The Console II was the top model in the SBE line. Also known as the “Console 2”, it was a full-featured 23 channel SSB base station. It was also a very large, heavy unit with a hefty power supply. These sold for around $400 in 1976, so only serious and/or wealthy operators could afford to… Read More »
This Land Command base station was one of the final CB radios produced by SideBand Engineers aka SBE. It was a 40-channel AM/SSB unit. The Land Command’s styling varied from SBE’s earlier models: the attractive wooden cabinets were gone and the meter appearance was quite different. In addition, a 5 pin DIN mike plug was… Read More »
SBE’s Trinidad was a stylish 23-channel base station, mounted in a wooden cabinet. It looked great in an office or a living room setting. All of SBE’s radios were solid performers and the Trinidad was no exception. When it was replaced in 1977 by the 40-channel Trinidad III, this original model became unofficially known as… Read More »
This is a Sears 23. The most basic of mobile CB radios. No RF gain, no noise limiters, no fine tuning, not even a meter! Even so, Sears sold a lot of these with a regular everyday price of $99.99. This was during a time when most other 23 channel mobiles were in the $130-170… Read More »
This radio was unofficially known as the “Sears 23 Plus.” As the upscale brother of the Sears 23, this ‘Plus’ model added a noise blanker, delta tune, and a large lighted S/RF/SWR meter. Notice the Sears CB radios were not yet called “RoadTalkers.” That started in 1977 with the 40 channel versions. In 1976, you… Read More »
This is a Sears RoadTalker 40 AM mobile CB radio. One of several models that were available from 1977 until the early 1980s. Lots of features including tone switch and built-in SWR meter. It looks almost identical to a more expensive model that included SSB and a built-in power supply for base station use.
The Sears RoadTalker 40 SSB base was a strong and vastly underrated radio. It had a very distinctive transmit audio, best described as “punchy” with lots of compression. New, this CB sold for $299.99 although frequent sales brought the price down to $249.99. This was my first SSB radio. I bought it on sale and… Read More »
Sears also made a “deluxe” version of their RoadTalker 40 SSB base station. Electronics and specifications were pretty much the same as the less expensive models. The exterior look was rather unique, however: an upright design with slide controls instead of the usual rotary knobs. A rare tone control and dual meters for S/RF and… Read More »
Sharp’s CB-800 is a basic 23-channel AM mobile unit. It features a large LED channel display but a small S/RF meter. Also includes automatic noise limiter (ANL), delta tune, and standard 4 pin female microphone plug. This radio sold new for around $140 in the mid-1970s. Another one of those small mobile CB radios that… Read More »
Every time I hear Teaberry, I immediately think of Mel Tilis. Mel was their spokesman and appeared in several commericals. The catch phrase was “T-T-Teaberry”, playing on Mel’s famous stuttering speech impediment. Today, of course, political correctness would stifle that kind of advertising. This Teaberry Racer “T” 23-channel mobile features delta tune, automatic noise limiter,… Read More »
This is the legendary Tram D-201A 40 channel AM/SSB base station. Both the D-201A and it’s predecessor the Tram D-201 23 channel AM/SSB base were top-of-the-line units in their time. The build quality of Tram CB radios is excellent. Today, they are highly valuable collector’s items. Every so often, you will see one on eBay.… Read More »
Truetone CB radios are Midlands under a different name. They were sold exclusively by Western Auto stores. This Truetone is a clone of the Midland 79-892 AM/SSB mobile radio. The Midland had a silver faceplate while the Truetone’s is black. Otherwise, they are identical. The most interesting “feature” of this unit is that there is… Read More »
Another week, another question regarding mobile CB antennas. A few days ago, I received the following e-mail: “What can you tell me about power antennas for CB radios? I would like to get one for my vehicle so when not in use it is safely tucked away. Thanks, Bob.” These were offered as optional equipment… Read More »
Letters! We get letters here at Drew’s Radio Site! Actually, e-mails. Annette wrote recently, asking about an item she found in grandpa’s basement: “Hi Drew, I came across your site while I was trying to find out some information about a vintage CB antenna I found in my grandfather’s basement. It’s a model CB-320 new… Read More »
Happy New Year’s, radio friends! Every New Year’s Eve, WLS in Chicago would count down the Top 89 songs of the year. At midnight, #1 would be played. Then, they would launch into a montage of the biggest hits from previous years. Each year, song snippets from the current year would be added. Eventually, it… Read More »
This past Sunday, John Records Landecker was voted into the National Radio Hall of Fame. It was his first appearance on the ballot. FINALLY, my all-time #1 radio idol gets the recognition he deserves. Across 38 states, gazillions of kids listened to JRL every night and said “I want to be on the radio like… Read More »
Three days ago, James Arthur Rud passed away. Many of us knew him as “Jimmy Reed”, a Minneapolis/St. Paul DJ with a career spanning over 4 decades. I started listening to radio when I was 3 years old. This was back in 1967. I heard many DJs, but there were two whom I quickly learned… Read More »
I purchased my first CB radio in August, 1976. Since I was only 12 and too young to drive a car, this meant I needed a base station antenna. Of course, the first place I looked was in my handy, dandy Radio Shack catalog. There were 4 options: Because I was on a tight budget,… Read More »
Apparently, Sarah’s Transistor Radios has been discontinued. Transistor.org was a fantastic resource. I’ll leave the link up, hoping that it will return soon. I just stumbled across this EXCELLENT site yesterday and wanted to share it with my fellow Radio Geeks. Sarah’s Transistor Radios offers high resolution photos of over 1,000 transistor radios from the… Read More »
Unless you’ve been under a rock for the past few days, you no doubt are aware that Apple has released the long-awaited iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Like most people, I immediately noticed what the new iPhone doesn’t have: a headphone jack. This is a problem. Especially if you’re an audio junkie like me.… Read More »