I agree, it's not what I would prefer. We have a 2nd car that I'll put this in. It's a perfect fit for what little room there is. Too bad it isn't the EU model - that one pretty much covers the range of frequencies anyone might want to use.
-
You can now help support WorldwideDX when you shop on Amazon at no additional cost to you! Simply follow this Shop on Amazon link first and a portion of any purchase is sent to WorldwideDX to help with site costs.
President McKinley Personal Review
- Thread starter Recon
- Start date
I agree, it's not what I would prefer. We have a 2nd car that I'll put this in. It's a perfect fit for what little room there is. Too bad it isn't the EU model - that one pretty much covers the range of frequencies anyone might want to use.
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.
Nice installation you have there. I also like using a Motorola speaker in the car. If I ever run across a great deal on the Uniden bluetooth microphone I may use that with the McK as well.
Yep, the Uniden Bluetooth Mic will work with the McKinley, and I thought about trying one, but have't pulled that trigger yet.
Sounds like the user prefers older style radios so not surprised he didn't like the McKinley.
For me it's been one of the best radios I've used in the last 10 years.
Dash mounted for two years now right under a aftermarket stereo - lots of heat in that tight area with the two radios and zero issues so he didn't need to worry about that.
Microphone feels smaller and cheap but it's actually pretty punchy compared to most stock microphones.
Yes - there are a lot of features packed into this radio and they all work very well. The auto squelch isn't great for DX but on road trips or local conversations it's actually pretty nice.
The SWR feature isn't designed for going through every single channel, it's more for a quick reference like most SWR features on most radios. I wouldn't say people need to test on more than 1, 20 and 40 and even then I'd always use an external meter myself.
Most impressive is the sideband performance after 2 years, never off frequency, always great reports and I haven't had a single thing on the radio break, go out of wack, or act weird.
While I agree the price was steep I'd pay it again as very rarely have I had a radio impress me and hold up over 2 years this strongly. Even my more expensive President Lincoln II V3 which I really like had a issue or two while this radio has had none.
For me it's been one of the best radios I've used in the last 10 years.
Dash mounted for two years now right under a aftermarket stereo - lots of heat in that tight area with the two radios and zero issues so he didn't need to worry about that.
Microphone feels smaller and cheap but it's actually pretty punchy compared to most stock microphones.
Yes - there are a lot of features packed into this radio and they all work very well. The auto squelch isn't great for DX but on road trips or local conversations it's actually pretty nice.
The SWR feature isn't designed for going through every single channel, it's more for a quick reference like most SWR features on most radios. I wouldn't say people need to test on more than 1, 20 and 40 and even then I'd always use an external meter myself.
Most impressive is the sideband performance after 2 years, never off frequency, always great reports and I haven't had a single thing on the radio break, go out of wack, or act weird.
While I agree the price was steep I'd pay it again as very rarely have I had a radio impress me and hold up over 2 years this strongly. Even my more expensive President Lincoln II V3 which I really like had a issue or two while this radio has had none.
I bought a used wireless Uniden mic off ebay. It was used and looked new. I can't get much audio out of it on the McKinley. Not sure if the mic is bad or not. I'm trying to work a trade for a 980 and see if it works with it.
You won't get much audio out of the wireless microphone, more like a basic stock mic so you won't see a lot of swing on SSB on the radio.
BUT I wonder if it would be possible to run in through my new ($130) 8 band processor/compressor since that works in-line and can make my stock mike sound like the loudest power microphone on the market on my Lincoln II
I don't have the wireless microphone anymore though so couldn't do a test for you.
A local bought one of the wireless mics shortly after they came out. He used it with his 980. I don't know what he seen on his end, but his audio was quite nice. I was very impressed with it. It was loud and clean. One of the reasons I bought this mic, I thought I'd get similar results with my McKinley. I haven't yet.
Any chance you could try the Uniden wireless mic on the AT6666 and see how that works? Supposed to be same pinout.. I asked in another thread but got nothing in 4 days or so..
I agree with you on that. How many times would you need to adjust a mic gain? Heck, in the "old days" we got along fine without mic gain and RF gain.
The scan feature is OK, but would have been nice to have it several years back when CB was booming.
I agree with Woody-202 stating that it is not worth $179.00.
I get it.
If you ever do hear me on 11m it's most likely a TRC-449 or uPD858 type.
The alternate "looks like" an HR-2510.
My Uniden Tempo 2020's also "listen" on 11m.
I still have a few PC-442 , 148's as well.
Mobile mic is a Turner SR90R body with a Shure brothers 99B86 element or 99S556 dual impedance element.
Base mic is a Turner Super Sidekick body with an element from a Uniden MK393 hand held.
Then the boat anchors...
Last edited:
As to the scan feature I do like it on my Bearcat 980. I use it just to find in ANYONE is even using the band anymore around Boise Idaho. A gravel yard is. This crew uses 25. A crew running around town doing something I have not quite figured out yet. This crew uses 8. There was one other I have not heard in awhile using 14. As to the rag chewers they are fading away but often could be found on 19 making the drivers crazy for dumping noise from the toys onto the channel. If I call out CQ on 19 I rarely get a response anymore. Sometimes a bored trucker might come on just to have someone to talk with for a moment.
Yesterday I noticed that there's a different voltage on pin 6 of a 980 vs.the one on the McKinley. It was noted when I hooked up my McKinley hand mic to the 980 (I was too lazy to dig out the 980NC mic) and couldn't get audio out. I know the pinouts are the same so I got the meter out and found about 8v on Pin 6 of the Uniden but on Pin 6 of the McKinley it was 11v (I'm rambling now) If I had just slapped a 4-pin mic w/adapter on it I never would have know. Sorry if I'm being redundant to another post
Do u notice any frequency drift when u first power on the MCKINLEY?
My Lincoln 2 plus starts off 100 khz high on power up and then stabilizes after about 30 mins.