Anyone else rescue radios when they see them?

Retroradio · Feb 10, 2016

Anyone else rescue CB radios from garage sales, flea markets, Hamfests?
Key is they have to be on the cheap. I rescued another TRC-30A (I think I'm up to 4 or 5 now...) a TRC-434 and another Micronta 5amp power supply this weekend from a Hamfest.
Is this normal or am I radio obsessed......lol

PACNWDude · Feb 10, 2016

Rescue radios.

I do this sometimes. Other times I just place them where they will be seen by someone else who will rescue them.

I mostly see older Radio Shack branded CB's, but some scanners and amateur radio gear too.

My most recent "rescue" was a SpyGear ROVR. This is a wheeled camera with a remote control with LCD display that shows what the camera sees. So first person driving type of toy. Not really the type of radio we are discussing, but it did lead me to the almost pristine Pro-2006 that I also "rescued".

Scanners in my area are usually crystal controlled desktop versions, but on occasion I find something newer and in this case the Pro-2006. It had the diode mod done to it and was missing the antenna, but was in great shape besides that. It now resides on a shelf and listens for the local aircraft traffic.

bharvey2 · Feb 10, 2016

I don't look specifically for CB radios but I do have an affinity for older radios (usually two-way) in general. I've acquired a number of older CB, marine and various LMR radios.They're definitely fun to try to resurrect. Sometimes they can be hard to get going - especially handhelds with missing batteries.

Retroradio · Feb 10, 2016

Ggood to hear that I am not the only one.....lol I also "rescue" scanners but they too are usually older ones. If t says radio Shack on it then I am usually drawn to it like a magnet. I always had an affinity for them as they were the main source of radios in my area back in the day.
A pro 2006 scanner is a cool find. I have never come across HAM gear except at the fests. Good luck with the hunt for older radios/scanners / radio gear.

DJ11DLN · Feb 10, 2016

Depends on the type of radio. No CB's for me, I've got a half-dozen in a box that I should pitch except that I'm sentimental about them. Scanners depending on make/model, SW stuff (if I ever could find any -- no luck to date), weather alert radios, and just neat old broadcast gear I tend to grab if it's priced right -- preferably free

. Got a fair collection of LMRS gear, most of it pre-NFM VHF-Hi stuff or just obsolete, most was on its way to the dumpster when I snagged it. No idea what I ever will do with it. Would probably nab Ham gear if I came across it, haven't so far unless you count the CCR H-T's that show up at yard/garage sales etc priced 2-3X what they cost new. Pass-a-mundo on those.

impalass427 · Feb 10, 2016

I rescue/adopt Courier23/ TRC-x23 tube CBs, bought my first one brand new when I worked at Radio Shack 1968-69, still have it. . have about 12 others. , also Motorola Mocats, have at least 15. I find these mostly at auto swapmeets. Never paid more than $20 for any other than my first.

gewecke · Feb 10, 2016

Retroradio said:
Anyone else rescue CB radios from garage sales, flea markets, Hamfests?
Key is they have to be on the cheap. I rescued another TRC-30A (I think I'm up to 4 or 5 now...) a TRC-434 and another Micronta 5amp power supply this weekend from a Hamfest.
Is this normal or am I radio obsessed......lol

well I have been known to help them back into the garbage when they fall out.

. Sorry, couldn't help myself. The title made me do it. Seriously though, usually old tube radios at garage sales are the only ones I drag home. :twisted: 73, n9zas

Retroradio · Feb 10, 2016

I had never heard of Motorola Mocats and had to look them up. Very nice. I just picked up another TRC30a , still in box. Up to 6 now I think.....lol

gewecke · Feb 10, 2016

Retroradio said:
I had never heard of Motorola Mocats and had to look them up. Very nice. I just picked up another TRC30a , still in box. Up to 6 now I think.....lol

. Mocats are excellent cb's when you find them in working order. :wink: 73, n9zas

Retroradio · Feb 10, 2016

Now I have to go looking for a Mocat....does it ever stop......lol

Retroradio · Feb 10, 2016

Mocats have intrigued me.... I can't find a history that lists the models etc... Anywhere on the net. Can anyone point me in the right direction. very curious now....

gewecke · Feb 10, 2016

Retroradio said:
Mocats have intrigued me.... I can't find a history that lists the models etc... Anywhere on the net. Can anyone point me in the right direction. very curious now....

Try googling Motorola Mocat Model 4000, 4010, and 4020. There was also a SSB base, the CB 555, and a SSB mobile CM 555 :wink: 73, n9zas

Project25_MASTR · Feb 10, 2016

I sometimes rescue gear...if it meets narrowbanding and I know I can resell it. I don't give used CB gear the time of day though (unless I'm being crazy and contemplating a 10m conversion).

flythunderbird · Feb 10, 2016

I will sometimes rescue them if I like them. The hunt is part of the fun!

gewecke said:
Try googling Motorola Mocat Model 4000, 4010, and 4020. There was also a SSB base, the CB 555, and a SSB mobile CM 555 :wink: 73, n9zas

I have a CB 555, but it is not in use at the present time. Looked a long time before finding one that wasn't outrageously priced. I picked it up because it wasn't as common as some of the other base radios.

mass-man · Feb 10, 2016

I grab CB's when I see them...as said above, cheap is the password! I most often do the 10mtr mod and then pass them onto hams that want to give em a try! Probably done a dozen or so. And ask if they no longer want it to pass it onto another ham.
I had a Mocat, I think the 4002, when I was a kid. That would be fun to find.

Retroradio · Feb 11, 2016

Thanks Gewecke for the info. Am going top start researching that line of radios....
Best find for me so far was an alaron 4075B NIB. It is now on display as it was the first 40ch radio I ever had.
I found a pic online of the Mocat base......drool!!!

johnls7424 · Feb 11, 2016

I don't rescue CB radios cause personally I have no use for more then 1 of them in my life. I will however rescue more modern technology that's going out of exhistance but still in use like older model Harris Radios that still employ AEGIS and ProVoice digital. Same goes for older Smartnet and Smartzone Motorolas as well as first and second generation P25 radios some equipped with Phase 1 trunking.

TheSpaceMann · Feb 14, 2016

I find plenty of old radios at garage sales! Some of then are still in perfect woking order. I actually picked up a Cobra 148 XLR last summer, for just $15 bucks!!!

KC2GIU · Feb 21, 2016

I only keep an eye out for the SSB 40 channel CBs without the tubes. BUT, I'm not looking for the fancy all digital display types either.

Project25_MASTR · Feb 22, 2016

TheSpaceMann said:
I find plenty of old radios at garage sales! Some of then are still in perfect woking order. I actually picked up a Cobra 148 XLR last summer, for just $15 bucks!!!

Should get in on surplus commercial equipment. I was given some VHF Motorola Astro Sabers back in May...when they were new (only 18 years ago) they went for $1800 a piece...and if you can get the firmware updated they still work for P25 Phase 1 and will meet narrowband requirements.

Someone gave me a 100W Micor station with the original sales receipt. Cost a plumbing company $13,200 in 1982...they are next to worthless today.

Anyone else rescue radios when they see them?

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