then it just goes back to full power?

[@cbradiomagazine]

Once you adjust it using the knob, push the knob in for 3-4 seconds and it will save. Same thing for RF power and adjusting mic gain.

[@1954beto]

Very good video,tanks

[@robertruby3981]

My answer may already be on this string of comments, but here goes. Does the Uniden BC906W CB Wireless Microphone sync up with this radio? Or is there another wireless mic that would?

[@roggie77777]

Thank you for the review

[@billplaisance6387]

So how trustworthy is the built-in SWR meter? Is it reliable? Accurate? I’ve always been told the built-in SWR meter is nowhere near as accurate as a separate unit.

[@MAGNETAR-187]

I have a slight different President MC Kinley. Mine is a european President MC Kinley which has a brushed aluminium design with the President Logo on top! Also mine is an export version which has 20 watts power on AM / FM and 12 watts on SSB! I see there is NO cooling block on the back which the european MC Kinley has.

[@Scott_AI5EF]

Torn between the McKinley and the 980.

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

Did you end up deciding? I use both and like both of them.

[@Scott_AI5EF]

@@jeffkardosjr.3825 Went with the McKinley and very happy with it.

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

@@Scott_AI5EF I got the 980 years ago. I don't think this McKinley was out yet. I like that the 980 has more display colour features more, nicer display in general, the voltage meter, and the weather receiver might be better too. I recently got the McKinley and I like that the microphone has channel buttons. From what I understand though it is the same pinout as the 980. The ASC, hi-cut, vox are also big pluses. The McKinley gives a tone when checking the SWR and will keep checking it automatically. The 980's SWR meter is more traditional. Not sure which meter is more accurate or if they are about the same.

[@Scott_AI5EF]

@@jeffkardosjr.3825 The NOAA feature has already helped me in the field. The lack of colors doesn't bother me. The NOAA alert will definitely get your attention. 🤣

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

@@Scott_AI5EF Yeah. The 980 alerted me of a tornado that ended up within 2 miles of me.

[@GeorgiaKayakAngler]

What antenna would you pair with this radio?

[@terryshrives8322]

On the adjustments for am and ssb, do you turn them clockwise or counter clockwise?

[@richardbaker_0086]

Both ways

[@Blackhawk6699]

Great video 📹