Post by oldgeezer on Apr 3, 2022 20:31:57 GMT -5
How to buy a vintage CB radio. Many CB radios are listed 'for parts or not working' on ebay. This does not necessary mean the CB does not perform, but most sellers are not CBers and find the radios at yard sales, estate auctions or a family member passing on.
Good cosmetic condition is an indicator of use and storage in a climate controlled environment. First, I would not buy a CB with any rust. It was likely stored in a garage or barn. Connectors may be corroded- bad news. The grain of wheat bulbs lighting up the meters last up to 10,000 hours. Vintage radios did not use LED lights for meter lighting. Radios with burned out bulbs are high use radios. I would avoid radios with burned out bulbs. The potentiometers and switches may be worn out and capacitors have high cycling and use that wears the capacitors out.
Many radios have 'scratchy' sounding pots and poor connections on relays, potentiometers and switches. DeOxit usually restores the pots and switches. I would replace power supply capacitors. On solid-state radios usually 3300uF @ 35 volts is used.
Good cosmetic condition is an indicator of use and storage in a climate controlled environment. First, I would not buy a CB with any rust. It was likely stored in a garage or barn. Connectors may be corroded- bad news. The grain of wheat bulbs lighting up the meters last up to 10,000 hours. Vintage radios did not use LED lights for meter lighting. Radios with burned out bulbs are high use radios. I would avoid radios with burned out bulbs. The potentiometers and switches may be worn out and capacitors have high cycling and use that wears the capacitors out.
Many radios have 'scratchy' sounding pots and poor connections on relays, potentiometers and switches. DeOxit usually restores the pots and switches. I would replace power supply capacitors. On solid-state radios usually 3300uF @ 35 volts is used.