converting old 23 Channel CBs to 10 Meter FM

mrW4ttage

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Feb 6, 2026
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I’ve been reading up on how fun 10 meter FM can be around 29.6 MHz, and I just inherited a pile of old crystal mixing 23 channel CBs
they seem like perfect candidates for a conversion project, but man, they are cramped inside. Tracing these circuits without a map is going to be a nightmare.
has anyone actually pulled this off? also, does anyone have a schematic for a Lafayette HB525?
I’m weighing the options between building two stable oscillators or trying a single offset setup for simplex, but it looks complicated
 
Converted an old Midland a few years ago. Honestly unless you really love the challenge, just grab a cheap 10m radio instead. Those old CBs can be tricky to fix, and the outcomes aren't always great.
 
I have a partial schematic for the Lafayette, but it’s not fully complete. Just a heads-up crystal conversions in those tight chassis are a real exercise in patience.
 
A single offset setup is possible, but it’ll take ages to get it stable. Using dual oscillators offers more options for split operation later. But honestly, that cramped design makes it tough. Desoldering old boards without damaging traces is really hard work.
 
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