There is a new generation of illegal radios for sale. These are basically the Export Galaxy and Connex 3300 radios with linear finals installed internally, eliminating the need for external linear amplifiers. They come in a number of different power ranges, from 45 watts to 400 watts.

I wish to note for a number of reasons I do not exceed the power limit or talk out of band. The fines do not warrant getting out for the sake of being the “Loudest” radio. FCC regulations are specific as to power limitations and talking out of band, known as “Free Banding”.

Second, radios waves at 27 MHz with 400 watts behind it are dangerous; this may include RF burns, and damage to other radio land mobile services. Although the jury is still out on long term exposure to radio waves, it is suggested to cause cancer. A Microwave oven operates at 6 GHz at 600 watts; I would not suggest putting your hand in it.

Having stated that, I can tell you there are a number of people out there talking in between the CB and 10 meter Ham band. They usually operate at a reasonable output power and use SSB, mostly USB. By not disturbing their neighbors they do not bring attention to themselves. Many are Ham operators that come down below their band to chat with Cb’ers that go above their band.

The easiest way to spot an export radio is they have no Type-Accepted plate mounted on the back. Any radio that has a built in echo, extended channel capability and has the ability to be easily converted is unauthorized. All are designed to do 24 to 35 watts and up to 400 watts at the time of this newsletter. I suspect that the next generation will put out more power.

I have found that out of all the “Exports” the Connex, the General Lee and General Washington is the most durable and will provide the best service. The Galaxy radio is basically the same radio but I have found that it seem to have a higher break down rate. The Galaxy 88 seems to have cold solder connection problems and require the boards to be reworked more than the other Exports.

Galaxy now makes a legal radio, the model DX 959, mobile and the DX 969 base. They perform poorly out of the box, with most doing far less than the legal limit of 12 watts peak. Most are off frequency.

After reworking the radio I have found that most will do 14 to 24 watts and can be converted for use on the 10 meter band which is legal with a Ham license. Any radio that does not meet the FCC Type-Accepted standards is unauthorized, this includes legal radios. When may a radio exceed 100% modulation and power limits; only in a Dire Emergency. Unless you are in your car upside down in a ditch with only your Mic finger working I would say 99.9% of time you are expected to operate within the limits.

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Why is 50 ohms the industry standard for all modern two way radios?

Prior to Word War Two there was no standard output impedance for two way radios.

Early radios used tubes which had a high input and output impedance. The output tube or Final was adjusted each time the operator changed frequency. By "Loading" the plate and the grid using variable coils and capacitors, the output tube could be matched to the antenna, insuring a maximum transfer of energy. When the transmitter output impedance is the same as the antenna input impedance you have a 1 to 1 SWR or "Standing Wave Ratio"

Due to war time rationing it was determined that an impedance of 52 ohms used the minimum amount of materials to make coaxial cable. Copper and other metals where used for the war effort. During that time no cars were made and everything was recycled, even pennies were made of steel in 1943.

Nickels made between 1942 and 1945 use 35% silver instead of nickel. After the war the standard was kept at 52 ohms and eventually was rounded down to 50 ohms. This is still the standard used today.

With the development of transistors in 1948 the output impedance was fixed to 50 ohms, which worked out well because the output impedance is low unlike the vacuum tube.

Author Rick Lewis - The CB Doctor
Visit Rick's website at TheCBdoctor.com