Friday, October 23, 2015

CB Radio, 40 Channel Handheld with NOAA Weather

Lately, I have been fine tuning all my emergency preparations, selling off some of the old prior to Y2K electronics with current technology. I’ve already downsized my 4kw generator with a new, much quieter and fuel efficient Honda 2000i.

When it comes to radio communications I feel the CB will still be used by many in a grid down or other emergency where all normal everyday communication methods are out for an extended amount time. For my own radios, I feel the FMRS, CB, 2-Meter and Marine handheld radios plus a small portable Shortwave AM/FM radio for shortwave listening should be sufficient for my needs at this time. Last week I purchased a new CB handheld radio, a Midland 75-822 to replace my very old and twice as physically large one.



The features that sold me on this unit were its small size, the mobile adapter that has a 12v plug to plug into the cars or any power port and a antenna connection for a taller roof top antenna. Also uses my favorite size ‘AA’ batteries. It comes with two battery pack/holders, one for ‘AA’ alkaline and the other for Rechargeable NiCad batteries with a charger.

Radio Features:
  • Ultra-Portable CB and Weather Radio
  • 40-Channel CB Radio
  • The 75-822 offers 40 separate communication channels, delivering the maximum CB communication range with 4 watts of output power.
  • Channel scan can automatically check all channels for activity, stopping on any active channel for five seconds. You can also store and instantly access up to five of your favorite channels in memory. When you flip on the device, a last channel memory feature will turn on the last channel you selected before powering off.
  • While communicating, a built in ANL (automatic noise limiter) improves reception for weak signals, and squelch control further eliminates background noise.
  • Weather Radio/Emergency Channel Convenience
  • The 75-822 features instant access to NOAA Weather Radio, for weather/hazard information in your area 24/7.
  • Immediate access to emergency channel 9 and informational channel 19 is also provided.
  • The Dual Watch feature lets you monitor channel 9 and another channel of your choice simultaneously.
  • Power With AA Batteries or Vehicle Power Port
  • You can power this unit with six AA batteries, complete with a battery life extender feature. To get even more from your batteries, high/low transmit power settings are provided (4 watts and 1 watt, respectively).
  • A mobile adapter is also included for powering directly from your vehicle's "cigarette lighter" power port.
  • Easy to Use
  • The 75-822 boasts a large, backlit multifunction LCD display that's easy to read, day or night. A keypad lock feature "locks in" your preferred settings, so they aren't accidentally changed. The flexible antenna with BNC connector is easily removed for transport, and an external headset jack is provided for hands-free use.

The new CB radio.


Radio with the mobile set-up attached. Remove the battery pack and snap on the mobile set-up to use vehicle power and the antenna lead to attach to my stainless steel whip antenna.


Upper Left; Radio.
Upper Right; mobile set-up.
Lower Left; ‘AA’ NiCad battery pack with wall bug charger.
Lower Right; ‘AA’ battery pack.



Box front.


Summary:
It is a good radio, lots of volume, backlit display, the option of alkaline or rechargeable NiCad ‘AA’ batteries or 12v vehicle battery, a small size and important to me because of hurricanes is the ten NOAA weather reception stations.

Midland 75-822 40 Channel CB-Way Radio   $76.83


Hustler MBM CB Radio Antenna Magnet Mount   $24.25

The magnet is strong at 5 inches in diameter with 100 lbs. of pull. When I’m parked or camped it holds my full length stainless steel whip to the van roof very securely.


I added three Velcro self-stick loop pads to the bottom because it’s so hard to pull off the roof. It makes it easy to slide the magnetic base without scratching the paint to a curved part of the roof then pull it off.


Stainless steel whip antenna on the van.

4 comments:

  1. You could cover the magnet with a piece of metal, and then glue a much smaller magnet to the bottom of that metal, and then only the smaller magnet would be holding it on your roof. That's what I did, after scratching my roof too dang many times.
    This way you can still use the stronger magnet, if you use the antenna while driving and need the stronger hold.
    (I hope this makes sense... kinda hard to explain in words.)

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    Replies
    1. Tom, actually the three soft Velcro pads work fine. They add a little gap between the magnet and roof which reduces the magnetic pull and makes it easier to slide over and remove. Thanks for the suggestion!

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  2. Thank you for this post. My father and grandfather always had CB radios and it always seemed so daunting. Of course this was old school. I didn't know that they were now so portable, and better yet, very reasonably priced. I'd like to have something like this for emergencies, as I too think that it will be a pretty reliable way to communicate and/or get information. And it has the NOAA info, perfect for us here in storm/hurricane county. Off to do some googling, thanks!!!

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    Replies
    1. 1st Man, Yes the technology of downsizing has improved a great deal today. For me being very portable is necessary because I can literally throw a baseball into the Intracoastal Waterway when standing at my front door. Also, I’m only 6 feet above mean high tide so when a Cat 2 direct hit comes my way I must bug out because of rising water and the hand held radios make it easy to take them with.

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