Make
Academy
Model
501
Overview
The Academy 501 is a vintage 23-channel CB base station transceiver produced during the 1970s CB radio era. It is a tube-based AM radio intended for fixed-station operation on the 11-meter Citizens Band. Service information and schematics for the model survive through collector and documentation archives.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Academy |
| Model | 501 |
| Type | CB base station transceiver |
| Service | 11-meter CB |
| Channels | 23 channels |
| Modulation | AM |
| Frequency Range | 26.965 – 27.255 MHz |
| Power Source | 120 VAC |
| Construction | Tube-type chassis |
| Speaker | Internal speaker |
| Channel Control | Crystal controlled |
Physical Description
The Academy 501 uses a metal desktop cabinet typical of mid-1970s CB base stations. The front panel includes channel selector, volume, squelch, and tuning controls along with an analog signal meter. Internally, the radio uses point-to-point wiring with vacuum tubes, transformers, and discrete components mounted on a steel chassis.
History
The Academy 501 was introduced during the rapid growth of CB radio popularity before the FCC expanded the service from 23 to 40 channels in 1977. Radios such as the 501 were marketed for home and small business communication use. Surviving examples are now primarily found in vintage radio collections and restoration projects.