Thats a nice handheld. Finally got an Icom 7300 and contacted Italy tonight. Radio gear is getting hard to get because of ,....well, you know, i'll leave it at that.
I'd like to see the TNC threaded version on all hand-helds and mobiles. TNC has the threaded stability and ruggedness, with the nice low-loss connection of BNC.
SMA connectors where never build to hold antennes like we see now days. In the old days they where used for internal cabling, not holding big Abbree antenna`s you see now days ;-)
Bought Randy iii a few weeks back - super build quality , very positive tactile buttons , very thoughtful accessories that come in the package . Truly a CB equipment of 2022
I have the Thomas as well. My buddy was mobile and I was at QTH. FM allowed us to still hear each other quite well in all the low spots we usually loose each other on AM. We thought that was quite interesting. Since then we haven’t heard much FM traffic. Everyone is still using AM/SSB. But hopefully more people will start using the FM mode at some point. Thanks for the update.
Frequency modulation seems to nullify noise associated with amplitude modulation. These days, with all of the digital and high-speed switching devices all around, FM getting through when AM/SSB is very possible. Even a car may have dozens of interference generators, ranging from the ignition to LED light drivers.
@ceedub619cameraman3or use FM, or use high power. Just like with GMRS the FCC is just tying up loose ends so they don't have to listen to hambones and crybabies whining.
I emailed President a few months back and asked them if they would be making the Randy with FM since the EU version has it. They got back to me and said they did have plans. So I guess they did it!
Hard to believe how small this President radio is..compared to the handheld cb from the 70's..that i used in the 80's lol. Was like holding a brick ! Great review !
That Randy II makes my Cobra 25 look like a relic of the past! Given the Advanced technology President has brought to CB’s and the success Midland is having with GMRS radios, I don’t know how Cobra is still around? Can’t wait to see the range test.
I have an old cobra hand held and I've actually talked a bit of skip on it, even with the rubber duck antenna. It was even better when I hooked it up to a mag mount. The hand held is really capable radio just dont use it in a vehicle with the rubber duck and expect to get far.
We had the Randy 3 a while now in UK,only difference is we have CTCSS option so can do ,closed groups,cb repeaters and VoIP ptt gateways ctcss controlled.But these HTs are very well made and built rugged,FM mode is preferred mode in UK for good reasons.
Solid upgrade. Wish they would incorporate SSB. Weird, but recently Channel 9 in my area has gone skip and/or just become a Chanel 6 clone. Long gone are the days of LEOs monitoring. Kind of a throwback that companies still preload 9 as emergency.
Disregard. I just learned that the clowns at President R&D for whatever reason, left off the one feature I was most looking forward to, CTCSS/DCS. The Randy III (Euro version) has this feature, but I guess they figured their USA customers were undeserving of this perk. I no longer plan on buying one.
Coppers electronics use have. Ssb am fm sidewinder to150 in 1990"as c ok sted $229 side b ND chewed up the battery at 5 watts but they quit having it. Find , use magnum 1012 or order alberct radio from UK I don't know why them ain't sold here .
I have the European Version (Randy III) and it lasts 2 days in scanning channels. So battery life is not an issue. Also Li-Ion outperforms the old NiCd or NiMh in every regard.
The battery life has never been and issue, especially on randy. The only issue was 9 AAs is ridiculous. The lithium pack in this thankfully solves that.
Really nice CB radio! I guess I should feel excited about this because I here very few stations on CB in my local area, Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada. The batteries wear out in a Uniden hand held that I have.
Would be nice if they would add SSB. Then it would really be the ultimate hand held. Fully loaded and able to connect it to your 12v outlet in your car and run a mobile antenna. Hell I’d get one for a backup or to have incase of a multi car road trip. I enjoy Cb on the road.
I doubt very much,just not enough big market for Ssb HTs,plus they are notoriously not very good. What I would say is a transportable adaptor that can slide a small Am/FM/Ssb radio into a cradle with long tape Goode neck antenna into unit. Especially as most me bile sets are 12-24V DC powered.Ive worked on Ssb handhelds and don't rate them at all.
They well ok d hit you hard for ssb version . They got sell them albercth r as dios from úk in the USA no jundk 10 & 11 meters all in one use cb or 10m ham. Or get magnum 1012 back out again?
Well at least with my cb im running lowband motorola gear on fm now able to use PL/DPL to filter out transmissions im also experimenting rebroadcasting scanner audio as well‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
I got to say, I was a little disappointed that they decided to release the second fm radio in the ht, I been waiting for them to release it with the McKinley, I want all the modes!
If you want the McKinley all mode (AM/FM/SSB) then you have to order it from a European dealer as they have the McKinley there in Europe with all the modes and way more features then the North America FCC version and it's modifiable too unlike the FCC which isn't modifiable!
I really hope that you get a chance to do everything you want to do before that happens. A positive outlook can be good medicine for the body and soul. Please take care my friend
@@FarpointFarms I realized after posting its 75-785 and a Midland not Uniden. I think the Uniden and Cobra versions are worse than the Midland. Sure hope the Randy II FCC is better. It will arrive this week. I also ordered a President George FCC.
The laws about using a hand held device in Canada for sure and most if not all states radio communications are exempt. So most places you should be able to use the hand held. But if you are in a vehicle the rubber duck antenna isn't going to work well, so you best to hook it up to at least a mag mount. Doing that makes it difficult to handle with the coax connected. So a hand mic or Bluetooth would definitely be handy
Hey Eric it's your old pal trans Canada radio 5322 the the vox function is perfect for non-distracted driving I think it was a function that should have been put in CB radio long time ago but it was illegal then
Eric many thanks for the time spent making these. Been wanting to get back into CB, and because of you I was able to find a TRC216 at a good price to gauge the activity in my area, which unfortunately seems light. How does the Randy II compare to the Midland 75-822 if you or anyone has any insight. Thanks.
I had the Midland 75-822 before I got my (non-fm) Randy. I think the midland makes a better mobile mounted radio, with all wires coming off the bottom for mobile use. But for handheld use, the Randy is wayyy better. Feels tougher/higher quality, certainly has a better, bigger screen, and a few more features. The auto squelch and scan on the Randy are great too. I also loaned the Randy to a coworker (we both haul oversized loads) when the mobile in his truck went out, and the Randy had battery power all day transmitting and receiving. 6 AA batteries in the Midland is a big downside compared to the Randy. At the end of the day, as much as I like my Midland, it’s the one I’m more likely to temporarily install in a friends car for a day, the Randy is what I bing to work every day as a backup. Just my $0.02, cheers!
Found 400 channel mods for the Randy III, and the older Randy 1's but so far no Randy IIs. 310 for 4 Watts high on my am/fm Randy II. 1 Watts on low is 344, AM Pow mod L/H 77, FM Mod 510. Using a meter. These are the best numbers for that radio.
Hi Eric. I watched your video and went to the President web site to find out more details about this radio. One thing I saw is that it has DCS and CTCSS codes just like GMRS. It didn’t say if it was both AM and FM or just FM. Do you know? I will be waiting for your range test. This may be in my future. Thanks
@@richiec7602 Well that totally sucks! President R&D is totally tone-deaf to consumer needs. Sounds like the same crew of halfwits that Midland has doing R&D on their FRS/GMRS radios.😡
@@richiec7602 I contacted President several months ago when they announced their first FM mobile, and asked about tones (CTCSS/DCS) and they advised that the FCC hasn't addressed the issue. The one you saw was for the European market. I don't know if those contain the 40 U.S. channels
CB is not like it use to be when I was a kid back in the 70's I bought a CB to put in my truck and was really disappointed that very few us CB's anymore
@@franksando635I can't remember in 1974 getting a license. 1n 1984 the farm went to VHF business band and a private NEIBOR coordinator out of Getteysburg had to assign the frequency. I filled that paperwork out. It took 4 turn arounds in the mail to get things filled out correctly. Then crystrals had to be ordered for the radios. It was 10 months from getting the radios to being able to use them. 151.805 mhz. became a non assigned work place VHF frequency the same time murs radios started. (Around 2000) Radio Shake sold 151.805 mhz radios off the shelf. A FCC license was required unlike murs.
I need one of those. You know what else I need? ......Info on that boom mic you've got set up!....I've been debating on converting my Delta M2 to a boom. that is pretty sweet. Hope y'all are doing good up that way. We're already baking down here...lol....went from winter STRAIGHT to summer yet AGAIN... Enjoyed the vid, y'all take care!
Hey Man, I Really Enjoy Your Channel. As Far As 11 Meters Go, Wouldn't SSB Be More Desirable Than FM? How Much Bigger, Heavier & More $$$ Would It Have To Be?
Oh yeah SSB is way more desirable, check on eBay you can get a good used side SSB Radio For 100 bucks. Or go ahead and buy the bearcat 980 brand new if you want to spend less Of course now president radios are more expensive but built like a tank I’ve done a couple reviews on my channel too you’re welcome to come look at
@@JohnnyNJones The Video Is About Walkie-Talkies, Which Is What My Comment Was In Reference To. I'm Pretty Sure The Uniden 980 Costs More Than $100! I Have An Anytone Quad 6, Thank You.
@@thewatcher5271 I picked my 980 up for 75, but it was used. But I wasn’t referring to the 980 being $100 I was talking about more like an old realistic or something. I’ve heard people say good things about those anytone radios, I’ve never owned one myself other than an AM only model. It was a very small compact Radio though, I wish I had kept it. Here is a handheld with SSB Albrecht AE2990
Serious question for you . I have to squelch up to 15 to 20 on the Randy to filter out all the nonsense on Channel 19 and 6. When I move back to North Carolina IE closer to the Channel 19 people will I be able to squelch these people out will I even be able to use this radio? Will I only be able to use it at night? I don't want to be getting stepped on 22 hours out of the day
We are in the middle of a solar maximum. It's causing a lot of interference on the CB bands at times. This is why the squelch has to be turned up so much. That said, I was traveling over the holidays and was able to use my Randy to call out for a road condition report from inside the car with the stock rubber ducky antenna and got a call back.
@FarpointFarms Are there any books that you recommend on the 11-meter band? Or do I just need to sponge ham material and transfer the knowledge to the 11 M BAND 🤔 I want to be like these old guys who have sweet base stations. Thanks for all your videos they helped me out a lot you're awesome.
I did some searching on President's website. The Euro version has CTCSS/DCS but NOT weather. The USA version has weather, but no CTCSS/DCS. Looks like you can't have both. I guess that would be asking too much. Maybe they will come out with another US version that has tones (?) 73's, "Midnight Runner" here. The shiny side stays up :)
the president randy radio is ok, but the antenna falls apart. I have six radios and all the antennas they are not soldered welded or crimped. I had to buy tnc to bnc adaptors and use Midland antennas on each radio.
Hands free, really? If I was stopped by an officer for using a CB, the first thing I would ask would be, "did you call in your 10-60? If so, did you use your mic?" I love my President Taylor Radio, just wish it had more power. Thanks for the video Eric.
Anyone else have this radio and noticed the volume seems to be in digital step’s instead of a smooth analog control on the volume pot? Mine seems to be digital stepping so there is no smooth increase in volume from off to anywhere on the volume scale. Seems to be digital steps all the way through the volume range but the low volume portion is the worst.
Okay, I looked into a better antenna than the junky rubber duck. The choices are a big chrome telescoping whip or one of those military looking blade whips by Abbree Tactical Antenna for 27mhz 42.5” (Amazon) using a BNC to TNC adaptor. It's cool looking all right but it's heavy. It could damage the radio's antenna connector. I wish somebody made a better, longer rubber duck with a TNC connector for CB. Update: The one you want is called the "Albrecht CL-27 TNC". It's a better duck than the stock one but not too long or heavy. Impossible to find in the US or afford. $90 imported.
The Randy is not the second radio from President to have FM. They have been available for years for sale in the UK and Europe. They just got authorization to sell them in the US. Just check out You Tuber Andy Kirby or even Fred in The Shed. All they did was remove the weather receive board and replace it with the FM transmit board they have been using. Then just flash them for use in the US. Their is a service menu on these radio's. Check out Roger Bird's You Tube channel CB Radio Magazine on how to access it. Allows for channel expansion and to peak and tweak it.
Not the FCC version, the FCC North American version is not modifiable, however the European Randy lll is modifiable but it only goes to 28.305 and that's it. It doesn't go up to the FM part of 10 meters let alone the repeater section of 10 meters. It does go down to 12 meters though, I think as low as 24.600 I believe.
Too bad they don't also have an optional telescopic whip for extended range out in the open. There's just no way that I would purchase something like this without the telescopic whip option. What about being able to have extra rechargeable batteries? What is the hi and lo power outputs? Speaker microphone???
Just bought two of them for a cross country drive with another group in a separate vehicle. Wanted the ability to communicate in those areas where there is no cell service. Hopefully it works out.
Too bad they didn't send you two so you could demo CTCSS/DCS operation on FM. To my best understanding, the Randy III (Euro Version) includes CTCSS/DCS, something I hope catches on quickly with base and mobile radios. You would need two to demo this feature. Edit: I won't be buying one after all. For whatever reason, President R&D decided to leave off the CTCSS/DCS feature that the PR III (Euro) version has. WTH???? They must have the same crew of tone deaf clowns in their R&D section as Midland uses for their FRS/GMRS line of radios. 😡 Thanks for the review! I̶ ̶w̶o̶n̶d̶e̶r̶ ̶w̶h̶o̶ ̶w̶i̶l̶l̶ ̶b̶e̶ ̶s̶e̶l̶l̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶s̶e̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶w̶h̶e̶n̶.̶
Thats a nice handheld. Finally got an Icom 7300 and contacted Italy tonight. Radio gear is getting hard to get because of ,....well, you know, i'll leave it at that.
That BNC connector for the antenna is a warm welcome over those tiny SMA connectors!
I'd like to see the TNC threaded version on all hand-helds and mobiles. TNC has the threaded stability and ruggedness, with the nice low-loss connection of BNC.
I tried to buy another antenna for it other than getting 2 adapters there's none available.
SMA connectors where never build to hold antennes like we see now days. In the old days they where used for internal cabling, not holding big Abbree antenna`s you see now days ;-)
@@robbehr8806 it is TNC ,not BNC as stated in comment
Bought Randy iii a few weeks back - super build quality , very positive tactile buttons , very thoughtful accessories that come in the package . Truly a CB equipment of 2022
Where did you buy it ?
@@robertpunzell7607 in Delhi India
I have the Thomas as well. My buddy was mobile and I was at QTH. FM allowed us to still hear each other quite well in all the low spots we usually loose each other on AM. We thought that was quite interesting.
Since then we haven’t heard much FM traffic. Everyone is still using AM/SSB. But hopefully more people will start using the FM mode at some point. Thanks for the update.
Frequency modulation seems to nullify noise associated with amplitude modulation. These days, with all of the digital and high-speed switching devices all around, FM getting through when AM/SSB is very possible. Even a car may have dozens of interference generators, ranging from the ignition to LED light drivers.
Citizens Band has seen some well needed improvements from The FCC allowing skip and FM, and upgrades like these from President.
I sure believe it has, but I do not have access.
@@paulgrodkowski1021 Time to grant yourself access and get back on the air!
@Cee Dub619cameraman I hear you 😉 but it's still nice they are making changes to improve.
@ceedub619cameraman3or use FM, or use high power. Just like with GMRS the FCC is just tying up loose ends so they don't have to listen to hambones and crybabies whining.
I emailed President a few months back and asked them if they would be making the Randy with FM since the EU version has it. They got back to me and said they did have plans. So I guess they did it!
I think they were trying to keep it quiet
@@FarpointFarms Where did you get yours? I want one now.
Thx Eric... Looking forward to the range test AM vs FM, along with clarity.
Coming soon!
Hard to believe how small this President radio is..compared to the handheld cb from the 70's..that i used in the 80's lol. Was like holding a brick ! Great review !
Right?!?! My Realistic TRC-217 is a monster to hold and eats batteries.
That Randy II makes my Cobra 25 look like a relic of the past! Given the Advanced technology President has brought to CB’s and the success Midland is having with GMRS radios, I don’t know how Cobra is still around? Can’t wait to see the range test.
I have an old cobra hand held and I've actually talked a bit of skip on it, even with the rubber duck antenna.
It was even better when I hooked it up to a mag mount.
The hand held is really capable radio just dont use it in a vehicle with the rubber duck and expect to get far.
We had the Randy 3 a while now in UK,only difference is we have CTCSS option so can do ,closed groups,cb repeaters and VoIP ptt gateways ctcss controlled.But these HTs are very well made and built rugged,FM mode is preferred mode in UK for good reasons.
@@Greg-zr4wmI like my cobra handheld because of the soundtracker thingy made the output audio better than the rest, until the randy came out that is.
Solid upgrade. Wish they would incorporate SSB. Weird, but recently Channel 9 in my area has gone skip and/or just become a Chanel 6 clone. Long gone are the days of LEOs monitoring. Kind of a throwback that companies still preload 9 as emergency.
9 sounds like channel 6 where I live too. Some of the Ohio State Troopers and Kentucky State Police still monitor Channel 9.
@@hatchetjackphillips I live close to the Turnpike in NW Ohio. I do know a few Troopers still monitor it for old schoolers!
Now we just need for president to make it in side band . Wow that would be awesome. God bless l really like your videos God bless
I hope they read some of the comments- they can get some great radio ideas
Thank you I ordered one today it was the last one! Can’t wait to get it!
If you don't mind me asking, where did you find it? I have been checking online for weeks and cannot find any, anywhere.
Disregard. I just learned that the clowns at President R&D for whatever reason, left off the one feature I was most looking forward to, CTCSS/DCS. The Randy III (Euro version) has this feature, but I guess they figured their USA customers were undeserving of this perk. I no longer plan on buying one.
If it only had side band. Oh the possibilities. Thanks Erick for another great informative video! Catch'ya on the air!
Thanks for watching!
Coppers electronics use have. Ssb am fm sidewinder to150 in 1990"as c ok sted $229 side b ND chewed up the battery at 5 watts but they quit having it.
Find , use magnum 1012 or order alberct radio from UK I don't know why them ain't sold here .
Hope they come out with a huge battery. With portables it's always the battery that lets you down. Cool video Eric.
good point, the batteries never last as long as needed
I have the European Version (Randy III) and it lasts 2 days in scanning channels. So battery life is not an issue. Also Li-Ion outperforms the old NiCd or NiMh in every regard.
Agreed. Should offer at least a 3Ah battery as an option.
The battery life has never been and issue, especially on randy. The only issue was 9 AAs is ridiculous. The lithium pack in this thankfully solves that.
Really nice CB radio! I guess I should feel excited about this because I here very few stations on CB in my local area, Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada. The batteries wear out in a Uniden hand held that I have.
Would be nice if they would add SSB. Then it would really be the ultimate hand held. Fully loaded and able to connect it to your 12v outlet in your car and run a mobile antenna. Hell I’d get one for a backup or to have incase of a multi car road trip. I enjoy Cb on the road.
Waiting on your test review results! I received mine today! Will try it out tomorrow
Cool radio it's here now but I wouldn't think it worth charging anymore then typical $149.99 . Thanks for video
Last I saw it was going for $169.00.
Awesome, any link? Who’s selling this now?
Nice !!! Should be an interesting follow up , can’t wait !
Coming soon!
You think they will ever make one with sideband? I think that would be a super popular one if they were able to implement that! Id certainly buy one!
If they do, they will sell out within 30 days.
The SSB model better have a hidden menu option for 27.555.
I doubt very much,just not enough big market for Ssb HTs,plus they are notoriously not very good.
What I would say is a transportable adaptor that can slide a small Am/FM/Ssb radio into a cradle with long tape Goode neck antenna into unit.
Especially as most me bile sets are 12-24V DC powered.Ive worked on Ssb handhelds and don't rate them at all.
They well ok d hit you hard for ssb version . They got sell them albercth r as dios from úk in the USA no jundk 10 & 11 meters all in one use cb or 10m ham. Or get magnum 1012 back out again?
Well at least with my cb im running lowband motorola gear on fm now able to use PL/DPL to filter out transmissions im also experimenting rebroadcasting scanner audio as well‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
Excellent video. Very helpful.
Glad you think so!
I got to say, I was a little disappointed that they decided to release the second fm radio in the ht, I been waiting for them to release it with the McKinley, I want all the modes!
If you want the McKinley all mode (AM/FM/SSB) then you have to order it from a European dealer as they have the McKinley there in Europe with all the modes and way more features then the North America FCC version and it's modifiable too unlike the FCC which isn't modifiable!
Nice HT and even better with FM.
I’m looking forward to trying FM CB before I die from liver cancer…been CBer for 46 years as Coffee ☕️ Cup…year before that I was Fonzie.
I really hope that you get a chance to do everything you want to do before that happens. A positive outlook can be good medicine for the body and soul. Please take care my friend
I’m a P/EVO Steerman for wind turbine blades and have been using Uniden 75-755’s and am hoping this will be more consistent and reliable.
I've owned both and no longer own the 75-755 if that tells you anything.
@@FarpointFarms I realized after posting its 75-785 and a Midland not Uniden. I think the Uniden and Cobra versions are worse than the Midland. Sure hope the Randy II FCC is better. It will arrive this week. I also ordered a President George FCC.
Mornin time there Eric. I should have waited for that one.
A lot of truckers are buying them for loading docks
I can see why they would
You've got a great channel
Thanks!
I got my Randy 2 today 😁
I hope you are happy with it like I was
@@FarpointFarms I turned it on this morning around 145am..nothing. everyone musta been sleeping😴 picked up a lot at lunch time.
Good morning
Same to you!
Years ago, I beleive it was Midland sold a AM And SSB Walkie Talkie- One of my friends had one-It was a good idea then, and still is -
The laws about using a hand held device in Canada for sure and most if not all states radio communications are exempt.
So most places you should be able to use the hand held.
But if you are in a vehicle the rubber duck antenna isn't going to work well, so you best to hook it up to at least a mag mount. Doing that makes it difficult to handle with the coax connected.
So a hand mic or Bluetooth would definitely be handy
They should put CTCSS/DCS on it like the new Harrison. That'd be a game changer 👍
Maybe with the Randy III.
Hey Eric it's your old pal trans Canada radio 5322 the the vox function is perfect for non-distracted driving I think it was a function that should have been put in CB radio long time ago but it was illegal then
Eric many thanks for the time spent making these. Been wanting to get back into CB, and because of you I was able to find a TRC216 at a good price to gauge the activity in my area, which unfortunately seems light. How does the Randy II compare to the Midland 75-822 if you or anyone has any insight. Thanks.
I too like the Midland 75-822, such a versatile CB radio. Perhaps Midland will offer it with the FM as well, sure hope they do ASAP.
I had the Midland 75-822 before I got my (non-fm) Randy. I think the midland makes a better mobile mounted radio, with all wires coming off the bottom for mobile use. But for handheld use, the Randy is wayyy better. Feels tougher/higher quality, certainly has a better, bigger screen, and a few more features. The auto squelch and scan on the Randy are great too. I also loaned the Randy to a coworker (we both haul oversized loads) when the mobile in his truck went out, and the Randy had battery power all day transmitting and receiving. 6 AA batteries in the Midland is a big downside compared to the Randy.
At the end of the day, as much as I like my Midland, it’s the one I’m more likely to temporarily install in a friends car for a day, the Randy is what I bing to work every day as a backup. Just my $0.02, cheers!
@@tomasperalta3961 Thank you for your thoughts and info. Much appreciated.
@@jgstevens5169 Thanks for this info.
With this FM. I want to get back into CB again. I miss it. I haven't been into CB radio 📻 in 20 years.
Harmonics all over the place.
This was filmed in my garage and there are tons of things to cause interference.
Found 400 channel mods for the Randy III, and the older Randy 1's but so far no Randy IIs. 310 for 4 Watts high on my am/fm Randy II. 1 Watts on low is 344, AM Pow mod L/H 77, FM Mod 510. Using a meter. These are the best numbers for that radio.
How do you reset the factory settings on a Randy ii ? If you know...
Nice TNC Antenna Connecter, better then a BNC,
Farms good 👍 job hope to hear 👂 you
On meadl est 73 from 115 division
It's Been 30 years since cobra made a decent radio.
I wish they would bring back Base Stations!
that's a nice cb radio.
with am/fm mode radio
It really is a good radio
Just bought the original randy 1 in eBay. I had no idea that there was a randy 2 hopefully its as good 🤦🤷
You can get some great things on ebay
@@FarpointFarms how much better is the Randy 2 versus the Randy 1?
that walkie talkie has the same color change function as the Stryker 955hp
I just bought a tram through the glass antenna for my Yaesu ft65r now it looks like I might need one for a Randy II.
Check out finfine k8 mike it 27usd
N just as good as shur sm 58
Good for streaming n work a treat
On cb with the Wright wiring
Great video
Hi Eric. I watched your video and went to the President web site to find out more details about this radio. One thing I saw is that it has DCS and CTCSS codes just like GMRS. It didn’t say if it was both AM and FM or just FM. Do you know? I will be waiting for your range test. This may be in my future. Thanks
Sorry, I saw a President Randy 3 on line. I believe yours is a PR 2. No tones available on the 2.
@@richiec7602
Well that totally sucks! President R&D is totally tone-deaf to consumer needs. Sounds like the same crew of halfwits that Midland has doing R&D on their FRS/GMRS radios.😡
@@richiec7602 I contacted President several months ago when they announced their first FM mobile, and asked about tones (CTCSS/DCS) and they advised that the FCC hasn't addressed the issue. The one you saw was for the European market. I don't know if those contain the 40 U.S. channels
Nice review! Thanks Erik!
Glad you liked it!
What is the preformance like ? Expensive ($139) for what they are imo. Unless hiking I prefer the Mckinley. Imo
Do we have to ADJUSTMENT OF SWR (Standing wave ratio) for the first time prior to use ? With the supplied rubber antenna
No, the antenna is pre tuned.
@FarpointFarms how about if I buy the other brand antennas from Amazon. Do I need to calibrate? If so how ?
Looks good.
CB is not like it use to be when I was a kid back in the 70's I bought a CB to put in my truck and was really disappointed that very few us CB's anymore
Warmed my heart when two truckdriver CB Rambos started calling each other every name in the book. I miss that so badly.
@@2148aa well back then you had to have a FCC license to use a CB but found out you don't need them anymore $25.00 down the drain in the 70's LOL
@@franksando635I can't remember in 1974 getting a license. 1n 1984 the farm went to VHF business band and a private NEIBOR coordinator out of Getteysburg had to assign the frequency. I filled that paperwork out. It took 4 turn arounds in the mail to get things filled out correctly. Then crystrals had to be ordered for the radios. It was 10 months from getting the radios to being able to use them. 151.805 mhz. became a non assigned work place VHF frequency the same time murs radios started. (Around 2000)
Radio Shake sold 151.805 mhz radios off the shelf. A FCC license was required unlike murs.
What does code off and tone mean in the service menu for the radio? I cannot find any info online about those two menu options
Not sure on that one.
WOW
Very cool, pretty affordable too.
Agreed! a good price point is crucial at this point in time
Need to add ssb to it
That would be cool, but pretty much useless.
I need one of those.
You know what else I need? ......Info on that boom mic you've got set up!....I've been debating on converting my Delta M2 to a boom. that is pretty sweet.
Hope y'all are doing good up that way. We're already baking down here...lol....went from winter STRAIGHT to summer yet AGAIN...
Enjoyed the vid, y'all take care!
Are the batteries interchangeable between the Randy 1 & 2?
Yes.
Hey Man, I Really Enjoy Your Channel. As Far As 11 Meters Go, Wouldn't SSB Be More Desirable Than FM? How Much Bigger, Heavier & More $$$ Would It Have To Be?
Oh yeah SSB is way more desirable, check on eBay you can get a good used side SSB Radio For 100 bucks.
Or go ahead and buy the bearcat 980 brand new if you want to spend less
Of course now president radios are more expensive but built like a tank
I’ve done a couple reviews on my channel too you’re welcome to come look at
@@JohnnyNJones The Video Is About Walkie-Talkies, Which Is What My Comment Was In Reference To. I'm Pretty Sure The Uniden 980 Costs More Than $100! I Have An Anytone Quad 6, Thank You.
@@thewatcher5271 I picked my 980 up for 75, but it was used.
But I wasn’t referring to the 980 being $100 I was talking about more like an old realistic or something.
I’ve heard people say good things about those anytone radios, I’ve never owned one myself other than an AM only model.
It was a very small compact Radio though, I wish I had kept it.
Here is a handheld with SSB
Albrecht AE2990
What do you think of the small Eton Mini Elite am/fm/sw radio by any chance! Perhaps you've reviewed it already. ♐
Serious question for you . I have to squelch up to 15 to 20 on the Randy to filter out all the nonsense on Channel 19 and 6. When I move back to North Carolina IE closer to the Channel 19 people will I be able to squelch these people out will I even be able to use this radio? Will I only be able to use it at night? I don't want to be getting stepped on 22 hours out of the day
We are in the middle of a solar maximum. It's causing a lot of interference on the CB bands at times. This is why the squelch has to be turned up so much. That said, I was traveling over the holidays and was able to use my Randy to call out for a road condition report from inside the car with the stock rubber ducky antenna and got a call back.
@FarpointFarms Are there any books that you recommend on the 11-meter band? Or do I just need to sponge ham material and transfer the knowledge to the 11 M BAND 🤔 I want to be like these old guys who have sweet base stations. Thanks for all your videos they helped me out a lot you're awesome.
Can these interact with walkie talkies , I can talk to the shipping guys inside of walking inside to get their attention
It depends on if they are using CB walkie talkies like the President Randy. If they are yes! If they are on FRS or GMRS radios, then no.
I did some searching on President's website. The Euro version has CTCSS/DCS but NOT weather. The USA version has weather, but no CTCSS/DCS. Looks like you can't have both. I guess that would be asking too much. Maybe they will come out with another US version that has tones (?) 73's, "Midnight Runner" here. The shiny side stays up :)
the president randy radio is ok, but the antenna falls apart. I have six radios and all the antennas they are not soldered welded or crimped. I had to buy tnc to bnc adaptors and use Midland antennas on each radio.
You got an affiliate link I can save for a couple paydays from now? 😁
Can it shoot skip with just the rubber antenna ?
No.
Hands free, really? If I was stopped by an officer for using a CB, the first thing I would ask would be, "did you call in your 10-60? If so, did you use your mic?" I love my President Taylor Radio, just wish it had more power. Thanks for the video Eric.
That little rubber duck, not much better than a dummy load on 11 meter. And yes, make one with sideband, all those other gimmick features of no use.
Anyone else have this radio and noticed the volume seems to be in digital step’s instead of a smooth analog control on the volume pot? Mine seems to be digital stepping so there is no smooth increase in volume from off to anywhere on the volume scale. Seems to be digital steps all the way through the volume range but the low volume portion is the worst.
Okay, I looked into a better antenna than the junky rubber duck. The choices are a big chrome telescoping whip or one of those military looking blade whips by Abbree Tactical Antenna for 27mhz 42.5” (Amazon) using a BNC to TNC adaptor. It's cool looking all right but it's heavy. It could damage the radio's antenna connector. I wish somebody made a better, longer rubber duck with a TNC connector for CB.
Update: The one you want is called the "Albrecht CL-27 TNC". It's a better duck than the stock one but not too long or heavy. Impossible to find in the US or afford. $90 imported.
While using in car would you hook up to an external antenna?
If you want to talk further than you can shout, you would need an external antenna.
The Randy is not the second radio from President to have FM. They have been available for years for sale in the UK and Europe. They just got authorization to sell them in the US. Just check out You Tuber Andy Kirby or even Fred in The Shed. All they did was remove the weather receive board and replace it with the FM transmit board they have been using. Then just flash them for use in the US. Their is a service menu on these radio's. Check out Roger Bird's You Tube channel CB Radio Magazine on how to access it. Allows for channel expansion and to peak and tweak it.
It is in the USA
Did it come with the rechargeable battery pack?
Yes.
Does Randy II pickup a Waltmart Walkie Talkie Radio ? What kind of a Waltmart Radio Frequency ? AM or FM ?
How do you take the back light off
It can be adjusted to auto off after a few seconds in the menu.
Cobra 🐍 HH50 WXST has scan.
Glad to hear it!
Was it the camera angle, or does the original Randy have a (very) slightly larger screen? Thanks (looking forward to Pt.2)
Hey Eric great content, I've seen some reviews on the CRT 4cf, it does ham and CB and almost most other things, any chance of an honest review?
Does anyone know if it can be modified for the Ham 10m use? I have a ham license. thanks
Not the FCC version, the FCC North American version is not modifiable, however the European Randy lll is modifiable but it only goes to 28.305 and that's it. It doesn't go up to the FM part of 10 meters let alone the repeater section of 10 meters. It does go down to 12 meters though, I think as low as 24.600 I believe.
how are thiings?, Yeah~amazing ,fellow~
Are you supposed to adjust the SWR on the radio before use? Instructions say to do so....
Not with the stock antenna. Only if you add a longer one.
Where did you find it?
you can get it on amazon.
is FM wide or narrow
Too bad they don't also have an optional telescopic whip for extended range out in the open. There's just no way that I would purchase something like this without the telescopic whip option. What about being able to have extra rechargeable batteries? What is the hi and lo power outputs? Speaker microphone???
I bought a Telescopic 1,30m whip along with a TNC to BNC-Adapter on Amazon for
They have an optional folding telescopic antenna for the Randy lll in the European market. Odd how it's not offered in North America though!
Compander is more like a compressor. Nothign like ANL at all.
Ok. Good to know.
Just bought two of them for a cross country drive with another group in a separate vehicle. Wanted the ability to communicate in those areas where there is no cell service. Hopefully it works out.
Did it work?
@@MacioRodriguez NOT VERY WELL, RANGE SUCKED
Looks like 90's cellphone.
like a brick
in free countries they have fm for decades
Too bad they didn't send you two so you could demo CTCSS/DCS operation on FM. To my best understanding, the Randy III (Euro Version) includes CTCSS/DCS, something I hope catches on quickly with base and mobile radios. You would need two to demo this feature.
Edit: I won't be buying one after all. For whatever reason, President R&D decided to leave off the CTCSS/DCS feature that the PR III (Euro) version has. WTH???? They must have the same crew of tone deaf clowns in their R&D section as Midland uses for their FRS/GMRS line of radios. 😡
Thanks for the review! I̶ ̶w̶o̶n̶d̶e̶r̶ ̶w̶h̶o̶ ̶w̶i̶l̶l̶ ̶b̶e̶ ̶s̶e̶l̶l̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶s̶e̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶w̶h̶e̶n̶.̶
are all of these radios made in china?
sent you an email check it please.