"New" OLD CB Radio Question--Need Help/Info!

JakeDanger · #1 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 08:55 PM

A relative just gave me a CB Radio from late 1960's, virtually brand new (barely used, original box and instructions, etc). I purchased a new antenna and I am only getting static.

Has electronics changed so much that I can't use this old CB? If so, are there adaptors, etc that I can buy that can update it? Or am I out of luck ....

Thanks
Jake

freqs · #2 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 09:05 PM

it should still work ok .what kinda radio is it .dont know of adaptors ?

JakeDanger · #3 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 09:15 PM

It's a "Surveyor- High Powered, 23 Channel, Mobile Transceiver"

So, CB radio technology hasn't changed? and there isn't any reason , that you know of, why I would just get static?

n5ims · #4 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 09:31 PM

It may only be 23 channels, not the current 40 Since those 23 are still commonly used, that shouldn't be much of an issue. One thing that may be an issue is that some components may go bad due to age, regardless of the amount of use (e.g. capacitors may dry out or leak).

Please post specifics of the radio (make, model, etc.). Folks on this forum may have experience with that radio and may be able to provide some specific advice to you.

freqs · #5 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 09:36 PM

some pictures to .

kb2vxa · #6 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 09:13 PM

"Has electronics changed so much that I can't use this old CB?"
Sure you can use it, I don't see why not.

"If so, are there adapters, etc that I can buy that can update it?"
Don't you DARE ruin a vintage radio!

If it's receiving static most likely it works, only there's nobody on the air. Not surprising, except for a few pockets of activity here and there 11M CB is dead in the wake of the madness. With luck you may find someone to talk to, maybe you just tuned around at the wrong time.

Oh, here's your picture.

kc2rgw · #7 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 09:21 PM

That looks like it's had a lot of moisture exposure.....that may be your issue.

Kept clean and dry, it should be fine, but as rusty as the controls are and the rust around the face...it may have some corrosion inside.

Ohh nm, that's not the OP's radio in the pic.

Fuax_News · #8 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 06:15 PM

Chances are that some one may have plugged it in and keyed the Mic with having an antenna or dummy load hooked up to it. Doing so will damage the radio, I've learned this the hard way.

lbashaw · #9 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 05:24 PM

I have a similar situation...while cleaning out a deceased family member's garage, I found a "new", in the box Johnson Messenger II (Black face, 10 channel, crystal contro...had 6 channels instaleld. This is a tube type radio...would not receive...tech looked it over and capacitors had dried. When I powered up initially, the voltage surge fried the capacitors...now, it has all new caps and works like a champ!

FLRAILMAN · #10 (**permalink**) Yesterday, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kc2rgw

That looks like it's had a lot of moisture exposure.....that may be your issue.

Kept clean and dry, it should be fine, but as rusty as the controls are and the rust around the face...it may have some corrosion inside.

Ohh nm, that's not the OP's radio in the pic.

Hey kc2rgw, didn't make the 2 hour edit window eh? Been there, done that. SNARK.

FLRAILMAN