President McKinley CB Radio Review: Is it Worth the Hype?

Looking for a reliable and powerful CB radio? We recently got our hands on the President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio, and we have to say we're impressed.

This radio boasts a 40 channel, DIN-sized design with AM/USB/LSB capabilities. The front panel loudspeaker includes President's unique ASC (Automatic Squelch Control), Murata filters, and Automatic SWR (beep sound). Additionally, the radio includes a Weather Channel with Alert, Three Color changeable large LCD display, VOX (hands-free function), and much more.

One of the standout features of this radio is the SSB capability, which provides a full 4 watts carrier on AM mode. However, the output on SSB mode is a bit low. The receive function could also be a little hotter, but overall, this is an excellent radio.

Bottom Line

If you're in the market for a CB radio that's easy to operate and has all the essential features, the President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio is a great choice. Its small size and intuitive controls make it a breeze to install and use.

President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio Overview

We were impressed with the President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio. This radio is DIN sized and has 40 channels with AM/USB/LSB capabilities. It also features a front panel loudspeaker with President's unique ASC (Automatic Squelch Control), Murata filters, Automatic SWR (beep sound), Weather Channel with Alert, Three Color changeable large LCD display, VOX (hands-free function) and much more.

The McKinley SSB 12/24 CB Radio has an impressive three-color changeable large LCD display that is easy to read. The radio also has VOX (hands-free function) which is a great feature for when you need to keep your hands free. The front panel loudspeaker is a nice touch, and the ASC (Automatic Squelch Control) works well to keep the radio quiet when there is no signal.

Overall, we were impressed with the President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio. It is a great radio for anyone who needs a reliable CB radio with a lot of features.

40 Channel Feature

We were impressed with the 40 channel feature of the President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio. It provided us with a wide range of channels to choose from, making it easy to find the right frequency for our needs. We also appreciated the clear reception and transmission quality on all channels, which made communication smooth and easy.

Using the 40 channel feature, we were able to easily scan for available channels and quickly find the best one for our needs. The radio also allowed us to store our favorite channels for easy access, which was a nice touch.

Overall, we found the 40 channel feature of the President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio to be a great addition to this already impressive CB radio. It provided us with a wide range of channels and clear reception quality, making it a great choice for anyone in need of a reliable CB radio.

DIN Size Feature

When it comes to the DIN size feature of the President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio, we were impressed with its compact size and ease of installation. The radio fits perfectly in most standard DIN-sized radio slots, making it a great addition to any vehicle.

We found that the DIN size feature also allowed for easy access to the radio's controls, making it simple to adjust the settings while driving. The compact size of the radio also meant that it didn't take up much space in the vehicle, which was a plus.

Overall, we think that the DIN size feature of the President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio is a great feature that makes installation and use of the radio a breeze. We highly recommend this radio to anyone who is looking for a compact and easy-to-use CB radio for their vehicle.

AM/USB/LSB Capabilities

We were impressed by the AM/USB/LSB capabilities of the President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio. The radio's ability to switch between AM, USB, and LSB modes made it easy to communicate with others on the same frequency. We appreciated the clear reception and transmission in each mode. The radio's VHF tuner technology ensured that we could pick up signals from a distance without interference. Additionally, the Roger Beep feature was a nice touch, allowing us to signal the end of a transmission without having to speak.

Overall, the AM/USB/LSB capabilities of the President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio made it a versatile and reliable option for communication on the road.

Pros and Cons

When it comes to the PRESIDENT MCKINLEY USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio, there are both pros and cons to consider before making a purchase. In this section, we will go over both the advantages and disadvantages of this product so you can make an informed decision.

Pros

One of the biggest pros of the PRESIDENT MCKINLEY USA CB Radio is its SSB feature. This allows for clearer and stronger transmissions, making it easier to communicate with others. Additionally, the radio is compatible with both 12V and 24V systems, making it a versatile option for a variety of vehicles.

The DIN size of this radio is also a plus, as it doesn't take up too much space and can fit in tight spots. The controls are intuitive and easy to use, and the radio itself is reliable and performs well. It also doesn't have any unnecessary flashy lights or features, which some users may prefer.

Cons

One of the main cons of this radio is its lower output on SSB mode. While it still works well, it may not be as strong as some users would like. Additionally, the receive could have been a little hotter, which may affect the clarity of incoming transmissions.

Another potential downside is the annoying howl or whine that the radio can make. While this may not be a dealbreaker for some, it can be a nuisance for others. Finally, some users have reported that the sub menu takes some getting used to, which could be frustrating for those who prefer a simpler setup.

Overall, the PRESIDENT MCKINLEY USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio is a solid option for those looking for a reliable and versatile CB radio. While it may have some downsides, the pros outweigh the cons and make it a worthwhile purchase for many users.

Customer Reviews

We scoured through the customer reviews for the President McKinley USA SSB CB Radio and found that the majority of users were quite pleased with their purchase. Many reviewers noted the radio's compact size and intuitive controls, making it easy to install and operate. The SSB mode was also a standout feature, providing clear and steady signals for long-range communication. However, some users did mention that the receive function could have been stronger, and there were a few reports of an annoying whine or howl when using the radio. Overall, we found that the President McKinley USA SSB CB Radio is a reliable and versatile choice for those in need of a high-quality CB radio.

Conclusion

After using the PRESIDENT MCKINLEY USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio, we can confidently say that it is a reliable and easy to use radio. The controls are intuitive, and the small size makes it easy to install in tight spots. The SSB signal requires only a slight adjustment of the fine-tune, and the modulation is very clear.

While the output on SSB mode could be a little hotter, the full 4 watts carrier on AM mode is a nice feature. The receive could have been a little hotter, but it still performs well.

Overall, the PRESIDENT MCKINLEY USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio is a great option for those looking for a modern radio that performs well without all the flashy lights and features. It's perfect for those who want a straightforward CB radio that gets the job done.

Frequently Asked Questions

As we were researching the President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio, we came across some frequently asked questions that we would like to address.

What are the key features of the President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio?

The President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio has many great features, including:

  • 40 channels
  • SSB, AM, USB, and LSB capabilities
  • Front panel loudspeaker with President's unique ASC (Automatic Squelch Control)
  • Murata filters
  • Automatic SWR (beep sound)
  • Weather Channel with Alert
  • Three color changeable large LCD display
  • VOX (hands-free function)

How does the President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio compare to other CB radios on the market?

Compared to other CB radios on the market, the President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio stands out with its SSB capabilities, automatic squelch control, and weather channel with alert feature. It also has a compact and sleek design, making it easy to install in tight spaces.

What is the power output of the President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio?

The President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio has a maximum power output of 4 watts on AM mode and a low output on SSB mode.

Can the President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio be used for both AM and SSB communication?

Yes, the President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio can be used for both AM and SSB communication.

What is the range of the President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio?

The range of the President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio depends on various factors such as terrain, weather conditions, and antenna quality. However, users have reported a range of up to 12 miles on side band locally.

What are the pros and cons of the President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio according to CB radio magazines?

According to CB radio magazines, the pros of the President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio are its compact design, SSB capabilities, automatic squelch control, and weather channel with alert feature. The cons are its low output on SSB mode and its receive could have been a little hotter.

Overall, the President McKinley USA SSB 12/24V CB Radio is a great choice for those who want a compact and sleek CB radio with SSB capabilities and automatic squelch control. Its weather channel with alert feature is also a plus. However, if you are looking for a CB radio with high output on SSB mode, this may not be the best option for you.

Hi & Welcome!

My name is Jeremy and I have been an avid car nut for many year. My first car was an 1987 Honda CRX. I put in my first Kenwood stereo, amp, 2 10" JLs and a CB Radio in it and have been an avid user of CBs and car radios for years. I'll do my best to share my tips, information and thoughts to help you with whatever question you might have, ABOUT ME 

After I graduated from High School, I worked 5 years are Radio Shack and 3 years at Circuit City answering questions and helping customers with various electronics questions.