First Mini SSB-capable CB

[Echo4Thirty]

I got a reply from bestcbradio.com

Thank you for your message and your interest in our products.

You have a large fan base, which is exactly the kind of partner we are looking for. However, at present, due to the tight inventory of this product, we are unable to deliver it to you immediately.
Could you please provide me with your complete address? Once the product inventory is available, I will contact you again.
Looking forward to you reply.

I replied with my address.

I ordered mine 2 weeks ago and the status never changed from Processing...

I emailed them and they provided me a tracking number coming from China. I will post again when it arrives.

 

[Echo4Thirty]

Dang, that's a  lot smaller than I imagined.

Sounds like they spent some time making this radio easy to use properly while mobile. Might even be easier than some full-sized rigs.

The Chinese have gotten frequency accuracy and stability on the money in the past couple of years, so that's not a surprising report. Kinda surprised that the Tx audio seems flat, most seem to have a bit of upper-midrange punch these days. It'll be interesting to see what's adjustable in a CPS for some of these new units.



It just ain't DXing without Calvin and Robert singing to each other. 🤣

How long did it take yours to come in? I am at 14 days and counting since order.

 

[EAFrizzle]

I haven't ordered one. Waiting to see some experiences and opinions on the various models, and whatever new pops up.

Looks like it took 11 days or so for @WSAC829 to get his.

 

[smithdoor]

Aquário RP-70 Mini AM/FM/SSB​

View attachment 193249
Approximately 5” x 1” x 4”

7W AM/FM & 15W SSB
Hi-Cut & NRC

M0OGY Review

m0ogy ( The Home Of CB Radio In England)

This is the Youtube channel called M0OGY. This is a Radio Hobbyists site dedicated to modern Citizens' Band Radio and also the "Good Old Days" of Retro CB Radio equipment. Enjoy your visit. C Dave A. 2007-2025

www.youtube.com

m0ogy ( The Home Of CB Radio In England)

This is the Youtube channel called M0OGY. This is a Radio Hobbyists site dedicated to modern Citizens' Band Radio and also the "Good Old Days" of Retro CB Radio equipment. Enjoy your visit. C Dave A. 2007-2025

www.youtube.com

m0ogy ( The Home Of CB Radio In England)

This is the Youtube channel called M0OGY. This is a Radio Hobbyists site dedicated to modern Citizens' Band Radio and also the "Good Old Days" of Retro CB Radio equipment. Enjoy your visit. C Dave A. 2007-2025

www.youtube.com

m0ogy ( The Home Of CB Radio In England)

This is the Youtube channel called M0OGY. This is a Radio Hobbyists site dedicated to modern Citizens' Band Radio and also the "Good Old Days" of Retro CB Radio equipment. Enjoy your visit. C Dave A. 2007-2025

www.youtube.com

Speculation began about a year ago.

— Would need an RM Italy KL503 or 203 amp to be competitive with radios currently available.
No WX

$399 has been bandied about. With shipping, tariff plus speaker, an amp & miscellaneous, this looks $$$$

— What I don’t at all care for is the required lack of front panel controls to adjust on the fly. In mobile it’s not feasible to look more than 1X, as 2X while at speed is pushing boundaries too hard. And, no, you don’t have more experience or are better at such than I.

I’d want RFG & SQ easily modified.

— As Skip starts to be less of a factor this isn’t as critical as it is today. From 0400 till past sunset one is changing this for maximum signal capture ahead of rural vs metro conditions. Pulling off the road becomes necessity.

Rumors of mini contenders exist. I see this one as the prototype against which they’ll be judged.

I’m not alone desiring detachable faceplate configuration as it solves the mount/space problem.

But . . . this one fits in the palm of the hand.

.

Looks great.
I would get sideband but wherever no one is on sideband. I just upgraded to FM Cobra S19FM

Dave

 

[slowmover]

Looks great.
I would get sideband but wherever no one is on sideband. I just upgraded to FM Cobra S19FM

Dave

I see no mention of NRC (Noise Reduction Circuitry). Not at their site nor at Amazon seller page.

RETEVIS MB4 a better “compact” non-SSB choice (other small case brand/model choices also apply).

— Getting the noise floor low enough to hear the distant or weak signal is crucial.

NRC not optional.

Thus will need a $225 WEST MOUNTAIN RADIO DSP Speaker to be competitive.

Sideband is busier than you suspect. A home station or mobile needs best antenna system and noise-free power. NRC makes the best of those.

At 1930 (45” prior to local sunset) west of Fort Worth on my mobile LSB-38 wasn’t popping with activity but it could be heard. Skip on AM-19 the same.

I’d call things, “generally quiet”, today compared to some others. California an outlier for local, but there are enough playing the game of distance.

Running IH-8 into San Diego from AZ for delivery is pretty quiet, but once headed to LA for reload to depart over Cajon it was a matter of speaking up (for the most part).

Return that COBRA if you can.

Small size isn’t actually a virtue. It’s a side step to altering today’s dashboards or consoles to fit a mobile radio, but at the expense of needed controls on the faceplate. NRC should be a given (introduced circa 2023).

AM/FM/SSB + NRC with adequate wattage (export radio) is the base plate by which to consider deviations from what actually works for nationwide reliable mobile comms.

Welcome to RR!

.

 

[WSAC829]

How long did it take yours to come in?

Ordered on the 23rd or 24th (it was late at night), and received on the 5th. Once shipped the tracking number was applied to my PayPal order status. I then tracked it with this tracking site: https://www.aftership.com/carriers/yunexpress

 

[WSAC829]

Size difference between the AT-5000 and the LT-310SDR

Photo borrowed from Panic Attacks FBook post and cropped by me.

 

[EAFrizzle]

The Luiton makes the Anytone/Retevis chassis look huge... then I look over at my desk and realize how small they both are.

 

[WSAC829]

Right? Oddly the AT-5000 was too tall to fit in the cubby under the infotainment center in my van. The Luiton fits perfectly.

 

[prcguy]

Size difference between the AT-5000 and the LT-310SDRView attachment 201040

Photo borrowed from Panic Attacks FBook post and cropped by me.

That is impressively small for an SSB radio but it doesn't go into 10m.

 

[EAFrizzle]

It does 24.5 to 30.105 in HF mode. It looks like it may be able to select either 10 or 12 meters separately as well.

I think this is just part of the new trend of "CB"s converting to export rigs, rather than the other way around.

 

[EAFrizzle]

Is that body actually purple-ish blue, or am I just seeing weird? As popular as different color bodies are for CCR HTs these days, it's not surprising to see something different.

 

[WSAC829]

but it doesn't go into 10m.

It does. You can select from 5 different band selections. One is dedicated to just 10M, another is HF mode which as stated covers 24/25-30.

Is that body actually purple-ish blue

It is a purple/blue yes. I kind of like it. Makes the black buttons easier to see, and the buttons are backlit as well.

 

[slowmover]

Size difference between the AT-5000 and the LT-310SDRView attachment 201040

Photo borrowed from Panic Attacks FBook post and cropped by me.

Need that stack atop a QT40 for comparison.
And another for depth.


So far as I’m concerned the LIDO L-ML MAX Radio Seatbolt Mount ended the dilemma of where to mount a radio as it can also hold other devices on an adjustable arm (to 17-lbs).

Small radio size isn’t an advantage when at speed.

L-MAX Low Vibration Mount With Multi-Device Options

The L-MAX will hold up to 8.2 lbs. If you have multiple devices that you want to mount on one mount with little movement, this collection may be for you. This is collection of extension plates and adapters for All HT's, remote head. brackets, smart-phones and tablets. Please check to see if you...

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In my current use it’d be a QT60 with outboard components as well as a GARMIN GPS plus a place for cell phone. Call it 8-9/lbs of gear.

.

 

[WSAC829]

Need that stack atop a QT40 for comparison.

How’s this instead? 5555n2, 6699, and 310SDR on top.

 

[prcguy]

How’s this instead? 5555n2, 6699, and 310SDR on top.
View attachment 201120

Why put the radio on top of anything when you can hide it in your hand? Or put a wrist band on it and wear it like a watch.

 

[EAFrizzle]

They're almost shirt-pocket sized these days.

Won't be long until we have credit card sized ones like those 2 meter ones back in the 90s.

 

[makerdino059]

I just received an email from bestradio.com. I'll do a review and range test on it when I get it. They shipped a unit out to me. 😉 I'll do a review and range test on it when I get it.

 

[smithdoor]

No, I will NOT modify my car. The Gord Ham radio makers can turn-to and make a freaking radio designed for cars that are made today, not a 1972 Chrylser. Jeeze, this isn't freaking rocket science.

This how did no new holes in my new Tacoma in 2001. The CB a little box under the dashboard.

The Antenna use where the AM FM Antenna was it was over 4 foot . No need holes drill . The mic clip was clip to plastic tray.
I sold last year the purchase the pickup noted no holes drill it was like new


Dave

 

[WSAC829]

and range test on it

In my testing, RX and TX range are comparable to every other radio i have around here when used on my base antenna. Mobile results regardless of what radio is being used are always going to be a mixed bag as there are just too many variables. Anyway, looking forward to your review of the rig when it arrives.