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Ranger TR-296 opinions.. (148 GTL clone)
- Thread starter CB590
- Start date
Nevermind just grabbed a Anytone 5555 v6 for $165 new in box of EB.. seller just listed it, won't fit in his car..
That's the way it seemed. I think they might have damaged in more ways and UNIDEN refused to take it back. Look out for amazon sellers. If it seems to good to be true, it is.
I have not even checked the frequency yet.
I had a Anytone AT555N. It was a nice radio. I got a lot of compliments on it. I did not like the way the microphone plugged in the radio and the power was less that the AT6666. It also had a nice meter.
Andy,
This is a "Made in the Malaysia" 148GTL I've got about $25.00 in (rich for me) but does power up and receive. Haven't tried transmit yet-but in due time.
As you can see from the pics, it does have the RCI/Ranger made 8719. Date code on the radio is "199508". I see L9 has a 10k ohm in what looks like the "R16" position and appears to be tied to one of the legs of L9. There is a 100ohm in what appears to be the "R66" position (but is a little further away and doesn't appear to be connected directly to L9 but is attached to the center leg of FT3)
Do I have a future "Lump of Coal" on my hands?
73's
David
I worked on one of these about six months ago. It is a stable freq radio, the parts aren't the same grade as the Uniden builds, and is much like the TR-296 from what I'd seen.
Robb,
That's good to hear. I only use sideband so stability does interest me. So this one may find itself as a back up rig.
My plans are to re-cap it, remove the "talkback" mod and blue meter LED and shelve it like the other 10 or 15 sitting around here. If there is a need to swap the resistor as Andy mentioned I will certainly do that as well. This one has had the final replaced at some point (but replaced with a Mitsubishi 1969) and TR28 has been replaced. Other than that, it's all stock. Kind of amazed since it is 23 years old this month.
For what I have in it and what I will have in it when it is done, I can't complain. Besides it gives me something to do and learn from.
73's
David
That's good to hear. I only use sideband so stability does interest me. So this one may find itself as a back up rig.
My plans are to re-cap it, remove the "talkback" mod and blue meter LED and shelve it like the other 10 or 15 sitting around here. If there is a need to swap the resistor as Andy mentioned I will certainly do that as well. This one has had the final replaced at some point (but replaced with a Mitsubishi 1969) and TR28 has been replaced. Other than that, it's all stock. Kind of amazed since it is 23 years old this month.
For what I have in it and what I will have in it when it is done, I can't complain. Besides it gives me something to do and learn from.
73's
David
If you are going to use it on SSB (that will work out fine IMO); then also make sure that the AM Limiter is in there. Seen too many of them removed in these radios. Otherwise, it will sound like crap on SSB. Contrary to the belief of some, removing the limiter doesn't affect SSB. Not what I'd seen time and time again. Put it back in for best results.
Limiters are intact. VR11 cranked full bore. (Not for long!)
I don't even have a mike wired for it yet. A big turn off with the bright blue meter LED and Red channel display. Have to get that swapped out first before powering it up again. Not a fan of the blue LED's.
73's
David
I don't even have a mike wired for it yet. A big turn off with the bright blue meter LED and Red channel display. Have to get that swapped out first before powering it up again. Not a fan of the blue LED's.
73's
David
The Texas Ranger TR296 is a Malaysian made pre 1998 Cobra 148. I have two of them, and they are loud radios plus the stock mics are first rate!
I bought 2 of them on Ebay for $140 a piece brand new.
They have a freq counter plug on the back if you can find a Texas Ranger freq counter.....you are good to go.
I bought 2 of them on Ebay for $140 a piece brand new.
They have a freq counter plug on the back if you can find a Texas Ranger freq counter.....you are good to go.
I let the TR-296 go..
I bought a new in box Anytone AT-5555 for a super decent price.
It's due in Monday.
Thanks for all the responses.
I bought a new in box Anytone AT-5555 for a super decent price.
It's due in Monday.
Thanks for all the responses.
Perhaps it is wise that you did,,,
Take a look at the latter versions of printing on the RCI-8719 chip -
That's just a sample of what is out there...
Note the "Ranger" logo and on your board - one is from 99' the other is from 97 - and your is VERY similar to the 97' year logo - I hope these aren't reprints or a repackage - they'll work but the R16 stuff? Hmmm...I think you're safe to look elsewhere.
This may have been a problem child and when it changes hands - a part of the history is lost, if not on purpose - so the buyer is even more unawares.
You don't buy a used car sight unseen - you need to protect yourself.
The "L9" on a true Malaysian board - 148GTL-F - would have been a ferrite bead, and a 100 ohm resistor IN L9 spot.
So these are (by indication alone in FONT used) reworks, using chips (re)sourced from whom knows where...
Take a look at the latter versions of printing on the RCI-8719 chip -
That's just a sample of what is out there...
Note the "Ranger" logo and on your board - one is from 99' the other is from 97 - and your is VERY similar to the 97' year logo - I hope these aren't reprints or a repackage - they'll work but the R16 stuff? Hmmm...I think you're safe to look elsewhere.
This may have been a problem child and when it changes hands - a part of the history is lost, if not on purpose - so the buyer is even more unawares.
You don't buy a used car sight unseen - you need to protect yourself.
The "L9" on a true Malaysian board - 148GTL-F - would have been a ferrite bead, and a 100 ohm resistor IN L9 spot.
So these are (by indication alone in FONT used) reworks, using chips (re)sourced from whom knows where...
Fujitsu stopped making the 8719 in the mid-1990s, along with all their other analog and LSI CMOS stuff. They did a "last run" of all those parts, to supply customers who still relied on that part, and give them time to redesign their products.
RCI hired someone to build the RCI8719 clone chips. One of these is built to run from 5 Volts, not from 8 like the original.
And one of them is okay at 8 Volts. Just can't remember which is which.
Pretty sure there is a third clone version that says "RCI" on it, but I can't remember the suffix that indicates that batch of chips.
Not so different from the "RCI 145106" chips that RCI has made for them to use in the 10-meter (snicker) radios. Motorola was the sole source for that chip until they finally stopped making it. Not sure who sells them the RCI version.
73
RCI hired someone to build the RCI8719 clone chips. One of these is built to run from 5 Volts, not from 8 like the original.
And one of them is okay at 8 Volts. Just can't remember which is which.
Pretty sure there is a third clone version that says "RCI" on it, but I can't remember the suffix that indicates that batch of chips.
Not so different from the "RCI 145106" chips that RCI has made for them to use in the 10-meter (snicker) radios. Motorola was the sole source for that chip until they finally stopped making it. Not sure who sells them the RCI version.
73
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