SUPER SMALL AnyTone Smart CB Radio : 11-Meter Conversion Write-Up

[ADA OZ]

Just ordered one of these. I really hope it can replace my large Cobra 29


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app

 

[Clifford33]

I love how small and compact it is mine is pretty large and heavy.


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app

 

[ADA OZ]

Mine did well for its first outing. I don't think it has the range of my peaked 29 but preformed admirably.


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app

 

[Alpine_Kid]

I'm glad to see this.

I have a **new** Midland model 77-106 that is small like this, although not THAT small, with the channel controls on the microphone. I had one of these in my first truly new car (bought in 1990) because I was able to wedge it back in a spot behind the center console without having to drill holes for the mounting bracket. Found one on eBay that was in an unopened box.



This little radio has (had?) a fantastic speaker, with jacks for a PA and external speaker. That said, I'm a bit concerned that a radio nearly 20 years old will still work. If it doesn't this thread provides another option. I didn't want to go the Cobra 75 mini even though it's a great little CB.

Your instructions for converting this to an 11-meter show some real electronic skills.

 

[TrailHunter]

Ok, someone please school me here... If I was to install this radio in stock form as a "10 meter" radio.. would it not work on the trail for communicating with other jeeps? Is the modification to achieve longer distances? Or more channels?

 

[wayoflife]

Ok, someone please school me here... If I was to install this radio in stock form as a "10 meter" radio.. would it not work on the trail for communicating with other jeeps? Is the modification to achieve longer distances? Or more channels?

In it's stock form, you would NOT be able to communicate with anyone using a standard 40 channel CB radio. The primary reason for getting this radio is for is crazy small size, function and surprisingly decent sound quality.

 

[TrailHunter]

In it's stock form, you would NOT be able to communicate with anyone using a standard 40 channel CB radio. The primary reason for getting this radio is for is crazy small size, function and surprisingly decent sound quality.

Got it.... thanks!

 

[wayoflife]

UPDATE 10/04/2017

---

It's been about 2 months since I first installed our new AnyTone CB Radio and now that I've had a chance to really test it out, I thought I would provide some feedback to those who might be interested.

First off, I am still really happy with how small this CB radio is. It's super compact size and relative light weight makes it easy to install just about anywhere and in any rig. While something like a Cobra 75 also has a small footprint, the larger speaker on the AnyTone provides a higher quality and louder sound. I also like the fact that unlike the Cobra 75, it does have an RF gain and that helps to make adjustments to what you hear as well.

With that said, here are a few things that I've found to be an issue for me. While the speaker is bigger and does sound better than a Cobra 75, it's still nowhere as good as an old school Cobra 29. This really isn't a problem if you're running full doors and a hard top but with half doors and soft uppers, it can be difficult to impossible to hear what's being said at highway speeds, especially if it's windy. Fortunately, the AnyTone does have a port for an external speaker and that will address this problem.

Another issue I have with the AnyTone is that you can't dial out renegade static. Essentially, if a weak signal drifts in, it presents itself as loud intermittent blasts of noise which is something that's common on race radios and what I hate most about them. Sure, you can increase the squelch to mitigate the problem but doing so can leave you out of radio contact with the people you need to talk to. Old school analog CB's with a good RF gain will allow you to adjust the amount of static you hear like a rheostat and so that you can have it always coming in like a soft white noise. If you know how to use it well, it can even allow you to hear people a lot farther away. While the AnyTone CB does have an RF gain, it's difficult to use and that leads me to the next issue I have with it.

In order to make adjustments to the squelch or RF gain on the AnyTone CB radio, you have to press a button on the unit itself and then press one of two buttons located on the top of the hand set that is normally used to change channels up and down. While it does work, you have a limited amount of time to make this adjustment before the CB automatically returns back to the "channel" setting. Maybe it's because of where I have my AnyTone mounted (on the center bar of my EVO Sport Cage) and how I have my handset hanging from a GearKeeper but I have found this process to be somewhat of a challenge while driving. After selecting squelch or RF gain, I have found that on a couple of occasions, I ran out of time to make my up or down adjustment and inadvertently changed the channel I was on instead. Not a super big deal and not a problem when parked but I do feel it needs to be noted.

As far as range goes, Cindy and I tested it using a 2' Firestik that was able to get tuned to about 1.8 on an SWR. Not the best antenna to do long range testing but we were running the exact same antenna on our other Jeep only connected to a Cobra 29. From our test, we found that the AnyTone broadcast a very clear signal but not as far as we would prefer - maybe about a mile. Again, a longer antenna may have helped here especially if we could get the SWR lower. Receiving was good as well when I had reception and this goes back to the squelch issue. When I had the squelch up high enough, reception was great but as is the case of a race radio, at the cost of having to deal with a lot more renegade static. I know this doesn't bother a lot of people but it does annoy me.

Overall, I'd have to say that I'm still happy with the AnyTone CB Radio and would still recommend it over a Cobra 75 especially for its size and cost but I'd be lying if I said that performed as well as a good ol' classic Cobra 29 LTD. I might be even go so far as to say that I would run it over a Cobra 29 LX but again, mainly for its size and cost.

Anyway, I hope this follow-up review was helpful to you. Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

[rumblebee3]

UPDATE 10/04/2017

---

It's been about 2 months since I first installed our new AnyTone CB Radio and now that I've had a chance to really test it out, I thought I would provide some feedback to those who might be interested.

First off, I am still really happy with how small this CB radio is. It's super compact size and relative light weight makes it easy to install just about anywhere and in any rig. While something like a Cobra 75 also has a small footprint, the larger speaker on the AnyTone provides a higher quality and louder sound. I also like the fact that unlike the Cobra 75, it does have an RF gain and that helps to make adjustments to what you hear as well.

With that said, here are a few things that I've found to be an issue for me. While the speaker is bigger and does sound better than a Cobra 75, it's still nowhere as good as an old school Cobra 29. This really isn't a problem if you're running full doors and a hard top but with half doors and soft uppers, it can be difficult to impossible to hear what's being said at highway speeds, especially if it's windy. Fortunately, the AnyTone does have a port for an external speaker and that will address this problem.

Another issue I have with the AnyTone is that you can't dial out renegade static. Essentially, if a weak signal drifts in, it presents itself as loud intermittent blasts of noise which is something that's common on race radios and what I hate most about them. Sure, you can increase the squelch to mitigate the problem but doing so can leave you out of radio contact with the people you need to talk to. Old school analog CB's with a good RF gain will allow you to adjust the amount of static you hear like a rheostat and so that you can have it always coming in like a soft white noise. If you know how to use it well, it can even allow you to hear people a lot farther away. While the AnyTone CB does have an RF gain, it's difficult to use and that leads me to the next issue I have with it.

In order to make adjustments to the squelch or RF gain on the AnyTone CB radio, you have to press a button on the unit itself and then press one of two buttons located on the top of the hand set that is normally used to change channels up and down. While it does work, you have a limited amount of time to make this adjustment before the CB automatically returns back to the "channel" setting. Maybe it's because of where I have my AnyTone mounted (on the center bar of my EVO Sport Cage) and how I have my handset hanging from a GearKeeper but I have found this process to be somewhat of a challenge while driving. After selecting squelch or RF gain, I have found that on a couple of occasions, I ran out of time to make my up or down adjustment and inadvertently changed the channel I was on instead. Not a super big deal and not a problem when parked but I do feel it needs to be noted.

As far as range goes, Cindy and I tested it using a 2' Firestik that was able to get tuned to about 1.8 on an SWR. Not the best antenna to do long range testing but we were running the exact same antenna on our other Jeep only connected to a Cobra 29. From our test, we found that the AnyTone broadcast a very clear signal but not as far as we would prefer - maybe about a mile. Again, a longer antenna may have helped here especially if we could get the SWR lower. Receiving was good as well when I had reception and this goes back to the squelch issue. When I had the squelch up high enough, reception was great but as is the case of a race radio, at the cost of having to deal with a lot more renegade static. I know this doesn't bother a lot of people but it does annoy me.

Overall, I'd have to say that I'm still happy with the AnyTone CB Radio and would still recommend it over a Cobra 75 especially for its size and cost but I'd be lying if I said that performed as well as a good ol' classic Cobra 29 LTD. I might be even go so far as to say that I would run it over a Cobra 29 LX but again, mainly for its size and cost.

Anyway, I hope this follow-up review was helpful to you. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks for the update.... I did not see this topic yet so I'm glad it got brought to my attention! I've been looking for a good CB to put in our new JK. I have an old cobra 68 something or other that's been modified like crazy that my wife's dad used to run, he gave it to me and I had it fixed for her. I was going to put it in but the thing is just so damn big. I was looking at the Cobra 75 WXST but heard the same problems with only having a small speaker even though it does have a jack for the out put speaker. Thank you for sharing and this may have just made my decision a lot easier!

Sent from my XT1585 using WAYALIFE mobile app

 

[BananaJeep]

The radio is nice, however, since putting a UHF radio in my Jeep I'm far more impressed with that. I can't WAIT until everyone switches to UHF (if that'll ever happen). Much clearer and easier to use, IMO. Thanks for the update.

 

[M38A1Driver]

Thanks for the update on this radio. I was wondering how it worked out. I'm currently running an older smaller Cobra (don't remember the model number) I may keep what I have for now.

 

[ADA OZ]

The Anytone has replaced my Cobra 29 just for the reason Eddie mentioned. Size (mainly) but it is also cheaper. Has performed well for what we use them for.

UHF I would assume would be the way to go one day but the sheer cost of those and getting everyone switched over seems like that may be a long way off. As for now I’m pleased with this little radio.


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app

 

[RMC2]

I thought my 520xl was small and cheap (the reasons I chose it), but dang that is tiny.

Any more feedback on this radio?