New radio help

[Mudduckmobile]

I liked my optima mk3 with my magnaforce 350hd! It absolutely rocked for a 2 pill mobile. Always got great reports and made many, mant contacts. It's actually how I came to get the optima mk3. I was using a magnum 257hp in the mobile until I heard camaro1 talking on an optima mk3 with the Icom HM36 made in Japan, and yes it's a real made in Japan one LOL!! At any rate I didn't look back and the only other radios I will now use are HF radios or my Uniden 980. I run an Icom 746 and kenwood ts140s for a base. But I wouldn't hesitate to pull out the optima mk3 and use it if needed!! It's a workhorse of a radio and has been for me for a couple years now.

Thank you, the Optima mklll is the "BEST SSB" rig on the market today. maybe you will hear us tomorrow if we get 1/2 way good conditions, today kind of sucked, could only get Jamaica to the east, and Marshal Islands to the west, and one up in the Philippines. Tomorrow we'll be working USB 27.770, and then FM 29.001. by the way FM is real fun with 10kw...:}. air time....I hope we can start 1300 pt.

 

[222DBFL]

If you really want to play on SSB get an HF radio like the kenwood ts480hx. 200 watts and I promise it will be bad ass on SSB and also they work pretty good on am from what other have told me. I have heard them on air on SSB and they sound great. But we are talking about 2 totally different radios here as far as any export radio made, its like comparing apples to oranges. Good luck and hope you find what you are looking for.

 

[338_MtRushmore]

Yeah, so moving on from the Optima derailment, I found a grant lt on Craigslist that I think I'm going to try out. I'm really not a hardcore radio junkie. It is just an entertaining way to pass time in the truck. I firmly believe that 90+% of stations on 11 meters do not have equipment that you could tell the difference between a 955hp, 2950dx, or optima. That old crackling speaker that most stations run is crap anyways.

 

[Nick23]

Ham radio's for CB use....... What would Jerry Reed and Burt Reynolds say? Not to mention Sheriff Buford T. Justice....

 

[338_MtRushmore]

Is the survival-systems.com the place to buy the optima? I thought last time I looked they were $350+, but that site says $275. I might just get one if they are that inexpensive

 

[Mudduckmobile]

Is the survival-systems.com the place to buy the optima? I thought last time I looked they were $350+, but that site says $275. I might just get one if they are that inexpensive

call Dave you have shipping too, and yes.

 

[338_MtRushmore]

call Dave you have shipping too, and yes.

If he says I can add a switch for mode selection without voiding the warranty, I will order one. Still getting the grant though.

 

[222DBFL]

Yes, but shipping is expensive from NZ. But the radio comes with an upgraded mic and has been tuned and aligned by a great tech!!! You won't be disappointed. Not heard of anyone bitch about one yet anyways, not that it means much. Anyways. Give Mike a shout!!!

 

[338_MtRushmore]

So he aligns them after they leave the factory, and the ebay optimas need an alignment, is this correct? Are the buttons lit too, or just the knobs?

 

[Mudduckmobile]

So he aligns them after they leave the factory, and the ebay optimas need an alignment, is this correct?

DON'T buy EBAY, Optima, Only from Dave and Mike in NZ. they designed the radio, and had it built, the factory has to do it one way, the designers finish the job,, so to say.

 

[Nick23]

Kenwood...
Wow! 1,200 to 1,500

I'll stick with my Cobra 29. No way in hell I could justify that. Might explain why I never got into ham radio... I literally paid less for my car--$900.

 

[Nick23]

Kenwood...
Wow! 1,200 to 1,400

I'll stick with my Cobra 29. No way in hell I could justify that. Might explain why I never got into ham radio... I literally paid less for my car--$900.

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/3325

 

[338_MtRushmore]

Kenwood...
Wow! 1,200 to 1,500

I'll stick with my Cobra 29. No way in hell I could justify that. Might explain why I never got into ham radio... I literally paid less for my car--$900.

I'm pretty certain that is only an upper entry level transceiver. I've seen others that cost over $10k. Now that is some serious stuff there. According to Mudduckmobile, the optima is better than any $5k transceiver, and it's only an export, so really $5k would be entry level ham. Right?

 

[Nick23]

I'm pretty certain that is only an upper entry level transceiver. I've seen others that cost over $10k. Now that is some serious stuff there. According to Mudduckmobile, the optima is better than any $5k transceiver, and it's only an export, so really $5k would be entry level ham. Right?

I was real serious about getting my "ticket", took and passed the practice exams... Then I started looking at stuff like this ^^^ yeah I know there's cheaper ways to get into ham radio but... still really?

Anyway good luck and enjoy

 

[222DBFL]

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.