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What's your pick?

BammBamm

BammBamm

Instigators ...173 on the southside.
May 24, 2010
625
303
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Steger,Illinois
If for some reason you could only have 1 radio and antenna for your 11 meter and freebanding use what would it be? doesn't matter if it's mobile or base and you don't have to defend yourself with why. I was given this question today by a family member who seen my setup and asked why I had 4 radios on my desk but only 1 hooked up. Only my 949 stays hooked up as it is the only with SSB the others are 2 cobra 29ltd's and a midland with weather channels. When I explained I like the midland for bad weather here in Chicago and use the 29 for traveling or loaning out and the 949 is my base he still didn't seem to get it. The other 29 doesn't work but maybe someday will or will remain for parts as I bought it for $10 at a garage sale. So what's your pick?
 

If you are serious about getting into DX; then SSB is the way to go.
Or are you an AMer?

For SSB; an Icom IC-718
For AM; then what you have already is fine . . .
 
I used to be a driver long ago used a cobra 25 and worked well enuff for the job I had to do. Now I no longer run the big trucks ( I actually miss it) I got a ranger 696 in my mobile. Now at lunch time there have been times i walk out to my truck and have shot skip to Long Isadns NY from Racine WI.. That being said those two radios ive ever owned. Still lookin for a tech in my neighborhood that knows what they doing. anyone been to Q5 in Madison?
 
Well because of its options and reliabilty Ide have to say my Galaxy DX2527 if I were to keep a 110V base as for a mobile as a base Ide say any of my 2950 models or possibly my Uniden HR2510. As for the microphone either a non amplified astatic base I have or my trusty old Turner Plus Three base mic

As for an antenna I love my beams for obvious reasons but for a simple worry / trouble free setup Ide have to go with my Antron 99 with groundplane kit or my Imax with groundplane kit their simple and work great for getting the job done and I can use them from 10 - 17 meters so I get major use from them.
 
President Jackson, first class SSB radio, passable on FM, never use AM so can't really comment on AM performance except to say its not overly brilliant. But for a top dx radio that does a passable job on local AM/FM work you can't ask for better.

My backup would be a cobra 148 gtl dx/superstar 360fm or president grant, for the same reasons as the jackson, but they lack the frequency coverage of the jacko that comes in handy in busy conditions where slipping down to the low end of 26 mhz can bring interesting results.

All these radios are very reliable when run within specifications.Between them and their clones they've probably accounted for about 75% or more of all dx contacts made on 11m in the past 30 years.

antenna would either be a sirio hp4000 for mobile dx or a sirio tornado 27 (cost v performance, on a tight budget like mine). a zetagi b300p or rm kl400 would be the only extra thing i'd take for tougher times, ensuring it wasn't overdriven.

Nothing fancy for me, just reliable honest gear that gets the job done time after time, at a budget just about anyone can afford with a bit of saving.
 
There's too many good choices to name a "best" anything.

You're going to have to narrow it down some and give us a spending budget.
 
Base: Royce 1-642 AM/SSB base, Hy-Gain Super Penetrator 500.

Mobile: Cobra 146GTL, 102" stainless steel whip.

Bar none, the best setups I've ever ran for both local and DX. I've had the 10M stuff, even the fancy $2000 HF rigs. Doesn't compare to a good old CB radio for 11 meter/freeband.



~Cheers~
 
if i had one choice for base or mobile radio, my connex 4800 does wonders for me. as a mobile, ive talked from cali to texas to rhode island, etc, etc, on a wilson 1000 mag mount ant. as for a base antenna, i like it simple! an antron A99 will do just fine, for me. ive had the most luck and compliments with those as a combined setup.
 
kenwood ts 690s/at. a notch filter makes all the difference when working ssb.
 

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