WOUUUU!!! Today I found in the original box my 20 years old Midland 79-290 in a storage plastic container, I connect and turn it on and for my surprise still working.
I had two of these 79-290's and loved them. I recently sold them in favor of newer equipment. They sure were neat! Kinda' wish I had kept one. These are rapidly becoming one of those classic sideband rigs that are very desirable and collectible.
Good video. They are very good radios and pretty stable on sideband. I have had several here in the shop over the years most with mild problems like a bad back light and a few with bad regulators etc.
This was SUPER helpful! Thanks so much! I hope you would consider doing more on this radio--like changing the back-light bulb. Also, you mentioned 'dimming', and showed it, but didn't reveal the cause/fix. Regardless, THANKS so much for this! Also, I just ordered a new power plug/cord from: www.wearecb.com/ They also have other parts for this radio (like the back-light bulb I mentioned....); prices seem VERY reasonable.
The face-plate on mine popped off today and fell right off. The two little plastic hooks that lock it in place cracked off. They were not designed with enough dimension to last... THE FIX: I screwed the face-plate to the contacts circuit board and plastic shrouds between them from the inside replacing the four small screws with .010" dia. screws, twice as long .672", drilled those anchor spots out to suit the screws while drilling holes right through the backside plastic of the face-plate which I drilled slightly bigger afterwards so they slip through to the anchor spots and then reassembles the radio now the face-plate is not removable unless it's disassembled. I applied dielectric grease on the contacts before screwing it all together. While reassembling don't overlook re-soldering the face circuit board back on to the steel case at left and right corners on the top. It looked important; like grounding. I took the clasping pieces and springs out and threw it all away. I nearly threw the radio in the trash until I noticed I could use the existing screw locations like this. It was easy and satisfying since the radio is like new still.
Thanks for this great, informative video. I just pulled my old 79-290 from storage and have discovered I need to replace the handset mic, but your comment about a non standard 4 pin connector has me a bit worried. Can I really not utilize a non Midland mic? (Like an Acstatic or Ranger mic)? Would you happen to know which handset mics would work with this radio’s 4 pin connector?
I have a 79-260 a buddy at work gave me what mic will work with this radio? Also he says it has upper and lower channel mode but I don't know how to use it would you possibly know?
Here in Europe there were the Identical DNT Calypso and the TeamTricom . Both could, reprogramming without soldering. Can the Midland and FM only or AM / SSB?
So, I just checked out the "Expanded Frequency Modification" on cbtricks.com and want to check one thing: When I select the link to see how to do this for the 79-290, it goes to a site that seems to show the 79-290, but my Windows tab says it is for a "Midland 77-285 Service Manual". The modification on the faceplate looks exactly like what you describe in this video, so I'm guessing it's just a typo somehow? Just want to be sure. Thanks for any feedback!
No automatic noise leveler or noise blanker,that had to suck when you are mobile...nothing but ground static and atmospheric noise...way to go Midland!!.
I had a few of these back in the day and they all suffered from electrical noise. this is why I had a few because I tried to find one that didn't pick up so much interference. I never liked the radio because of the receive not filtered well... I did have some issues with one that the faceplate had a bad connection. all the radios I had were bought brand new. the uniden 2510 and Lincoln just kills this radio for quality and that's where I ended up being happy back in the day.. just my 10 cents
WOUUUU!!! Today I found in the original box my 20 years old Midland 79-290 in a storage plastic container, I connect and turn it on and for my surprise still working.
I still use this radio. It’s been opened up. Love it
just want to say thanks for the video!! I know it may sound strange, but I enjoy watching vids on the older radios.
I had two of these 79-290's and loved them. I recently sold them in favor of newer equipment. They sure were neat! Kinda' wish I had kept one. These are rapidly becoming one of those classic sideband rigs that are very desirable and collectible.
Good video. They are very good radios and pretty stable on sideband. I have had several here in the shop over the years most with mild problems like a bad back light and a few with bad regulators etc.
Looking for someone to do the freq mod on mine
@@Radionut that's not a problem if you want to send it.
I need all the bulbs replaced in mine and possibly alignment. Weather band isn't working properly
Still have mine. Works as good as it did years ago when it was new
FYI: Power cord is available online - I just bought 2 from CBworld - Thanks again for the video, very informative.
So overpriced on CB Radio .
i just got mine off ebay i love this radio id buy 10 more if i could find them
Its a great pitty it dont have FM, but the video definition is very good, and well put over so all can understand cleary, well done.
This was SUPER helpful! Thanks so much! I hope you would consider doing more on this radio--like changing the back-light bulb. Also, you mentioned 'dimming', and showed it, but didn't reveal the cause/fix. Regardless, THANKS so much for this!
Also, I just ordered a new power plug/cord from: www.wearecb.com/ They also have other parts for this radio (like the back-light bulb I mentioned....); prices seem VERY reasonable.
FM mode seems to be available in the export model 79-290EX
learned a few thing on it. thanks. I don't use it because of dim display.
The face-plate on mine popped off today and fell right off. The two little plastic hooks that lock it in place cracked off. They were not designed with enough dimension to last... THE FIX: I screwed the face-plate to the contacts circuit board and plastic shrouds between them from the inside replacing the four small screws with .010" dia. screws, twice as long .672", drilled those anchor spots out to suit the screws while drilling holes right through the backside plastic of the face-plate which I drilled slightly bigger afterwards so they slip through to the anchor spots and then reassembles the radio now the face-plate is not removable unless it's disassembled. I applied dielectric grease on the contacts before screwing it all together. While reassembling don't overlook re-soldering the face circuit board back on to the steel case at left and right corners on the top. It looked important; like grounding. I took the clasping pieces and springs out and threw it all away. I nearly threw the radio in the trash until I noticed I could use the existing screw locations like this. It was easy and satisfying since the radio is like new still.
Thanks for this great, informative video.
I just pulled my old 79-290 from storage and have discovered I need to replace the handset mic, but your comment about a non standard 4 pin connector has me a bit worried.
Can I really not utilize a non Midland mic? (Like an Acstatic or Ranger mic)?
Would you happen to know which handset mics would work with this radio’s 4 pin connector?
Hmmmmm I still have mine...Brand New in a box. I remember wanting it so bad. Bought it. Forgot about it.
U still have this midland you spoke of? I'm looking for one and am having trouble.Just thought I would try.TY
MK
Looks like the alpha you reviewed in 2010, same large heatsink and 3 prong power plug. Made by alpha or Midland??
I have a 79-260 a buddy at work gave me what mic will work with this radio? Also he says it has upper and lower channel mode but I don't know how to use it would you possibly know?
Here in Europe there were the Identical DNT Calypso and the TeamTricom .
Both could, reprogramming without soldering.
Can the Midland and FM only or AM / SSB?
Sorry, I missed that. I saw the frequency modification part of your video, but somehow missed that part. Thanks!
I have one. it is hard to see the monitor. it just does not light up like this one does. that detachable face is a pain in the back side.
I read many reviews about the detachable face plate breaking so it won't click in place making the radio useless.
Hi all! I bought this radio on garage sale and its missing power cord with 3-pin connector: anyone knows where to get one?
Hi,Great radio,would it be for sale?
If it is how much for it.
Great channel,Thanks Gio.
I have one, but the face plate is not all that clear. they were made to match the ham gear of the time in your car. just one reason
So, I just checked out the "Expanded Frequency Modification" on cbtricks.com and want to check one thing: When I select the link to see how to do this for the 79-290, it goes to a site that seems to show the 79-290, but my Windows tab says it is for a "Midland 77-285 Service Manual". The modification on the faceplate looks exactly like what you describe in this video, so I'm guessing it's just a typo somehow? Just want to be sure. Thanks for any feedback!
Can't find one of these radios in UK. Lovely radio. Use Am a lot and SSB.
mark williams Just picked one up off eBay. Badged as a Team 444 and has FM mode.
Can the radio be peaked/tuned easily?
Does it get as hot as the Magnum 257 HP?
No automatic noise leveler or noise blanker,that had to suck when you are mobile...nothing but ground static and atmospheric noise...way to go Midland!!.
Keep up the videos,thanks
no noise blanker?
Had one of those, kept locking up. Shorting the contacts for a reset was a pain in the ass. Don't miss that radio at all.
Keep up the good work.
I bought this radio to look like I had a ham radio in the car.
the [problem I had with the face plate. I have a hard time getting it to fasten. so it does not come off unless it gets bombed. and I had did that.
I had a few of these back in the day and they all suffered from electrical noise. this is why I had a few because I tried to find one that didn't pick up so much interference. I never liked the radio because of the receive not filtered well... I did have some issues with one that the faceplate had a bad connection. all the radios I had were bought brand new. the uniden 2510 and Lincoln just kills this radio for quality and that's where I ended up being happy back in the day.. just my 10 cents
Do I can speak with a other one by cb out my country ?
Do alot of ppl use LSB in USA? I never hear anyone on LSB in the UK, they all use USB..
That’s funny because we side branders here in the USA only use LSB 27,3850 what is your popular upper side band Channel in the UK?
@@kylegoff9612 we use 27.555
Bon dia tenho um px midland 79 290 , roubaram a frente removivel, como fa;o para comprar outra
I wish I had mine in some storage box and it just showed up... :(
It sucked that this radio has no NB/ANL, made listening while mobile almost impossible..
do you all remembermidlands 90001?
Rci2950dx modulation view
I have the new uni den 980
on back
I believe LSB is for 10mhz or lower but I don't suppose it matters
all most phone plug in
FM mode seems to be available in the export model 79-290EX