Hi All,
I am new to this forum and to CBs and was wondering if some of you veterans could help this rookie out. I have a Uniden Pro520XL radio that I bought about 2 weeks ago. It's nice, but I wished I had gotten a littler bigger radio. I contacted Uniden and they are willing to even swap my Pro520XL for a "Factory-Serviced" PC68XL, which I like much better.
I asked Uniden what a "factory-serviced" radio was and they said one that had been returned to a store (like I am doing), over shipped stock returned, or one that was missing a part prior to original shipment. They said all of their serviced radios are thoroughly inspected at their factory and meet factory specs before allowed to be resold on their web-site. Due to agreements with their retailers, they aren't allowed to sell brand new stock at their online store.
Has anyone ever purchased a "factory-serviced" radio and had bad luck with it? Would anyone else be hesitant to swap? I certainly appreciate your help with this.
SIMP
Pro520XL
K40 Trunk Lip
Factory Serviced Radio
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SIMP
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Phaze91460
Hello, and welcome to the forum from the sunny south !!
Will you be happy with the radio you have and or will you be happy with the reconditiond trade ? well, the question really is ........ What do you want in a radio? Is it possible to return the radio you have and get your money back? Cuz if you can we can show you some great talking, powerful radios.
Sometimes radios get returned because of a defect and sometimes because someone just didnt like it and returned it as a defect. no matter what the reason they all end up back at the manufacturer and to save money, factory techs look um over, fix what is needed or recertify for resale.
I have seen good products and bad from factory referbs.
Personaly, I would try to return what you have and start out with a great radio that you will be happy with.
And for all you Uniden lovers, Sorry, Not tryin to stomp on yer toes !
Will you be happy with the radio you have and or will you be happy with the reconditiond trade ? well, the question really is ........ What do you want in a radio? Is it possible to return the radio you have and get your money back? Cuz if you can we can show you some great talking, powerful radios.
Sometimes radios get returned because of a defect and sometimes because someone just didnt like it and returned it as a defect. no matter what the reason they all end up back at the manufacturer and to save money, factory techs look um over, fix what is needed or recertify for resale.
I have seen good products and bad from factory referbs.
Personaly, I would try to return what you have and start out with a great radio that you will be happy with.
And for all you Uniden lovers, Sorry, Not tryin to stomp on yer toes !
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RabidRobert
Ouch! Why did my toes start hurting all of a sudden? LOL! I a PC68 XL as a spare/second radio, & will prolly never get rid of it. (Keep in mind I said SPARE...... I LOVE my BIG radio, but that may not be what you want to start out with) Peak & tune that thing & its a nice little radio. I think you will be much happier.
:Peace!:
:Peace!:
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Mr RadioActive
Like the guys said, and uniden said. Many times as a dealer you take in returns. Nolonger is it new. They are returned to the factory, then resold as a factory refurb. Sometimes, you get a lemon. But alot of times you win. Galaxy 88 refurbs are all over now, due to the factory discontinuing them (What a horrible thing!) but their refurbs are so clean, you'd swear they were new.
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SIMP
Man, I really appreciate everyone's input. After buying the Pro520XL, I just found myself wanting the PC68XL. It seems very similar to my friends Cobra 25LTD which I like and I am a fan of Uniden products. I don't need a real big radio and I heard that the PC68XL was a fine "medium" sized radio.
I can't return the Pro520XL to the store because I no longer have the dang receipt. I'll take my chances on the swap with Uniden I guess.
I will take it to a shop and have it tuned up. My friend had his Cobra 25LTD done and it sounds great coming through. The thing I like about the PC68XL versus the Pro520XL is that it has a better mic, an actual needle and the mic gain. It just seems to be a better radio all around. The pro520XL is just so compact. I had to buy an external speaker to us on it as the sound was horrible on it's internal speaker. I also heard that the Pro520XL is limited as to what can be tuned on it.
Any additional info on the difference of these radios will be appreciated.
You guys have been great helping this rookie out. Thanks!!
I can't return the Pro520XL to the store because I no longer have the dang receipt. I'll take my chances on the swap with Uniden I guess.
I will take it to a shop and have it tuned up. My friend had his Cobra 25LTD done and it sounds great coming through. The thing I like about the PC68XL versus the Pro520XL is that it has a better mic, an actual needle and the mic gain. It just seems to be a better radio all around. The pro520XL is just so compact. I had to buy an external speaker to us on it as the sound was horrible on it's internal speaker. I also heard that the Pro520XL is limited as to what can be tuned on it.
Any additional info on the difference of these radios will be appreciated.
You guys have been great helping this rookie out. Thanks!!
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stickman
SIMP WELCOME TO THE FORUM FIRST OFF EVERYONE HERE IS VERY FRIENDLY AND WILL HELP IN ANYWAY WE CAN!!! NOW TO THE UNIDEN PC68XL IF YOU ARE THINKING OF AN AMP FOR THIS RADIO I WOULD RECOMMEND A RM ITALY KL-300P WILL DO ABOUT 150-175 WATTS ON AM AND AROUND 250WATTS ON SSB, IT'S A SMALL AMP WHERE YOU COULD USE VELCRO STRAPS, IT'S ALSO EASY TO HIDE BECAUSE IT'S REAL SMALL AND SOME THE SPONSORS SELL THEM AND THE BEST PART ARE YOU READY? THEY ARE NOT EXPENSIVE!! I HAD THIS VERY EXACT SETUP FOR A GOOD WHILE HAD LOTS OF COMPLIMENTS ON HOW GOOD IT SOUNDED!! JUST A THOUGHT!!!! BY THE WAY WHEN I SOLD THEM THEY WERE SOLD HERE ON THE FORUM!! IF YOU WANT TO SEE A PIC OR 2 ON WHAT IT LOOKED LET ME KNOW!!
THANKS
STICKMAN
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SmallTruckBigRadio
SIMP,
If you can possibly spend more money, you can make a much better first step for a radio. If your budget does not allow for additional money spent, I think your making a good move.
I started out with similar steps as what you are doing here. Some folks are very happy with radios like what you are looking at here, and if your one of them, congratulations! There is no cheaper way to be on the air in any decent way.
But if you want a big, powerful sounding radio. That is also a very solid building block for an expanding system. Ask questions, and educate yourself before spending money.
If you can afford it, I would recommend doing your best to swap the Pro 520XL toward one of the big radio names if you can get at least 90% of your expense transferred at the shop you purchased it from. I would hope that they would be interested in the money made from an upgrade.
A General Lee perhaps? (As low as $200.00)
If I researched correctly, the Pro 520XL is about $75.00, and the PC68XL is about $100.00? You will then be spending about $30 for a peak and tune, Choose your technician wisely.
Your radio will talk and hear, and if you are happy with it, you have spent much less money than me, and you are talking to the same people.
But, if you think you will eventually want a really big radio, with what you spend on the Uniden, you will be half way to the cost of a really big radio. I will stop myself from going on and on now, but I am seeing similarities in what you are doing, to my long and expensive road to a radio that I am very happy with.
Best wishes, and feel free to ask questions. There's a great bunch of folks here that enjoy seeing happy radio users.
If you can possibly spend more money, you can make a much better first step for a radio. If your budget does not allow for additional money spent, I think your making a good move.
I started out with similar steps as what you are doing here. Some folks are very happy with radios like what you are looking at here, and if your one of them, congratulations! There is no cheaper way to be on the air in any decent way.
But if you want a big, powerful sounding radio. That is also a very solid building block for an expanding system. Ask questions, and educate yourself before spending money.
If you can afford it, I would recommend doing your best to swap the Pro 520XL toward one of the big radio names if you can get at least 90% of your expense transferred at the shop you purchased it from. I would hope that they would be interested in the money made from an upgrade.
A General Lee perhaps? (As low as $200.00)
If I researched correctly, the Pro 520XL is about $75.00, and the PC68XL is about $100.00? You will then be spending about $30 for a peak and tune, Choose your technician wisely.
Your radio will talk and hear, and if you are happy with it, you have spent much less money than me, and you are talking to the same people.
But, if you think you will eventually want a really big radio, with what you spend on the Uniden, you will be half way to the cost of a really big radio. I will stop myself from going on and on now, but I am seeing similarities in what you are doing, to my long and expensive road to a radio that I am very happy with.
Best wishes, and feel free to ask questions. There's a great bunch of folks here that enjoy seeing happy radio users.
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SIMP
Thanks again. I'm not looking to skip or talk a very long distance. I want a simple, yet solid radio to use back and forth on my long trips to work each day. I'm not wanting a BIG radio with too many gadgets. But the Pro520XL was just too small and compact. The radio will be ran barefoot other than the tune-up. I've heard many truckers talk about this one shop and my friend used him to tune his up. He charges $30 and he's been in the business for many years.
He says he tunes up the power output and voice modulation. I assume it will make a difference for $30.
Thanks again and please keep the suggestions/comments coming.
He says he tunes up the power output and voice modulation. I assume it will make a difference for $30.
Thanks again and please keep the suggestions/comments coming.
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SmallTruckBigRadio
Good going SIMP,
What kind of antenna are you using, on what kind of vehicle?
When you are ready, an aftermarket mic is a nice improvement. I've had fun using a second radio with headphones, and testing different mics. Maybe a buddy with an aftermarket mic will let you borrow one to try.
Ebay seems to be the cheapest place to snatch up an Astatic 636L or a Road King RK56. I just got one of each for about $26.00 each.
What kind of antenna are you using, on what kind of vehicle?
When you are ready, an aftermarket mic is a nice improvement. I've had fun using a second radio with headphones, and testing different mics. Maybe a buddy with an aftermarket mic will let you borrow one to try.
Ebay seems to be the cheapest place to snatch up an Astatic 636L or a Road King RK56. I just got one of each for about $26.00 each.
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SIMP
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Phaze91460
Yup, stay away from K40. Back in the day they were the king of the hill but by todays standards, they dont cut it. Go with a wilson, 5000 if you can afford it and you will be able to upgrade at a later date and will have a great antenna. Yes, they are tall but you are mounting on a trunk which means not that much is sticking above the roof. The higher it is, the better the RX TX. Mine is mounted on a ladder rack, and yup, its is up there. On a trunk lid though, you wont hit much.
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SmallTruckBigRadio
I agree with Phaze,
Stay away from K40.
I haven't seen much difference between the Wilson 1000, and Wilson 5000 in performance. The 5000 is supposedly better, but its coil is twice the size of the 1000. They are the same length, and height is power. Using as short antenna for aesthetics will reduce your TX and RX.
I am not sure how good it is to have a base loaded antenna as a trunk lip mount? I have had good luck with the 5000, and 1000 magnet mounts in the center of the roof, but the coax would be a bummer for the long haul. I only do that on family vacations.
I tried a magnet mount Wilson 1000 on the trunk of a small car, and after I routed the coax through the gasket / gutter, I had trouble making the coax reach the radio.
There is the possibility of an NMO trunk lip mount and a center loaded antenna like a Wilson 2000 trucker, or hustler. A good fiberglass antenna could look nice but every fiberglass antenna I have tried, greatly reduced RX.
But hey, if your present antenna has low enough SWR to not hurt the more powerful radio, and you are talking and hearing good enough...hey your there...and you've spent much less than me!
Stay away from K40.
I haven't seen much difference between the Wilson 1000, and Wilson 5000 in performance. The 5000 is supposedly better, but its coil is twice the size of the 1000. They are the same length, and height is power. Using as short antenna for aesthetics will reduce your TX and RX.
I am not sure how good it is to have a base loaded antenna as a trunk lip mount? I have had good luck with the 5000, and 1000 magnet mounts in the center of the roof, but the coax would be a bummer for the long haul. I only do that on family vacations.
I tried a magnet mount Wilson 1000 on the trunk of a small car, and after I routed the coax through the gasket / gutter, I had trouble making the coax reach the radio.
There is the possibility of an NMO trunk lip mount and a center loaded antenna like a Wilson 2000 trucker, or hustler. A good fiberglass antenna could look nice but every fiberglass antenna I have tried, greatly reduced RX.
But hey, if your present antenna has low enough SWR to not hurt the more powerful radio, and you are talking and hearing good enough...hey your there...and you've spent much less than me!
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LordDragr
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RabidRobert
