Galaxy DX-99v2 with amp or RCI -2970n2??

[CB590]

Just figured I'd ask thoughts on both as it seems some members have the 99v2.. 99v2 runs about $389 after tuning and setup..

I would be running the 99v2 with the TS350HDV sometimes..

Or would the 2970n2 be a better choice and then sell the TS350 to recoup some of the purchase price of the 2970n2 (which is like $500)??

The 2970n2 does about 200w PEP on both AM and SSB and supposedly the one tune-up I saw online Smokin Joe's had a decent noise floor after tuning it.. and he got like 220w out of it..

BellsCB gets like a 60w dk and shows like 250+..

 

[BammBamm]

Very difficult answer here..do you need 10-12 meters? If not personally I would go with a Stryker 955 over the galaxy due to drifting. Running it on lower output power to use your amp. If 10-12 meter is needed then I would get the 2970. Both radios I mentioned are more stable than the Galaxy.

 

[StrangeBrew]

Is a 2950dx into the TS350 an option?

 

[9C1Driver]

I like that option as well there Brew. PA770 if you do go with the N2 option buy it from a shop that does not try to wrangle every last watt out of the radio.

 

[Robb]

Neither radio is a right for a TX350. Reason? Either radio puts out too much power for that the amp. Either radio is putting out more than 20w peak; more like +40w/peak. The TX350 was built for a standard CB in mind/20w peak. Otherwise, you will be throwing off a lot of distortion if you use that amp with either export radio. Overload. Besides sounding like poop, it will throw off a lot of harmonics across the bandwidth. Bad News.
Thanks for asking before you try to do this.

 

[CB590]

Neither radio is a right for a TX350. Reason? Either radio puts out too much power for that the amp. Either radio is putting out more than 20w peak; more like +40w/peak. The TX350 was built for a standard CB in mind/20w peak. Otherwise, you will be throwing off a lot of distortion if you use that amp with either export radio. Overload. Besides sounding like poop, it will throw off a lot of harmonics across the bandwidth. Bad News.
Thanks for asking before you try to do this.

I was thinking the 99v2 would be turned down to low power via the front knob and let it swing up from that.. should then let it swing less then 20w or so.. I think the 2950 also has the option RF knob on front..

Anyone with the 99v2 or 2950 know what the 'low' dk is and what the 'low' swing PEP is??

I would not attempt the 2970n2 with the TS350 at all. I would sell the TS350 if I went with the 2970n2.

 

[Blackcat630]

I would choose a 29xx flavor anyday over a galaxy... but that's just me. 2950 & TS500. Good power supply or supplys to keep up with them. N2 maybe if it hadn't been wackpack tuned... I would also opt for a switch to turn the amp on/off on the N2. If your talking locally no need for extra wattage...

 

[CB590]

I would choose a 29xx flavor anyday over a galaxy... but that's just me. 2950 & TS500. Good power supply or supplys to keep up with them. N2 maybe if it hadn't been wackpack tuned... I would also opt for a switch to turn the amp on/off on the N2. If your talking locally no need for extra wattage...

Currently using the MegaWatt 30/33 with the TS350 with no issues.. My current CB is running on a 10/12amp supply just fine as well.

I'm guessing the 2950CD would run just fine on the 10/12 power supply.

The MW 30/33 is dual purpose as it runs my Alinco DXSR-8T as.well when the TS350 is off..

I didn't think about the 2970n2 and power, early version had issues with units drawing like 48 amps I read.. newer ones if tuned down to say a flat 200w are drawing like 28-30 amp.

I would definitely have a switch on the amp for the 2970n2.. makes sense.

 

[Robb]

I was thinking the 99v2 would be turned down to low power via the front knob and let it swing up from that.. should then let it swing less then 20w or so.. I think the 2950 also has the option RF knob on front..

Anyone with the 99v2 or 2950 know what the 'low' dk is and what the 'low' swing PEP is??

I would not attempt the 2970n2 with the TS350 at all. I would sell the TS350 if I went with the 2970n2.

Yes, of course.
Do you have a high power dummy load?
Do you have a watt meter that is fairly accurate?
Sure, turning down the power must be done. Ya know, sooo many people just throw the radio/amp together and just call it a day. Not if you want best results . . .

 

[CB590]

Yes, of course.
Do you have a high power dummy load?
Do you have a watt meter that is fairly accurate?
Sure, turning down the power must be done. Ya know, sooo many people just throw the radio/amp together and just call it a day. Not if want best results . . .

Yes I have my little Astatic that Ive been using for years. Does up to 100w. Doesn't have PEP, just regular RMS.

 

[Robb]

OK; so no dummy load? Antenna does not count - not the same thing.
The other caveat is using a modded radio; that dog won't hunt.
Meter needs to be accurate.

 

[CB590]

OK; so no dummy load? Antenna does not count - not the same thing.
The other caveat is using a modded radio; that dog won't hunt.
Meter needs to be accurate.

Current antenna is A99 doing 1-1.1-1.2 across 11m

 

[Robb]

Yeah, antennas present a reactive load, so the power reading won't be any where near accurate. That is why a dummy load (which is a resistive load; not reactive) of sufficient power must be used along with an accurate meter. Just sayin . . .

 

[CB590]

Yeah, antennas present a reactive load, so the power reading won't be any where near accurate. That is why a dummy load (which is a resistive load; not reactive) of sufficient power must be used along with an accurate meter. Just sayin . . .

I wasn't going to tune it up for sure.. was going to let a shop do that.

Just use the cheap meter for adjusting prior to hitting the TS350 and mark the RF power knob for reference after setting a low 2w spot..

 

[Robb]

Let me do this another way . . .

If I were to run a linear amp (I have some amps, but never use them BTW), I would want to do it in the way that creates as little damage to the airwaves and my equipment at the same time.

First off, I wouldn't use an export radio with that linear on the CB band. Why? Because they give off harmonics that a CB won't do - even before it is amplified. So, I would choose a CB radio.

But there is more. Using that linear means that it is a balancing act of power output from the radio to the amp that is best not to violate. Too much power into the linear (read: 'modulation mods'), and the linear heats up excessively - for one. This will happen the moment that some shop gets the radio and peaks and tunes the radio that also creates different yet harmful harmonics. Keep in mind, that whatever you give the linear, it will amplify. Be it a clean signal, or one that is tainted with noise, distortion, and harmonics. The amp is a slave.

Many shops are just concerned with impressing the customer with as big numbers as they can get out of it. This is the very kind of shop that you don't want working on your radio. Why? Not only will the radio/amp be throwing out garbage, but the life of your amp will be measured in weeks instead of years.

After the CB radio and amp have been adjusted together properly, I would add a low pass filter too, just to ensure that the last remaining junk isn't getting put on the airwaves. It might be your amp and radio; but it is also the same pond where I and others swim and play.

It's your money/radio.