Works as advertised easy to install

CTCSS and DCS are features that allow you to block all audio except that matching the CTCSS or DCS you have selected. This means instead of hearing constant squealing and people yelling "HELLLLL-OOHHHH" all day long you can set a CTCSS or DCS code and only hear the calls that match that code. So if you and your "good buddy" are tooling down the road and only want to talk back and forth between your own cars, this will do the job nicely unless someone else happens to come along and use the same code. Think of it as a key. If the other side doesn't transmit the matching key, you won't hear anything.The implementation of CTCSS and DCS is non-standard but very workable. Codes are given index numbers instead of their usual CTCSS tones or DCS numbers. Some widely available standard CTCSS are not available. For example, the radio won't do 88.5, 91.5 or 94.8 among others. You get 38 of the normal 50 or so tones. But 38 is plenty and while it's not 100% compatible with more standard equipment, there is plenty of choice among the 38. Not tested was the entire range of DCS, but the display shows selection for up to 104 which corresponds to the "usual" number available from most manufacturers.One caveat about the CTCSS on this radio is some tones will not consistently unlock some receivers of different models and allow the audio to pass. This may or may not be a problem when attempting to use the radio with others. The result in an on-off-on-off effect like a loose speaker wire only at a regular interval. This problem is only present on two of the tones tested and may not happen with two of the same kind of radio. If this means only 36 of the 38 tones are usable, that's probably plenty selection for a car to car intercom. And there is also DCS, which seemed to work on a sampled basis but not all 104 codes were tested.CTCSS incompatibility is not a problem exclusive to this radio. It appears to be an issue generally with various makes and models. I'm going to guess that some API or chip is being used over and over and that's where the defect is coming from.Selection of CTCSS tone or DCS code stays with each channel so you can have different codes or tones for each channel, including none. The selection of AM or FM modulation affects all channels. The auto squelch seems to work pretty well. The open squelch point between auto (full left) and manual (to the right) is a little small. The squelch and volume knobs should have been the other way around with the volume on the outside and the squelch on the inside as you're much more likely to use the volume than the squelch. CTCSS and DCS are only available in FM, not AM mode.The mic is small, like kid sized, and there is no meter to show signal received. If you have big hands the little tiny mic is going to be a little uncomfortable. You also have to talk into the bottom half of the mic which is made more challenging with the PTT at the top. You will need a CB antenna. No antenna is included. This is the usual case for a mobile radio.If you want a really basic, simple CB, for tooling down the road in a carpool where you don't want to be subjected to all the usual CB racket, this thing is going to be hard to top for features and price. There is no other CB that gets you any kind of CTCSS or DCS for $50.140ma standby1.25a TX

Well, actually - it's a bit more than a "basic" CB - it (claims to) support the new FM modulation - I say "claims to" only because I haven't had occasion to test that out, yet. Otherwise, this radio has all of the common features, and packs them into a relatively small package, for what I think is a really competitive price. This is probably not the best CB on the market - is probably far from it - but it's good enough for me, and, I suspect, most folks - and it may be the most "bang for your buck" you can get out of a CB radio currently on the market. Excellent value - I'll be ordering at least one more.

Very happy with this radio. It seems to talk as well as any lower wattage radio. And does fm which is a nice feature. SUPER simple to use. You could throw it in anyone's car and they could confidently use it. Which is exactly why I got it.I recommend it for a good quality plain jane radio for anyone to use.

This thing is small. Even the mic is sized for a child. I don't mind that the unit is compact, but this is the smallest mic I've ever seen. Amazon does this all the time and should put an American quarter, coke can or something next to the product so we have an honest idea of the size. Plus the power cord has no plug or even cigarette lighter attachment, just exposed wires so you'll have to wire in your own power connection. Wouldn't mind if they said or showed that in the picture, but it was deceptive. They didn't show how the unit is powered, plug or anything. I should have bought something else. I was ripped off. No more Abbree for me.

I like the aesthetic of the radio. It has a very Maxon/early 2000's Midland feel. It brought back a sort of nostalgia for those old compact radios. The addition of FM is nice to see. That was one of the reasons I would use converted 10 meter radios when I was still driving OTR. If only this one had a sideband option, it would complete the trifecta for the perfect CB radio. Unfortunately, here in Florida, not many folks use CB, so I haven't been able to make any contact, but from what I can hear on the SDR, the audio is clean and the mic doesn't pick up everything in the background like a lot of electret condenser mics do. Overall, the radio is a decent size, not too large, but not quite in the Uniden 510 form factor either. The menu is easy to operate and the controls of the radio are easy to use. Even for a large handed person such as myself. If you are looking for CB that has FM and fits in the mid-size radio category, I would suggest this radio.

There's not a lot of CB traffic near me, based on what I've been picking up with this radio, but I am able to receive and transmit to truckers on the interstate about 3 miles away, so I think it's a lack of traffic rather than an issue with this radio. That said, the sound quality on the built-in speaker is pretty bad, and the included microphone is a super-cheap feeling little plastic toy. However, for such a low price, that's hardly unexpected. This will go in the cabinet with all my other radio toys for now, but I might break it out next time we take a road trip to see what I can hear.

Spend a few more dollars for a better one. The mic is way smaller than expected for sure. The squelch doesn’t function like it should as well.