Uniden Pro 510XL. Compact, and Durable. Do they still make these?

[@9mmARman]

A free radio is what got me back into CB after finding your videos years ago. It was an old Tiger 40A that was unused in my uncle's basement for 30 or 40 years.

[@FarpointFarms]

Free is the best-

[@jeremybearden444]

It's the classic radio for Jeeps due to its compact size. Uniden still makes and sells lots of these. I have learned so much from your channel and really appreciate all the content!

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks for supporting the channel and glad I could teach you a few things.

[@ronlosey9355]

Great little radios! I bought one back in the early 90s at a Walmart and still works great!!

[@FarpointFarms]

Very cool!

[@FOSTERSFARMGARAGETV]

Had mine for over 25 years in my blazer! Still Works Great!

[@FarpointFarms]

Cool that it still works-

[@FOSTERSFARMGARAGETV]

@@FarpointFarms I've also got the little cobra one like it and its been great, Also! All my big cobras have been in repair shops. But these little ones we have spilt cokes, Tea and even few beers on them and they keep on ticking! lol

[@JoeR203]

I bought a refurbed 510 from the Uniden site and put it in the cube van I was delivering beds in. The dumbass helper who worked with me came back after hours and stole it. I know it was him because when we started work the next day, as soon as he sat down he said "Somebody stole the CB." I had unhooked the radio and hid it behind the seat and under the paper maps (remember those? lol). So since he immediately said that without even looking for the radio, that told me he was the one who took it. He wasn't the sharpest sandwich in the chandelier if you know what I mean. 🙂

[@artykohl1118]

I did similar work, and that would happen with my mapbooks. Every time I took time off, the other drivers would end up using my truck for some reason. Twice I had to replace books. Then, they came on vacation with me. A complete truck clean-out every time.

[@FarpointFarms]

Why do people do dumb stuff. I really hate a theif

[@Maxid1]

@@artykohl1118 Yeah, that's why you Write your name in big letters on the outside of front cover. Then you look for people using map books with a missing front cover. Then you go to the page where your job location is, where you wrote in very small print your name were you all are. no one really uses the page of where your your job location is.

[@artykohl1118]

@@Maxid1 Damn, I thought I knew all the tricks, like putting habenero peppers in my sandwiches in case someone wants to take my lunch.

[@artykohl1118]

@@Maxid1 Ever notice that the people you know are stealing from you in a company are the same ones that carry themselves like they have high morals and think they're better than everyone else??

[@JustinPartridge-v3f]

Unison pro made a really good radio and they work great 👍

[@FarpointFarms]

Yes they do

[@TheHuntercamper]

Have one for years and still use it...have it set up as a base station with a Dipole home made antenna . Then have the 505 in the car always been there working every time I turn them on. With the Base been beaming south to hear what's happen in Fl. right now with the storm coming ashore ...hope the storm turns east and out into the Atlantic

[@FarpointFarms]

I wish it would turn as well, we have been getting dumped on with rain.

[@davidoverton2432]

My first radio in my 77 Chevy was the 510 with a mag mount antenna. Worked great all over town

[@FarpointFarms]

Cool- thanks for sharing

[@jiveturkey947]

I have the 520 in my truck. I bought mine off Amazon new about eight months ago. I'm out here in Utah where unfortunately I don't get a lot of local radio chatter. Most of what I get is skip from all over the country. I still keep it wired in because I like options. I have my ham radio license so I carry those radios too.

[@FarpointFarms]

It is worth keeping it in case of emergencies. CB has been huge for communications with the Hurricane relief

[@KEFERMELENON-rv4tj]

I bought mine new $40 and K40 antenna when I was a kid miss it lost it in a fire in 2011. I even had the shop use the SWR metter to dial it in better. I was near St. Louis, Mo. I SKIPPED all the way to California on a good clear day

[@FarpointFarms]

I'm sorry for your losses. Fires wreck everything.

[@ku4uv]

Probably one of the best compact C.B. radios that has ever been produced. They sound great, and have good power output. I have several Pro 510's that were made in the Philippines. I had a Uniden Pro 500D as a high school freshman back in 1989. Wal-Mart used to sell the Pro 500D for around $50 back in 1989. The new Pro 510XL's that Uniden is producing are o.k., but I don't think they sound as good as the old ones. The channel selector knob on the new 510's is also not as stiff as the older models.

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks for sharing. I was wondering on the comparison from the older models to the new ones.

[@elmofeneken4364]

Cool, I got 2 of these units. They are great at collecting dust in my storage cabinet, but they still work after all these years. Along with an old Pace 23 channel base station, an ITT 40 channel unit and various other CB related stuff. It was a good time back then.

[@FarpointFarms]

I think it is time for you to dust them off.

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

I have a stack of these , used and NIB , 510 and 520 , very reliable and tough as nails , simple and to the point . They work !

[@FarpointFarms]

These are just what they are. Simple and durable little radios. There is still a huge market for these.

[@bruceclark5627]

The 520 was the perfect AM only "small footprint" radio. I put a RF gain control pot on several 510's before I knew there was a 520.

[@FarpointFarms]

I agree with the small footprint- It could be mounted anywhere

[@2148aa]

Last radio I put on a cabless farm tractor. It was inside a milk filter tin box hooked to a PA speaker. Sometimes, the speaker could be heard further than the radio on bad skip days.

[@FarpointFarms]

I would love to have seen pictures of that- sounds pretty cool

[@wmatay1]

One of my first 40 channel cbs it did good. I had a 7 channel Cristal one and 23 channel base . I still use a Uniden today just for driving the turn pike. 73

[@FarpointFarms]

Glad to hear that you still have a use for it- Traffic on the turnpikes can be a nightmare

[@MM-gw3vx]

Yep, Uniden still makes them. My current setup is the Pro 510XL, a Little Wil antenna, and an Astatic 636L mic. SWR is 1.2 on channel 19.

[@FarpointFarms]

Sounds like a good setup

[@MM-gw3vx]

@@FarpointFarms Good morning. I purchased the Little Wil last week to replace my Tram 3500 which I purchased a couple of years ago after watching your review. The Tram is a good antenna but I’ve got to replace the coax because it finally got pinched a little too much over time and I discovered that there was continuity between the positive and the ground. I would have selected the Tram 300 to replace it but it’s not on Amazon Prime at the moment and I would have had to pay for shipping so I got the Little Wil on Prime. I mount the antenna on the roof of my F150 4X4 and the Tram 3500 got smacked by low hanging branches on back roads every now and then. The Little Wil is two feet shorter. Have you reviewed the Tram 703 HC center load antenna. I got one of those as well and I even bought an el Cheapo antenna from Walmart two weeks ago. It’s a small center load mag mount. Metro is the brand and it costs $15.88 and it works! The reason that I bought it was because I was having CB radio issues. I discovered that I had a bad ground connection where I had installed a cigarette power plug to the power cord. I had been blowing fuses and the bad ground must have been the culprit. My 3500 was out of commission so I picked up the Metra from Walmart just to see if my radio still worked or if had broken something inside by transmitting on a broken antenna. I’m up and running again. Checked my SWR with a meter that I purchased years ago at Radio Shack. I had to snip a little off the Little Wil antenna but I don’t want to go too far. I’m always monitoring 19 anyway and I figure that a 1.2 is pretty good. I enjoy your videos and I wish that more people had CB radios. It’s difficult to even get a radio check. A lot of truckers either don’t use them anymore or are reluctant to respond to a radio check.

[@jj25397]

Just got a 520xl from Amazon last week and connected it to a 10m hamstick ground plane about 6ft high. It talks solid 2-5 miles like this. Just a test though. I'm building a hamstick inverted V dipole to mount about 20 ft high as a base antenna in the next week or so. Pretty good rig for $60. Love the channel. 73s 876 Georgia

[@FarpointFarms]

Sounds like you will have a great little setup

[@realBkay]

520XL - only CB I’ve ever had. Purchased in 1994 w/a Wilson 1000. Continue to use it to this day.

[@FarpointFarms]

That is a solid combo you have- that is why it is still working to this day

[@Macjohn1419]

I still have the 520 Pro XL. Love the RF gain feature to mitigate background noise. The 520 has a 7 watt audio amplifier which gives it a lot of volume in a noisy environment.

[@FarpointFarms]

Good to know, Thanks

[@artykohl1118]

I love SSB. I've only owned one with that option.

[@FarpointFarms]

People do love their SSB

[@AndrewHCann]

Excellent Video Eric :) my first radio 40 am was Realistic TRC 415 Radio Shack, got in 1992 second was President P200 was like Uniden PC 510 XL but bit different 4 red bars also TX to with Happy Face like Radio Shack had plus others ! Also Uniden PC 510 XL to and very good radio too ! Yes I have Uniden PC 68 XL Dynamic Squelch Control and Grant XL and Realistic TRC 428 Nine Scan 40 like Uniden 66 XL!

[@FarpointFarms]

Sounds like you have had some nice radios, you have good taste

[@AndrewHCann]

@@FarpointFarms sure do Eric :) and years ago had planned on CB radio to get new or used on good condition ones ! Did that and lots hours of fun communicating in CB / Ham radios!

[@StormsRadiosCats]

The pro 510 XL and 501 are still available on amazon and ebay, i ran the 510xl for a long time in many cars until it said i can't give anymore lol great radio

[@FarpointFarms]

"I can't give anymore" sounds like you may have worn it out

[@christophersmith1155]

We still use this at job sites. Channel 13 here in Manhattan

[@FarpointFarms]

That is cool to know that they are being used in NYC

[@christophersmith1155]

height is might. and these tall bldgs are great. im on the 22nd floor. all of our channels are busy here in the try state are. i can see jersey and Connecticut from manhattan.

[@mikeingeorgia1]

I got a great yard sale find, a Cobra 29 for just $15. Everything functions well on it other than the switch that dims the display. It only works on the bright setting but that’s not bad to me. Had my first contact on it just yesterday. I was chatting with a guy 12 miles away from me that asked for a radio check

[@FarpointFarms]

That is a great deal- 12 miles is a great contact

[@-Nobody-1]

If I still had the old Kubota, i’d put one of these in it. Cheap, reliable, and works. Done. Seams like a great radio for farm equipment.

[@mikeingeorgia1]

Would you get a decent ground plane on a tractor?

[@-Nobody-1]

@@mikeingeorgia1 not perfect at all. Depends in your enclosure. Grounding straps to the frame can help. But yea it wouldnt be ideal. But if you only need to go a mile or two should be alright. Ive put them in skid-steers before and they worked ok enough. The hardest part in my experience on equipment is just routing antenna wire… but its not that bad.

[@-Nobody-1]

@@mikeingeorgia1 what type of tractor do you have? I could shoot you a couple ideas maybe.

[@FarpointFarms]

I am sure that you could get a decent ground plane with a tractor. Maybe not the smaller ones, but the larger one for sure

[@danielkinsman1964]

I had one when I started out. Then I upgraded to a PC 122 XL

[@FarpointFarms]

Good upgrade

[@jimp.7286]

Seems to me these xcvr's were around 30-40 bucks about three or four years ago, (before the economy was trashed),. I always thought it was a good deal but put off getting one. Everything you need and nothing you don't. Now they're 60 on amazon. I guess all things being equal, still a good deal taking the economy into account and from a company that makes very decent products. Our wireless uniden security cameras have been outside braving the elements for the last fifteen years and never shut off, (maybe once or twice to move a power cord), ... and they're still working which amazes me.

[@FarpointFarms]

It's sad how little are dollar takes us now. All part of the collapse of a once great nation.

[@jimp.7286]

@@FarpointFarms All on purpose too! Every bit of it - planned. Cheers.

[@brad7670]

Nice simple Radio. Please let us know things are good because of the flooding. Thanks!

[@FarpointFarms]

Things are terrible here, we are one of the lucky ones. There are still many that are missing and may never be found

[@stanhausam6112]

I bought a used Cobra 38WXST 40 channel walkie talkie awhile back. Now, when I turn it on the light stays on, it's locked on channel 19 and all the functions don't work. Would it be worth getting it repaired or not?

[@FarpointFarms]

It is hard to say- If you can find a person to repair it, it might cost more than the value of the radio. But that being said, the convenience of that radio might be worth it.

[@Maxid1]

I'm still trying to figure out how to get my antennae from my radio thru the firewall. I've seen a bunch of videos that show how to get it through the firewall of a 2006 F450 but none of it seems to match what I see. I'm starting to think I'm going to find some grommets and go through the floor under the front seat.

[@FarpointFarms]

I used the body plug holes on my T100 and on my Tundra. I did have to drill a hole for my GMC Vandura. Some have a spot, others not so much!

[@roberthoffman4713]

The uniden 505 is a decent radio also. Super bare bones but it puts out legal power and 100% modulation. The 505 you can use just about any mic on it, the 510, and 520 I think you need to use the mic that comes with it or a power mic turned up extremely high.

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks for sharing that info- it is helpful

[@codedelta]

Hey I have a question I don't know if you have covered, I was thinking of getting into cb again with the new fm and ssb , but I have limited space , if I mount let's say an a99 at 4 watts on the same tower and mast as my scanner antennas , will that damage my scanners? Is that too close or should it be ok ?

[@FarpointFarms]

That should not give you any issues. My Scanner antenna is about 6 feet from my 100 watt Ham setup.

[@gman3951]

What is the best antenna to be mounted on the 2021 Ford Aluminium body pickup truck?

[@FarpointFarms]

Hmm. I'd go with a bumper mounted antenna for those.

[@cmritchie04]

is this a radio that I can try to modify? I want to make the body remote mounted and the control head place in the front of the vehicle on the dashboard...maybe be able to monitor with the microphone unplugged?

[@FarpointFarms]

I am not sure if you can modify this one or not. Maybe someone else can comment if you can or not

[@cucvvermont6477]

The older ones are the absolute easiest radios in history to modify. Get yourself a meter and go to town! Adjust modulation for 100 percent plus you should also be able to get about 12 watts out of it without swapping any components. I’ve seen them swing up to 16-18W….each is a little different. The later versions not so much. I think pre-2005 or so would be considered “early”. Certainly before the Chinese made 510s came out.

[@Trashboat1979]

So just recently I removed the Texas ranger tr-966 from my semi. Currently I have the new president Ted fcc radio in there. I wanted something super simple in the truck. I almost bought a 510/520 but I’m a big fan of president so that’s what I went with. Sometimes those simple radios are just better for some reason.

[@FarpointFarms]

That is a great radio you have with the Ted.

[@Trashboat1979]

@@FarpointFarms waiting for you to do a review on one.

[@unitedstatesirie7431]

Eric what are your thoughts about 20 meter communication radios talking on 14 mHz ?

[@FarpointFarms]

These days most radios sold are easily modified to talk on other bands. It's pretty crazy to think of how far we've come.

[@unitedstatesirie7431]

@@FarpointFarms I am thinking about buying a Yaesu FT-891 radio to talk on 11 meter (27 mHz) channels and 20 meter (14 mHz) channels.

[@carytomaszewski1418]

2 510s 1 520 my neighbor loves rummage sales he calls me when he sees cb radios... I think all we're 5dollars or less. All work great

[@FarpointFarms]

$5 or less is a great deal- I hope you took him up

[@ragheadand420roll]

These were cheap and available forever. Calif hwy patrol bought thousands for diff patrol cars (comm veh patrol pickups) and were available in surplus. Also great to pair w an amp.

[@FarpointFarms]

That must have been one heck of a surplus sale.

[@OnlyTheEd]

My daughter sold one of hers in a garage sale for $3..... Last I checked these little radios have 7 watts output..... Only modification I know of is clip or unsolder d104 diode. Also, last I looked, they sell new for like $40.00 or is it $50.00 now?

[@FarpointFarms]

for $3, I would have bought it at the garage sale.

[@RickFL2001]

What's your thoughts on Ferrite Cores?

[@FarpointFarms]

I have not used them before so I can't tell you my thoughts. From what I have read, people seem to have some mixed reviews on them. I was hoping that someone else would have chimed in.

[@michaelallen3172]

I bought a 510 30 years ago , OTR trucked it for ten years in 4 trucks no problems. Excellent nonsense radio for talking to someone you can usually see .

[@FarpointFarms]

Well said!

[@bobbynewton4555]

They made a 505, 510, and a 520

[@FarpointFarms]

Good to know- thanks for sharing

[@jeremiahostrosky3448]

Yep! I have the 505XL myself

[@rod462]

Old radios sound the best (after a factory type tune up).

[@FarpointFarms]

I think you are right on this one

[@TruckStopPaul]

I have 2 that were made in the Philippines. Good little radios. Nww ones arent any good.

[@FarpointFarms]

I have heard that the older ones were better than the newer ones from a few people

[@davidjernigan8161]

If you can't find one President still makes some simple ones.

[@FarpointFarms]

Good to know

[@LeoLaRock]

I'm from Latvia and it's hard to find used CB radios and especially that cheap maybe because CB radio is not that big of a thing as in US

[@FarpointFarms]

Sorry that they are harder to find there-

[@LeoLaRock]

@@FarpointFarms If I want to buy CB radio I have to buy it online

[@RickFL2001]

What's your thoughts on Ferrite Cores?

[@FarpointFarms]

I have not used them before so I can't tell you my thoughts. From what I have read, people seem to have some mixed reviews on them. I was hoping that someone else would have chimed in.