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RCI 2970N2 power ?
- Thread starter Se7en
- Start date
sad story here..bought a n2 when they first came out.never ran it over 1oo/200 watts ssb.then one day just sittin there it went black..sent it to bobs cb in PA.it sat at bobs for a year and never was even looked at.finaly called bob and threatened to kick his ass and the radio showed up back at my place unfixed a week later..and the radio is still here doing nuttin....let that be a lesson to you,ins bout BOBS n the N2....
Bob's is a great place, that said there was a thread here several months ago saying they were 3-6 month's behind on service work. You might either go with a factory RCI service place or Doug at Custom cb radio. This last summer I had several repairs done by Doug with a 3 week turnaround time.
You might also consider DTB radio who is also a forum member.
You might also consider DTB radio who is also a forum member.
If I get a N2 it's staying stock no need for some snaggle tooth tech trying to tune the radio.
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If you leave it stock then all it will be is a 10m ham radio. Is that what you want? To talk 11m it will need to be converted. Since a tech will have to do this that would be the time to make sure the radio is on frequency, the receive is aligned properly, and the rest of the radio is tuned for proper factory spec output. Beyond a conversion and proper tune and alignment the N2 needs nothing extra or special.
If all you do is get it converted then you will be stuck with whatever "ballpark assembly line" settings it got when it was built. If you got a monday or friday built radio and the worker had other things on his mind you will have an average at best sounding radio. Might be a tad off frequency and poor receive.
This is why a good tech needs to at least go through it and check it out. I promise you there is a big difference between a "ballpark assembly line tune" and the same radio done right by say DTB radio. In the end though it's your money and your radio. If your happy sounding plain and average then so is copper and H&Y, they sell a bunch of radio's to people who feel that way.
Don't forget 12 meters.
Been enjoying 12 meters with 3 other locals here lately.
Vanilla Sky: I'll buy your e-chip from you when you get your N2.
Been enjoying 12 meters with 3 other locals here lately.
Vanilla Sky: I'll buy your e-chip from you when you get your N2.
The best way to tune this radio is to not exceed 100 watts on am and 150 on SSB. The extra watts are not going to improve DX much if any until you hit 500-600 watts so why heat soak the parts and stress the unit?
Install some form of compression or NPC that is switchable. I like the SP1a or the Greek made NPC board. Set the unit to dead key 25-35 watts and to swing to 100 watts on am. Set it to 150 watts on ssb.
Now you can rag chew or run NPC or compression all day and not over heat the radio or splater. The unit will last 17 plus years of daily use before you need to fix anything!!!
Install some form of compression or NPC that is switchable. I like the SP1a or the Greek made NPC board. Set the unit to dead key 25-35 watts and to swing to 100 watts on am. Set it to 150 watts on ssb.
Now you can rag chew or run NPC or compression all day and not over heat the radio or splater. The unit will last 17 plus years of daily use before you need to fix anything!!!
I never could understand the fixation on watts. I bought the 2970N2 and it was one of the best mobile radios I owned. Reliable, on frequency, and clear audio both transmit and receive. Made many DX contacts with out any additional power added. I always felt that if you needed more power it is better to hang a linear behind it rather than mess up a good radio! Some radio technicians have an "alignment script" they work with and don't really care about the results. I have only heard of one tech that checked the "Harmonic emissions" after the "Tune Up."
im still waiting for RCI to bring out a service manual for this radio. I don't see how they can expect to sell these things for $500+ and not offer a service manual...
Agreed. I make it a point to make sure it won't pull more than 40 amps on SSB with HARD modulation. One of the things I do is make sure the main amp bias's are set for no more than 4 volts (make sure the bias level for each quad is within .1 volts of the other, as well)
What amp is onboard the 2970N2 an AB or class C amp. would a 2950 dx with a Texas Star DX350hdv be a cleaner output and a better option. But cost more..???
