Overview
Colt was a brand of Citizens Band (CB) radios sold primarily during the 1970s and early 1980s. The brand was associated with Midland International and featured radios manufactured in Japan for the North American CB market. Many Colt radios shared circuitry and chassis designs with other Japanese-built CB radios of the era, particularly those using Cybernet platforms.
Colt radios were marketed toward both casual CB users and hobbyists, offering AM and single sideband (SSB) transceivers in mobile and base station configurations. Several models became known for dependable receiver performance and ease of servicing.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Citizens Band (CB) radios |
| Modes | AM, USB, LSB (model dependent) |
| Channel Capacity | 23 or 40 channels |
| Frequency Range | 26.965 MHz to 27.405 MHz |
| Manufacturing | Primarily Japan |
| Market Period | 1970s to early 1980s |
| Typical Configurations | Mobile and base station |
Description
Colt CB radios commonly used analog channel selectors, illuminated signal meters, microphone gain controls, and external speaker connections. Higher-end models included single sideband capability, clarifier controls, RF gain adjustment, and PA functions.
Many units were built using common Japanese OEM chassis shared with other CB brands of the period, resulting in similarities in controls, internal layouts, and service procedures.
History
The Colt brand emerged during the peak years of the CB radio industry in the 1970s. During this period, numerous U.S. distributors imported radios from Japanese manufacturers and sold them under private brand names. Colt radios were commonly associated with Midland International distribution channels and often utilized hardware platforms produced by Cybernet and other Japanese OEM suppliers.
The popularity of the brand declined along with the overall CB radio market during the early 1980s following the end of the CB boom era.
References
- https://www.sjl.us/2023/11/12/the-rise-and-decline-of-cb-radio/ — Historical overview of the rise and decline of the CB radio industry.