Optima MK3

[338_MtRushmore]

I have an Optima MK3 that I ordered from coldfrontsales on 1-30-16. I opened it to change the mode, and nothing else was touched. I also drilled the hole over the mic, but other than that it hasn't been monkeyed with. This radio has been overhead in my truck for most of the time I've had it. I haven't really cared for it because it isn't that great on am, the buttons don't light up, and noise cancelling mics don't work well with it. I would keep it if I ever planned to setup a base, but it sucks in the mobile.

I would really like to trade it for a nice 148 or grant xl or lt. Echo, talkback and extra channels would be nice if not a hack job. You must be a reputable and contributing member here, and I would be willing to send first so you could check it out. I will try to sell it if no trade deals are made. I will try to get some pics up tomorrow

 

[phantom309]

May I ask why you drilled a hole over the mic? Not overly familiar with this radio myself, but I've heard they are really good on ssb.

 

[222DBFL]

I think he meant to say he opened the mic hole up some. The mic that comes with them from other sellers and not the actual dealer are a small mic and the mic has a very small opening for speaking into. Opening it up a bit helps. A better route for that radio is one of several Icom mics. The HM36 made in Japan one is what i use on mine and it gets great audio reports. And no they aren't an AM radio per say, but setup right they can sound good on AM. Nothing like a cobra 29, but they are more an SSB radio. That is where they shine!! JMHO.

 

[BBB]

I have a nice Uniden Grant LT that I may be interested in a trade for the MK3. I'll post up a picture here in a few minutes...

 

[BBB]

Here is a pic of the Uniden Grant LT I have.

She's all stock except for the AM modulation turned up. This radio is not hacked and has very strong & clear AM modulation. 3 watt AM carrier and swings to 18 watts on AM. SSB mode swings to 22 watts. This is with a power desk mic.

All lights and LED segments illuminate properly. Casing and face-plate show some usage and scratches from previous owner although I have never had it in a vehicle. Unit has mounting bracket, power cord and stock mic.

Just bench tested and working properly. Really a nice sounding radio on AM when used with an echo mic set on low reverb mode.

 

[338_MtRushmore]

Here is a pic of the Uniden Grant LT I have.

She's all stock except for the AM modulation turned up. This radio is not hacked and has very strong & clear AM modulation. 3 watt AM carrier and swings to 18 watts on AM. SSB mode swings to 22 watts. This is with a power desk mic.

All lights and LED segments illuminate properly. Casing and face-plate show some usage and scratches from previous owner although I have never had it in a vehicle. Unit has mounting bracket, power cord and stock mic.

Just bench tested and working properly. Really a nice sounding radio on AM when used with an echo mic set on low reverb mode.

I would really like one with an echo board. I'd like to run an rk56, and I like a slight reverb. Let's see what else pops up, but I am interested. Thanks

 

[BBB]

Thanks for looking! I have a working Connex echo board in a working Cobra 29 that you could have installed in the Grant. I would include that radio with the echo board in it (sans any accessories) also in the trade, but I'm not hacking the Grant LT

 

[338_MtRushmore]

Do you happen to recall which board it is?

 

[9C1Driver]

An echo board in a Grant xl or lt??? That should be a crime. Get a 2018 mic and be done.

 

[338_MtRushmore]

An echo board in a Grant xl or lt??? That should be a crime. Get a 2018 mic and be done.

I have tried a 2018, and it didn't sound very good. I was hoping to find one already violated so I wouldn't have to.

 

[tba02]

I thought the 2018 sounded great on my (100% stock) Grant XL.

 

[338_MtRushmore]

I thought the 2018 sounded great on my (100% stock) Grant XL.

It didn't work we'll for me, it picked up a lot of background noise. I'm sure it would be great in a shack though.

 

[Bow]

Got a price on the radio if you were just to sell it?

 

[338_MtRushmore]

Got a price on the radio if you were just to sell it?

I hadn't really considered a price, but I would be open to offers.

 

[222DBFL]

There is one for sale here now for $250 I think. And it's from Yeticomm. They are great radios for SSB use and are not bad on AM. No they don't have that big Galaxy sound on AM, but they are clean and clear. Yes you can mod them to work well on AM I am sure, but they are or were built more for SSB and FM use it would seem to me from my own experience with using one for almost over a year in the mobile. And also used as a base radio too. Have had mine for almost 3 years I believe. Had a magnum 257hp before that and it worked well on AM and SSB, but the radio was just too damn fragile and rhey had issues. Throwing carrier, didn't like VSWR over 1.3:1, they started acting funny. Just weren't built with the same quality as the optima MK3. And the filter for SSB is a big plus!! It's really knocks down unwanted noise and enables you to pick up way more actual contacts. Did for me anyways. But those that are looking for big AM sound might as well stick to something like a cobra 29, or some of the older magnum radios such as the s45, S9, and so on. Or a Galaxy or connex radio.
Hey 338, didn't you say you were going to order a 2018 extreme mic for the optima mk3 you have?? If so, how did it work with the radio?? Not like it? You could always have the mods done to make it work well on AM. Per Yeticom LTD, it's possible. Don't see why it wouldn't be. But it would require some mods I am sure. Anyways.
Also remeber that there are still a few of these radios being sold by Yeticomm LTD. right now. I just posted a pic somewhere of the ad and website for them. They are $250 plus shipping I believe. Here is the ad again as of 1-31-17. Hope this helps someone!!