Roadking C4 radio

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by Kickstand-117, Sep 23, 2014.

  1. Kickstand-117

    Kickstand-117 Light Load Member

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    Here lately I've been seeing these all over truckstops, and looking at it I like the design, looks like a uniden. Anyone got any real info on it? Easy to mod? Good Rx? How many watts can it kick barefoot? I'm thinking this would be great for the jeep build I'm starting, just trying to get info.
     
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  3. handlebar

    handlebar Heavy Load Member

    I'm unable to find anything about it in either my service archives or over on the extensive resource at CB Tricks. I've not been able to eyeball one myself, but my understanding is that it closely mimics the Uniden-badged equivalents of the similar Cobras.

    FWIW, any barefoot, legal CB will be difficult to strangle more than the lawful 4 watts (unmodulated) that the finals are designed for. While it *can* be done in most radios, by doing "bad mojo" things like spreading the output filter coils that are designed to keep the transmitter clean and in-band, and clipping audio limiter circuits to allow for vastly greater modulation levels than the 100% which is the maximum to keep a single within the "authorized bandwidth" for one channel, what you'd end up with such a butcherization will be a formerly-nice radio that's now become a low power splatterbox, right up until the increased DC current through the final transistor(s) turns them into expensive cinders.

    If you'll be off-roading in your Jeep, I'd think you'd be happier knowing that your radio was working properly as it was intended to, rather than sitting someplace with a broken transfer case at the bottom of a ravine. At that point, knowing that you talked to some guy 1,500 miles away *last night* and now have a receiver in a box that won't transmit louder than you can yell out the rag top seems like one of those "If Only" moments.

    If you do go the "strangle the full 6 watts out of my new rig", then take it some place with no cell service and a blown transmitter, I'd respectfully suggest you carry a brand new spare CB, still in the box, in a waterproof shrinkwrapped plastic overwrap "just in case". After all, even with Wrangler A/T tires, you *do* still have a spare, don'tcha?

    Just a thought. 30 years in Alaska, and I always carried a spare of *everything* if I was driving more than 20 miles.

    I'll follow this thread; I'm curious about the new radio on the market, too, and if it seems decent, I'll get one for the car that belongs to the XYL, a/k/a "She Who Must Be Obeyed" :)

    73
     
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  4. Kickstand-117

    Kickstand-117 Light Load Member

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    The jeep is actually gonna be a street build, but so is my car and its been back in places cars don't belong. I don't wanna butcher it, I was thinking upgraded finals and a tune. I'm hoping to learn more about this radio without buying one, but if need be I'll buy it and post all the information I can.
     
  5. 112racing

    112racing Road Train Member

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    the roadking is just a rebranded uniden pc 76xl
     
    handlebar Thanks this.
  6. handlebar

    handlebar Heavy Load Member

    Kickstand,
    That being the case, and unless you've got a very well equipped service bench, I'd opt for saving the $$$ at some place that *may* actually put in the correct parts, correctly, and then align the new configuration correctly. Instead, take the stock radio, turn DOWN the output to between 1.0 & 1.5 watts carrier, modulation no more than 100% on peaks, and put a small outboard amp, like an RM Italy KL200P after it. Your radio will sound good, it'll last forever, and so will your amp -- plus your signal will be about 14 dB stronger than a stock, barefoot CB.
    That's just my two cents' worth.
    73
     
    kor b Thanks this.
  7. Kickstand-117

    Kickstand-117 Light Load Member

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    I've currently got a 148 gtl with a Palomar amp that is doing nicely, just trying to find something different.
     
  8. mike5511

    mike5511 Road Train Member

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    I run my Mirage 9900 that way with a KL300. The variable power is just about at 1.5 watts when turned all the way down. (Without the amp on I turn the pwr knob to 12 o'clock. The very good tech that set it up said that is as high as it needs to go when barefoot. My mic gain stays at about 2 o'clock. Set that way, I don't over modulate or splatter and can talk to someone right in front of me and still sound loud and clear. Is my limiter clipped????? To tell you the truth I think it is, but I don't remember if we clipped it or not. Doesn't really matter because I have a "mic gain" knob and know how to use it and why you should. However, there is no need to clip it for great performance.
     
  9. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    148 is one of the best radios built, you can get a ton of crystal clear audio,dialed down to about 1 watt swing to about 12 watts.
     
  10. mike5511

    mike5511 Road Train Member

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    I've always wanted one, or the Grant equivalent. The export version of the Grant would be ideal I'm thinking.
     
  11. Turbo-T

    Turbo-T Road Train Member

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    With a USB port
     
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