AM/FM RETEVIS mb4 CB

[slowmover]

New release
$115 on eBay



I feel obligated to come up with simplest solutions for recommending a campground radio for the RVs around me. This may be fortuitous timing.

While it doesn’t have SSB, the small size and what look like easy controls plus large screen should allow acceptance by those otherwise uninterested in radio. The built-in speaker puts it over the top.

Looks like could practically Velcro this thing within easy reach and enable VOX.

That 3” isn’t much, but more reviews are forthcoming.

If this version of NRC is nice, then . . . .


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[WSAC829]

Kind of cool, but compared to the price (89.99 - 105.00) of the AM/FM/WX AT-500M/CB-500 it’s larger and lacks the WX band which many find important to have. The front firing speaker is a nice touch, but it doesn’t sound good (in the video at least). Seems tinny and the NRC at 2 (in the video) doesn’t seem as good as the 500’s either.

The built-in speaker puts it over the top.

Don’t ALL radios come with a built in speaker?

 

[slowmover]

Thanks

Front fire is a selling point.

I agree about WX, but the MIDLAND WR120 @ $50 is a better option given it can do more (mine gets used daily). It’s an RV’er minimum, but you might be surprised at how few have an NOAA radio. Internal battery backup plus on-glass antenna makes it quite nice.

Either CB is a good choice. The mb4 is gonna be easier to just place on a shelf is how I’m seeing it.

An external speaker is the ideal, but it’s a balk point. Same for drilling holes to mount AT500 to hear the speaker.

And mb4 is gonna be easier to move to car given front fire.

May not be better than the 500, but (I think) the mb4 is going to be easier to recommend.

— I do know that “less” than these two radios is to be advised against.

I’ll have my pickup truck rig with which to demonstrate, and I’ll have my travel trailer rig which will likely sound different (ostensibly, “better”) than a minimal/serviceable (FM + NRC) campground radio rig. Upgrades are both desirable and feasible.

Mods not desirable as campground radio, but . . . .

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[slowmover]

The cigar lighter power cord isn’t an impediment as any radio chosen will have to have custom power.

My TT is easy. The PDC and converter are at the bow. For most they’re at the stern. 12V system can probably be tapped somewhere. That’ll be a problem to solve on a coach-by-coach basis.

It’s also part of why not to modify a campground radio for more power. Neighbors can be 20’ away, and power demand for other than minimum draw could get “expensive”.

— Antenna/Coax System cost is what’ll give vapors to the reluctant. Some have adequate pocket money, and others have to stretch. (They’ll need to be convinced by “the party line” once it’s going).

Low cost simple radio a given, thereby.

(My enthusiasm wouldn’t be the same if FM/NRC hadn’t become what’s now available).

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[kc2asb]

Nice looking rig! Clear, uncluttered front panel + tone squelch. Not bad!

 

[slowmover]

Mower Junkie covers

A well-written comment explaining Tsq Tone Squelch

“Hey John,
On the menu in the radio — and the button on the face — the tsq is tone squelch. It allows a sub-audible tone to be programmed thru the menu, transmitted on the channel. If you have another radio with this same feature turned on, it will allow the transmitted signal to "open the squelch, while keeping non-toned signals out...effectively silencing other signals.

Similar option for the ctcss option. These are for use on the fm side... Say for example, if you and your bride were in separate vehicles, and you set both your radios exactly the same using the ctcss, even if you were on one of the "superbowl" channels, you'd only hear each other due to the fact of having the sub-audible tones, which the radio would recognize, and allow the signal thru, while rejecting all the others.

Note: you may see that the others are present by the signal meter on the radio, but, only another radio with the correct tone settings would open up your receive.”

Hope this helps, sir... 73s, John, 0576, Dustmaker, and amateur radio operator, N8SGM, in Southern Michigan

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