Connex 10 Meter Radio - Connex CX46 TN1
Connex CX46 TN1 10 Meter Radio — 200+ Watts of Highway-Rattling Power
The Connex CX46 TN1 is a high-output 10 meter amateur radio built for operators who need serious talk power without a cluttered front panel. Simple controls, six frequency bands, and a factory-rated 200-plus watts of output — the CX46 TN1 has been a mainstay for long-haul truckers, base operators, and anyone who wants Connex's classic no-nonsense form factor.
At CB Radio Supply, every CX46 TN1 ships with the microphone, power cord, mounting bracket, and mic clip you need to get running. Add the recommended Pro Tune and alignment at checkout and it leaves the bench dialed in to the manufacturer's service manual before it ever hits your dash.
Who this radio is for
- Class 8 truckers — Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner, Volvo, Mack, and International drivers who want strong talk power in a slim, easy-to-mount chassis
- 10 meter base operators looking for an affordable high-output radio with echo and talkback built in
- Ranger and Connex loyalists upgrading from a stock CB or lower-power radio to a 200W-class amateur rig
- Operators who want simple controls — no menu diving, no touchscreen, just knobs and switches that do exactly what the label says
Connex CX46 TN1 specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency band | 10 meter amateur (28.000–29.700 MHz) |
| Modes | AM / FM |
| Output power (factory rating) | 200+ watts |
| Frequency bands | Six switchable bands |
| Echo / talkback | Built-in Connex Echo, switchable talkback |
| Frequency step | +10 kHz switch |
| RF power control | Variable |
| Microphone jack | Front-mounted, 4-pin |
| Display lighting | Blue channel and meter |
| Heatsink | Bottom-facing |
| Current draw | 25 amps (requires strong power source) |
| SWR requirement | 1.5:1 or lower — no exceptions |
| Length | 11 1/8" (SO-239 to front knobs) |
| Width | 7 7/8" |
| Height | 2 7/8" |
| Warranty | 1 year manufacturer |
Why operators pick the CX46 TN1
- Factory-rated 200+ watts — one of the strongest talk-power radios in the Connex lineup at this price point
- Six frequency bands plus a +10 kHz switch — plenty of range for the way 10 meter operators actually use the band
- Connex Echo and switchable talkback built in — no external echo board or add-on mic required
- Front-mounted mic jack — cleaner cable routing under the dash and easier swaps between mics
- Simple, tactile controls — every knob and switch does one job, no menu system to learn
- Bottom-facing heatsink — pulls heat away from the chassis in tight mounting locations
- Blue channel and meter lighting — easy to read day or night without washing out a truck dash at 2 a.m.
Form factor: how the CX46 TN1 fits in the Connex family
The CX46 TN1 shares Connex's classic mid-size 10 meter chassis — a little wider than the smallest Stryker slim-line radios but shorter front-to-back than the largest Ranger base-style rigs. At 11 1/8" long × 7 7/8" wide × 2 7/8" tall, it fits under most sleeper bunks and in the majority of Class 8 dash cutouts without a custom bracket. The bottom-facing heatsink is the detail to plan around: leave clearance underneath the radio for airflow.
Truck fitment guide
| Truck | Fitment notes |
|---|---|
| Peterbilt 379 / 389 | Fits standard dash cutout; overhead console mount is a common alternative |
| Peterbilt 579 | Overhead console preferred; passenger-side dash also works with a slim bracket |
| Kenworth W900 | Fits classic dash pocket; watch heatsink clearance |
| Kenworth T680 / T880 | Overhead console recommended; use a mounting kit sized for the CX46 chassis width |
| Freightliner Cascadia | Overhead console or aftermarket dash bracket; the radio is short enough front-to-back for either |
| Volvo VNL | Overhead compartment mount; leave heatsink clearance |
| Mack Anthem | Overhead console; dash pocket in older Anthems also fits |
| International LT / LoneStar | Overhead console or DIN pocket with a slim bracket |
What's in the box
- Connex CX46 TN1 10 meter radio
- 4-pin dynamic microphone with coil cord and clip
- DC power cord
- Mounting bracket and hardware
Licensing and legal
The CX46 TN1 is a 10 meter amateur (ham) radio, not a CB. Operating on the 10 meter band requires an active FCC amateur radio license (Technician class or higher). This radio is not FCC Part 95 CB-certified and is not intended for use on the 40 CB channels. Confirm you're licensed before transmitting.
Pro Tune and alignment
Don't forget to add the Pro tune and alignment option at checkout so that your radio is professionally bench-tuned for best performance per the manufacturer's service manual.
Power and antenna requirements
The CX46 TN1 draws 25 amps at full transmit and needs to be wired to a strong, direct power source — battery or a heavy-gauge power distribution point, not a switched accessory tap. Antenna SWR must be 1.5:1 or lower. Higher SWR will damage the radio's finals and voids warranty coverage on those parts.
Warranty
The Connex CX46 TN1 carries a 1 year manufacturer warranty against defects. CB Radio Supply also honors a 30-day in-house warranty against defects. Blown finals, pills, or voltage regulators caused by antenna system problems (high SWR) or installation issues are not covered by our in-house warranty but may be covered by Connex's manufacturer warranty on a case-by-case basis.
Recommended upgrades and accessories
- Stryker SR-A10 antenna — a proven pairing for high-power 10 meter radios
- Stryker SR-A10MM magnet mount — no-drill install option
- Astatic 636L noise-canceling microphone — upgrade over the stock mic for noisy cabs
- Gear Keeper RT4-4112-28 retractable mic keeper — keeps the mic off the floor and off the shifter
Frequently asked questions
How much power does the Connex CX46 TN1 actually put out?
The CX46 TN1 is factory-rated at 200+ watts of output power. That's the manufacturer's spec straight from Connex — real-world output on a particular unit depends on the strength of your power supply, the quality of your antenna system, and whether the radio has been professionally aligned. Radios that arrive with the Pro Tune add-on leave our bench dialed in to Connex's service-manual spec.
Is the CX46 TN1 a CB radio or a ham radio?
The CX46 TN1 is a 10 meter amateur (ham) radio, not a CB. It operates on the 10 meter amateur band (28.000–29.700 MHz), which requires an active FCC amateur radio license — Technician class or higher. It is not FCC Part 95 CB-certified and should not be used on the 40 CB channels.
What size power source and wire gauge does the CX46 TN1 need?
The radio draws 25 amps at full transmit, so you need a power source that can sustain that load without voltage sag — typically a direct run to the battery with 8 AWG (or heavier) power and ground wire, an inline fuse rated for the load, and a strong solid connection at both ends. Wiring the radio to a switched accessory circuit will trip the circuit or brown-out the radio when you key up.
What SWR does the antenna system need to hit?
1.5:1 or lower across the portion of the 10 meter band you'll operate on. Higher than that and you'll damage the radio's finals — Connex's warranty and our in-house warranty both exclude finals damaged by antenna system problems. If you don't have SWR verified after installation, get it verified before you transmit at high power. Antenna install and SWR verification are separate services and are done at antenna install, not on the radio bench.
Does the CX46 TN1 have echo and talkback built in?
Yes. Connex Echo and switchable talkback are built into the radio — no external echo board or specialty mic required. Echo depth and talkback are set from the front panel.
What is the +10 kHz switch and when do I use it?
The +10 kHz switch shifts the displayed channel by 10 kHz, which lets you access "in-between" frequencies inside the six frequency-band layout. Operators use it to move off busy calling frequencies or to match up with local groups who prefer the offset spots. It's an amateur-band feature and is used within your licensed operating range.
Will the CX46 TN1 fit in my truck?
The radio is 11 1/8" long × 7 7/8" wide × 2 7/8" tall. It fits standard Class 8 dash cutouts and overhead console mounts on Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner, Volvo, Mack, and International trucks. Because the heatsink is bottom-facing, you'll want to leave a small air gap underneath the radio for cooling — a slim mounting bracket rather than a flush-mounted enclosure is the safer choice.
What comes in the box?
Every CX46 TN1 shipped from CB Radio Supply includes the radio, a 4-pin dynamic microphone with coil cord and clip, a DC power cord, and a mounting bracket with hardware. That's everything you need to bench-test the radio and mount it — you'll add coax, an antenna, and power wiring to complete the install.
Should I add the Pro Tune option at checkout?
We recommend it. The Pro Tune and alignment option gets your radio professionally bench-tuned for best performance per the manufacturer's service manual before it ships. If you're spending $500+ on a high-power 10 meter radio, spending an extra $50 to have it aligned properly at the bench is a small investment for a meaningful performance and reliability difference.
How is the CX46 TN1 different from the Connex 3300HP?
Both are Connex-built high-power 10 meter radios. The main form-factor difference: the CX46 TN1 is a slightly longer, wider chassis with a bottom-facing heatsink and six frequency bands, while the 3300HP has its own chassis layout and feature set. Feature-wise, both include Connex Echo, switchable talkback, and a +10 kHz switch. Which one is right depends on the mounting location you have available and personal preference on controls — both perform in the same 200W-class output range.