Overview

Xtal was a brand used on citizens band (CB) radios during the 1960s and early 1970s. It was not a clearly documented standalone manufacturer, but rather a label applied to radios produced by OEM manufacturers for sale in the U.S. market.

Manufacturer Association

Evidence from labeling and construction indicates that many Xtal CB radios were manufactured in Japan, with Far East Research Laboratories identified as a likely OEM producer for some models.

During this period, it was common for:

• U.S. distributors to import radios from Japan
• OEM manufacturers to build identical or similar radios for multiple brands
• Brand names like Xtal to function as marketing labels rather than manufacturers

Technical Context

Xtal-branded radios are typically associated with crystal-controlled CB equipment:

• Use of plug-in quartz crystals for channel selection
• Limited or full 23-channel configurations depending on model
• Designs typical of late 1960s to early 1970s CB radios

Later models reflect the transition toward full 23-channel coverage just prior to PLL-synthesized radios becoming standard.

Legacy

The Xtal name represents a private-label CB radio brand tied to Japanese OEM manufacturing, likely including Far East Research Laboratories. These radios are characteristic of the period when CB production shifted heavily to Japan and were widely distributed in the United States under various brand names.