President McKinley Personal Review

[Recon]

I received a new McKinley today and used it as a base station. The following is not a list of "pros and cons" and/or complaints, but just some information to be passed-on.
Out of the box, 2 to 4 watts using a MFJ-870 meter. (I hope the meter wiring has soldered connections....lol..lol)
Gimmick? The display colors can be either orange, green or blue. (I've been in the CB world since 1966 and the good old clear or amber lighting worked-out just fine.
The close location of the mic and the (most often used) Lock button can be difficult to access if you have bulky fingers. (Extra long fingernails would help)
The font size of the letters for the Mic Gain, RF Gain, RF Power and Frequency Counter are very small for my old eyes, but I managed to get by.
The Auto SWR check is OK, but you have to push-in the Channel Selector knob for each channel and it takes five minutes to complete the SWR check. Using the MFJ-870 was more convenient and easier for me.
I have mixed feelings about the Auto Squelch Control. Another gimmick?
I have no use for the Talk-Back feature and a few other features. It's a darn radio just like my good old flip phone! I just want to talk and listen.
The mic is OK but is not "hefty" and rugged for mobile use.
With the radio on my desk, the top and sides of the case seemed to be too warm for me and I would be concerned it would be warmer if the radio was installed in the dash of the vehicle.
This radio has a lot of "bells and whistles" crammed into such a small case. I am returning the radio because I had planned on installing it into the dash of my vehicle but I do not want to take the risk of it getting excessively warm being buried into the dash.

 

[Unit 75]

Very nice review. Get some "on the air" checks on how it performs. I have heard they have great audio. I have a Lincoln II Ver.3 here with that Auto Squelch Control thingy and do believe as you about it being a gimmick. Hope your MFJ-870 held together during the tests by the way hehehe

 

[Recon]

Very nice review. Get some "on the air" checks on how it performs. I have heard they have great audio. I have a Lincoln II Ver.3 here with that Auto Squelch Control thingy and do believe as you about it being a gimmick. Hope your MFJ-870 held together during the tests by the way hehehe

I'm not interested / enthused with this radio. I used it for about thirty-minutes and packed it up. I will be going to the UPS store @ 0900 today to return it to Amazon.
Oh yeah, the radio was made in Vietnam which is a BIG issue with me.
I've hooked-up my good old 2002 Uniden Grant XL and I'm all set.

 

[Slowmover]

I received a new McKinley today and used it as a base station. The following is not a list of "pros and cons" and/or complaints, but just some information to be passed-on.
Out of the box, 2 to 4 watts using a MFJ-870 meter. (I hope the meter wiring has soldered connections....lol..lol)
Gimmick? The display colors can be either orange, green or blue. (I've been in the CB world since 1966 and the good old clear or amber lighting worked-out just fine.
The close location of the mic and the (most often used) Lock button can be difficult to access if you have bulky fingers. (Extra long fingernails would help)
The font size of the letters for the Mic Gain, RF Gain, RF Power and Frequency Counter are very small for my old eyes, but I managed to get by.
The Auto SWR check is OK, but you have to push-in the Channel Selector knob for each channel and it takes five minutes to complete the SWR check. Using the MFJ-870 was more convenient and easier for me.
I have mixed feelings about the Auto Squelch Control. Another gimmick?
I have no use for the Talk-Back feature and a few other features. It's a darn radio just like my good old flip phone! I just want to talk and listen.
The mic is OK but is not "hefty" and rugged for mobile use.
With the radio on my desk, the top and sides of the case seemed to be too warm for me and I would be concerned it would be warmer if the radio was installed in the dash of the vehicle.
This radio has a lot of "bells and whistles" crammed into such a small case. I am returning the radio because I had planned on installing it into the dash of my vehicle but I do not want to take the risk of it getting excessively warm being buried into the dash.

JesseJamesDallas has had it installed in his dashboard (Jap trucklet) in hot as hell Texas for some time now. See those posts.

.

 

[Recon]

JesseJamesDallas has had it installed in his dashboard (Jap trucklet) in hot as hell Texas for some time now. See those posts.

.

It is too late! I left the radio at the local UPS store at 0810 today.

 

[Woody-202]

I've read about this radio for a couple years but I didn't think it deserved $180 of my money, but I just picked up a used model for under $100 and for that price point it's alright.

 

[Recon]

I've read about this radio for a couple years but I didn't think it deserved $180 of my money, but I just picked up a used model for under $100 and for that price point it's alright.

After having the radio for only one hour I agree with you 100%. Maybe $119.95 would be a good price to pay for a new radio. I prefer to have rotating knobs in lieu of push-in buttons. My opinion is that the only use for the adjustable RF Power feature is if you plan to connect to a linear amplifier, and the bar graph is difficult to see and adjust if the radio is in a vehicle.
The radio transmitted and received with no negative issues, but it's not for me.

 

[Mudfoot]

I like mine. Best CB purchase I've made in a long time. Sweet little rig.

 

[Alan Blackmon]

After having the radio for only one hour I agree with you 100%. Maybe $119.95 would be a good price to pay for a new radio. I prefer to have rotating knobs in lieu of push-in buttons. My opinion is that the only use for the adjustable RF Power feature is if you plan to connect to a linear amplifier, and the bar graph is difficult to see and adjust if the radio is in a vehicle.
The radio transmitted and received with no negative issues, but it's not for me.

Where did you find one at that price? I'd jump on that myself.

 

[Mudfoot]

I believe that

Where did you find one at that price? I'd jump on that myself.

I believe that what he feels it is worth.

 

[jessejamesdallas]

Well...No problems whatsoever with mine dash mounted...Been hooked up over a year and I get nothing but good reports back...Heat definitely has not been a problem, as the inside of my truck during the day reaches well over 120°, and there's plenty of times when I get long-winded on the radio...

I do agree with you however on the tiny read-out on the screen for things like frequency counter and mic gain, and such...Best thing to do is just set-it and forget-it...

As for the factory Mic, it's actually a quality Mic compared to what comes with a lot of radios...My biggest complaint is the short cord thats on it...(I actually use a RF Limited Extreme 2018 Mic with mine and a 4 pin to 6 pin adapter.)

Radio may not be for everyone, but it works perfect for me, and paired with my 1x2 amp I have no problems getting back with everyone I can hear.

 

[Rwb]

Think ima like my 980 ssb 's and galaxy 99v better

 

[Slowmover]

I’m looking forward to getting a McK for the Peterbilt.

And will likely buy another for my son (to be mounted in a TRC-1 carrier).

 

[sunbulls]

While operating any channelized radio, “set-it and forget-it” is what most people do or should do while driving. I have radios with both multi-knobs and push buttons, except occasionally adjusting the volume, I rarely fiddle with anything else unless I’m parked. I've seen a few truck radios with a missing channel selector knob. No big deal, they said it stays on 19 anyway.

 

[Mudfoot]

This radio is nice how the Rf power and mic gain is locked via menu. Adds extra safeguard to keep from poofing an amp.