A good compact FM & USB mobile radio?? Any ideas

Hi All, I'm new to the forum and have a President Lincoln installed at home running an Antron A99 base antenna. What I am after is a nice side band radio that I can put in my vehicle to drive up on the hills to do some DXing. Can anyone suggest a good reasonably priced radio that fits my description. Or if anyone has one to sell would be even better. It has to have FM UK and SSB on. Thank you very much in advance! Many thanks, Ben. 163-CT-255

Hi Ben,

Nice to do some hill DXing if you can

Compact?
Think you're gonna find most multimode CBs are pretty much similar dimensions to your Lincoln to be fair. There's some wonderfully compact UK/EU FM/AM radio's but once you add SSB they're fairly similar box sizes. I think Albrecht do a handheld SSB but no idea on how good or bad they are.

Reasonably priced?
Since lockdown some of the prices have shot up and most shops have no stock either. Second hand prices have gone mad too recently.

I'd use the Lincoln myself, either with a quick hook up or power lead to sit it on the passenger seat. Unplug accordingly for homebase or mobile DX use

Maybe someone else would have a better idea.

Anyway, hope you find what you're looking for.

All the best,
Victor

Hi Victor,

Thank you very much for the above information - I think what you have said is probably the best. If I was to get two power leads for the Lincoln and swap it back and fore for now until something else comes up after this COVID-19 pandemic!

When I used to be on the radio a few years back, you could pick second hand SSB radios up for £50 to £100! They have certainly gone up in price since then I suppose its a good thing though, it shows more people are on the radio!

Again, thank you for the info - much appreciated.

Stay safe and best 73's

Ben 163-CT-255

No worries Ben.

I hope you get a power lead sorted and take that Lincoln for a good ride They're nice radio's to be fair.

Yup, CB radio prices have gone crazy, which as you say could be a good thing as we should get more operators on air!

Take it easy my friend and all the best with it.

73s
Victor

These are the smallest ones mate


CRT 9900


Alinco DR135


Albrecht 5890

The smallest option would be the Albrecht 2990 AFS with the car kit and speaker mic

Thank you very much Firetrap and Victor. I will do some research on them just need a nice compact radio to fit in my discovery. For now I think I’ll use the president Lincoln!

Again, thank you for the information.

Best 73’s,

Ben 163-CT-255

I use the Albrecht 5890eu in the car and it's fantastic. The Alinco's Anytone.s, President's etc are all a bit lazy on the incoming signal's. The 5890 has a great reciever and a good 30w output. Very compact as well.

Paul.

Hi Paul, thanks for your advice. I will google the Albrecht 5890eu and find some info out on it. The more compact, the better!

Many thanks,

Ben

Don't know about the others but the crt9900 is car radio size.(single din)...
I didn't get on with the one i had but that was down to old eyes and fat fingers but not a bad radio at all and around 40w on ssb.

try the crt7900 is compact large screen and very user friendly and as good as the Lincoln and some times better the problem, is there getting bigger and there no space in in these mod cars and the one that will fit in your car are just fm and Am and no ssb

Fun, just bought a magnum 257HP (ALbrecht 5890). Fits in a DIN frame.

Thank you all for the recommendations.

Best regards, Ben. 163-CT-255

what ever you get and get to the hills I use Google heights and find the best spots and hope you get a good
radio for the car I am in the same thing Susuki Vitara and there not allot of space and drilling holes is a no no its a least car, I have a go box and in my box is every thing I need to be out radio mic fan. and bits and pieces and a t2lt and take it into the house when I get home and the one in the car, is a crt mike and that just in and fm am and mid bands but what ever you choose have lots of fun in this great hobby and the mobile antenna tri mag and sirio 400hp and 5000turbo