The General HP40 is a 10 meter amateur ham mobile radio with AM and FM modes, a blue LED display, and General's high-power 100-watt transceiver design. It's built for licensed amateur operators who want a full-featured 10-meter mobile that fits a truck dash, ties into the same 4-pin microphone and 50-ohm antenna ecosystem you already own, and pairs cleanly with our Pro Tune & Alignment bench service.

What the General HP40 is

• Class: 10-meter amateur ham mobile radio (requires a valid FCC amateur radio license to transmit — see our 10-meter licensing guide).
• Modes: AM and FM.
• Chassis: Compact mobile — sized for standard truck-cab under-dash installs.
• Transceiver: General's 100-watt output design — the "HP" (High Power) family that this radio anchors.
• Display: Multi-function blue LED with dimmer.
• Front controls: Squelch, Mic Gain, RF Gain, Channel selector, Talkback, Roger beep, PA.
• Microphone: Standard 4-pin front connector, dynamic microphone included.
• Speaker: Front-mounted with rear external-speaker jack for a Driver Extreme DRX-9010 external speaker upgrade.
• Power input: 13.8V DC.
• Antenna impedance: 50 ohms.

Why operators pick the General HP40

• General HP-family lineage. The HP40 is the compact anchor of General's High-Power 10-meter mobile line. It shares the same rugged transceiver design that the General Lee is known for, in a tighter form factor.
• Simple, driver-friendly front panel. Real knobs for Mic Gain, RF Gain, and Squelch — no menu-diving to make quick adjustments on the road.
• Blue LED display with dimmer. Easy to read day or night, and dimmable for long night runs.
• PA + Talkback + Roger beep. Talkback lets you monitor your own audio in real time — helpful when you're checking mic gain settings.
• Universal 4-pin microphone standard. Any 4-pin CB microphone you already own works. Popular upgrades include the Driver Extreme DRX-6560 noise-cancelling dynamic mic.
• Ready for Pro Tune. The HP40 is a common candidate for our bench Pro Tune & Alignment service.

Pro Tune & 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.

Recommended pairings for the General HP40

• Audio upgrade: Driver Extreme DRX-9010 external speaker + DRX-6560 noise-cancelling microphone. Bundled below as the HP40 audio upgrade combo.
• Truck install: Stryker SR-A10 antenna + DRX-3402 heavy-duty mirror mount + Driver Extreme DRX-1518 18-foot premium M213 coax. Bundled below as the HP40 truck install combo.
• Whip antenna alternative: The classic Hustler IC56 102-inch stainless whip.
• Sibling radio: If you want a base-station look and full-size chassis, the General Lee is the natural step up in the same family.

Frequently asked questions

Is the General HP40 a CB radio or a ham radio?

The HP40 is a 10-meter amateur ham radio, not a Part-95 CB. It operates on the 10-meter amateur band and requires a valid FCC amateur radio license to transmit. See our 10-meter licensing guide for details.

Do I need an amateur radio license to use the HP40?

Yes. Operating on the 10-meter amateur band requires an FCC amateur radio license. A Technician-class license grants CW-only privileges on a portion of 10 meters; General class or higher grants full voice and data privileges.

What modes does the HP40 support?

AM and FM.

What microphone connector does the HP40 use?

A standard 4-pin front connector. Any 4-pin CB microphone works, including the Astatic 636L, the Driver Extreme DRX-6560 noise-cancelling dynamic mic, and other 4-pin aftermarket options.

What antenna should I pair with the HP40?

Any 50-ohm 10-meter antenna. For the strongest all-around performance, the classic Hustler IC56 102-inch stainless whip is a gold standard. For a compact mobile install, the Stryker SR-A10 base-loaded antenna is a strong choice. Tune SWR under 2:1 across the 10-meter band after install.

How is the HP40 different from the General Lee?

Both are General 10-meter amateur units. The General Lee is the full-size, base-station-style unit with SSB. The HP40 is the compact mobile form-factor in the same family, with AM/FM. Choose the HP40 for a truck dash; choose the General Lee if you want SSB and a larger chassis.

Can the HP40 use an external speaker?

Yes. Rear external-speaker jack. Pairs cleanly with the Driver Extreme DRX-9010 premium external speaker.

What does Pro Tune & Alignment do?

Our bench technicians professionally tune and align your radio per the manufacturer's service manual before it ships. Add the Pro Tune & Alignment option at checkout.