It's out !! RCI 2970 N4 200/400 watts

[Oatmeal]

If I was going to spend that kinda money of a radio, I'd buy a HF radio...

You can take a SSB radio and a 2 pill or 4 pill, or tube amp if you prefer and talk as good on this.....saw on FB, some of those guys are selling that radio for 700 bucks....

 

[n8fgb]

I saw this on Ebay for 729 bucks. For the same price you can get a Yaesu FT450d, which is far mare radio than any RCI. Like comparing a M16 to a flintlock musket.
Rich

 

[fourstringburn]

Big power, same radio.

I have the 2950dx N2 radio that I used briefly for a mobile and I had a CTCSS tone board installed for 10 meter repeater use. While these are good radios for SSB compared to the other glorified CB export radios out there, I found it has a few short comings I found less than desirable for mobile applications.

For mobile uses, all these radios have a problem with the LCD display in sunlight which all about disappears. However, the LCD display on the N2 version does looks better with the black background and green LED's compared to the older style and looks great at night. I think if the display was set brighter it may help in the daytime more.

The other thing is when using the VFO (channel changer knob for you cbers) your hand is blocking the LCD display. In most cases, your radio will be mounted to your right and the VFO knob is on the left side of the radio causing the LCD display to be obstructed by your hand when using the VFO. Nearly every radio manufacture puts the VFO ( or channel selector on CB 's) on the right or in the middle of the radio.

The FM power on the 2950 models is low at 8 watts and I see no adjustment for this without extreme modification that I wouldn't want to do. Maybe you guy's no something I overlooked on getting the FM power up more. On this N4 model, the FM power will be less than 400 watts too but still probably be at 200 watts or so which is plenty so this model won't be a problem for FM users.

I would like to see RCI redesign the face of the radio and address these issues which are the same I have heard from other users too. Other than that, like I said in the beginning,

Big power, same radio.

Anyone want to buy a 2950dxN2 with a CTCSS tone board installed?

 

[StrangeBrew]

Seems as though they're putting themselves at a price point where they won't be able to compete, unless there is more to the plan that we don't know about this doesn't look like a good move.

Anyone know if this radio is an addition to the line or is it a replacement for the N2?

 

[Tallman]

The truckers will be using them for "CB's" in no time at all. They come with an internal "Key" that drops them right into citizens band with no problem. I had a 2970n2 bought new and there was this little dongle with a place to plug it in for the conversion.
It was with out any doubt in my mind the best mobile radio I had for years. And no the conversion was not installed. I have my general ticket and many other radios to play with. I worked the Azores and several countries inside of the former USSR from a Honda civic with it and a Sirio 5000 on a magmount.

 

[Needle Bender]

For that kind of money I think a real HF radio will be much better. Screw the 400 watts after tuning. Its going to need fans and it's the same radio!! Nothing new TBO, other than they are now supplied with Mosfets vs. Toshiba transistors to make the watts. Way cheaper for them to use a couple dollars worth of cheap mosfet transistors to make the watt meter dance. A good separate 4 pill amp and a 2950 will smoke the N4 IMO. And be less prone to breakdown due to heat. But again for near the same price, one can have a 200 watt kenwood 480HX that will outperform the RCI as well IMO. Too much money for what it is. JMHO.

I really liked my 480HX until a guy wanted to swap for an IC-7000. Had to do it. DAMN! Now I have an $1100 paperweight. Someone PLEASE show Icom how to design & build a PA!
Anyway, big audio for such a small rig, when it works!
-Though the 480 doesn't have the big bassie audio like the 7K it's still an excellent rig and can be run all day, everyday at 300w pep, as long as you have the current AND voltage.
Sorry about the comparative hi-jack but, Hi Jack! You old Fair Oakie!

 

[Mudfoot]

Sounds like your 7000 was finger banged.

 

[Needle Bender]

Sounds like your 7000 was finger banged.

Almost "hammered", you mean!

 

[fourstringburn]

I really liked my 480HX until a guy wanted to swap for an IC-7000. Had to do it. DAMN! Now I have an $1100 paperweight. Someone PLEASE show Icom how to design & build a PA!
Anyway, big audio for such a small rig, when it works!
-Though the 480 doesn't have the big bassie audio like the 7K it's still an excellent rig and can be run all day, everyday at 300w pep, as long as you have the current AND voltage.
Sorry about the comparative hi-jack but, Hi Jack! You old Fair Oakie!

The TS480 HX should only do 200 watts.

Pushing them past their limits only builds up more damaging heat, exceeds IMD levels and can lead to P.A. failure and the extra 100 watts is hardly noticeble on the other end.

If you tweaked your 7K over it's rated limits, then no wonder it's toast.

If you want more power, get an amp. Leave the radio alone.

 

[222DBFL]

I am happy with my Icom 746. It has the TXCO crystal installed. Though not the best radio there is, for me it works fine and even works well on AM for what it is. My biggest point is the price of the RCI. For that kind of money why not add a bit more and get an HF radio. All RCI did was add some more cheap ass Mosfets and made it do 400 watts vs the 150-200 watts out of the older ones. If that is what their new line up looks like or is headed, then they will be just like all the others, cheap radios that make the watt meter dance. Just not worth it IMO. Like others have said, get a good radio and add an amp. Less heat and better components. The 2950DX isn't a bad radio, add a 4 pill amp and it will smoke the N4 all day and probably last longer. Again, JMO.

 

[Turbo T]

These types of radios (2970N2, 2970N4, Galaxy 98VHP, Connex 4300-300/400) cater to the truck driver who can't or doesn't want to run an external amp in his truck. Probably more so if/when a truck driver happens to be slip seating.

While it's nice and convenient to have an "all in one" radio, it's rather expensive compared to running a separate amp. Not exactly what I could call "getting what you pay for".

 

[Tallman]

For that kind of money I think a real HF radio will be much better. But again for near the same price, one can have a 200 watt kenwood 480HX that will outperform the RCI as well IMO. Too much money for what it is. JMHO.

I totally agree! Lots of bucks for a band limited radio. The Icom 746 and 746 pro is a much better purchase.

 

[43Echo695]

There are lots of these radios out there, any actual owners/users of the N4 like to comment?

73's

 

[vkrules]

The other thing is when using the VFO (channel changer knob for you cbers) your hand is blocking the LCD display. In most cases, your radio will be mounted to your right and the VFO knob is on the left side of the radio causing the LCD display to be obstructed by your hand when using the VFO. Nearly every radio manufacture puts the VFO ( or channel selector on CB 's) on the right or in the middle of the radio.

Thats good for us ! but the mic is still on the wrong side.Be nice if we all drove on the same side of the road.

 

[Mudduckmobile]

There are lots of these radios out there, any actual owners/users of the N4 like to comment?

73's

636L mic. Big and box like, hard to fit in the truck (09 Ram w/center con.) Some times I like it better then my mk3 Optima. N4 I hear from folks say sounds better then Optima on AM but Optima is a SSB rig first, not an AM rig. The N4 gives me more band to be about. I have extra fan on the N4 never had a problem.
Optima has a dx 500 behind it. N4 does not need any help. I have used both on mobile/base. Optima dx 500 works better as base. Hard to find room in the Ram for the N4 but the N4 does work better in the Ram (only one thing to locate st'ed of 2 with the optima setup). I am happy with both rigs. I would pass on the Optima, and dx 500 if some one wanted to give me a N4 in trade. (that works 100% as mine do). My N4 has no extra games to it, just a swich to turn the amp off, and the DEI trans. removed, and Toshibas from RF Parts put in, and a 120mm fan added, and it is set to the book, it does out run the Optima.dx 500 set up by 75-100 w pep but means nothing it's just a number thats all at that small point. I love my Optima... l ove my N4. If I was to do it all over again....N4 hands down.

There are lots of these radios out there, any actual owners/users of the N4 like to comment?

73's