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New radio help

The optima MK3 is by no means an HF radio!! Like I said its apples to oranges. And no you are correct, the kenwood 480 that was bought isn't a $10k radio. But it is a nice entry level radio for HF or 11m SSB use it should outperform an export radio, I don't care what kind it is. Optima MK3 or not, it is comparing two different types of radios man. JMHO. Take it for what it is. Each have their own purpose and for the money and what it does on SSB, the optima mk3 is a fine radio!! No they don't really need an alignment per say as the clarifier is unlocked both rx and tx. But yes they will go through the radio and make sure that 12 o'clock is center freq and such. And they add a different mic as well. This is if you buy it from the actual dealer which is Yeti Comm. LTD. or survival systems.com I think. Anyway. Just my take on things.
I was just giving you all a hard time. I will get an optima just so I can say I tried one. I just sent an email to yeticom about the mode switch, and a shipping quote.
 
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Question ......
To run the Optima on lets say 11 meter (for now anyways) I would have them set the internal jumper to the freeband mode when I order? I looked at the settings of the internal jumper, and they way I'm taking it that in the "Free Band Mode" it's open to ALL frequencies, 10/11/12 correct?
What is everyone else having their mode set on?
How hard is it to change the mode? Looking at the picture(below) it appears to be a unplug from one mode and move to the other mode?
Thanks in advance for help with in getting this right before I order!!!
Want to get it right the fist time so I don't "have" to open the radio up and change mode and risk voiding the warranty!


(below is what I found on the web)

1. Freeband Mode. The radio is open from 24.5 to 29.995 with all functions. 5khz step default. Frequency read out only. Press Call (button 2) to step up in 1mhz steps.

2. Ham Mode 24.5mhz to 25.000 and 28.000 to 29.995. 5khz step default. Press call (button 2) to toggle between bands.

3. 40 channel US CB band. 10khz steps. func and call toggles between channel read out and frequency.

4. 40 channel NZ CB Band (26330-26.770mhz) in 10khz steps. Func and call to toggle between channel read out and frequency.

Jumpers on main board behind Microphone Socket.

Yeticom%20Optima%2010%2011%2012%20Meter%20Radio%20(3)%20(Small).jpg
 
just so you know,, the jumper does not have to be moved to enter free band mode,, it just needs to be removed,,

so in theory just a switch across your current cb jumper mode would work,, you just need to remove (open the circuit) for the jumper and you will have freeband mode

my optima's don't have a jumper in them and they are in freeband mode

position 1 (freeband mode) is just a dummy spot to hold the jumper
 
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just so you know,, the jumper does not have to be moved to enter free band mode,, it just needs to be removed,,

so in theory just a switch across your current cb jumper mode would work,, you just need to remove (open the circuit) for the jumper and you will have freeband mode

my optima's don't have a jumper in them and they are in freeband mode

position 1 (freeband mode) is just a dummy spot to hold the jumper
Thanks for the info. That sure makes it a lot easier to hook up, and easier to find a suitable spst switch.
 
No worries 338! No offense taken what so ever!! I just call it like it see it! I am by no means an expert at any of this stuff, I learn something new everyday myself!! With that said, I don't think you will be disappointed with the optima mk3 as far as it working well for SSB. I have a few radios and kept finding myself going back to the optima mk3 due to its simplicity and being a solid radio. No fancy bells and whistles, just a good talking radio. Anyway, have a good one and hope to catch you on air. I think we have spoken on air on SSB before as a matter of fact. Been a while, but I seem to recall your numbers.
222 Daytona Beach, FL waving and saying 73 and God Bless.
 
just so you know,, the jumper does not have to be moved to enter free band mode,, it just needs to be removed,,

so in theory just a switch across your current cb jumper mode would work,, you just need to remove (open the circuit) for the jumper and you will have freeband mode

my optima's don't have a jumper in them and they are in freeband mode

position 1 (freeband mode) is just a dummy spot to hold the jumper

OK then.... when I order, have them put in freeband and I'm good to go!
Thanks camaro1, I know you told me about not to worry where the jumper is/was.. I just wanted to make sure before ordering which mode to have that jumper on and knowing that i don't have to open it up and voiding the (1 year) warranty!
 
I got an email back from mike, and he did confirm that the case would be sealed, but he said he would add a mode switch for $10. The only downside, is the radio has to be turned off to reset the cpu before it will actually change mode. And shipping is quite pricey
 
Does anyone know if you loose your presets when you change from cb mode to freeband mode, and vice versa? Mike said he couldn't remember. I really don't want to spend $350 for a radio that might do what I want, when I can get a 2950 for $300 that is guaranteed to do what I want it to.
 
I got an email back from mike, and he did confirm that the case would be sealed, but he said he would add a mode switch for $10. The only downside, is the radio has to be turned off to reset the cpu before it will actually change mode. And shipping is quite pricey

makes me wonder what, if anything, would happen if you forget and switch it with the radio on.
 
makes me wonder what, if anything, would happen if you forget and switch it with the radio on.
Mike made it sound like you could flip the switch any time, but it wouldn't change until the cpu was rebooted.

"the switch will be beside the heatsink at the back on the back panel(about the only place i can put it ) flick one way its usa40 after you turn the radio off then back on ..free band the other way when you turn the radio off then back on (need to do that to reset the cpu startup) "
 
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If Mike confirmed it, i would trust what he says. As far as the price, after adding a good mic and the radio being aligned. And you have the warranty. So it may be a bit expensive for shipping but if you add up all what you get, it is about the same as far as price goes. And as far as quality, they are made well and very simple to operate.
 

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