I never would of become interested in ham radio if it wasn’t for the fact that in the 70’s as a teenager became interested in cb. I love my AnyTone 5555plus.
I've tested, reviewed, and done "first looks" at quite a few 2024 10m radios (written, not on video) and I have a couple comments about the new President line - The new President SSB radios (George FCC, George II, and Washington) absolutely have the best display screen over the competition when used in a vehicle. As a driver, you'll encounter all types of lighting conditions, and due to the size of most SSB radios, operators have little choice on where to mount a radio. I use CYAN for the color in all of the radios mentioned above, and even in direct sunlight, it's easy to see the information on the display. I took my McKinley FCC out of the car and replaced it with a George FCC radio, mainly because of the display. Even though it's a legal CB and non-modifiable, I've made DX contacts just about everywhere I wanted to when the conditions are right. The George II was expensive (direct from the UK), and the Washington, marketed as a 10m radio is superb (but it stays in the shack). If I had any sway with President, I'd suggest they should make (in future revisions) the ability to give the operator the choice to switch between either a large channel number, or large frequency display. It wouldn't make a difference on the George FCC (because it's just a 1-40ch radio), but it would make a world of difference on the Washington. The AnyTone board radios like the QT60, QT60 Pro, HS4 and others do a good job of keeping the frequency readout as large as possible. I'd also suggest to President (and most others), that if you offer a CW mode, put a jack on the back to plug in a key - like the Retevis did with the HS4. Thank you for making this video. It's something that could help someone making a decision on what to buy. Very enjoyable!
My best contact on a Galaxy 94HP was Italy from SE North Carolina in my truck. Oddly my co-phased 4' firestiks were oriented N-S so I was rather surprised he came back from the East when I called his sign! I usually just monitor CB 17/19 on it if I'm on the Interstate but it's nice to be able to work 10M driving around town or at a rest stop or POTA. Planning to upgrade to a Yaesu FTX-1F with Mars Mod so I can monitor 11M and 10M at the same time (or other bands for POTA etc). In the RV I have a modded LincolnII+ along with a Cobra All Road and Yaesu 300 (500 in my truck) Also have modded Washington, McKinley Galaxy 959 with 100W finals mod among others. Buying a Stryker 955 (modded) helped with motivating me to get my ticket after my father AD4WN became a silent key so that is another somewhat decent reason for their existence; work 11 while studying and also listen to people on 10/12 to hear how they communicate. 73 KZ4EK
As I may have mentioned before, my interest in radio began with CB in the UK. Ok, it took me three decades or more to get around to getting a ham license, and in another country of course, but that was definitely the initial spark. I lived near a range of hills on the very edge of the English city of Birmingham, and at weekends in the Summer, breakers would be up there in their cars with their mobile rigs trying to get more distant copies. Occasionally though there was a ham, presumably doing the same. I think the first ones I saw had a Yaesu radio set up on the roof of their car (for pose value I guess 😁) and I vaguely recalled them speaking some strange language when they transmitted, which made me want to discover more. They weren't very friendly, but not hostile either. Just aloof I guess, but that didn't quell my interest. Alas, financial and other constraints did, as I was still at school at this time. I remember too there was a large secluded house among the hills and they had what I now know is a huge yagi on a tower, with a rotator. That was my first sight of a ham antenna. Sorry for the life story lol. 😂 But yes, CB is totally valid! I was fascinated by your Montego Bay copy when testing that one rig a few weeks ago. Keep it up Walt. Happy to see that sort of content in addition to the ham stuff. Ok, novel over. 😊
I have a collection of working TUBE CBs. You can see them in one of the photos on my QRZ page. K7ZFI. How about a Johnson Messenger 223? 23 channel tube radio. Works great. I have a few others as well. Love them. I got into radio in my teens in CB.
I have a CRT SS 7900V VERY pleased with it. I use a Sirio 5000 1/4 wave whip up on the chimney top Ton of fun ! Thanks for going over these types of sets Big screen I can read without my glasses 🙂
The 10 & 12 meter export radios are like the Baofeng and other inexpensive Chinese VHF/UHF ham radio handhelds. People buy them to use outside of the amateur radio bands. The difference between the 10 & 12 meter export radios and the Baofeng handhelds is the FCC hasn't stepped in requiring the export radios to only be able to transmit within the ham bands. With the Baofeng radios because some of the dealers were marketing the VHF/UHF ham radios as Part 90 and Part 95 radios despite not being certified for Part 90 or Part 95 the FCC stepped in requiring them to be locked to transmit only within the ham bands. That is when Baofeng started marketing handhelds for the part 95 services such as FRS, GMRS, and MURS. Sure you can still find sources to buy unlocked Baofengs or ones that can be unlocked, but it is getting harder to find them on Amazon.
Rule 95 is pretty clear regardless what radio they are using on 11 meters. If they are running above 4 watts and get caught the consequences are the same $500 per violation, a $10,000 dollar fine or even imprisonment.
@@Watchman7_77 yes Part 95 is clear for all the radio services it covers. I don't know how often the FCC actually monitors the frequencies covered by Part 95, but I do know it is low on the priority list unless they get enough complaints. I mean there are guys building 15 kw or higher rigs for CB "throw down" competitions and the FCC is doing nothing about it.
@@JBryant1981 In deed it must be low on their list either that are a part of a get richer quick scheme when and if they ever actually do decide to do something. I knew a guy back in the mid 80's another guy loaned him his linear right at Christmas time and to recall it it wasn't a very powerful linear either something in the neighborhood 40 to 70 watts if I'm remembering it correctly. The guy I knew who borrowed the linear he lived on the bay at that time and the FCC showed up. They gave him a choice to pay the fine or throw the linear into the bay and he did he threw in in the bay and lost his buddies linear. That aside those pushing power should know they are trampling on locals depriving them of the use of their radios they bought and paid for they shouldn't have to be told they should know. And those abiding by the rules shouldn't have the need to be forced into breaking the rules in order to make their radio useful aka adding amps. And since the FCC like you said isn't interested in doing anything about it and the power radio operators are going to continue anyway either way, what should happen is for everyone to come to an agreement that power radios avoid a set number a list of channels in order not to trample on local users.
@@Watchman7_77 I know several people who have been using the Baofeng ham radios on FRS/GMRS and MURS frequencies for at least the past 5 years while participating in large scale paintball and airsoft games. As far as I know none of them have ever received any kind of notice from the FCC. Some of them are just running the memory channels programed from the factory because they don't know any better or just don't care after being educated. Many of them travel across their region such as the Midwest or Northeast, and some travel across the country. Unless the FCC shows up at a large scale paintball or airsoft event and inspects every single radio being used there really isn't any way for them to police it since they don't have the man power to do that. If they get enough complaints to send out someone to investigate the offenders will be long gone by the time someone shows up to investigate and the only ones at the location that the FCC could question would be the field owner and/or field staff. At that point any investigation would be dead in the water since the field owner and field staff won't know the types of radios and frequencies all the players with radios are using. I suppose if the FCC gets enough complaints about interference they might consider having someone investigate during one of those large scale games. However I doubt that will happen since these days most Baofengs are locked to the service they are being marketed for and many of them cannot be unlocked to transmit across their entire receive range.
Hey Walt, thank you for this video that addresses a topic not much openly discussed elsewhere. I really agree that these radios like my Anytone AT-6666 (not pro) are a lot of radio for a relatively low price. I don't know if this has improved on the more recent models, but the only major gripe I have against my AT-6666 is the channelized tuning, the lack of a real VFO with continuous frequency coverage. It's a quite decent performer both in RX and TX and I've worked great DX with it too. As for the QT40, I've bought one out of nostalgia for old-time CB transceivers, but I'm not quite happy with it. Modulation isn't good in SSB, the 2-digit LCD display matches its vintage look but it's a pain to use. Its analog S-meter again has this great vintage feel, but it's so imprecise that it's all but usable. I'll probably sell it sometime. All the best to Salty Walt and K4OGO, both of them 😄
KB1SEP Hi Walt! Fantastic Video as usual. Loved the knowledge drop on export radios. Something I definitely wanted to know about. Cant wait for your book. I will definitely want a signed copy. 73
I can hear the "superbowl" net on 27 AM here in Scotland on a handheld and rubber duck. They are running massive power. Here in Europe the 11m DX is out of the official CB band centred on 27.555.
Good review and discussion Walt. I'm glad to hear the effort to bring both worlds closer together. I would like to see these "imports" have a RIT (clarifier) be analog and infinitely adjustable vs. a stepped and fixed approach. You can't get the frequency spot on (zerobeat) if it's stepped. Keep up the great work. 73 OM
@@WECB640 actually the QT80 in VFO mode is that. It has a clarifier as well. That’s one of the reasons I’m so giddy about that radio. 15 through 10 meters with 80 watts for $299 is another reason. 73 my friend
I was blown away when I learned that CB is sandwiched in among the ham bands. Back in the day we had a SSB CB (12 watts) and my farthest qso was about 300 miles. These days I can reach multiple states away using 5 watts on my vertical or EFHW. I’m guessing we were at the nadir of that solar cycle or we had no idea what we were doing regarding antenna tuning. 😂 I’d like to get one of those import radios if i could get one that does 20 meters. Thanks for another informative video.
Like you Walt i am very happy using both CB and Amateur radio equipment. At the end of the day it is radio, get on air and chat to people. Export radios have a place in the hobby like amateur equipment has its place, whatever works for you is the radio for you. Enjoy the hobby, never forget it should be fun. Regards all Steve M6WVV UK
Top Gun has the Retevis clone. They call it the Quad 5. Bob's CB has it priced at $500. I don't think they're gonna sell many of them if the Retevis is $200-$220. I like the looks of it and kind of want to get one. But my RCI Ranger RG-99 still works and CB is pretty dead in my area of CT. On top of which, I live in a condo so I can't have an 18' antenna to get good skip. I wish President would make a base station.
I am learning daily. I bought a cb. I live in rural maine. A 4 watt radio doesn’t reach much. I wish they could reach farther. This sounds great. Sorry not sorry. I want to be able to reach friends 15 miles away successfully without depending on skip.
Get you could get a 5/8th's sigma antenna and mount it as far up as you possibly can preferably with the base of it about 20/23 feet up put it on a flag pole or a extendable pole. The radio I have is a Uniden PC78LTXFM 4 watts and I'm talking 11 miles away to someone I know and it's a omni antenna but you might also want to consider getting a beam antenna with a rotor then you would probably be able to talk maybe 50 miles or so in one direction those antennas are directional antenna's unlike the 5/8ths sigma. I also bought a Workman DM-507-4 replacing the stock Uniden mic that comes with the radio it is a very hot mic. As far as exceeding the 4 watt legal limit I have no intentions on going there. I want to talk locally use my radio locally and 4 watts keep me local it's more stelthy too I don't want the whole world hearing me. Also for those choosing to run the powerful radios thinking because they have a 10 meter radio that somehow makes it legal for their use on 11 meters they might want to consider the consequences should they get caught up with $500 per each violation a $10,000 dollar fine or possible prison time? No thanks.
@ I’ve got an antenna I’m putting up, that’ll be about 22’ high. I have a book on antennas I bought, and I’m learning. It’s a very deep well of information to go through. But I’m headed down that rabbit hole
@@dirigoelectric It sounds like you're on the right track. And you will likely find that due to the radio violators the high power radios that's referred to as skip during the day hours is rough. So if you are talking to locals you may find yourselves jumping to different channels to finish a conversation here and there. One thing you want to take care of before you begin talking on the radio is to make sure you have your SWRS set make sure the SWRS are nice and flat as low as they can go but for sure under 2. And that's the nice thing about the Uniden PC78LTXFM is that it has the built SWR meter for checking your SWRS. One thing is for certain is you never want to key down your radio without a antenna attached to it that would burn out the finals in your radio. Also once you're up and going you might find it hard to find any locals in your area on the radio. And is that case you could do what I have done. Make you some leaflets with information and pass them out pass them out at the grocery store schools the gym or where ever in your area list the time and channel to meet on such as: CB Radio Community Meetings Everyday On Channel 21 7PM. Also consider having your a custom bumper sticker made with that information you can have those made on ebay make a bumper sticker and put in on the back of your vehicle display in in the window or bumper. And then there's T-shirts you could have some of those printed too and be sure to pass these ideas around to others too comments or where ever to give them the idea as well because everyone needs a good uncensored alternative for communication in these times.
Great video Walt! Any radio that gets me my DX contacts is good with me! I spend a year getting the folks in my radio club to accept Chinese radios as good. I won that battle, finally. It was my G90 and the number of long distance contacts I made that did it. It is so great to have radios that a technician license holder can afford and that gets them into the HF world. 11-meter is radio period. I think sad hams don't like that you don't have to take a test to operate CB. Radio is radio and I love everyone who enjoys radio, be it 11-meters or any other band. Thanks again...73...Hugh...KN6KNB.
This is unrelated but you might find it interesting. In the in the US Marine Antenna Handbook. MCRP 6-22D "To make a long wire antenna directional, place a terminating device at the distant station end of the antenna. The terminating device should be a 600-ohm" "Constructing a long wire antenna requires only wire, support poles, insulators, and a terminating resistor (if directionality is desired). The only requirement is that the antenna be strung in as straight a line as the situation permits. The antenna is only 15 to 20 feet above ground, so tall support structures are not required. The antenna is normally fed through a coupler that can match the antenna’s 600- ohm impedance. Coaxial cable can be used if a 12 to 1 balun is available to convert the coaxial cable 50-ohm impedance to the required 600 ohms."
Salty Walt, We as Licensed Amateur Radio Operators have been given Trust. Good Engineering Practices..! I too dabble in 11 Meters and as long as I follow the Rules and Regulations of the FCC and ARRL Guidelines do not see a Violation or problem of any kind. Thank You KC3ZDW and 73
Walt I hear people on 11m and 10 m using 1, 500 watts through Yagi multi element beams even when conditions mean you can work anywhere on 5 watts so I don't get wound up by export radios at full chat on either band as they are much more in line with my QRP mindset. I stick to simple wire and vertical antennas becaue to me ERP is much more relevant than the wattage of the rig and I will never use or own an amp (I lie I have several guitar ones lol). Like all hobbies you can spend fortunes to get results or you can use your brain and learn properly and get results that way. I love your approach, that's why I am always here to listen 73 M7BLC
Nice show of export radios. Yes their is so many that would take a 8 HR video. The ones showed are the most common ones . Most are great radios. Some are somewhat hard to use on HAM bands do to channels . But once you learn that it is somewhat easy . Some have VFO mode which is what I use. I have the QT 60 and compared to the RX on IC 7300. Both receive about the same. The ICOM has better internal speaker but with same Heil PRO 6 headset . both sound the same. The filters for noise in IC 7300 much better and more adjustable filters. But 1K USD radio. But the QT 60 has great RX and nice filters. The TX is about the same on same power. The icom has a processor which is better for SSB when set correctly. The Heil mic on the QT 60 is GREAT ! I have a old RCI 2950 and the QT 60 is so much better ! CB skip is crazy strong at times. In the AM in NY I have been hearing Russian on CB free band. Without knowing Russian I am not sure what part is coming from. My UK friends told me Russia somewhere. They hear it as well. The next time it comes in is from Winter to Spring . This is also Japan open at times for me. Summer I get short DX ,South of Equator mostly like Brazil. Or Mexico . Lately the CB is full of Spanish . and it is strong ! They love CH 9 CB !! . I even heard them on 46 MHZ . Not sure what country coming from. Not very legal in US. My IC 7300 has full open RX to 72 MHZ . I cant TX . KK6USY got Lord callum on 10 meters was great ! It is on live stream . 73 .
My only concern is the purity of the signal on these export radios. Some radiate on harmonics and can interfere with other services. I have FCC certified CB radios and my ham equipment are manufactured by reputable companies. I enjoy both hobbies.
@@joemarchinski914 7.200 on the 40 meter band. It's a sewer filled with people that flagrantly ignore the rules and best operating practices. Sadly, some of the rodents there are actually licensed. On the bright side, they tend to stick to just one frequency per popular band.
Hi Walt. Back in my 11m days, export radios were CB radios that were meant for other than U.S. markets, and were not type accepted by the FCC, therefore not legal to to be brought to the U.S. Even today I would not buy any radio with a channel display. Probably because back then the export radios were only slightly better in performance than the type accepted radios. Neither could come even halfway close to the performance of my Kenwood TS-520S. Is the performance of modern export radios on par with Ham radios from the 80s or 90s?
I think today’s export radios are much better for sure. And as I said in the video, a great way for a new ham to get on the air with a new radio that only cost them $150 to $300.
Are there any that a CW op would recommend? I got the President Lincoln II + because it was suppose to be able to do CW, but there were real problems with it, such as cutting off the first dit, when you start sending. It wasn't very CW friendly, so I eventually sold it.
@@jonizornes5286 great question, I don’t think any of these are stellar CW rigs even though they claim to be CW capable. Someone else here might know better. 73, Walt
To me boots in the ground information should gathered from a CB. I wouldn't care really but form a ham standpoint, i see it from both sides, most of ny neighbors are country folk and there on 11m truth be told im gonna run. A CB radio in my truck, travel trailer and in my home as well as a UHF/VHF radio as well as a Scanner. if it wasnt for Scanners i wouldnt have any interest in Ham or CB and two silent keys encouraged me to get my ticket and now i got my ticket im gonna continue on my journey to get into qrp cw to continue his legacy. 73, kq4hcu
Export radios have to be designed to be modified by CBers and freebanders, but they are useful for hams on a budget. They don't seem to do CW at all well though.
I had a Kenwood TS-430 and an Icom 706 mkII, never one of their noise filters did half as good at knocking out the motor noise of my truck like the Anytone 6666 did. If you're looking to just run 10 or 12 meters those export rigs are a good option.
@@TheREALJosephTurner sadly I let a friend talk me into selling mine to him. I sure worked a lot of countries with that rig back when the country hunters net was active. Wish I still had it.
Up the wattage on 11 meters? Have you heard the radio during daylight skip hours lately? It's so trashed out you can't even hear a conversation. All that wouldn't happen if the 4 watt limit was obeyed. A lot of operators have and are ditching their radios due to that cause and it's a shame they bought their radios they abide by the rules and they're robbed of the use of their radio. The power radios are giving CB radio a bad reputation causing many not to take CB radio serious and at a time when the CB radio is a must a necessity not only for a crises but censorship avoidance and regular reliable communication.
Of course they're ham radios...nudge nudge, wink wink. Most hams would want transceivers that cover all the bands for those low sunspot years when there is zero activity on 12/10 meters.
Walt, I know these you tube channels are about advertising. But,,, You should warn people that in 5 yrs from now, when the solar cycle is down, a 4watt radio isn't gonna talk. maybe 5 miles, at the most. And that's what its designed for.
these are true HAM RADIOS . They do not come with the frequencies for CB in other countries. If someone wants other nations frequencies they would buy EU radios , but they dont. Why They are 4 watt radios.
I never would of become interested in ham radio if it wasn’t for the fact that in the 70’s as a teenager became interested in cb. I love my AnyTone 5555plus.
Same here!
I started out in Citizens Band when I was 13 years old. I don’t have a problem saying that I get on 11 meters frequently just for the fun of it!
@@DennisMagdule same here my friend!!
I've tested, reviewed, and done "first looks" at quite a few 2024 10m radios (written, not on video) and I have a couple comments about the new President line - The new President SSB radios (George FCC, George II, and Washington) absolutely have the best display screen over the competition when used in a vehicle. As a driver, you'll encounter all types of lighting conditions, and due to the size of most SSB radios, operators have little choice on where to mount a radio. I use CYAN for the color in all of the radios mentioned above, and even in direct sunlight, it's easy to see the information on the display. I took my McKinley FCC out of the car and replaced it with a George FCC radio, mainly because of the display. Even though it's a legal CB and non-modifiable, I've made DX contacts just about everywhere I wanted to when the conditions are right. The George II was expensive (direct from the UK), and the Washington, marketed as a 10m radio is superb (but it stays in the shack). If I had any sway with President, I'd suggest they should make (in future revisions) the ability to give the operator the choice to switch between either a large channel number, or large frequency display. It wouldn't make a difference on the George FCC (because it's just a 1-40ch radio), but it would make a world of difference on the Washington. The AnyTone board radios like the QT60, QT60 Pro, HS4 and others do a good job of keeping the frequency readout as large as possible. I'd also suggest to President (and most others), that if you offer a CW mode, put a jack on the back to plug in a key - like the Retevis did with the HS4. Thank you for making this video. It's something that could help someone making a decision on what to buy. Very enjoyable!
My best contact on a Galaxy 94HP was Italy from SE North Carolina in my truck. Oddly my co-phased 4' firestiks were oriented N-S so I was rather surprised he came back from the East when I called his sign! I usually just monitor CB 17/19 on it if I'm on the Interstate but it's nice to be able to work 10M driving around town or at a rest stop or POTA. Planning to upgrade to a Yaesu FTX-1F with Mars Mod so I can monitor 11M and 10M at the same time (or other bands for POTA etc). In the RV I have a modded LincolnII+ along with a Cobra All Road and Yaesu 300 (500 in my truck) Also have modded Washington, McKinley Galaxy 959 with 100W finals mod among others. Buying a Stryker 955 (modded) helped with motivating me to get my ticket after my father AD4WN became a silent key so that is another somewhat decent reason for their existence; work 11 while studying and also listen to people on 10/12 to hear how they communicate.
73
KZ4EK
Thanks for the great comment, 73 Walt
I love both and started just like you. Heck I just love having and using radios . It’s a hobby
Roger that! Me too
As I may have mentioned before, my interest in radio began with CB in the UK. Ok, it took me three decades or more to get around to getting a ham license, and in another country of course, but that was definitely the initial spark. I lived near a range of hills on the very edge of the English city of Birmingham, and at weekends in the Summer, breakers would be up there in their cars with their mobile rigs trying to get more distant copies. Occasionally though there was a ham, presumably doing the same. I think the first ones I saw had a Yaesu radio set up on the roof of their car (for pose value I guess 😁) and I vaguely recalled them speaking some strange language when they transmitted, which made me want to discover more. They weren't very friendly, but not hostile either. Just aloof I guess, but that didn't quell my interest. Alas, financial and other constraints did, as I was still at school at this time. I remember too there was a large secluded house among the hills and they had what I now know is a huge yagi on a tower, with a rotator. That was my first sight of a ham antenna. Sorry for the life story lol. 😂 But yes, CB is totally valid! I was fascinated by your Montego Bay copy when testing that one rig a few weeks ago. Keep it up Walt. Happy to see that sort of content in addition to the ham stuff. Ok, novel over. 😊
Haha loved the novel! 73 my friend
I have a collection of working TUBE CBs. You can see them in one of the photos on my QRZ page. K7ZFI. How about a Johnson Messenger 223? 23 channel tube radio. Works great. I have a few others as well. Love them. I got into radio in my teens in CB.
Love those old radio!
I have a CRT SS 7900V
VERY pleased with it.
I use a Sirio 5000 1/4 wave whip up on the chimney top
Ton of fun !
Thanks for going over these types of sets
Big screen I can read without my glasses 🙂
Thanks for watching and commenting! 73, Walt
The 10 & 12 meter export radios are like the Baofeng and other inexpensive Chinese VHF/UHF ham radio handhelds. People buy them to use outside of the amateur radio bands. The difference between the 10 & 12 meter export radios and the Baofeng handhelds is the FCC hasn't stepped in requiring the export radios to only be able to transmit within the ham bands. With the Baofeng radios because some of the dealers were marketing the VHF/UHF ham radios as Part 90 and Part 95 radios despite not being certified for Part 90 or Part 95 the FCC stepped in requiring them to be locked to transmit only within the ham bands. That is when Baofeng started marketing handhelds for the part 95 services such as FRS, GMRS, and MURS. Sure you can still find sources to buy unlocked Baofengs or ones that can be unlocked, but it is getting harder to find them on Amazon.
Rule 95 is pretty clear regardless what radio they are using on 11 meters. If they are running above 4 watts and get caught the consequences are the same $500 per violation, a $10,000 dollar fine or even imprisonment.
@@Watchman7_77 yes Part 95 is clear for all the radio services it covers. I don't know how often the FCC actually monitors the frequencies covered by Part 95, but I do know it is low on the priority list unless they get enough complaints. I mean there are guys building 15 kw or higher rigs for CB "throw down" competitions and the FCC is doing nothing about it.
@@JBryant1981 In deed it must be low on their list either that are a part of a get richer quick scheme when and if they ever actually do decide to do something. I knew a guy back in the mid 80's another guy loaned him his linear right at Christmas time and to recall it it wasn't a very powerful linear either something in the neighborhood 40 to 70 watts if I'm remembering it correctly. The guy I knew who borrowed the linear he lived on the bay at that time and the FCC showed up. They gave him a choice to pay the fine or throw the linear into the bay and he did he threw in in the bay and lost his buddies linear.
That aside those pushing power should know they are trampling on locals depriving them of the use of their radios they bought and paid for they shouldn't have to be told they should know. And those abiding by the rules shouldn't have the need to be forced into breaking the rules in order to make their radio useful aka adding amps.
And since the FCC like you said isn't interested in doing anything about it and the power radio operators are going to continue anyway either way, what should happen is for everyone to come to an agreement that power radios avoid a set number a list of channels in order not to trample on local users.
@@Watchman7_77 I know several people who have been using the Baofeng ham radios on FRS/GMRS and MURS frequencies for at least the past 5 years while participating in large scale paintball and airsoft games. As far as I know none of them have ever received any kind of notice from the FCC. Some of them are just running the memory channels programed from the factory because they don't know any better or just don't care after being educated. Many of them travel across their region such as the Midwest or Northeast, and some travel across the country. Unless the FCC shows up at a large scale paintball or airsoft event and inspects every single radio being used there really isn't any way for them to police it since they don't have the man power to do that. If they get enough complaints to send out someone to investigate the offenders will be long gone by the time someone shows up to investigate and the only ones at the location that the FCC could question would be the field owner and/or field staff. At that point any investigation would be dead in the water since the field owner and field staff won't know the types of radios and frequencies all the players with radios are using. I suppose if the FCC gets enough complaints about interference they might consider having someone investigate during one of those large scale games. However I doubt that will happen since these days most Baofengs are locked to the service they are being marketed for and many of them cannot be unlocked to transmit across their entire receive range.
Hey Walt, thank you for this video that addresses a topic not much openly discussed elsewhere.
I really agree that these radios like my Anytone AT-6666 (not pro) are a lot of radio for a relatively low price. I don't know if this has improved on the more recent models, but the only major gripe I have against my AT-6666 is the channelized tuning, the lack of a real VFO with continuous frequency coverage. It's a quite decent performer both in RX and TX and I've worked great DX with it too.
As for the QT40, I've bought one out of nostalgia for old-time CB transceivers, but I'm not quite happy with it. Modulation isn't good in SSB, the 2-digit LCD display matches its vintage look but it's a pain to use. Its analog S-meter again has this great vintage feel, but it's so imprecise that it's all but usable. I'll probably sell it sometime.
All the best to Salty Walt and K4OGO, both of them 😄
Thank you Alain! Great comment. All the best and 73 my friend!
Good topic! Glad you covered this, and explained the real rules about them as well!
Thanks! 73, Walt
KB1SEP Hi Walt! Fantastic Video as usual. Loved the knowledge drop on export radios. Something I definitely wanted to know about. Cant wait for your book. I will definitely want a signed copy. 73
Thank you! I will definitely get you a signed one. 73, Walt
Can’t wait for the Stryker review
I can’t wait to get my hands on that radio!!!
I can hear the "superbowl" net on 27 AM here in Scotland on a handheld and rubber duck. They are running massive power. Here in Europe the 11m DX is out of the official CB band centred on 27.555.
I can hear Superbowl 6 on my toaster in my kitchen 😂😂😂
@@COASTALWAVESWIRESThat’s an awesome comment 😂
Good review and discussion Walt. I'm glad to hear the effort to bring both worlds closer together. I would like to see these "imports" have a RIT (clarifier) be analog and infinitely adjustable vs. a stepped and fixed approach. You can't get the frequency spot on (zerobeat) if it's stepped. Keep up the great work. 73 OM
@@WECB640 actually the QT80 in VFO mode is that. It has a clarifier as well. That’s one of the reasons I’m so giddy about that radio. 15 through 10 meters with 80 watts for $299 is another reason. 73 my friend
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES 👍
I was blown away when I learned that CB is sandwiched in among the ham bands. Back in the day we had a SSB CB (12 watts) and my farthest qso was about 300 miles. These days I can reach multiple states away using 5 watts on my vertical or EFHW.
I’m guessing we were at the nadir of that solar cycle or we had no idea what we were doing regarding antenna tuning. 😂
I’d like to get one of those import radios if i could get one that does 20 meters.
Thanks for another informative video.
Yes I wish they made one that could do 20 meters too. 73, Walt
11 meters actually was a ham band at one time.
Like you Walt i am very happy using both CB and Amateur radio equipment. At the end of the day it is radio, get on air and chat to people. Export radios have a place in the hobby like amateur equipment has its place, whatever works for you is the radio for you. Enjoy the hobby, never forget it should be fun. Regards all Steve M6WVV UK
100% my friend!!!
Top Gun has the Retevis clone. They call it the Quad 5. Bob's CB has it priced at $500. I don't think they're gonna sell many of them if the Retevis is $200-$220. I like the looks of it and kind of want to get one. But my RCI Ranger RG-99 still works and CB is pretty dead in my area of CT. On top of which, I live in a condo so I can't have an 18' antenna to get good skip. I wish President would make a base station.
I am learning daily. I bought a cb. I live in rural maine. A 4 watt radio doesn’t reach much. I wish they could reach farther. This sounds great. Sorry not sorry. I want to be able to reach friends 15 miles away successfully without depending on skip.
One of my stations is on the Adroscoggin/Oxford Co border; you can do it!
Get you could get a 5/8th's sigma antenna and mount it as far up as you possibly can preferably with the base of it about 20/23 feet up put it on a flag pole or a extendable pole. The radio I have is a Uniden PC78LTXFM 4 watts and I'm talking 11 miles away to someone I know and it's a omni antenna but you might also want to consider getting a beam antenna with a rotor then you would probably be able to talk maybe 50 miles or so in one direction those antennas are directional antenna's unlike the 5/8ths sigma. I also bought a Workman DM-507-4 replacing the stock Uniden mic that comes with the radio it is a very hot mic. As far as exceeding the 4 watt legal limit I have no intentions on going there. I want to talk locally use my radio locally and 4 watts keep me local it's more stelthy too I don't want the whole world hearing me. Also for those choosing to run the powerful radios thinking because they have a 10 meter radio that somehow makes it legal for their use on 11 meters they might want to consider the consequences should they get caught up with $500 per each violation a $10,000 dollar fine or possible prison time? No thanks.
@ I’ve got an antenna I’m putting up, that’ll be about 22’ high. I have a book on antennas I bought, and I’m learning. It’s a very deep well of information to go through. But I’m headed down that rabbit hole
@@dirigoelectric It sounds like you're on the right track. And you will likely find that due to the radio violators the high power radios that's referred to as skip during the day hours is rough. So if you are talking to locals you may find yourselves jumping to different channels to finish a conversation here and there.
One thing you want to take care of before you begin talking on the radio is to make sure you have your SWRS set make sure the SWRS are nice and flat as low as they can go but for sure under 2. And that's the nice thing about the Uniden PC78LTXFM is that it has the built SWR meter for checking your SWRS. One thing is for certain is you never want to key down your radio without a antenna attached to it that would burn out the finals in your radio.
Also once you're up and going you might find it hard to find any locals in your area on the radio. And is that case you could do what I have done. Make you some leaflets with information and pass them out pass them out at the grocery store schools the gym or where ever in your area list the time and channel to meet on such as: CB Radio Community Meetings Everyday On Channel 21 7PM. Also consider having your a custom bumper sticker made with that information you can have those made on ebay make a bumper sticker and put in on the back of your vehicle display in in the window or bumper. And then there's T-shirts you could have some of those printed too and be sure to pass these ideas around to others too comments or where ever to give them the idea as well because everyone needs a good uncensored alternative for communication in these times.
Hey now bankrober waving!!! I've been running a Stryker sr-655hp for 3 years in my truck and love it!!
Great video Walt! Any radio that gets me my DX contacts is good with me! I spend a year getting the folks in my radio club to accept Chinese radios as good. I won that battle, finally. It was my G90 and the number of long distance contacts I made that did it. It is so great to have radios that a technician license holder can afford and that gets them into the HF world. 11-meter is radio period. I think sad hams don't like that you don't have to take a test to operate CB. Radio is radio and I love everyone who enjoys radio, be it 11-meters or any other band. Thanks again...73...Hugh...KN6KNB.
Thanks!! 73 my friend
This is unrelated but you might find it interesting. In the in the US Marine Antenna Handbook. MCRP 6-22D "To make a long wire antenna directional, place a terminating device
at the distant station end of the antenna. The terminating device
should be a 600-ohm" "Constructing a long wire antenna requires only wire, support poles,
insulators, and a terminating resistor (if directionality is desired).
The only requirement is that the antenna be strung in as straight a
line as the situation permits. The antenna is only 15 to 20 feet above
ground, so tall support structures are not required. The antenna is
normally fed through a coupler that can match the antenna’s 600-
ohm impedance. Coaxial cable can be used if a 12 to 1 balun is
available to convert the coaxial cable 50-ohm impedance to the
required 600 ohms."
That’s a great book, I have a copy
Why not take a 9:1 long wire terminate to ground with a 450ohm 200w resistor to make it directional as well as removing the need for a tuner.
@ give it a try, sounds like a great experiment
Salty Walt, We as Licensed Amateur Radio Operators have been given Trust. Good Engineering Practices..! I too dabble in 11 Meters and as long as I follow the Rules and Regulations of the FCC and ARRL Guidelines do not see a Violation or problem of any kind. Thank You KC3ZDW and 73
Roger that, as I said in the video I myself operate 11 with FCC type approved radios. 73
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Good content! Thank You
Hi Walt! Thanks for the information. I hope to remember about these radios when I get to a point of expanding my shack. 73
@@jackmortimer329 thanks for watching! 73, Walt
An excellent reference video for these types of radios. Well done!
Thank you!!
Walt I hear people on 11m and 10 m using 1, 500 watts through Yagi multi element beams even when conditions mean you can work anywhere on 5 watts so I don't get wound up by export radios at full chat on either band as they are much more in line with my QRP mindset. I stick to simple wire and vertical antennas becaue to me ERP is much more relevant than the wattage of the rig and I will never use or own an amp (I lie I have several guitar ones lol). Like all hobbies you can spend fortunes to get results or you can use your brain and learn properly and get results that way. I love your approach, that's why I am always here to listen 73 M7BLC
Roger that my friend! 73, Walt
I was a cb'er in the 1970's but left after it went from 23 channels to 40 channels and the FCC got rid of the licensing.
Nice show of export radios. Yes their is so many that would take a 8 HR video. The ones showed are the most common ones . Most are great radios. Some are somewhat hard to use on HAM bands do to channels . But once you learn that it is somewhat easy . Some have VFO mode which is what I use. I have the QT 60 and compared to the RX on IC 7300. Both receive about the same. The ICOM has better internal speaker but with same Heil PRO 6 headset . both sound the same. The filters for noise in IC 7300 much better and more adjustable filters. But 1K USD radio. But the QT 60 has great RX and nice filters. The TX is about the same on same power. The icom has a processor which is better for SSB when set correctly. The Heil mic on the QT 60 is GREAT ! I have a old RCI 2950 and the QT 60 is so much better ! CB skip is crazy strong at times. In the AM in NY I have been hearing Russian on CB free band. Without knowing Russian I am not sure what part is coming from. My UK friends told me Russia somewhere. They hear it as well. The next time it comes in is from Winter to Spring . This is also Japan open at times for me. Summer I get short DX ,South of Equator mostly like Brazil. Or Mexico . Lately the CB is full of Spanish . and it is strong ! They love CH 9 CB !! . I even heard them on 46 MHZ . Not sure what country coming from. Not very legal in US. My IC 7300 has full open RX to 72 MHZ . I cant TX . KK6USY got Lord callum on 10 meters was great ! It is on live stream . 73 .
Cool! Catching Callum is awesome
I have encouraged new Techs onto getting one of these radios. With an Antron 99, power supply they can have an inexpensive station and work the world.
Absolutely!
My only concern is the purity of the signal on these export radios. Some radiate on harmonics and can interfere with other services. I have FCC certified CB radios and my ham equipment are manufactured by reputable companies. I enjoy both hobbies.
thanks Walt!
73 my friend
This brings me to the topic of my last comment.... all hams that hate 11m should probably not be operating 7200!!!
Roger that!
I totally agree.. I didn’t realize that 7200 was an expanded CB channel. LOL
I@@COASTALWAVESWIRESI'm new to the radio world, what is 7200? As I bought a QT 80
@@joemarchinski914 7.200 on the 40 meter band. It's a sewer filled with people that flagrantly ignore the rules and best operating practices. Sadly, some of the rodents there are actually licensed. On the bright side, they tend to stick to just one frequency per popular band.
The Wild Wild West 😅
Hi Walt. Back in my 11m days, export radios were CB radios that were meant for other than U.S. markets, and were not type accepted by the FCC, therefore not legal to to be brought to the U.S. Even today I would not buy any radio with a channel display. Probably because back then the export radios were only slightly better in performance than the type accepted radios. Neither could come even halfway close to the performance of my Kenwood TS-520S. Is the performance of modern export radios on par with Ham radios from the 80s or 90s?
I think today’s export radios are much better for sure. And as I said in the video, a great way for a new ham to get on the air with a new radio that only cost them $150 to $300.
When i use my k-po dx5000 i feel like i'm 15 years old ( was in the 80's) . Thanks for your videos Walt ! 73 de DC7AI
@@andreasjessen5392 😂that’s awesome! 73 my friend
Same discussion in Sweden
Roger that!
great video as usual.
Thank you!
Are there any that a CW op would recommend?
I got the President Lincoln II + because it was suppose to be able to do CW, but there were real problems with it, such as cutting off the first dit, when you start sending. It wasn't very CW friendly, so I eventually sold it.
@@jonizornes5286 great question, I don’t think any of these are stellar CW rigs even though they claim to be CW capable. Someone else here might know better. 73, Walt
To me boots in the ground information should gathered from a CB. I wouldn't care really but form a ham standpoint, i see it from both sides, most of ny neighbors are country folk and there on 11m truth be told im gonna run. A CB radio in my truck, travel trailer and in my home as well as a UHF/VHF radio as well as a Scanner. if it wasnt for Scanners i wouldnt have any interest in Ham or CB and two silent keys encouraged me to get my ticket and now i got my ticket im gonna continue on my journey to get into qrp cw to continue his legacy.
73, kq4hcu
Roger that! 73, Walt
Export radios have to be designed to be modified by CBers and freebanders, but they are useful for hams on a budget. They don't seem to do CW at all well though.
Not being able to do CW very well was my problem with the President Lincoln II +.
I had a Kenwood TS-430 and an Icom 706 mkII, never one of their noise filters did half as good at knocking out the motor noise of my truck like the Anytone 6666 did. If you're looking to just run 10 or 12 meters those export rigs are a good option.
Roger that!
Nice to see another TS-430 user! We're getting few and far between!
@@TheREALJosephTurner sadly I let a friend talk me into selling mine to him. I sure worked a lot of countries with that rig back when the country hunters net was active. Wish I still had it.
Most of these radios are basically the same, just different labels like you said
Simple. If it has Talkback, Echo, Roger Beep, a "Clarifier" and the A, B, C... "band".. it's a CB. The rest is just a way to circumvent the rules.
And an excellent way for a ham to get a 10 meter rig that doesn’t break the bank
The FCC should just go ahead and up the legal wattage for 11 meter! I’ve been into cb since I was a kid in the 70’s, and still enjoy it and gmrs.
@@hatchetjackphillips I agree completely
Up the wattage on 11 meters? Have you heard the radio during daylight skip hours lately? It's so trashed out you can't even hear a conversation. All that wouldn't happen if the 4 watt limit was obeyed. A lot of operators have and are ditching their radios due to that cause and it's a shame they bought their radios they abide by the rules and they're robbed of the use of their radio. The power radios are giving CB radio a bad reputation causing many not to take CB radio serious and at a time when the CB radio is a must a necessity not only for a crises but censorship avoidance and regular reliable communication.
Of course they're ham radios...nudge nudge, wink wink. Most hams would want transceivers that cover all the bands for those low sunspot years when there is zero activity on 12/10 meters.
I completely envy you styrker is gonna spot yea to review one, wished i was a powerful RUclipsr 😂
😂 I can’t wait!
Walt, I know these you tube channels are about advertising. But,,, You should warn people that in 5 yrs from now, when the solar cycle is down, a 4watt radio isn't gonna talk. maybe 5 miles, at the most. And that's what its designed for.
That’s exactly what I explained in my last video.
Anytime 5555N2 is a great 10m rig that really works well on 11m, almost like they designed it for that. 😂😂 talk about well priced rig.
Hahaha almost like they designed it for that 😂
Channel knob with detent, Echo, Roger Beeps. they want the 11m market.
Exactly!
these are true HAM RADIOS . They do not come with the frequencies for CB in other countries. If someone wants other nations frequencies they would buy EU radios , but they dont. Why They are 4 watt radios.