I found a TRC209 in the original case for $4 at Goodwill. Works great, has all the same connection ports and a signal meter. Mini base station.

@larryc1964

2 жыл бұрын

Do these hand held work just as well as a cobra mounted vehicle radio! So it can be used in your house or on the road??? New to CB radios so excuse my ignorance

@dronepilotflyby9481

2 жыл бұрын

@Eric of Farpoint Farms, can you answer this question? Never owned the Cobra.

@RM-lk1so

Жыл бұрын

Dam Wow. great find

I had one of those Realistic handhelds. If memory serves me correct the manual stated that the aluminum panels on the sides were intended to make your body part of the ground plane when your hand contacts it.

@mark_osborne

2 жыл бұрын

I did not know that - interesting !

My first radio was an Allied by Radio Shack. It was a 3 watt 5 channel walkie talkie. It came with Ch 9 & 14. It had the same center load antenna as the TRC 216 you were showing. I lived in Brooklyn NY and had a 16 story apartment building that I would go up on the roof. Back in 1969 the air ways were not so crowded and I used to get out so good people didn't believe I was on a walkie talkie. I do have a line on a 3300HP Gen Lee for $75 but I will wait till after the snowstorm

I really enjoy the cool way you present and describe these radios in an honest, down to earth manner.

@FarpointFarms

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind words

Nice selection ! The Shack always came out with some good radios and “walkies”. I have 2 Cobras from the 90’s , good radio’s but don’t have the range of the TRC

Very cool I like older stuff good to see you and it's very cold here upstate NY!

@FarpointFarms

2 жыл бұрын

It is cold here today and getting ready for a whopper of a snow storm.

i agree with you. I use the midland 75-822 sparingly because it is fragile, but for me it is a great performer. BELLS CB SHOP built and tuned mine. it has 120 channels, dead keys 3.5 watts and 18 watts PEP. I use an after market extended antenna and a Astatic Red Devil power mike in the mike input. I have the President Randy as my daily carry. I peaked it up through the Menu to 14 watts PEP and I am looking for an extended antenna for it.

Still using my TRC-207 both as a mobile and a base unit, a bit bulky and heavy as a hand held, but even after all these years it's still an awesome CB. I use an RCA to CB antenna adaptor and an extrenal power supply.

My personal favorite is the Maxon HCB40. Tough as nails, great reception, and decent transmit.

Thanks, my friend for another interesting review. Wise counsel to not forget good, used technology.

I would have thought the Randy would have come out on top, but, when factoring in price point I can see its place on the list. The range is handicapped but you can attach it to a "big boy" antenna. I have one for camping. It does great for backing in the trailer and the kids take it to be able to stay in touch with my mini base. All great radios. Thank you again Eric for honest, encouraging, informative, and entertaining content. Happy new year to yall

@kishascape

9 ай бұрын

Not handicapped at all. The range is great even with just the included antenna. With the HYS 51 inch telescopic I can talk all over town. With the 24 inch whip I get a few miles between handhelds.

I love my President Randy .. so many features packed in to a small radio sounds like a full fledged mobile radio when hooked up to my mobile anntena

I love that Realistic! Nice to hear that it's a great radio too. And I've wanted a Randy since they were released, so maybe I can get an AM-only version on clearance soon. Thanks for sharing!

I really like my 75-822! I also have (among others) a TRC 216 that has served for many years! It has a rubber duck add on antenna that also works well. Thumbscrew attachment, on or off in seconds...

I miss Radio Shack.....thank you for the concise and precise review. You and Jenn stay safe and well.

@mtk1

Жыл бұрын

I might be dreaming, but I would swear I read or heard Radio Shack is coming back..might've been pre-covid which probably changed that.

I have a President Randy FCC and that is a sweet HT. It receives great. When "skip" is active i can receive stations way out west with the supplied flex antenna. It's a super radio. I also have a TRC-208 but it's at my folk's place where I used to live as a kid and can't find it. That radio in the day was a super rig. Great video.

Yes I have one of those old Radio Shack walkie talkies and like you point out, it works great !

I've had a 7522 for 10 years . Still works great . We take it on vacation and camping trips . Works well for road and weather reports .

Got me Sony XE-200 Bluetooth speaker and you sound fantastic on it…radios sound like they are in my room.

@FarpointFarms

Жыл бұрын

Cool! I'll look into them.

@FarpointFarms

Жыл бұрын

Sounds awesome- Thank you for all your support

Great collection

Radio Shack made some really nice cb walkie talkies back in the the day. I had a TRC 206 3 watt 3 channel when I was a kid. Had channels 19, 8 and 21. 8 and 21 were the local channels everyone around where I lived used.

Those are my exact top three picks as well. Ranking them against eachother is much harder, depends on the situation. I have two TRC-217s, possibly a third if I could ever find it in all my stuff. They work excellent. A month ago I made a 5ish mile contact between my TRC-217 and a mobile unit in my brother's truck. Not bad for a $15 ebay radio. The telescoping antenna is better but not always practical.

That President radio you taught me into buying for $150 makes an excellent flashlight

Once the President is released with the FM mode I’ll have one. Good video thanks!

Very nice 3 choice's..mine choice is the Midland 75-882 I get one ( Walmart in 01/11/2007 for only $107.00 a 2 in 1 combo ) I have use mine for camping, hiking, mountain biking, on my car whit the car adapter and a good Cb antenna, it was very Handy when I was in Puerto Rico during hurricane Irma and Maria ( Sept 2017 )....I use it whit a 24" long rubber ducky antenna and a wire home made dipole in a temporary base it work very nice in this emergency...the radio shack TRC 217 is also a very good Cb HT I have one for many years ( if you see one get it before is gone )...the new Randy.. haven't get my hands on one..but it looks nice whit all these extras ( I will wait for the new one whit FM and AM )... Is never a bad idea to have a CB HT for a backup or emergency use..😎..

I used to have a trc216. When hooked to the car battery and car cb antenna, and external mic, it received and transmitted 100% as good as any other regular cb radio.

@FarpointFarms

Жыл бұрын

Yup! Great radio for it's time.

I got the randy and I just got an extendable antenna that is a bit over 4ft like the realistic you have there so it really talks well with it. The antenna was for bnc connector so I just got an adaptor to go onto the Randy's tnc antenna connector works awesome and I bet it would out talk that old radio now

i love the old school CB radio's better than today's CB radio's 👊✌️❤️

@FarpointFarms

Жыл бұрын

Other than the scan functions, I won't disagree!

Just got a pair of TRC-212s. Can’t wait to test em out

The trc-217 is what started it all for me, a friend had 2 of them we used to play with back and forth all the time. One sleep over he forgot one of them at my house, I got playing with it, heard people on and fell in to the local channel and it was on from there. My parrents got me my own trc-207 which I have somewhere though Haven't used it in years, then came my first base and 30 years later I have a lot of radios but not my whole top 5 list yet.

I've had many, many CB walkie talkies since the 70s. The TRC-217 always talked farther than any other. I've talked to base stations and mobiles over 10 miles away who refused to believe I was on a walkie talkie. Those metal-side ground planes might have been the trick all along!

@FarpointFarms

Жыл бұрын

Loved the old R/S Radios for sure.

I have the UK version Randy i put it into export mode and wide banded it. Lots more options too.. Imo by far the best walkie talkie ever. The sensitivity is amazing.

Hello from the mountains of Central Alabama at the lower end of the Appalachians . Cheaha to be exact, but anyway, I really enjoy your channel. Awesome videos . I bought a TRC-216 with a mic off eBay tonight, thanks for the heads up . ✝️🇺🇸🤙🏻🅰️

@FarpointFarms

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Hi Eric, enjoyed the video. Rick Plumley, Winzer, from back in the P & A Smith days.

@FarpointFarms

Жыл бұрын

Holy cow! Glad to hear from you!! I hope all is well!

In my opinion your TRC 217 is the best handheld hands down it's just hard to get replacement antennas when they break but if you can get a replacement antenna get it see you later Eric

I got my president fcc a few weeks ago. Rx is pretty good. Tx isn't all that great but it is a handheld. Adjusted the modulation in the "secret" menu and it definitely helped. 73s

That Midland is similar to my RS Cat# 21-1679. You can get handheld specific CB antennas. I had several handhelds over the years.

I've got a Realistic TRC 216 my opinion is one of the best CBs I love it

@FarpointFarms

11 ай бұрын

They are great radios!

I have the TRC-217!!! Unfortunately, I left the batteries in it and it just won’t work now. Bought it brand new from RS in 1989, I believe. I bought all the accessories too. I had the holster, the rubber duck antenna, and the adapter to plug into an external antenna. I was 15 years old at the time and it was a treasure! Great range, I believe it was 5 watts of power. I used it as a base and in my car. I loved the illuminated dial too! A fantastic piece of equipment!

@jacobprevost9962

2 жыл бұрын

Did the batteries leak out onto the terminals?

Got 3 TRC-215s for $10 at a garage sale a few years ago.All work nicely.

@FarpointFarms

10 ай бұрын

What a steal of a deal

Yeah Buddy. Cool stuff. Thank you.

@FarpointFarms

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

I have a TRC 217. In a dire situation I'd take it over any others.

I like the green light on Randy🇬🇧

I bought a older GE similar to this, not long ago at a flea market.. not sure what model, but it has 40 channels dial on front, also low mid and high power switch

The Midland Alan 42, look it up. Similar to the Midland 75-822 but has Am/Fm and 400 channels. Low free band, CB, High free band and 10 meter ham (but it does follow the channel plan from CB). Bnc connector so you can put on aftermarket antennas or coax to a mag mount. They are hard to find but you can get them new from Russia on Ebay. They used to make a version that did ssb called the Albrecht and if you can find a used one they are about $400. There is also the Magnum 1012 but it has to be opened up to do 11m.

Thinking about a President Randy for my Jeep rides.

Thanks for the videos! I bought a TRC 216 after watching your top 3 picks for CB walkie talkie. There a lot more than $20 now! I'm trying to find an external antenna, and DC car power cord for it. Any suggestions? Thanks!

I’m in need of a portable radio with headset and PTT capability for a motorcycle helmet setup. Preferably while using the Sena sr10.

Eric have you tried the randy fcc on a better antenna such as a either car or base station antenna or even a tactical antenna if so would that help raise the Randy's rank in your opinion

Technology tip ⚠️ If your CB radios are NOT solid state construction they will not function when an EMP hits.

@FarpointFarms

Жыл бұрын

Correct. I have many electronics placed in a Faraday cage for when it hits.

@unitedstatesirie7431

Жыл бұрын

@@FarpointFarms I was thinking about buying a Realistic TRC-217 CB hand held radio. Why does the owner's manual recommend installing only 8 AA alkaline batteries ? There is enough room in this radio to install 10 batteries.

I have a pair of TRC 222s and a pair of TRC 215s. Garage sale pick up years ago. The 215 is only a six channel and does not work as well as the 222s. The 222s is a digital version I guess. Thanks for the videos.

Morning from CT Eric

@FarpointFarms

2 жыл бұрын

Hello there!

I’d love to see a performance test of the Randy II in action am vs fm.

@FarpointFarms

5 ай бұрын

Your in luck. I already have one on my channel.

Yeah it's hard to find an antenna especially an internal antenna for a trc-217 or trc-216 tiara c221 because I'm looking for one

I am looking forward to Sirio/President radio group releasing their new US AM FM handy talkie.

What's the name of the song in your bumper music? Your great channel got me into CB radio. My base station consists of a President Walker III FCC and an A-99 antenna, the bottom of which is up 18 feet. Okay, not the best or the strongest signal, but it's legal and my goal is to just talk locally, about 10 or so miles around. I'm a ham, so if I wanna talk skip, I have plenty of opportunities to do that on other bands. But there's something so cool about CB radio. It's wild and free. I've found a few local CB guys. Looking to find some more. You're helping make CB great again.

@FarpointFarms

8 ай бұрын

The intro song was written for my channel from another KZreadr Marky Shaw

My radios I found is called Zodiac P2402 with fm and am switch looks same old as the one you have but nice ❤

I have the midland CB, with the battery pack, but it doesn't have the charge jack. Can you add a connector or get the correct battery pack?

Had a 3 channel Radio Shack HT liked it they once made one with sideband very rare not sure the mode number look out for one

@FarpointFarms

9 ай бұрын

Cool! I didn't know Radio Shack got into the SSB handheld market.

I sometimes see aftermarket folding full length antennae for CB walkie talkies. Are they any good?

My favorite of the modern handheld is the Midland 75-822. Why? BATTERIES! The President Randy is a lovely radio; however, you're tied to using a proprietary battery pack the Midland in a SHTF situation you can run into any convince store, gas station, or grocery and find AA batteries. You can also get some longer antennas for it. Are the as good as the old school telescoping antennas? Probably not, but it better than the stock rubber duck.

On the Midland radio, when you are running it from your cigarette lighter outlet in your car, do you have to have an external hard mounted antenna on your vehicle for it to work?

@FarpointFarms

Жыл бұрын

Yes, the metal inside the car will block the signal.

Hey I have 2 of those trc 217's and every time I talk to someone they can't belive it's a handheld cb! I found them on let go for $20 for the set!

Hi I liked your video and do you know anything about the Cobra walkie talkie we would like to get a power cord and save on batteries but on the side there's no voltage rating and info to purchase any thank you have a blessed day

@FarpointFarms

5 ай бұрын

It's a standard 12V plug. Look for something in the 1amp range and you'll never need batteries again!

Alright brother. I'm in a high crime area in a major city. I'm in a 3rd. story 1 bedroom apartment. I want a incognito base station set up. Please make a video on how to pull it off. I know nothing. I don't know how to calibrate an antenna with a swr meter or nothing. I've heard about it. There's a lot of old folks here too. So after I get set up. I'm gonna get them all hand helds over the next year or two so they can talk to eachother too. Thanks so much.

How long you are in radios?

Bought the Midland 75-822 back in 2013 for $79 amzn. Now it's $233

Batten down the hatches.. they say gonna have some weather up there

@FarpointFarms

2 жыл бұрын

We are prepping for it now, expecting the worst and hoping for the best.

The Midland can be modded to have 40+ 40- channels as well

So future video, center load vs base load.

I have a 217 trc that I’ve had for let’s say since 80s lol

I see that title has made a reprise. 😉

Here are the best of Realistic Walkie Talkies the 212 as well as the TRC 209 TRC 210 and so on are probably about the same quality, but the TRC 204 and TRC 205 are the best period here they are to see

Can’t find them for $10 but I did just buy one (the 216) for $40 with free shipping 😅

@FarpointFarms

3 ай бұрын

Inflation sucks!

Great video and selection! but 10 dollars for the TRC-216 on eBay? I wish! If you find a working one for less then 100 is your luck day!

@FarpointFarms

2 жыл бұрын

Those prices were the before inflation prices-- I miss those days

The TRC radios are now running $40-80 on eBay for a unit in good condition. Is that still a good value?

@FarpointFarms

Жыл бұрын

Yes, depending on the model. But for a basic unit? No. For that, I'd get a new President.

@jamesburton1050

Жыл бұрын

@@FarpointFarms thanks. And the President is easy to make into a mobile, correct?

Check out the European Midland 42 DS

There's a new Chinese brand handheld with FM out now.

@mussessd6032

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome. What’s the name?

Are these all rechargeable?

@FarpointFarms

Жыл бұрын

Any of the can be loaded with rechargeable style batteries- That is what I would do

What’s this about FM?

Can you transmit on the TRC 217 with the antenna collapsed?

@randydunaway9853

2 жыл бұрын

Not a good idea radio Antenna are made to be Extended to Transmit to Length and receive 73s from top side of Illinois 10-4 🐍

@813sierravictor

2 жыл бұрын

@@randydunaway9853 Thanks!

I have a 27mhz antenna on my Uk Randy, you can put it on five watts on am, fm, and cept channels, also raise the audio. It would out perform that TRC hands down, over flat land ive had 12 miles and from top of an hill ive had contacts up to 50 miles with the telescopic antenna.

FM is so much better, real improvement over AM + Better range to!

@michaelroot6064

2 жыл бұрын

AM is what makes cb fun

@VicGreenBitcoin

2 жыл бұрын

@@michaelroot6064 why?

@michaelroot6064

2 жыл бұрын

@@VicGreenBitcoin because it's more of a challenge

@VicGreenBitcoin

2 жыл бұрын

@@michaelroot6064 Run your radio`s on 6 volts, you gonna love the challenge!

Why is the 216 better in your opinion?

@FarpointFarms

3 ай бұрын

I think it is its simplicity. Easier to use

Look up Zodiac P-2040 handheld CB radio, you will find even a better handheld cb-er

Let's see a shootout between the Randy and a 216/7. Please.

Waiting for the comment if only they had sideband.

I can review all in one word ' PANTS

@FarpointFarms

2 жыл бұрын

I have no idea what you mean!~