I REMEMBER back in 1971, my Brother and I hooked up a 200 watt bi-linear to our old 23 channel Halicrafter's crystal kit cb. Well, we were having a fine old time until we saw something that we would never forget. It was a Green Panel Truck, with a loop antenna and a spotlight on the front! They were shining it on the rooftops and backyards on our street. IT WAS THE FCC!! They were triangulating on our party! We shut it down IMMEDIATELY and prayed. 42 years later, we SEEM to be safe now!
@StellarBlue1 :: and you were the one that I have to ask why you would consider an illegal CB radio if you're not a ham radio operator intending to use it only on ham radio frequencies. Those of us that are hams don't like it when CB radio operators start using our frequencies. Maybe not you but there are those it let's say borrow a callsign from an amateur radio operator or just make one up just because they like talking to the DX. They don't care if they earn awards for it. They could easily take a 36 question test and legally use ham radio. But you can't use this radio on CB Radio Band. It's not legal. Yet we have the channel owner telling you of the wonderful features as it's dialed up on 27.385. That's the 11 meter CB radio calling frequency used by Freebanders. I can't help wonder why not do it legally? It's not like the test is difficult. And I can't believe that the person that did the unboxing is a ham radio operator selling a radio or recommending a radio that he knows knows will be used unlawfully. SMH.
JustAnotherGuy I have heard that governments are looking to free up access to amateur bands to all. These days with all the tech changes the need for an amateur cohort of frequencies is waning.
I've got one last week. In Russia it is sold under alinco's brand as DR-135CB New model. Very nice rig for CB. Good sound and squelch is working well (manual and auto). I like it.
+rdsii64 I also am inclined to play around with the export models. I'll leave the "Big Rigs at my home QTH though. I run an original Galaxy DX99V on the road, with a all bander Old Kenwood as a spare. I keep things as uncluttered in my live lab as possible. This Galaxy has been just fine since I bought it new. Not a problem running all lower 48. The CRE 8900 warrants some attention. There are some features I like are the SWR protection and the time out, I do get a little long winded at times! Great review, now I see my next toy. (But the Galaxy stays!) 73 t0 all. Just call me Redd or "Dealer" while I'm on the road...
Thank you for the very informative demo.. Ive just got a Alinco DR-135DX (the same radio) I'm very pleased with how it performs especially now that Ive finally turned off the SWR meter so I can see the RF meter working. It came like this from new and it does NOT show you how to change the display mode in the instructions. This euro version from standard works from 28.000 to 29.700 but can be re-programmed via PC and also does not have auto squelch. Thanks again for posting and Im so glad I found it!.. 73 Colin from the UK 2E0KOL.
+HamRadioUK The Alinco version has got auto squelch but unlike the CRE 8900 it is not enabled by default. It can be enabled via the menus and it's sensitivity can be set using the hidden service menu.
Great performance and function.. They totally saved the cost on material build. Flimsy and gossamer..Maybe someone can reproduce this radio with solid build...
I see these were also made with Alinco branding as the DR-135. I had a good friend who bought one of these and it sounded great on the air. Very nice looking radio, too.
@@jfrphoto01 Although there was a DR-135 two meter transceiver, there was also a DR-135 ten meter transceiver as well. I don't know why Alinco would use the same model number for two different radios but the fact is they did. If you look up the Alinco DR-135 you will see BOTH transceivers listed under this model.
I have almost bought every CB HAM transceivers that are out there on Amazon. The only radio that i did not buy is the CRE 8900 (DX10) it is a radio that costs about 229 euro. I rather save up more money to drop on a better quality product. No i don't like the CRE 8900 Radio but still thanks for sharing!
I am ham radio operator definately getting this radio. 10 meters is going to open up now solar cycle ramping up. 11 meters had skip this last month or so. ON 11meters you must make sure the radio only puts out 4 watts on AM Mode and 12 watts PEP on SSB mode.
@@zukispur5493 Even though for the cb band there are no licenses anymore the FCC still has limits to the power output of 4 watts am and 12 pep ssb. I am not here to force you to it but its just for informational purposes. This also minimizes interference with other services and other RF sources that operate close to this spectrum. There are still remote control radio devices and also harmonics that also can cause interference. YOU must use an approved part95 radio for CB not an export version. Rule 10 Power Output {A} Your CB station transmitter power output must not exceed the following values under any conditions: AM [Amplitude Modulation] - 4 watts carrier power [CP] SSB [Single Side-Band] - 12 watts peak envelope power [PEP] {B} If you need more information about the power rule, see Part 95/ Subpart E. {C} Use of a transmitter which has carrier [CP] or peak envelope power [PEP]in excess of that authorized voids your authority to operate the station. If you don't like the rules then get a ham license which is easy now and operate 10 meters with any radio as long as it stays within the frequency without drifting.
I just bought a Braun electric shaver. As a suggestion to CB Magazine, get one of these to test noise reduction functions. It is at least 20 dB better than my Remington for an inexpensive noise generator. K4OF.
Any idea what menu item 12 "Transmit Single Tone Frequency" is about? You seem to think it's for accessing repeaters. If so, how do you use it? It's not for CTCSS use (the frequency is too high). If it was an old-style toneburst (like the 1750Hz still used by some repeaters) there should be a button to activate it, but there doesn't seem to be. I'm baffled. I wondered if it might have been CW offset, but no (you have to manually do this with the clarifier). So what's it for?
If power is cut to the power lead to turn the radio on and off instead of the power switch, does it turn the stupid keylock on and re activate the irritating bleeps like the HR-5500 does? I have the HR-5500 which is a larger version of this radio and that bug is fine on a home base where I turn it on via the nob but I want. Smaller ssb rig for the car but power on my radio and amplifier together via a dash switch controlling a relay and the keylock and bleeps are a deal breaker for me if they turn on each time like the HR-5500 does 😔
Cheers for the video. I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction my Chanel 19 on the normal uk band is out of frequency and when I transmit it transmits on the correct frequency. So for example my Chanel 19 is 2.7.78125 and when I transmit it will transmit on 27.78125. Cheers
hi youtube, I bought one, very nice cb ham radio ,butt I got the ham radio in this item, no cb 1 to 40 channels, butt worked right away, all so a lot of fun to work out what ever thing on is for.great ham radio every one should by one ,im in love with this great ham radio. wow.oh what a fealing.
Can you run this through your vehicles speakers? Thinking of replacing my am/fm radio in my Bronco for this, but i would need the music to run through my speakers.
Sideband is legal for CB. You can do 4 watts on AM and 12 watts on sideband. Even if someone did report interference, the FCC might not care. Given the limited resources of the FCC, they might not want to bother with a random CBer.
Why on earth do manufacturers still put a channel 9 button on? the voluntary group monitoring channel 9 here in the UK stopped doing so over 25 years ago.
I agree with you. If I want to use channel 9 I simply *turn the knob to that channel*. Having a special button just for that channel is a really dumb feature to begin with. Besides, given today's communication technologies a CB is the *LAST* thing I would use to report an emergency (actually it isn't on the list at all). Given how common cellular telephones have been the past two decades it's ridiculous to even think someone would even use a CB to report a serious incident instead of a cell-phone.
WelshWidgetMan2O1O Only reason I can think of is if you're in a remote area without cell phone coverage. But if it's that remote of an area, it's unlikely you're going to reach someone actually listening to Channel 9.
Patrick Stauber Our radio's in the USA have always had the same stupid channel 9 button since the late 70's and I've always felt this was an insanely dumb feature because it's as if they're implying a person might be so utterly distraught they wouldn't remember how to manually select channel 9?. Honestly, what rubbish.
Patrick Stauber It's been my experience that CH9 is monitored more closely in remote areas, usually by the local forest service, etc. (DNR here in Michigan)
hi and I like you video and yep the CRE 8900 10 Meter AM FM SSB Ham CB Radio is a good cb radio and I have one and it work good and my CRE 8900 10 Meter AM FM SSB Ham CB Radio is all loud and proud
Are these radio's still being made or are they still available? Is there a more modern/updated version, or something as an alternative? I'm looking for a good 25-30mhz radio for my truck, one that hopefully doesn't break my wallet. I just received my General ticket.
My radio the key lock is on wen i turn it on so it will not let me goto band 2. How do i keep the key lock off wen powering the radio so i can put it on band 2
I used to run a vintage Galaxy Two Export converted with a Commander 300 A linear amplifier and talked all over the world for five years and never a problem now it takes up space in the shed. FCC is too underfunded and busy with commercial radio stations and every trucker now has a big radio.
The CRE 8900 Only looks good. The Receive is much worse than horrible! I love Bells CB. I bought my CRE8900 there I dumped it shortly after I bought it (specifically because the receive sucked). I wish they still made the older HR2510. I went back to Bells and replaced the CRE8900 with an RCI2970N4. The Receive was great on the RCI. It was similar to the HR2510. ALSO If anybody ever needs a fantastic technician I ONLY trust Bells CB. I moved out of state and when I need work I mail my radios to Bells for service and repair.
@@themotofixery I cant say if I might of had a really really bad one or you have a good one. All I know is mine was noticeably one that did not come close to having average receive when compared with my 2510's, RCI's etc... It was soo bad that I lost a ton trading it back to the shop where I got it. I will give the CRE8900 Two Thumbs Down! I was hoping to keep it and I bought it because of the size.
@@arlenewolf5260 i wonder if bells cb screwed something up. I bought mine through them as well. I brought mine to s local radio shop to have a custom microphone wired up and they even commented about how good the receive was on my unit. Its a shame that you traded it, maybe it could have been adjusted/ fixed. I do remember that when i bought mine from bells cb I had them build a power mike for me (a-static) and they did a poor job of soldering the plug on. The microphone had problems right out of the box so thats why i was at a local shop getting something different. I ended up using a sure 577b microphone with some a-static parts inside if Iremember correctly. It looks and works great!
A child or someone unfamiliar with radio may not know about channel nine. But an emergency button ~ everyone can relate to. * I'm saying it because so many seem to think it's silly to have that button.
My pop had a Johnson 2 base station with two channels and interchangeable crystal sockets on top i believe that mod was aftermarket...old days with clear channels...shout out from the BIG SCOUT KPF1882.
Stupid question I think buuuttt,,, why do manufacturers put a FM mode on their cb radio's? Does anyone actually use FM? Everyone I know on cb band is on either am or ssb?
Voxguitarsrock: It depends where you live.....in the UK and Western Europe almost everybody uses SSB and / or FM.......very few people use AM except in the USA.
I knew 4 watts on AM, I was never aware of SSB on it or its power level so I wont comment on that. But yes I know what your saying, the FCC gets very busy and probably wouldn't do much, unless they were getting 4-5 complains from different operators then they might go see whats up. It is a $10,000 fine in most cases but again, the FCC doesn't have many resources. Thats part of the reason that the Amateur Radio service has VE teams, the FCC doesn't have the man power to administer tests anymore.
Apart from a few gimmick features, I think I could get along with this radio. Maybe one day, a manufacturer will get with the 21st and start building them with a decent chassis
i actually heard that guy on 38 lsb 111 yesterday we heard the same thing "aloha" thats pretty cool, im in virginia. i tried to holler at him but i couldnt get out to him
It's also illegal to go over 45 mph in a 45 mph speed zone. And you must stop completely at all stop signs and stop lights. I'm sure that everyone follows these things.
I just bought one after six months. It still has the badly glued faceplate label and the SO-239 connector on the radio is a little too short for PL-259 screw barrel sleeves. I'm using my 25 year old Radio Shack 2 ft. Jumper between the radio and a power meter. The R/S jumper's sleeve is short. My TRC-428 has a short SO-239
I just bought one ( 2020 ) face plate still not stuck too well. I put a tiny amount of super glue on a razor blade and slid it under the face plate. Stuck nice now.
@@captainkirk4800 Thanks. I don't even remember the thing about the faceplate. Mine did have the USB cable which I used the pc program to specifically assign certain channels. I thinking that CB Radiomagazine has the simple procedure to switch the radio from ten meter to the expanded set of frequencies including 11 meters. The channel display after some time grew dimmer. Some guy I knew of on WWDX club forum tried to use it for CW operations but it wouldn't perform to his liking. I eventually gave the radio to goodwill in which I found out that one of the women that worked there was a ham radio enthusiast.
Yes pretty often actually, though CB is pretty much unregulated at this point. Most people don't care about piracy on 10meters either.... FCC cares a lot more about violations in private sector radio bands so... they don't really go after ham or cb pirates unless someone else bitches to them.
Looks like a damn fine radio!! What's the cost on this?? It is now Late May of 2017, do we have a US distributor and if so, who?? Very nice video!! Thank you!!
No thanks , I'll stick with my Cobra 148 GTL, with a lin. 25 yr old radio & still kicks ass. Don't need a power mic. 30 ft whip. Skip never leaves. Wouldn't wast a penny on ham radios or license. Free to talk on cb's. 120 channels , don't need more.
actually it is not listed as legal. I've delved into manuals with CB's and part 97 of the FCC's rulebook. It is pretty interesting to read through it all. I'll try to find an actual page for you.
They are illegal..... because they are all over the power limits of cb which is also limited to AM only... Obviously all radios sold in the USA must be approved, even though some sold are not. However... like you said, the chances of getting caught are basically nil... I mean unless you live near someone who knows the law and reports interference
