President McKinley testing

[Big Kahuna]

President sent me a demo unit to test out -

It's a solid little SSB radio, similar to the Uniden 980 in features however I actually like the layout better on this radio. The variable power is nice and on AM low will do 1 watt swinging 10 watts which is perfect for matching up with a KL203. SSB is about 12-15. I saw a bells video where it showed over 25W AM but I didn't see numbers like that. As Mike mentioned in his video review the roger beep doesn't work - I talked with President and there is no immediate fix for that but they are working on the issue. Talkback is ok - definitely not as good as a separate talk back board.

Uniden 980 didn't fit in my dash as a DIN size radio - this one actually fit properly and the front firing speaker works great when dash mounted.

Made lots of west coast contacts so far - good reports - with stock mike it has clear audio but not overpowering. Frequency stability is great so far, no issues. Receiver is good and the speaker does a good job, nice sound.

At $199, price is a bit high but they are offering that $50 rebate. After testing both the 980 and McKinley at this point I'd be leaning towards the McKinley as my daily radio if I had to choose between the two. We'll see how it holds up with more testing over the next couple of months.

 

[codeman]

Really looks like a solid radio. Hopefully someone will come out with frequency expansions. Would be a great radio for my pickup.

Glad to see you do a new review. I have always liked your website and YouTube channel.

 

[Limeybastard]

Looks like Grant 2 cut down version for USA.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Looks like Grant 2 cut down version for USA.

I thought it might be as well but it's a completely different board than that radio or the Uniden 980.

 

[Limeybastard]

I thought it might be as well but it's a completely different board than that radio or the Uniden 980.

10-4 Brother.

 

[CB590]

That's my setup. McKinley and 203 (not P).. Set to 1.5w deadkey.. it hears well too..

 

[CB590]

Mic sits high enough I change channels super easy. Unit sits well just under cig/power plugs.

Still need to shorten power leads on both, maybe mount amp up under as well. Amp was under seat edge, but I have leaky windshield near top edge and it was dripping onto it.. :/

Overall good contacts thus far with it.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Nice setup! - I've currently got it mounted in-dash for testing. I'm really enjoying it so far, I haven't had a CB that has been this much fun in a while. It drives a KL203 really nicely.

I also did some audio testing on it and for test purposes I cranked the AMC and ALC to maximum inside the radio to see what it would sound like with the stock microphone and also with Road Devil D104.

Definitely overmodulating in the test as everything was maxed out but good to know that it at least has the range in the AMC. Aftermarket microphone definitely sounded better for my voice.

Going to try moving the mic element in the stock microphone to the open area and see how that sounds as well.

 

[Limeybastard]

Was it over modulating? I didnt hear resonating on the radio when this occured,

 

[LeapFrog]

Wow thanks, sounding good with a stock mic!
Limey, compare his audio from 5:38-to-5:55 & 6:21-to-6:40, now listen to his voice near the end of the video. Both radios are very close to each other, this could produce a noticeable effect on the receive audio, but one clip definitely sounds more like his natural voice.

 

[Limeybastard]

Wow sounding good with a stock mic!
Limey, compare his audio from 5:38 to 6:21, now listen to his natural voice from an earlier part of the video. (one sounds more like his voice, also both radios are close)

My dear LF, hope you are fine my friend. Yes, I hear a little something going on there.

 

[LeapFrog]

My dear LF, hope you fine my friend. Yes, I hear a little something going on there.

Thank You LB, Yes all is well for now; keeping an eye on "Irma" though. {Taking care though, be safe}

CB Radio Magazine, thank you for doing a good review of the President McKinley Radio, glad to see you back with a new review & YouTube video!

 

[silver devil]

I don't like much of the new stuff but I like this radio. It would be perfect for a low drive amp and not overdrive it. Looks like a winner to me.

 

[Onelasttime]

Prob. is the price. You can get the Lincoln II+ for less or the same price. The AT-6666 and RCI2950DX can all be had for about the same price. They need to get price down to not more than $149 retail.

 

[CB590]

Found a problem with the Mic in cold weather. When pressing the PTT the channel go's up.. or the PTT doesn't work.. I have to tap the Mic a few times to get it to function properly.. Thinking how the PTT and Channel up are tied together in the Mic might be the cause. We're talking when less than 40' F in my pickup .