This seems a question that many ask, cannot imagine a radio that is not Uniden and some are asking “What the F” So below are a few reasons why this could be. It’s not based on anything more than knowing who is around at the moment and what is on offer in the Far East if you go there for a radio.

Maxon

They made the Alan 9001 SSB Radio which was then called Emperor Shogun. Last week I saw new 9001 radios for sale online €430 that’s sign of the times. Have they produced anything wow at the moment? Not really I guess. The word is that they made the Midland 8001XT I cannot tell you if this is true or not as have not looked into it. But apart from a few AM/FM radios recently the CM10/CM70 there is not much stirring there it seems. *** 8001XT made by GW ***

Goodwill Telecom

Maker of the Optima series of radios. Get a good one it will get you the world. By the same score get a duffer and it would get you down the road. I’ve known cases of the radios supplied with no output transistors, soldering issues, stability issues, audio troubles. Saying that have heard good ones by the same score. So a tricky thought to trust the sequel to a legend here maybe? Also now *** update *** GW make also 8001XT

SR Corporation

Makers of the original Delta Forces, some Albrecht SSB radios and others via OEM for other resellers. They don’t have anything at the moment with the sex factor that a Lincoln would have needed. Hard to say but they need something special.

Uniden

The original maker of the Lincoln and the hardest act to follow. Think President and sure since 1978 they are the heart and soul of the hobby. And indeed they are making radios for markets from USA to New Zealand and indeed some AM/FM radios based on Harry, Thomas & Teddy for a reseller in Hong Kong. So there is the ability.
But the key sentence here and please all read it well and understand it They have no radio that can be easily changed into a Lincoln II as it would need be something special and to make from scratch is an expensive experience. The Jackson 2 was a USA AM radio that was worked on and changed. There is no current model that is Lincoln style or nothing. The Uniden 980 was talked about long time and indeed almost fits into the Johnson 2 case. This radio was discussed and rumored in 2011 in Germany with word on the streets it was being tested as a possible new radio for EU.
And the last key thing to remember it’s better to make and sell 12.000.000 DECT Phones for a company than maybe 20,000 Lincoln’s

Maxlog

Maker of the 8800 and 8900. I’ve feelings not all is what it seems with the making. Cannot put my finger on it really! I just think someone else was behind these two radios. Just when I say I think it was a another I think it was.

The Case for Qixiang

The maker of the Hannover radio that landed on my table from Markus @Neuner and was seen first of all as a display connected to power with two crocodile clips. The radio seemed to come from nowhere! There was a rumor around the Far East something was coming but it took time to realize. Within what seemed a matter of months there was the Maas, Superstar, Kenwood, CRE, Intek, Anytone, Alinco all on the market from the same stable. SSB was rock solid, there were errors of course as some were shipped RF Rain, V4 turn on ASC and the S meter stopped working. They invented what seemed to be the 8 week radio. In this am saying there were constant new revisions of the radio from the pre V3 that I had in prototype to the new V6 and with all these the great new ability to extend 40 channels per band to 60 with ever updating software. Putting people power in the hand of the people and not the often non radio using sellers or companies looking for a bargain new radio in China.
So isn’t it simple? President wanted something different and Qixiang are the people “with different” They brought us a VFO mode in there produced Stryker SR955HPC & also the Stabo XM4006e both with PC programming abilities and both sometimes over looked radios. I rate both highly. They offered a no need to re invent the world solution and have the ability, skill and ideas to back it up. Silly to go elsewhere.

In this there is also the cost versus the AT5555 and this is what comes hard to swallow in most cases. Lincoln 2 offers CTSSS/DCS which is a first for Qixiang and sure sometime soon they will introduce on there house brand for sure. Jungle drums beat the Lincoln will offer VFO mode which I cannot confirm or deny as there is no one to ask, and add to this the radio isn’t on the market row.

It’s 2014 and Uniden has changed like President has. The genius that was the EU man for them has retired. He was an EX Ham International guy and was the heartbeat of the company in Europe. More markets are opening now and we know President are strong in India and sure soon Pakistan. Poland is key President country and almost all trucks and cars with an antenna have the President CB sticker. But last year I spoke with more with Maas and Intek radios than President, sign of the times.

As Markus Neuner always tells me when I have some interesting news “let’s wait and see”

I will say if I needed an SSB radio made today, I’d go to Qixiang. They can engineer fast, they have showed by the amount of people running there produced stuff they can make the gear. Some will not believe it but £ or £ or $ for $ the most progressive and most on the case is Qixiang. They’ve shook up a lot of the radio business. Like it or not that’s reality.

There were errors I admit it, all make errors in radios. All makers radios have something not right. A completely error free radio is hard to find.

In a few days I celebrate my birthday and with that 29 years of writing about this super hobby and later in the year it’s my anniversary and I celebrate 36 years on air. That is why the nickname “Simons A Wizard” started as it is not my CB name. It was made up by Chris, David & a guy I always talked to in Devon. Most of those years on air with President equipment. I am one of the few who can say I have met the inventor of the ASC who is a genius. Also have met Mr President, a passionate man for this hobby of ours. Both these men sadly like us all get older but there legacy is there as the monarchy of CB Radio.

I wait and see the Lincoln II. Sure there are many Anytone ideas around the menu, the reset, voltage protection, swr protection, Roger bleep programming etc but knowing President they will have something up there sleeves more than an arm. I find the price high based on some internet sellers prices. Can it be justified when you get something that £149 or €179 can buy? Is added split feature and some other odds and ends worth the punt on the extra cost?

Radio is passion, it’s love of something against the cost. Invest high and expect more from it on your antenna.

Can it, will it, should it deliver…

And the clock ticks real slow while waiting for this one to arrive on the scene I can tell you

The wait is almost over now