Mike, this video makes me proud to be a current owner of a President CB. The radio I own is the President Johnson II USA. I was fortunate to be the very first person to own this particular model in the USA. It really is a very good CB. It beats the pants off of the Cobra 25 and 29 radios that used to be in my pickup as far as adjacent channel interference goes (great while on the road and you are talking to a friend on another channel, and a fairly close by trucker is on channel 19, or one of the channel 6 people are running tons of power) and also filtering out that annoying alternator whine in my 2013 Chevrolet Silverado. The Cobras could just not filter it out. After watching this video, both me and my Wife are getting McKinley USA CBs for our pickups, and the Johnson II USA will be used as a base radio. Thanks for the video.
In the appalachian mountains when there was no cell phones CB was a necessity that saved lives and kept people safe during the winter when roads got bad and other challenegs of nature.
This looks like a nice radio.........its been years since I brought a brand new radio, but there are a few new Vehicles coming to me shortly to put radio's in, and on your good review, I think this will be the one I fit to all of them.......good stuff for the company to put it in the hands of a respected Tech and someone who understands the day to day use of them.......thumbs up from me .
Great review! I purchased two of these via Amazon. One for me and one for my friend, who lives six miles away. Edit to note we have used our radios so often we've worn out the switches inside the microphones! I purchased a new microphone to determine if the cutting out of the transmissions was caused by a defective microphone. It was. I have a second new microphone I ordered on the way for my friend's radio.
Nice review!! I was recently sent one of these for review also. I have not had a chance to do the review but I am loving the radio. It is packed with great features and you are correct about the SWR feature that is awesome. Setting the SWR with my Firestick took all of 30 seconds to a minute. Thanks for the great review!!
Mike, I've owned the McKinley for almost a year. I love it. It is hands down the best small SSB rig I've owned (except my old HR2510) I've been a radio geek since the 1960s. I bought it for a road trip and now it shares space with my FTDX3000. I also like the fact that you make an effort to keep these radios clean ( I saw what you did to that Lincoln II). Well done. Subscribed!
Ive been around cb and ham my whole life. My earliest childhood memories mostly my mom and my grandmother who always talked and lived on her president madison with d104 double key sitting on a table next to her lazy boy in the living room that she bought new from radio shack and the antenna was a starduster sitting in a tree top on a monuntain and 1800 feet of coax run to it from the house. It was a part of the family that kept all our freinds and neighbors close connected.
As a Ham this is the first CB in many years that I bought for my truck. I hate chrome, roger beeps and echo. The fact that the beep is really low is one of the reasons I bought it !
Not sure why you'd buy a radio based on it's low roger beep, when it can be turned off outright? But not to knock you, it looks a great radio and if the UK version with FM is anything like as good I'll be looking into one myself.
You have sold me on this radio. I got out of CB years ago, when I started into commercial VHF. I find it funny that modern CB's are looking more and more like the current VHF/UHF mobiles. I like it though. This is a very practical radio for a daily driven vehicle, and it will fit in well in a Havis console. 😉
MIke is a electronics Doctor and living legend .I was dealing with radio technicians in Europa and USA for years .Mike is the so far, one of the easiest to understand .Mike you should go to University and start teachiching electronics to young people.From today I will call you.Profesor Mike.73 KD0GYE.
Been running one of these in my motor home for a couple of months now, and I really like it. As Mike said, the ASC works really well. While the transmit audio was decent, it didn't have that loud clarity that I like. Plus, I really like having echo on all my radios. Solved both problems with a Xtreme 2018 Road Noise Echo mic. The modulation really came to life with it and it's loud and clear. I have actually had people ask what kind of radio I was running because of the sound. Running my set up with a grounded Firestik side mount and a Firefly 4' antenna. Also using the front firing internal speaker. It's plenty loud and clear enough.
Back in the mid 80,s every thursday night at 8 pm there was near 40 some folks in several surrounding countys all gathered on channel 3 and take turns playing live bluegrass music to eachother showing off talent. My mom and grandma would play guitar and banjo and sing bluegrass gospel on the air when they had theyre turn. This would go on all night sometimes but it was a spiritual expieriance of folks showing off natural talent to eachother on cb channel 3.
That was a great review, I'm sold after watching this. I've always been a fan of CB radio, now that they have a compact radio that has a great performance I'm going to order this for my car.
As of today I personally have 5 in service between relatives. Working with long distance road technicians using company vehicles as assigned, easily swappable between rides is great with the light weight meaning less strain on mounting protocols and wear on internals themselves. Hard to reset power output to kickers going down road though, (set before heading out if needed). DW use is much more than MEM Scan b4 17:00, but 5 channels is great at sundown. Seeing your view of FINAL was the deciding thought for our purchase design, THANX. Oh yeah. Earth movers are starting to get these little guys now too, for similar reasons.
@@mikesradiorepair President McKinley USA I like lol feature I pretty much 100% I like the ACS I would try I own 980ssb I love that lol feature in that I got w906 wireless mic love that
Great review!! I have been looking for a compact ssb/cb for my mobile. As I watched you handle this radio, I was impressed with the size, and then later the internal design for this radio... I think I shall soon own one due to your review!!!! Thanks and 73!!!!
I absolutely LOVE the ASC feature in my President Lincoln II+ and I use this feature every day and it works fantastic. The original Automatic Squelch they used to put in the original President Lincoln, HR2510 and 2600 radios were strictly analog and worked very different from the current "ASC" they use nowadays. I still have my old HR2510 and the old version of Auto Squelch in that radio works differently by only allowing signals to break the squelch that are S-3 or higher. The current Auto Squelch Control version works much better though.
What an awesome review on this new Mckinley Michael. I LOVE MINE ! And since you have the service manual, I'm thinking of sending mine to you for a coarse clarifer unlock at least ... I'll be in touch soon.
After watching several of your videos on CB and SSB radio's I found one of these for my 41 year old GMC motorhome.. a New Old Stock Ray Jefferson Marine Mobile CB-740 CB/AM Transceiver was looking for something well built and old style looking..lol thx.
That was a great review I think I'm going to get a mckinley for my pickup truck need an amp driver. My 980 is cranked way up for my dump truck and i cannot drive an amp with it. the only thing would have been cool if you did a power test on a.m. and Side Band with the variable power knob I guess it's probably only relevant to me because I need to drive an amplifier. But awesome review those McKinley seem to be very very good radios
Hold up well in diesel car use. Just wish had extra channels. Hope to see that mod soon. Bought with truck stop point or would have went with export at-6666 for same retail price. For FCC radio real nice
Awesome video. I'm currently a uniden 980ssb owner in the mobile, and you have me nearly convinced to buy the McKinley. BUT... I need to know. When using in the mobile, does the weather radio auto scan to find the strongest (i.e closest) weather station? The 980 has this feature and is actually more vital to me than the cb itself (car driving nurse with Oklahoma weather). Thanks again for the awesome through review!
I honestly didn't know. I have my bench radio set to WX channel 3 and it never moves off of that so I had to check. If I hit the weather radio button it switches to weather radio mode. If I then hit the scan button it switches into scan of the weather channels.
@@mikesradiorepair Sounds like similar behavior to the 980. Thanks for the reply! With the 980, I can turn Wx scan on/off and Wx Alert on/off... and if I turn on the Wx radio to listen ... and if scan is on ... turning the dial causes it to go thru and find the strongest station (typically the one I was listening to when I pushed the Wx radio button). And - the Wx Alert was enough to scare the Bejesus out of me one night when I was between patient visits (hospice nurse). I often wander between regions of local weather stations, so I can see it swapping stations to the strongest station at my various destinations. I really like the forward facing speaker of the McKinley and can see me swapping out the double DIN height stereo (with the flaky volume) for a new radio and a McKinley ... BUT - I can also see going with the Lil Bill and that same 2m/440 FM rig in my car. It's not often I'm using SSB in the mobile.
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, 741, and cbradiomagazine are all to blame ;) Thanks! And make sure to let Pres know so they send you more stuff to play with ;)
I'm looking at a cb radio for wife's car, looks like this one or the Unidentified 880. The main reason is for the weather radio with alert functions. Does this President Andy model use S.A.M.E. encoding and tone for weather alerts?
I'm not sure about the auto squelch function , there was no mension of turning It off . Sometimes the station you want to hear is just audible way in the grass / mud . I didn't say talk to . Yeah so sencitivity helps . People do crash , and the antennas get mangled in roll overs . And they will transmit . If they survive .
Thanks, Mike the Radio is a Hit!! It Works great as you already stated, the SWR Beep pointer Works like a charm, it's Amazing how the technology has Come with these Radios, please continue with your reviews, HAPPY 2019 in your business of Radios!!!☝️☝️
What is your modulation percentage I get 110% On 2 Watts out of my radios, A galaxy 99 DX V.Tn, Peaks out at 20 to 25 Watts. Good job Mike I’m a ham operator,Tn.
Hello mike, this is mike as well lol. I was wondering, i have a McKinley that's out of alignment and I have a friend whos willing to help me align it but i need help finding alignment manual. I've found the manual online but for the board model numbers matching it up with the manual I'm not sure if I have the right one. the big numbers printed on my board say PB-373AB 1/4 and the sticker label they put inside has 3 lines 1st line says UT566z 2nd line VA3194 and 3rd line V200. not sure if any of those numbers are the "Model number" for the board. in manual I found where a few of those numbers matched but was missing or had extra characters in the number like for example I found in manual PB-373A but it didn't have the AB does the B matter? those sorts of things. Not sure if your on qrz the call is w9btm contact info is good. Any help would be appreciated. Thank 73
Roger beep helps on SSB hearing end of TX. If used properly they're great, I know many clowns just use them as noise toys on AM. The SWR circuit on that is sheer genius.
Roger beeps are totally unnecessary. If you're a proper sideband radio operator then you will use Q codes and say "over" when you're through with the QSO. I always used "over" when I stopped talking and transmitting.
I still have my old President HR2510 I bought new back in 1992 and it has their original 'auto-squelch' feature. Basically any received signal of at least 3 "bars" will open the squelch but it's strictly analog on these old radios.
Mike hello and thanks for this presentation. I bought this for home use thinking it would come with a power supply that plugs into the wall. What kind of power supply should I look for to order one for home use?
What if the clarification is out from the rigs you receive from? Suppose it matters only with the operators rig! I am waiting on an order for a President McKinley looking forward for its arrival thanks for your demo👍
You unlock the clarifier so that the transmitter swings with the clarifier. The clarifier and transmitter are then tied together so that you can talk between frequencies or to those who are off frequency which is a lot!
I was listening intently until you got to the mouse fart at 100 yards in a wind storm, I haven't stopped laughing since and I have no idea what you said after that. I'm a ham radio operator so I eat this stuff up. I love the service manual. How about the tunable receiver? Guys that's a rare breed now. Uniden is killing tunable radios. Go president.
Mike good vid,thats why UK went NFM originally on cb "noise squelch" most sets supported this,some did use carrier squelch on NFM too mainly export multimodes. None of that carrier stuff open close open close :) wink ASC works well on new presidents,can see Mckinley becoming popular set,DIN mounts available in UK here for most sets. Sure USA President will get them in stock soon. Like the variable TX power function handy. 73's Rob
One question: Here in Sweden (and all over Europe) the radio also has FM. Are there any other differences, as far as you know, between the U.S. and export version? Have the board been revised since this early review?
Just got one love it . On am with good antenna it probably can get 6 to 8 miles out or better straight out of the box. Don't have test equipment but I have Seen youtube that it's clean out of the box.
My asc works well on my Stryker 955. The only thing it doesn't have is a weather function, but I can live with that. Side band can be on, but that doesn't mean that the other radio's you are listening to are on. I have to tune in one person while some others will be off or vice versa. Clarifier can be dead on but others that are transmitting need to be right on as well or you will have to tune them in.
Adonis cmj Stryker is a POS that drifts on SSB. I know people who say theirs does not but enough testing has been done that we know they do just like most other modern Export CB radios. They are over hyped, over priced, & overrated garbage.
It is a bit strange that Citizens Band Transceivers are not based on PowerSDR technology which would make them much lighter as all processing is done using high school mathematics on DSP processors and not discrete electronic components and has DSP based Adaptive Noise Filtering to give a nice clean audio minus the interference.
Hi there like to ask is the ML145 mobile antenna quite compatable for DX ssb or if not what other would you recommend as I have a president grant ii and would you recommend to use a burner also
great review mike. glad to see someone admit the negatives when they are given the radio for free. Do you think that ACR problem could be fixed with narrower skirts, or do you think this is a thin copper PC board problem? also, i wonder if that "bodged" diode on top of the board might not be for a channel conversion? you know how they always used to make the removable part very obvious. sure wish it had an analog meter. i might buy one if it did.
+loosecannonradios This radio is pretty much channel mod proof. Mark is our only hope cracking this one. It will require a entire new main MCU / display board with his special magic like he is doing on the 980SSB. The big killer here is the custom masked processor they are using. The display on this radio needs a large amount of control lines, more than any other chip can do. The only option may be a dual chip solution and possibly double stacked boards. Time will tell Doubt the board quality has anything to do with A RCI, it's a nice high quality board. I may try some different filters and see what effect that has.
Have a look at the European version - same price - obviously 40 different channels but has FM too and a HUGE Heatsink behind output amp as can be expanded by snipping one wire and moving 2 jumoers T centre rear on EU machine. Shame Australia isn't on EU frequencies as FM would be great.Must be totally different build inside Vs simple FCC version?
How do you rate it against the President HR2510? I own one that has no receive. This radio has more options. But my 2510 goes from like 2600-2900 channels.
Hey, if you get a chance, would you please make a note of the dead key of this radio on all of the power levels? Also, if the variable power control works on SSB, please post that as well. Thanks for your help.
I use to be into cb in a very large way ,some of my last radios were a Tram 900.00. Plus a silver eagle,A Robin tube type too..,and a Motorola digital you could do everything from the Mike ,I always had all the top radios ,for 20 year ,gave it up in 1990 ,got rid of everything ,Is it very big anymore ,Right now I trying to get into two meter hand helps ,I bought two radios to learn on ,it's way harder to learn ,so you work on two meter radios too.
I actually won this radio from President Electronics right before they went on the market and I did a video on here operating it and had a DX contact on Side Band as soon as I hooked it up for the first time Straight Out of the Box. I own a lot of radios. And this is by far one of my most favorite radios I have ever owned. I run this radio everyday in my vehicle. I was running an RCI 2950dx before and this radio took its place that's how much I love this radio. This radio also has by far one of the best receivers for a mobile a radio. And you are 100% right about the Rodger beep it sucks. And I absolutely love the review you did on this radio. My question is cuz I plan on buying another one can the radio be modified for extra channels?
mark williams it was a European market radio first. DIN mount radios are almost non-exsistent here and the if you have a 24 volt system you are driving something from military surplus.
Does anyone here affirmatively know whether a dynamic mic can be used with this radio (the USA FCC model)? I cannot find a menu setting to change it from the electret mic.
I bought this CB on 3-5-19, By 5-9-19 the channel display went out. Can still kind of tell what channel I'm on cause it displays some parts of numbers. I can only get 3/4 of mile range. It is slowly falling apart. I was hopeful it would perform as needed.
Mike, at 35:16 the peak envelope power (PEP) for a 4W carrier at 100% modulation is 16W, not 12.... and the peak instantaneous sine wave power is twice that, which is 32W. Very detailed review. Would you send me the PDF service manual ? Or at least share the schematics for the RF output stage. I would love to know the biasing components for those two mosfets. BTW, the UFZ24N is the same as IRFZ24N, which is dirt cheap compared to the old bipolars C1969 and MRF477.
Oh shit! You know what i looked on line and seen the $200 bill Vs the $150 bill of the 980ssb and when you busted the Service manual out.. thumbs up i would go for the President McKinley
Yes, the promotion is still going on. I had to check on it to see exactly when it ends, but September 30 is the final day of the promotion. For details: president-electronics.us/Promotions Well worth it.
I'm wondering by now, How is Your Feelings on this radio, now? I'm look'n for another one for my truck. I'm in no big hurry for one just look'n right now. But, I do want upper & lower Sideband. I Don't care bout the RB either. Never use them ever, the people I talk to knows when I'm done talk'n😉
+Ken Price Can't really compare one to the other. One is a AM/FM export and the other a AM/SSB legal FCC certified radio. Comparing both with other radios of their same type they are both in the top of their class.
I'd love to buy this, given the fabulous reviews. Will this run off my Subaru Forester lighter plug? My need is when I head for the woods where I need to listen in on where log trucks are. Any advice from anyone on what sort of antenna I might get? Also, anyone ever mount one of these in a Subaru Forester?
With all the features on the McKinley I do want to get one price how much? Who has them and what are the channels other than the 40 if it had 100 to 200 watts it would sell a lot unlocked clairifier is another so what is Mike's number
![Eminem - Like My Shit [Official Audio]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vx_IMvFkrfA/mqdefault.jpg)
I miss a real radio technician like Mike. This guy was a gift.
Mike, this video makes me proud to be a current owner of a President CB. The radio I own is the President Johnson II USA. I was fortunate to be the very first person to own this particular model in the USA. It really is a very good CB. It beats the pants off of the Cobra 25 and 29 radios that used to be in my pickup as far as adjacent channel interference goes (great while on the road and you are talking to a friend on another channel, and a fairly close by trucker is on channel 19, or one of the channel 6 people are running tons of power) and also filtering out that annoying alternator whine in my 2013 Chevrolet Silverado. The Cobras could just not filter it out. After watching this video, both me and my Wife are getting McKinley USA CBs for our pickups, and the Johnson II USA will be used as a base radio. Thanks for the video.
One of the things I love about my President McKinley is that it has a non-intrusive Roger beep
In the appalachian mountains when there was no cell phones CB was a necessity that saved lives and kept people safe during the winter when roads got bad and other challenegs of nature.
This looks like a nice radio.........its been years since I brought a brand new radio, but there are a few new Vehicles coming to me shortly to put radio's in, and on your good review, I think this will be the one I fit to all of them.......good stuff for the company to put it in the hands of a respected Tech and someone who understands the day to day use of them.......thumbs up from me .
Thanks for doing a thorough review on this radio. I was very curious on how the McKinley operated and the quality.
Great review! I purchased two of these via Amazon. One for me and one for my friend, who lives six miles away.
Edit to note we have used our radios so often we've worn out the switches inside the microphones! I purchased a new microphone to determine if the cutting out of the transmissions was caused by a defective microphone. It was. I have a second new microphone I ordered on the way for my friend's radio.
Nice review!! I was recently sent one of these for review also. I have not had a chance to do the review but I am loving the radio. It is packed with great features and you are correct about the SWR feature that is awesome. Setting the SWR with my Firestick took all of 30 seconds to a minute. Thanks for the great review!!
Mike, I've owned the McKinley for almost a year. I love it. It is hands down the best small SSB rig I've owned (except my old HR2510) I've been a radio geek since the 1960s. I bought it for a road trip and now it shares space with my FTDX3000. I also like the fact that you make an effort to keep these radios clean ( I saw what you did to that Lincoln II). Well done. Subscribed!
The inclusion of a service manual is indeed amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Ive been around cb and ham my whole life.
My earliest childhood memories mostly my mom and my grandmother who always talked and lived on her president madison with d104 double key sitting on a table next to her lazy boy in the living room that she bought new from radio shack and the antenna was a starduster sitting in a tree top on a monuntain and 1800 feet of coax run to it from the house.
It was a part of the family that kept all our freinds and neighbors close connected.
One thousand eight hundred feet? Did I read that correct? That's an insane length of coax 😦
As a Ham this is the first CB in many years that I bought for my truck. I hate chrome, roger beeps and echo. The fact that the beep is really low is one of the reasons I bought it !
Not sure why you'd buy a radio based on it's low roger beep, when it can be turned off outright? But not to knock you, it looks a great radio and if the UK version with FM is anything like as good I'll be looking into one myself.
Hey Mike have you ever checked the accuracy of the built-in radio swr meters of those president radios with a purpose built swr meter?
You have sold me on this radio. I got out of CB years ago, when I started into commercial VHF. I find it funny that modern CB's are looking more and more like the current VHF/UHF mobiles. I like it though. This is a very practical radio for a daily driven vehicle, and it will fit in well in a Havis console. 😉
MIke is a electronics Doctor and living legend .I was dealing with radio technicians in Europa and USA for years .Mike is the so far, one of the easiest to understand .Mike you should go to University and start teachiching electronics to young people.From today I will call you.Profesor Mike.73 KD0GYE.
Been Waiting for a Modern Super Small SSB Radio that would go Good in my Jeep Wrangler. I'm Sold !!!!
Been running one of these in my motor home for a couple of months now, and I really like it. As Mike said, the ASC works really well. While the transmit audio was decent, it didn't have that loud clarity that I like. Plus, I really like having echo on all my radios. Solved both problems with a Xtreme 2018 Road Noise Echo mic. The modulation really came to life with it and it's loud and clear. I have actually had people ask what kind of radio I was running because of the sound. Running my set up with a grounded Firestik side mount and a Firefly 4' antenna. Also using the front firing internal speaker. It's plenty loud and clear enough.
I just purchased this radio and the New York antenna together because of your reviews.
I am looking for a CB radio and after watching your video ....I am sold. Thanks for the review.
Back in the mid 80,s every thursday night at 8 pm there was near 40 some folks in several surrounding countys all gathered on channel 3 and take turns playing live bluegrass music to eachother showing off talent.
My mom and grandma would play guitar and banjo and sing bluegrass gospel on the air when they had theyre turn.
This would go on all night sometimes but it was a spiritual expieriance of folks showing off natural talent to eachother on cb channel 3.
Fantastic review good Lord the CB world needs you back in it.
Can you send me the service manual? I will put it up on my site.
That was a great review, I'm sold after watching this. I've always been a fan of CB radio, now that they have a compact radio that has a great performance I'm going to order this for my car.
I wish all roger beeps were that low. I understand the point of them. But these drivers driving around with them on drive me nuts!
As of today I personally have 5 in service between relatives. Working with long distance road technicians using company vehicles as assigned, easily swappable between rides is great with the light weight meaning less strain on mounting protocols and wear on internals themselves. Hard to reset power output to kickers going down road though, (set before heading out if needed). DW use is much more than MEM Scan b4 17:00, but 5 channels is great at sundown. Seeing your view of FINAL was the deciding thought for our purchase design, THANX. Oh yeah. Earth movers are starting to get these little guys now too, for similar reasons.
Thanks for the review Mike...if I were a CB'er I'd be sold!
+Dino Papas
You could always start. Sure you could rig up a home brew wire dipole in a few minutes. ;-)
Heck, I could use my SteppIR...it'll tune anywhere between 80m and 6m!
Dino Papas
LOL, kind of like me. I could pretty much stick a coat hanger out the back of my antenna tuner and tune it in for anything.
@@mikesradiorepair President McKinley USA I like lol feature I pretty much 100% I like the ACS I would try I own 980ssb I love that lol feature in that I got w906 wireless mic love that
Great review!! I have been looking for a compact ssb/cb for my mobile. As I watched you handle this radio, I was impressed with the size, and then later the internal design for this radio... I think I shall soon own one due to your review!!!! Thanks and 73!!!!
I absolutely LOVE the ASC feature in my President Lincoln II+ and I use this feature every day and it works fantastic. The original Automatic Squelch they used to put in the original President Lincoln, HR2510 and 2600 radios were strictly analog and worked very different from the current "ASC" they use nowadays. I still have my old HR2510 and the old version of Auto Squelch in that radio works differently by only allowing signals to break the squelch that are S-3 or higher. The current Auto Squelch Control version works much better though.
What an awesome review on this new Mckinley Michael. I LOVE MINE ! And since you have the service manual, I'm thinking of sending mine to you for a coarse clarifer unlock at least ... I'll be in touch soon.
After watching several of your videos on CB and SSB radio's I found one of these for my 41 year old GMC motorhome.. a New Old Stock Ray Jefferson Marine Mobile CB-740 CB/AM Transceiver was looking for something well built and old style looking..lol thx.
I just ordered one and need to turn down the AM watts to 3 watts max. Where is the pod for am power?
this was very interesting,and a manual......outstanding. I think i'll get one!
Have you ever got a service manual for the Lincoln 2+ ? It’s really starting to annoy me lol having it for the McKinley has been so nice.
That was a great review I think I'm going to get a mckinley for my pickup truck need an amp driver. My 980 is cranked way up for my dump truck and i cannot drive an amp with it. the only thing would have been cool if you did a power test on a.m. and Side Band with the variable power knob I guess it's probably only relevant to me because I need to drive an amplifier. But awesome review those McKinley seem to be very very good radios
Hold up well in diesel car use. Just wish had extra channels. Hope to see that mod soon. Bought with truck stop point or would have went with export at-6666 for same retail price. For FCC radio real nice
Awesome video. I'm currently a uniden 980ssb owner in the mobile, and you have me nearly convinced to buy the McKinley.
BUT... I need to know. When using in the mobile, does the weather radio auto scan to find the strongest (i.e closest) weather station? The 980 has this feature and is actually more vital to me than the cb itself (car driving nurse with Oklahoma weather).
Thanks again for the awesome through review!
I honestly didn't know. I have my bench radio set to WX channel 3 and it never moves off of that so I had to check. If I hit the weather radio button it switches to weather radio mode. If I then hit the scan button it switches into scan of the weather channels.
@@mikesradiorepair Sounds like similar behavior to the 980. Thanks for the reply! With the 980, I can turn Wx scan on/off and Wx Alert on/off... and if I turn on the Wx radio to listen ... and if scan is on ... turning the dial causes it to go thru and find the strongest station (typically the one I was listening to when I pushed the Wx radio button). And - the Wx Alert was enough to scare the Bejesus out of me one night when I was between patient visits (hospice nurse). I often wander between regions of local weather stations, so I can see it swapping stations to the strongest station at my various destinations.
I really like the forward facing speaker of the McKinley and can see me swapping out the double DIN height stereo (with the flaky volume) for a new radio and a McKinley ... BUT - I can also see going with the Lil Bill and that same 2m/440 FM rig in my car. It's not often I'm using SSB in the mobile.
The 980's weather alert notified me of a tornado that ended up coming within two miles of me. Very handy that day.
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, 741, and cbradiomagazine are all to blame ;) Thanks! And make sure to let Pres know so they send you more stuff to play with ;)
I'm looking at a cb radio for wife's car, looks like this one or the Unidentified 880. The main reason is for the weather radio with alert functions. Does this President Andy model use S.A.M.E. encoding and tone for weather alerts?
I'm not sure about the auto squelch function , there was no mension of turning It off . Sometimes the station you want to hear is just audible way in the grass / mud . I didn't say talk to . Yeah so sencitivity helps . People do crash , and the antennas get mangled in roll overs . And they will transmit . If they survive .
Thanks, Mike the Radio is a Hit!! It Works great as you already stated, the SWR Beep pointer Works like a charm, it's Amazing how the technology has Come with these Radios, please continue with your reviews, HAPPY 2019 in your business of Radios!!!☝️☝️
I noticed one thing the radio is missing for SSB users is a place for a frequency counter display. I like at least 6 digits for an accurate display.
A frequency counter is unnecessary for channelized service like CB. It's only useful if you're doing something else with it.
@@loctite222ms like ssb...
Great video Mike and your right other manufactures are not handing out manuals, I see Ranger charge a $25 retainer fee even on orders, great CB.
WOW, service manual this days!!!
What is your modulation percentage I get 110% On 2 Watts out of my radios, A galaxy 99 DX V.Tn, Peaks out at 20 to 25 Watts. Good job Mike I’m a ham operator,Tn.
This looks like a super radio! Do you feel I should even consider a tune when I get it? Seems like it is aligned and peaked pretty well.
Hello mike, this is mike as well lol. I was wondering, i have a McKinley that's out of alignment and I have a friend whos willing to help me align it but i need help finding alignment manual. I've found the manual online but for the board model numbers matching it up with the manual I'm not sure if I have the right one. the big numbers printed on my board say PB-373AB 1/4 and the sticker label they put inside has 3 lines 1st line says UT566z 2nd line VA3194 and 3rd line V200. not sure if any of those numbers are the "Model number" for the board. in manual I found where a few of those numbers matched but was missing or had extra characters in the number like for example I found in manual PB-373A but it didn't have the AB does the B matter? those sorts of things. Not sure if your on qrz the call is w9btm contact info is good. Any help would be appreciated. Thank 73
Roger beep helps on SSB hearing end of TX. If used properly they're great, I know many clowns just use them as noise toys on AM. The SWR circuit on that is sheer genius.
Roger beeps are totally unnecessary. If you're a proper sideband radio operator then you will use Q codes and say "over" when you're through with the QSO. I always used "over" when I stopped talking and transmitting.
I still have my old President HR2510 I bought new back in 1992 and it has their original 'auto-squelch' feature. Basically any received signal of at least 3 "bars" will open the squelch but it's strictly analog on these old radios.
I have noticed some have a bodged diode on the component side of the board and others don’t.
Do you have any information on this?
Can you direct me to a link that has the schematic?
I love Radios with forward firing speakers. Unfortunately there are no good AM/SSB rigs (ept3600 board) with forward firing spkr.
HELLO RANGER
Mike hello and thanks for this presentation. I bought this for home use thinking it would come with a power supply that plugs into the wall. What kind of power supply should I look for to order one for home use?
What if the clarification is out from the rigs you receive from?
Suppose it matters only with the operators rig!
I am waiting on an order for a President McKinley looking forward for its arrival thanks for your demo👍
You unlock the clarifier so that the transmitter swings with the clarifier. The clarifier and transmitter are then tied together so that you can talk between frequencies or to those who are off frequency which is a lot!
I was listening intently until you got to the mouse fart at 100 yards in a wind storm, I haven't stopped laughing since and I have no idea what you said after that. I'm a ham radio operator so I eat this stuff up. I love the service manual. How about the tunable receiver? Guys that's a rare breed now. Uniden is killing tunable radios. Go president.
realy good review. My custemers wold like this radio. ricks radio shop. flynn tx.
Mike good vid,thats why UK went NFM originally on cb "noise squelch" most sets supported this,some did use carrier squelch on NFM too mainly export multimodes.
None of that carrier stuff open close open close :) wink
ASC works well on new presidents,can see Mckinley becoming popular set,DIN mounts available in UK here for most sets.
Sure USA President will get them in stock soon.
Like the variable TX power function handy.
73's Rob
Hi Mike , do you sell them an do the adjustments you mention ? Ive been out of cb for quite a while but would like to get back in it . Thanks .
Mike. Would you take this over a 98 ssb. And why
He answered that. Yes he would.
One question: Here in Sweden (and all over Europe) the radio also has FM. Are there any other differences, as far as you know, between the U.S. and export version? Have the board been revised since this early review?
Just got one love it . On am with good antenna it probably can get 6 to 8 miles out or better straight out of the box. Don't have test equipment but I have
Seen youtube that it's clean out of the box.
Very good review. Thanks
My asc works well on my Stryker 955. The only thing it doesn't have is a weather function, but I can live with that. Side band can be on, but that doesn't mean that the other radio's you are listening to are on. I have to tune in one person while some others will be off or vice versa. Clarifier can be dead on but others that are transmitting need to be right on as well or you will have to tune them in.
Adonis cmj Stryker is a POS that drifts on SSB. I know people who say theirs does not but enough testing has been done that we know they do just like most other modern Export CB radios. They are over hyped, over priced, & overrated garbage.
It is a bit strange that Citizens Band Transceivers are not based on PowerSDR technology which would make them much lighter as all processing is done using high school mathematics on DSP processors and not discrete electronic components and has DSP based Adaptive Noise Filtering to give a nice clean audio minus the interference.
Good job Mike.
Let's be real here, who the fuck cares if a cb is legal or not? Never did, never will.
What power connection options are there for AC socket, for solar panels, car batteries, car cigaret socket, power pank, ...?
Hi there like to ask is the ML145 mobile antenna quite compatable for DX ssb or if not what other would you recommend as I have a president grant ii and would you recommend to use a burner also
The old HR 2510 and Lincoln radios had roger beeps that were ever so subtle...
I'm with you, don't care about the Roger Beep. As a rule I turn them off .
great review mike. glad to see someone admit the negatives when they are given the radio for free.
Do you think that ACR problem could be fixed with narrower skirts, or do you think this is a thin copper PC board problem?
also, i wonder if that "bodged" diode on top of the board might not be for a channel conversion?
you know how they always used to make the removable part very obvious.
sure wish it had an analog meter. i might buy one if it did.
+loosecannonradios
This radio is pretty much channel mod proof. Mark is our only hope cracking this one. It will require a entire new main MCU / display board with his special magic like he is doing on the 980SSB. The big killer here is the custom masked processor they are using. The display on this radio needs a large amount of control lines, more than any other chip can do. The only option may be a dual chip solution and possibly double stacked boards. Time will tell
Doubt the board quality has anything to do with A RCI, it's a nice high quality board. I may try some different filters and see what effect that has.
I just ordered one of these mainly because of the SWR setup
Have a look at the European version - same price - obviously 40 different channels but has FM too and a HUGE Heatsink behind output amp as can be expanded by snipping one wire and moving 2 jumoers T centre rear on EU machine. Shame Australia isn't on EU frequencies as FM would be great.Must be totally different build inside Vs simple FCC version?
one question....can it be expanded?????
No, it is program locked.
Hi great review thanks , may I ask you a dumb question please would this radio be able to work on new zealand cb frequencys ?? Kind Regards Snell
Yes it will but only on the 27Mhz sercice.New Zealand has both 26Mhz and 27Mhz use now.40ch on each service.
ZL1PO thank you for your reply !
How do you rate it against the President HR2510? I own one that has no receive. This radio has more options. But my 2510 goes from like 2600-2900 channels.
Excellent video Mike. Great little radio.
Hey, if you get a chance, would you please make a note of the dead key of this radio on all of the power levels? Also, if the variable power control works on SSB, please post that as well. Thanks for your help.
great video! im looking for a kick ass base unit to talk skip,can you help me out?
I use to be into cb in a very large way ,some of my last radios were a Tram 900.00. Plus a silver eagle,A Robin tube type too..,and a Motorola digital you could do everything from the Mike ,I always had all the top radios ,for 20 year ,gave it up in 1990 ,got rid of everything ,Is it very big anymore ,Right now I trying to get into two meter hand helps ,I bought two radios to learn on ,it's way harder to learn ,so you work on two meter radios too.
I actually won this radio from President Electronics right before they went on the market and I did a video on here operating it and had a DX contact on Side Band as soon as I hooked it up for the first time Straight Out of the Box. I own a lot of radios. And this is by far one of my most favorite radios I have ever owned. I run this radio everyday in my vehicle. I was running an RCI 2950dx before and this radio took its place that's how much I love this radio. This radio also has by far one of the best receivers for a mobile a radio. And you are 100% right about the Rodger beep it sucks. And I absolutely love the review you did on this radio. My question is cuz I plan on buying another one can the radio be modified for extra channels?
+david snow
No, at least not yet. Mark needs to look it over and see if a new custom MCU/display board may be possible.
Hi Mke, great vid!! is it possible to change AM freq for polish frequency in this President McKinley?
No, it's 40 channel US only.
I use 980 weather button like a lol plus 7 color display talkback love that digan tool mike
Looks like a nice radio. Are they bringing out a version or the UK market ? Maybe with FM. Great video, thanks.
mark williams it was a European market radio first. DIN mount radios are almost non-exsistent here and the if you have a 24 volt system you are driving something from military surplus.
How does the McKinley compare to the Lincoln 2+.
Why no heatsink on the McKinley.
Alan in the UK
Does anyone here affirmatively know whether a dynamic mic can be used with this radio (the USA FCC model)? I cannot find a menu setting to change it from the electret mic.
So the SWR function is sort of like the old A N range
Yeah , you would think the adjacent channel rejection would be better .
I bought this CB on 3-5-19, By 5-9-19 the channel display went out. Can still kind of tell what channel I'm on cause it displays some parts of numbers. I can only get 3/4 of mile range. It is slowly falling apart. I was hopeful it would perform as needed.
It may have a warranty an they may replace for free if it hasn't been "peaked & ruined"
do you still rebuild old 11 meter radios if so how do Iget ahold of you
What are your thoughts on Galaxy 949 ? Junk ? Or worth buying ?
Mike, at 35:16 the peak envelope power (PEP) for a 4W carrier at 100% modulation is 16W, not 12.... and the peak instantaneous sine wave power is twice that, which is 32W. Very detailed review. Would you send me the PDF service manual ? Or at least share the schematics for the RF output stage. I would love to know the biasing components for those two mosfets. BTW, the UFZ24N is the same as IRFZ24N, which is dirt cheap compared to the old bipolars C1969 and MRF477.
Oh shit!
You know what i looked on line and seen the $200 bill Vs the $150 bill of the 980ssb and when you busted the Service manual out.. thumbs up i would go for the President McKinley
+Matt
Would have to check their website but I think they are still running a $50 mail in rebate promotion to.
Yes, the promotion is still going on. I had to check on it to see exactly when it ends, but September 30 is the final day of the promotion. For details: president-electronics.us/Promotions Well worth it.
I'm wondering by now, How is Your Feelings on this radio, now? I'm look'n for another one for my truck. I'm in no big hurry for one just look'n right now. But, I do want upper & lower Sideband. I Don't care bout the RB either. Never use them ever, the people I talk to knows when I'm done talk'n😉
Yeah, me too! I always say "over" especially on side band.
I bought a Stryker 94 partly based on your review. How do you rate this radio compared to the Stryker?
+Ken Price
Can't really compare one to the other. One is a AM/FM export and the other a AM/SSB legal FCC certified radio. Comparing both with other radios of their same type they are both in the top of their class.
That is excellent, definitely was waiting for someone credible to do new radio reviews, awesome'
Excellent 👍😀
I'd love to buy this, given the fabulous reviews. Will this run off my Subaru Forester lighter plug? My need is when I head for the woods where I need to listen in on where log trucks are. Any advice from anyone on what sort of antenna I might get? Also, anyone ever mount one of these in a Subaru Forester?
With all the features on the McKinley I do want to get one price how much? Who has them and what are the channels other than the 40 if it had 100 to 200 watts it would sell a lot unlocked clairifier is another so what is Mike's number
Yes I like that SWR feature!
Yeah, no joke. It seems so simple of an idea, doesn't it?
Holy crap, President now just needs to make one of these in a 4x4x1 remote mic-style box and they takeover the remaining industry....