Sorry I missed a couple of days. It was the Thanksgiving Day Holiday; and I was on kitchen duty. I was too tired to write up anything yesterday as well; I had a lot of clean-up to do afterwards. I had a chance to think about what I would need to say; and decided to expand on the experience of purchasing your first CB. I asked myself: what would I need to know if I was new to CB radio and I wanted to choose a radio? What would I want to look for? What should I watch out for - as in what to avoid?
If you missed the two previous threads to this ongoing series - here they are:
http://www.worldwidedx.com/general-...tizens-band-radio-radio-how-buy-part-1-a.html
http://www.worldwidedx.com/general-...tizens-band-radio-radio-how-buy-part-2-a.html
Used CB Radio: How to Buy-Part 3
There are so many CB brands and models that one can find. As well as many different places to find them. One must also be careful in buying a radio that works as it should - and not in need of repairs. We discussed only some of the many brands in Part 2; so review that page at your leisure. If you find a radio that you are interested in - and it wasn't listed; then feel free to register to this forum and ask on this thread. It is free to join and only takes a minute or so.
Ebay is OK to buy from. There is protection/satisfaction guarantee for buyers if you use PayPal. I bought my favorite radio that I still use everyday - from eBay. No problems with that radio after 1 year - and no problems with eBay or Paypal either. Your mileage may vary. You can always ask the seller any question you want - and should do so.
Here's why I use PayPal on eBay: I bought a CPU for a computer I was building a few years ago. It didn't work. I tried to get the seller to refund me, and she refused. I complained to PayPal and told them what happened (apparently, this woman was selling a lot of bogus/broken CPU's!). They had me fill out a complaint form online. It wasn't resolved in two weeks; so PayPal paid me for my loss. I wouldn't make a habit it out of it; as they can smell would-be schemers several miles off. But if it happens every once in a while with a customer with a decent track record; they will take the loss themselves. That is just good business. This lends credibility and confidence to both PayPal and eBay sales...
If you buy a radio from a member from this site, just see how long the person selling the item has been a member. Any problem with a seller has a reputation info guide as well; so do a bit of homework. I have witnessed many fine transactions here on the WWRF; and made one myself. Only one negative seller that I can recall; a pretty decent record overall. I have sold a radio here. The buyer was very pleased to get a rare item in good condition at a fair price. Isn't that what it is all about - when it comes to getting a radio? You can get many bargains here, and can do much worse eleswhere...
Craig list is another possibility; there are others as well that you can think of that are like it locally. If it is too far to drive; then eBay, this forum, or an online CB shop always has used CB radios. There is an endless supply and almost not enough demand. This will also give you some bargaining power.
A local flea market might be slim pickings. Or you might find a real bargain. If you have more time than money; it may be a fair bet. To begin with, I believe that a Cobra, Uniden, or President brand radios are some of the more common radios around. If you should find any one of these brands - consider it a candidate. Find out if it has the features you want in a CB. For starts; is it an AM only radio or does it have SSB as well? Base radio or mobile? Newer radio or older? I am purposely steering you in a direction that you will be pleased with well after your purchase. They are all very high quality radios. I want your first purchase to be a solid one. Once you have and operate a CB for awhile; you will get a real idea of what you may want in your next radio. Don't be surprised if you have five or six radios in the space of a year or so; once you get to know them better can you fully appreciate what each is capable of...
As far as budget goes - don't spend more than $25-30 for an AM only mobile radio at the flea market. No more than $50-60 for a mobile SSB radio. This is a flea market; so they shouldn't expect to sell it for full retail! If they can show you that it works; that is a definite plus - so you can bargain with them with some confidence. A base radio of the same radio brands I previously mentioned - should only fetch $10 or $20 more - so be firm! If they cannot prove it as a working unit; then you may be buying something that may not work - and you will probably never see them again! Buying a radio from the flea market that you don't know works - and then having to spend money to have it repaired if it doesn't - will surely leave anyone with a bad taste in their mouth and make one a bit sour for the experience.
If you can see it operating; check the meter movement. It shouldn't be sluggish or non-responsive when receiving or transmitting. If the meter doesn't move; it is beyond the newcomer to fix and not worth the cost to you to have a shop fix it. Does the light inside the meter glow? If it doesn't; that can give you some bargaining power to lower the price. That is something that most people can fix with a $2 part and minor soldering skills. Check all of the knobs when the radio is on; any switches too. Do they make any scratching noises in the speaker when they are turned? If they do; they may need cleaning or even replacing - more bargaining power in your favor. To fix such a problem; one would need to take it to a shop and have a tech spray some cleaner inside these parts - it might cost you $10-20. Always have the seller test the radio in front of you if possible. Be very suspicious if they don't. If in doubt; pass on the deal. There are a lot of radios out there - so take the time and make your first purchase a careful one. Also, if the radio doesn't have the mic. power plug, or mounting bracket - it is additional leverage to lower the price. Just check out each radio candidate out as prescribed; you should do all right.
A couple of important points here. NEVER check the radio for transmit WITHOUT an antenna attached to the radio! Otherwise it may seriously damage the radio's 'final output transistors' and costly to fix.
ALSO:
ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT THE RADIO POWER IS ALSO HOOKED UP CORRECTLY; RED WIRE TO THE '+' BATTERY AND BLACK WIRE TO THE '-' BATTERY CONNECTION OR POWER SUPPLY. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL LIKELY RUIN ANY RADIO!
If you can get a conversation going on the air with someone while trying it out; ask for a 'radio check' politely. If they speak well of what they hear - and they are a mile or three away - it may well be a decent buy. If the radio is covered with scratches/dents and has a knob missing or two; I would avoid it unless it worked very well and they were willing to sell if for much less. Spend fair for a fair radio and be satisfied with your purchase. Buy the brands that I mentioned earlier; and the purchase may last for years with many satisfied hours of use!
Now, if you are in the market for an export radio; then the same things apply. Except for the price - of course. They will sell for more money - and in my opinion - well worth it! Between $125 to $200 and should be in near-mint condition for that kind of money.
Tomorrow, I will go into buying microphones.
http://www.worldwidedx.com/general-...tizens-band-radio-radio-how-buy-part-4-a.html
Feel free to ask any questions if you after.like.
Bookmark this page - if it has been helpful to you...
If you missed the two previous threads to this ongoing series - here they are:
http://www.worldwidedx.com/general-...tizens-band-radio-radio-how-buy-part-1-a.html
http://www.worldwidedx.com/general-...tizens-band-radio-radio-how-buy-part-2-a.html
Used CB Radio: How to Buy-Part 3
There are so many CB brands and models that one can find. As well as many different places to find them. One must also be careful in buying a radio that works as it should - and not in need of repairs. We discussed only some of the many brands in Part 2; so review that page at your leisure. If you find a radio that you are interested in - and it wasn't listed; then feel free to register to this forum and ask on this thread. It is free to join and only takes a minute or so.
Ebay is OK to buy from. There is protection/satisfaction guarantee for buyers if you use PayPal. I bought my favorite radio that I still use everyday - from eBay. No problems with that radio after 1 year - and no problems with eBay or Paypal either. Your mileage may vary. You can always ask the seller any question you want - and should do so.
Here's why I use PayPal on eBay: I bought a CPU for a computer I was building a few years ago. It didn't work. I tried to get the seller to refund me, and she refused. I complained to PayPal and told them what happened (apparently, this woman was selling a lot of bogus/broken CPU's!). They had me fill out a complaint form online. It wasn't resolved in two weeks; so PayPal paid me for my loss. I wouldn't make a habit it out of it; as they can smell would-be schemers several miles off. But if it happens every once in a while with a customer with a decent track record; they will take the loss themselves. That is just good business. This lends credibility and confidence to both PayPal and eBay sales...
If you buy a radio from a member from this site, just see how long the person selling the item has been a member. Any problem with a seller has a reputation info guide as well; so do a bit of homework. I have witnessed many fine transactions here on the WWRF; and made one myself. Only one negative seller that I can recall; a pretty decent record overall. I have sold a radio here. The buyer was very pleased to get a rare item in good condition at a fair price. Isn't that what it is all about - when it comes to getting a radio? You can get many bargains here, and can do much worse eleswhere...
Craig list is another possibility; there are others as well that you can think of that are like it locally. If it is too far to drive; then eBay, this forum, or an online CB shop always has used CB radios. There is an endless supply and almost not enough demand. This will also give you some bargaining power.
A local flea market might be slim pickings. Or you might find a real bargain. If you have more time than money; it may be a fair bet. To begin with, I believe that a Cobra, Uniden, or President brand radios are some of the more common radios around. If you should find any one of these brands - consider it a candidate. Find out if it has the features you want in a CB. For starts; is it an AM only radio or does it have SSB as well? Base radio or mobile? Newer radio or older? I am purposely steering you in a direction that you will be pleased with well after your purchase. They are all very high quality radios. I want your first purchase to be a solid one. Once you have and operate a CB for awhile; you will get a real idea of what you may want in your next radio. Don't be surprised if you have five or six radios in the space of a year or so; once you get to know them better can you fully appreciate what each is capable of...
As far as budget goes - don't spend more than $25-30 for an AM only mobile radio at the flea market. No more than $50-60 for a mobile SSB radio. This is a flea market; so they shouldn't expect to sell it for full retail! If they can show you that it works; that is a definite plus - so you can bargain with them with some confidence. A base radio of the same radio brands I previously mentioned - should only fetch $10 or $20 more - so be firm! If they cannot prove it as a working unit; then you may be buying something that may not work - and you will probably never see them again! Buying a radio from the flea market that you don't know works - and then having to spend money to have it repaired if it doesn't - will surely leave anyone with a bad taste in their mouth and make one a bit sour for the experience.
If you can see it operating; check the meter movement. It shouldn't be sluggish or non-responsive when receiving or transmitting. If the meter doesn't move; it is beyond the newcomer to fix and not worth the cost to you to have a shop fix it. Does the light inside the meter glow? If it doesn't; that can give you some bargaining power to lower the price. That is something that most people can fix with a $2 part and minor soldering skills. Check all of the knobs when the radio is on; any switches too. Do they make any scratching noises in the speaker when they are turned? If they do; they may need cleaning or even replacing - more bargaining power in your favor. To fix such a problem; one would need to take it to a shop and have a tech spray some cleaner inside these parts - it might cost you $10-20. Always have the seller test the radio in front of you if possible. Be very suspicious if they don't. If in doubt; pass on the deal. There are a lot of radios out there - so take the time and make your first purchase a careful one. Also, if the radio doesn't have the mic. power plug, or mounting bracket - it is additional leverage to lower the price. Just check out each radio candidate out as prescribed; you should do all right.
A couple of important points here. NEVER check the radio for transmit WITHOUT an antenna attached to the radio! Otherwise it may seriously damage the radio's 'final output transistors' and costly to fix.
ALSO:
ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT THE RADIO POWER IS ALSO HOOKED UP CORRECTLY; RED WIRE TO THE '+' BATTERY AND BLACK WIRE TO THE '-' BATTERY CONNECTION OR POWER SUPPLY. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL LIKELY RUIN ANY RADIO!
If you can get a conversation going on the air with someone while trying it out; ask for a 'radio check' politely. If they speak well of what they hear - and they are a mile or three away - it may well be a decent buy. If the radio is covered with scratches/dents and has a knob missing or two; I would avoid it unless it worked very well and they were willing to sell if for much less. Spend fair for a fair radio and be satisfied with your purchase. Buy the brands that I mentioned earlier; and the purchase may last for years with many satisfied hours of use!
Now, if you are in the market for an export radio; then the same things apply. Except for the price - of course. They will sell for more money - and in my opinion - well worth it! Between $125 to $200 and should be in near-mint condition for that kind of money.
Tomorrow, I will go into buying microphones.
http://www.worldwidedx.com/general-...tizens-band-radio-radio-how-buy-part-4-a.html
Feel free to ask any questions if you after.like.
Bookmark this page - if it has been helpful to you...
Last edited:
...runna pile-up on 6m SSB