So here's the latest, greatest 2995 radio. A model number that's been made and sold for 23 or 24 years, best I remember.
Previously there was the "DXCF" suffix, as in "Cooling Fan". It had been an extra-cost accessory, and this model made it a stock feature.
Now we have the "RCI2995DXHP". This one arrived to be uncrippled and cover the complete frequency range outside the two ham bands.
First thing that caught my eye was the part number on the shipping carton. Never noticed the word "TURBO" embedded in the carton's stock number. Quirky. Never noticed that before.
The first product built by RCI that had the linear strapped to the back was the Galaxy Saturn Turbo, around 30 years ago or nearly.
No "RT" components of any kind on the radio circuit board. Just a single IRF520, this one made by Siliconix. Used to be an American company.
The main circuit board hasn't changed much. Instead of a small white sticky label to show what model the pc board is to used for, just some Sharpie mark.
Ever since Y2K or so, the serial number on a radio built by RCI has a letter at the beginning. It indicates the country where the radio was built. Every new radio we see with the RCI name on it is coming from Malaysia, like this one. New radios with the Galaxy and Connex names have serial numbers that begin with the letter "V" as in Vietnam. It's worth remembering that 30-plus years ago when RCI's plant in Melaka, Malaysia was getting their feet under them they had quality issues. Took a few years, but they cleaned up their act. Seems to me the Vietnam facility is having the same "teething" issues with quality control. Just seems to be no mistake that RCI's name brand radios are made only in the plant with decades of experience. The new guys in Vietnam are building radios with "client" brand names on them.
Hmmmm.
I didn't tear the radio down to see what's in the linear amplifier. Not a part of this job, cutting it over to full coverage for a new-radio dealer.
I can confirm it will show over 200 Watts PEP on AM with the limiter turned up. Sideband will sound a lot better turned down to 150 or 170 Watts PEP.
Still a bit meaner than the previous incarnations.
Evolution never stops.
73
Previously there was the "DXCF" suffix, as in "Cooling Fan". It had been an extra-cost accessory, and this model made it a stock feature.
Now we have the "RCI2995DXHP". This one arrived to be uncrippled and cover the complete frequency range outside the two ham bands.
First thing that caught my eye was the part number on the shipping carton. Never noticed the word "TURBO" embedded in the carton's stock number. Quirky. Never noticed that before.
The first product built by RCI that had the linear strapped to the back was the Galaxy Saturn Turbo, around 30 years ago or nearly.
No "RT" components of any kind on the radio circuit board. Just a single IRF520, this one made by Siliconix. Used to be an American company.
The main circuit board hasn't changed much. Instead of a small white sticky label to show what model the pc board is to used for, just some Sharpie mark.
Ever since Y2K or so, the serial number on a radio built by RCI has a letter at the beginning. It indicates the country where the radio was built. Every new radio we see with the RCI name on it is coming from Malaysia, like this one. New radios with the Galaxy and Connex names have serial numbers that begin with the letter "V" as in Vietnam. It's worth remembering that 30-plus years ago when RCI's plant in Melaka, Malaysia was getting their feet under them they had quality issues. Took a few years, but they cleaned up their act. Seems to me the Vietnam facility is having the same "teething" issues with quality control. Just seems to be no mistake that RCI's name brand radios are made only in the plant with decades of experience. The new guys in Vietnam are building radios with "client" brand names on them.
Hmmmm.
I didn't tear the radio down to see what's in the linear amplifier. Not a part of this job, cutting it over to full coverage for a new-radio dealer.
I can confirm it will show over 200 Watts PEP on AM with the limiter turned up. Sideband will sound a lot better turned down to 150 or 170 Watts PEP.
Still a bit meaner than the previous incarnations.
Evolution never stops.
73
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