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6 best car radios
Reliable communication on the highway
Author: Stepan Kagner
The presence of the radio on the road will never be superfluous, and the best example is the communication of truckers: you can get important information, breakdown assistance from completely unfamiliar people who simply use the same radio channel. The famous fifteenth CB channel (27.135 MHz, amplitude modulation) has become the de facto standard tuned path. Therefore, in the passenger car radio communication is useful if you are going on a long journey. Well, for taxi drivers, the radio station was recently an obligatory element of a car's equipment, and only a massive transition to work through applications could reduce the number of cars with fishing rods. In our ranking, compiled from expert and user reviews, are the best car radios of 2018 - 2019.
The shortwave range, despite the inevitable downsides (high level of interference, the dimensions of the antennas, and the radio stations themselves) is still the main communication for the road: the forest, rugged terrain, and urban development weaken the signal much less than when working on VHF and UHF - ultrashort wave bands. Taking into account the fact that short waves can “finish off” beyond the horizon due to ionospheric reflection, with sufficient transmitter power and receiver quality, you can count on a communication radius unattainable for VHF radio stations. And even the decision of the State Committee of Radio Frequencies No. 13-20-08 dated September 3, 2013, which limited the maximum "license-free" power with amplitude and frequency modulation to 4 W, CB-radio did not hit in popularity (especially since 12 W are possible with SSB modulation) . But also VHF radio stations can be useful - they can be easily connected with portable radios, they are able to transmit text, data and even access the Internet, the quality of communication (especially on the “number”) is much higher. So, speaking about the market of car radio stations in 2018-2019, one should not be limited to “sibish”.
Top best car radios 2019
| Category | A place | Name | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best CB Car Walkie Talkies | 1 | Optim voyager | 9.8 / 10 | 5 900 |
| 2 | President BARRY ASC 12 / 24V | 9.7 / 10 | 4 600 | |
| 3 | Vector VT-27 Smart | 9.6 / 10 | 4 300 | |
| 4 | Alan 48 plus | 9.1 / 10 | 3 800 | |
| The best car radio with the ability to work on VHF | 1 | YAESU FT-8900R | 9.9 / 10 | 26 700 |
| 2 | Motorola DM1400 | 9.5 / 10 | 22 000 |
Best CB Car Walkie Talkies
|
Optim voyager
5 900
The eternal question that arises after buying a new radio station or replacing an antenna - “where to set up the CWS?” In this model is resolved, we can say, elegantly: the manufacturer has built the CWS meter directly into the radio itself, and the value of the CWS is always before your eyes, and its significant Deviation to the dangerous side (for example, if you accidentally damaged the antenna while driving) is accompanied by an audible indication and a message on the display. In this case, the output stage of the transmitter is switched off to avoid damage.
The display in general has become one of the main and very convenient chips of the radio - a bright, well readable at different viewing angles, having a "night mode". Six function buttons are placed along its edges, their function changes depending on the selected mode (and the user can change functions at his discretion) and is also displayed on the display. We turn to the radio path. The transmitter with frequency modulation gives up to 15 W of power, on AM it is limited to 8 watts. SSB is not supported, as in most car radios. Opening additional frequencies is possible directly through the advanced settings menu, without a soldering iron and screwdriver. Here you can adjust the hysteresis of the squelch, calibrate the SWR meter and so on. If you disassemble the case, you can find that the manufacturer has provided a place on the board for two additional transistors of the output stage.Does it itch your hands to get something on the radio station? Please, you can increase its power, the benefit of even the mounting holes in the radiator are ready. The receiver also does not cause complaints, it works well, and the signal from other radio stations does not interfere. So, as an option for the purchase, this radio station, developed in Russia and assembled in China, is even very attractive. Main advantages:
Minuses:
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 9.8 / 10
Rating
Reviews
Very good car radio, and even with the savings on the installation of the antenna - the CWS set up itself, without a tool. |
|
President BARRY ASC 12 / 24V
4 600
The radio is inexpensive though, but the quality definitely deserves attention, and the ability to work directly from 24 volts will be appreciated by drivers of heavy trucks. The reputation of the French company is deservedly good due to the quality of the top versions, but the manufacturer did not hit the frank savings on the budget line.
Great job noise suppressor, simple and intuitive control - what people just need, who need to “choose a channel and speak” from the radio station, and the subtleties of the settings are not fundamental. The output power is 4 watts, the modulation quality on AM and FM is sufficient for reliable communication. Reliability of the “President” is traditionally high, and the company gives a two-year guarantee for a reason (and when purchased with the President’s antenna, the warranty period is 5 years). Main advantages:
Minuses:
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 9.7 / 10
Rating
Reviews
I once sold one car with the “President”, I regretted for a long time that I hadn’t taken off the radio. And this one, for the price, was pleasantly surprised, checked in - definitely better than “Megadzhetov” and others. |
|
Vector VT-27 Smart
4 300
An inexpensive car radio station will be a good choice as the first one, but the desire to change it to something more “tricked” will not appear for a long time in the future.
The case is a compact aluminum monoblock that also serves as a cooling radiator. And not bad, we note. The front panel is non-removable, but nothing will prevent you from removing the entire walkie-talkie with you - here, compactness and a small weight plus. The display is well readable at different viewing angles, but you will have to figure out the controls - there was simply not enough space for all the necessary buttons, so some of them “moved” to the PTT. But on it exactly those buttons which are convenient for having under hands - management of noise reduction and the choice of communication channels. The receiver is very good for a cheap model - with a declared sensitivity of 0.5 µV, it is really capable of 0.28 µV with amplitude modulation, and at the frequency one it does at 0.13 µV. Suppression of the mirror channel is up to 75 dB, the next one is up to 55 (again not passport data, but actually measured). Therefore, even though the signal / noise ratio is not the best (the eternal scourge of the budget CB-radios), the Vector works confidently and with dignity. The transmitter has two modes of operation - low and high power, and in the latter on FM, its output power according to measurements reaches 12 W with 10 passport. In terms of quality, it is also more than adequate for this price segment. The problems here are only with the digital path, or rather, with its firmware. I would very much like the manufacturer to finally bring to mind the “professional” channel mode and the operation of the noise suppressor, since it is they who spoil the impression of an excellent walkie-talkie. Main advantages:
Minuses:
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 9.6 / 10
Rating
Reviews
The best price / quality car radio station, if you need only basic functionality, without problems. |
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Alan 48 plus
3 800
Despite the small output power - “legitimate” 4 watts, this radio station has good modulation, which is even more important at the grandfather: you can “blow” 100 watts on the air, but you will not be heard with “no” modulation. Of course, it would be nice to have SSB in addition to AM / FM, but this is expected for a budget model.
The walkie-talkie is truly “popular”, which at one time became one of the most popular, and at the same time very reliable: you can see models that work without problems from the moment of purchase in the 90s. No wonder it is still being produced and sold. During the "life" on the conveyor and the experience of improvements has been accumulated a great deal - you can easily find a description of how to increase power up to 20 watts with only frequency modulation (part of the path responsible for AM, while forced off), modernizing the noise suppressor and so on. We think that the “ancient” circuit design and the absence of “Alan” frills can be forgiven for this. Main advantages:
Minuses:
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 9.1 / 10
Rating
Reviews
Why change what works without problems for 15 years? Old, no frills, but really working radio station. |
The best car radio with the ability to work on VHF
|
26 700
Continues the ranking of the best car radios YAESU FT-8900R. A Japanese radio station protected by the MIL-STD 810 standard can work with analog and digital modulation in the 137-174 and 430-480 MHz bands, transmitting up to 50 watts of power to the antenna - 10 times more than, for example, the army P-159 . At the reception, it is efficient in the range from 108 to 999 MHz, which is especially nice given the quality of the scanner. Built-in and GPS-module, and the radio can not only display data on the coordinates on the LCD screen, but also transmit them through APRS. Is it worth mentioning that Internet access via WIRES-X is also supported? Power is provided only from the 12-volt network, although on cars with a voltage of 24 V it does not stop anyone. Considering the maximum power, it is worthwhile to approach the connection responsibly: the radio station consumes up to 12 amperes in the transmission mode. An interesting feature of the radio station is the ability to quickly save and read settings using an SD card. That is, equipping several cars with such walkie-talkies, you can set up a grid of channels only on one, and then quickly transfer the settings to the others. You can save photos on the map ... Yes, the optional tangenta Yaesu MH-85A11U really has a built-in camera! You can also transfer the image from it over the radio channel - for example, in order to quickly send the second crew not only the GPS coordinates of the landmark, but also its photo. Simply put, we have a good powerful and functional radio station for expeditions and search groups, which has a good selectivity due to the double frequency conversion, and even to the delight of paranoids who can work on a “digit” with a scrambler. The price with such opportunities and recognized quality of the Japanese brand is more than democratic. Main advantages:
Minuses:
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 9.9 / 10
Rating
Reviews
Excellent raid radio, long-range and reliable. Three trips to Mongolia, two to the Far East in five crews - no complaints. |
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Motorola DM1400
22 000
Out of the box, this radio station only supports analog communication, but the manufacturer directly indicates that after flashing, the DM1400 also supports “digital”. The station is positioned as a “transitional solution”, that is, initially the buyer exploits it as a base with existing analogous “walkers”, and as the equipment is updated, it can add a digital mode. It looks, frankly, too smart: why not turn on the digital mode right away?
The transmitter operates in VHF (146–174 MHz) with a power of up to 10 W, while switching to UHF (403-410, 417-422, 433-450, 469-470 MHz), power can be doubled. This will ensure a good communication radius, and taking into account that the hull meets the requirements of MIL-STD 810 C, 810 D, 810 E, 810 F, 810 G (how are you on the list?) For security, you can go with the Motorola on board whatever Immediately striking feature of this car radio - the utmost simplicity of controls in which it is simply impossible to get confused or press the wrong thing. The interface was developed specifically with regard to the use of the radio station by the driver, therefore, “hand in hand” it is what is most likely to be used, without being distracted from the road. Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.5 / 10
Rating
Reviews
The radio is absolutely unkillable, I do not know how to break it. The quality of the transfer - on solid 6 out of 5, justifies its money. |
How to choose a car radio station?
You, probably, noticed that among “sibishkas” in our rating of the best authors for some models the “age” is decent. Yes, here the pursuit of new products does not make much sense: a high-quality radio station from the 1990s will be no worse, and in terms of reliability it may even be better than new ones. That is, if you need a high-quality connection, and you are not going to go further than switching channels and pressing a button on a tangent, then such an “old man” is by no means a bad choice, and the price will be pleasant.
But the new market has its advantages. First of all, digital technologies are interesting with the possibilities of flexible adjustment of noise cancellation, and if you plan to use the station on overwhelmed interference, especially on AM (with amplitude modulation, protection from interference is minimally physically minimal), then more expensive and "tricked" CB stations will have its advantages.
As for the VHF bands, then there is where to roam: the list of possibilities of professional radio stations is now not only long, but also not particularly understandable to the non-professional. Of course, there are simple push-to-talk models here too. But, you know yourself - the appetite comes with eating, and the Hamster is increasingly stubbornly fighting the Toad when viewing newer VHF / UHF bands. Choose your needs and wallet, and do not hesitate to consult with professionals.
On it we will finish - 55, 73!
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Updated: 18.01.2019
Rating in categories:
