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Help with new radio purchase
- Thread starter ss396
- Start date
Well, I can give you advice from 2 angles:
If you're just looking for a 40 channel AM/SSB radio that can be modified and tuned nicely, you can't go wrong with a Galaxy 949 or 959. Both are easy to modify/tuneup, can have extra channels put in, and reliable. You can pick one of these up for about 150.00-175.00 depending on where you get it from.
Another good choice is the Texas Ranger TR-696 FD1, very similar to the Galaxy 949/959 but with a 6 digit counter and a nice looking american flag faceplate. These go for about the same price as a Galaxy 949/959.
If you're after a dual final/export radio, I've been told that the SS-158EDX is a good choice, has all the bells and whistles for a good price, in the 230.00-245.00 range.
Just my two cents worth, of course.
If you decide to go the "used" route, best bet is to find yourself a Cobra 148GTL off Ebay. Look for the ones that have the mic jack on the side, not on the front. The ones that have the mic jack on the front are the new models, and for the most part are pretty crappy.
I'm sure more people will post on this, so you'll have more radios to choose from. This is all I could think of off the top of my brain at 4 AM.
If you're just looking for a 40 channel AM/SSB radio that can be modified and tuned nicely, you can't go wrong with a Galaxy 949 or 959. Both are easy to modify/tuneup, can have extra channels put in, and reliable. You can pick one of these up for about 150.00-175.00 depending on where you get it from.
Another good choice is the Texas Ranger TR-696 FD1, very similar to the Galaxy 949/959 but with a 6 digit counter and a nice looking american flag faceplate. These go for about the same price as a Galaxy 949/959.
If you're after a dual final/export radio, I've been told that the SS-158EDX is a good choice, has all the bells and whistles for a good price, in the 230.00-245.00 range.
Just my two cents worth, of course.
If you decide to go the "used" route, best bet is to find yourself a Cobra 148GTL off Ebay. Look for the ones that have the mic jack on the side, not on the front. The ones that have the mic jack on the front are the new models, and for the most part are pretty crappy.
I'm sure more people will post on this, so you'll have more radios to choose from. This is all I could think of off the top of my brain at 4 AM.
I second the superstar 158edx!!! If your not too keen on that rig, you might look into the Ranger rg99. It uses the same board but the radio looks like the older president rigs. If your looking for 40 channel only, The def the galaxy's mentioned above.
B
BOOTY MONSTER
Guest
Can't go wrong with a Magnum 257. I'll bet that new Astatic 878 desk mic would sound really good with the 257. I have an 1104c that uses the same element as the 878 and it sounds sweet on the 257 and clones.
For a little more money, you should check out the 2970dx.
For a little more money, you should check out the 2970dx.
DXman
Yes, that's 3100 degrees F. Nine yrs of hard work.
After dealing with a few of the SS-158EDX radios, Cbradiomagazine nailed it....they drift something nasty. They talk awesome, but drift bad.
I did a clarifier mod for a buddy of mine that bought one, converted it to a single pot unlocked clarifier from the dual pot (hate dual clarifiers...) and I made a seperate +8V regulator circuit for the clarifier that runs off the power switch. While it still had some drift, I reduced the drift dramatically, got it down to where it drifts about .1 kc now, where it drifted .3 - .4 kc before.
It really isn't worth all the hassle to mod the clarifier on a SS-158EDX when a Ranger 2950DX or a Magnum 257 don't drift.
Milkman and Highlander are both right on the money with a Magnum 257. Those are great little radios for the money.
I did a clarifier mod for a buddy of mine that bought one, converted it to a single pot unlocked clarifier from the dual pot (hate dual clarifiers...) and I made a seperate +8V regulator circuit for the clarifier that runs off the power switch. While it still had some drift, I reduced the drift dramatically, got it down to where it drifts about .1 kc now, where it drifted .3 - .4 kc before.
It really isn't worth all the hassle to mod the clarifier on a SS-158EDX when a Ranger 2950DX or a Magnum 257 don't drift.
Milkman and Highlander are both right on the money with a Magnum 257. Those are great little radios for the money.
SS158 is nice. has a 6 digit counter which is nice for ssb. im not a stickler about a drifiting radio so Id go with the 158. dual finals can beat that if your on a budget. if your not on a budget, Id go with the Mag S980.
My 2 cents
BR Northside of Key up city got down
My 2 cents
BR Northside of Key up city got down
if you want a rock solid performer on ssb and reliable am radio......... go with the 2950. want a little more fire in da wire......... go with the 2970.
The SS - 158 EDX only drifts when cold, when it's warmed up it's fine - even when it's cold it only drifts by a maximum of 0.2 kHz, hardly worth worrying about.
How many times have you been in QSO on SSB with a station that is bang on frequency?
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